An Ode to Knitters

Knitters of the world, unite, I hear the voice loud and clear.

We assemble, women, men, children, teens, elderly, youthful

I see all the knitters I have known

A great niece, Emily, leaning over her first project, long straight needles,

Focused, determined

My niece, Lauren, selecting a delicate yarn, ice blue

It eventually becomes her mother’s scarf

I can’t remember who finished it, me or Lauren

Another niece, Dawn she inpires me with creativity and elegant knitting

My mother, of course, an Irish knit sweater,

Yarn, creamy, bulky, popcorn stitches,

Cables, stockinette, garter

A traditional Irish knit, fisherman knit

My nephew’s scottie dog sweater, maroon with a white scottie dog

He is dressed in grey slacks, running in the front yard, wearing this sweater

My mother, his grandmother made him

When I knit in public, people comment on my knitting

It is an invitation that always surprises me.

Oh, thank you, I say

My mother taught me.

I say it repeatedly because I only knit because of her.

I can’t remember the first project,

Only that she offered knitting needles and yarn and time to be close to her

Of course, I lapped it up, time alone, a mother who cares enough to share her passion.

I move in my own direction now.

I honor her, cherish her, ever grateful she gave me creativity.

We are the knitters of the world, sharing yarn and pattern stories

And our projects, so many, so varied

Sweater, shawl, socks, mittens, hats.

Keep us warm, gladden the hearts of others

Mostly gladden and strengthen us.

Make us happy.

Knit, purl, so simple, only two ways to make a loop,

Loop upon loop.

And now we have a piece, a garment, others wear.

But it is the making more than the giving and wearing that I love.

If you ask the knitters of the world what unites us, we all have different stories.

Different reasons. We just are united in our knitting.

(c) Elaine Lang, published on Facebook, July 25, 2023