This week was World Wide Knit in Public Day. I can imagine what GG would have to say about such a thing. She knit and she crocheted, in public, in private, in the car, on vacation, at her house, at my house, at anyone’s house. Why have a day? Make it a lifestyle!
She always had a bag, or two, with a project “on the needles”. Once, she pulled something out of her purse while talking to me at my apartment. It was always a casual move, picking up her needlework while still listening or talking. I never felt ignored or that she was bored with me. Sometimes, I didn’t notice WHEN she took out her knitting only that she was NOW knitting. It was what GG did…knit in public. You shared GG with her knitting, and that was ALL THE TIME.
What some people didn’t know, was that it made her better at listening. I too always have a project for on the go. When I knit during a speech, sermon at church, or program, I realize that I am paying attention to the words and not others in the room, or the decor, or what’s out the window. My hands are busy, my mind is not. I’m in the moment. Wonderboy still reads to me while I knit (one of my favorite pastimes)and I better comprehend the story later BECAUSE I knit. If GG got out her knitting, she was paying attention.
If you wanted to learn, she was more than happy to share her skill with you. It didn't matter how old you were, or if you had ever picked up a hook or needle before.
GG teaching Wonderboy
GG would have loved the gathering for Knit in Public day. We were at the Hoover library in AL. It was 95 degrees outside and over 80 people were knitting in the cafe area inside. I taught beginning crochet. GG was there in spirit as both Wonderboy and I talked about her, used her tools, and caught ourselves using her words and phrases. The energy was encouraging. It was joyful, and respectful of every persons abilities. There was much to see and several showed the artfully wonderful projects they had “on the needles”. It was an atmosphere GG would have been delighted to be a part of.
No comments:
Post a Comment