One Stitch at a Time
“O
Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I
rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.”
“For
you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” *
When
my step-daughter, Shanda, was expecting her first baby, I had the strongest
urge to start knitting baby clothes and blankets. There was just one major obstacle blocking the
way—not knowing how to knit!
I
mentioned my predicament to a friend at church who was an excellent knitter. My
friend, Hope, volunteered to teach me and suggested forming a knitting circle. That
sounded like a wonderful idea!
Hope
made up a kit for me with all of the supplies needed, and a simple instruction
book to help me get started on my own. I
didn’t get anywhere with just the book for guidance though. Help, Hope!
Six
of us showed up to the first meeting of our circle. Some experienced were but
others just learning, like myself. Hope displayed several samples of beautiful
garments that she had made, including a soft baby blanket.
We
had been told beforehand that we would all work on a scarf first. It would just
require one basic stitch and would be a good way to learn. The baby blankets
were going to be more of a challenge.
She
started at the beginning, from taking the yarn off the skein and rolling it
into a yarn ball to putting it onto a needle and actually beginning to knit. For me, just holding
one knitting needle in each hand while at the same time trying to control the
yarn was difficult. The metal needles were slippery and kept sliding through
the loops of yarn onto my lap.
Hope
had to guide my hands as I tried to get the hang of it and loaned me a pair of
plastic needles that seemed to help. After several weeks of patient
instruction, the scarf, with fringe on each end, was completed.
It
seemed like the dream of making something for my new grandbaby was going to
take a long time because I was such a slow knitter and had to concentrate on
each stitch.
But
Hope continued to encourage me, meeting with me individually in addition to the
knitting circle. It wasn’t by accident that she was named “Hope!”
The
hardest part was when I found a mistake and had to unravel several stitches or
rows. That was irritating. I really wanted to get on to making things for the
baby. Sorry to say, our grandson, Nate, was almost a year and a half old
without ever having received a baby blanket from me.
Eventually
I was able to knit more independently, but kept in touch with Hope for guidance.
When Shanda announced that she was expecting again, I decided to switch my
focus to the new baby. This time I thought it would be easier to try making a
sweater instead of a blanket.
Now
that was a new challenge! Baby Elliot was almost two by the time his
multicolored sweater was finished. Thank goodness it wasn’t too small for him!
Eventually
I decided to focus on writing and put aside the knitting needles. When it came
time to move to Michigan, I considered giving all of my supplies away, but
ended up shipping them eastward with all of the rest of our belongings.
Fast
forward from the time I first learned how to knit when Nate was a baby to
December 2022. Nate is now 13 and his brother almost 11.
Due to
health reasons, Shanda will be having more time at home. One day I happened to
ask if she would like to learn how to crochet, knit, cross stitch or maybe
macrame…
Imagine my surprise when she responded without
hesitation,
“I’d
like to learn how to knit! I want to knit baby blankets for future
grandchildren!”
Of
course, how could I not volunteer to teach her how to knit? And that is what we
are doing…one stitch at a time.
Isn’t
it wonderful how God prepares us in advance for the things will that come along
in the future? Isn’t it grand how He puts the desire in our hearts and then
brings it to fruition? Our God is amazing!
“Oh,
the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable
his judgements, and his paths beyond tracing out!” (Romans 11:33 NIV)
*Psalm
139: 1, 13 NIV
.jpg)
Comments
Post a Comment