Memories in the back of the closet

Laura

Sarah’s got me peeking in my closets and Reading my Stash. It’s one of those projects I was kind of afraid to start. I haven’t gotten to the books yet but way in the back of the closet I did find a bag that reaffirmed my long-term addiction to mohair.

Like many, I learned to knit as a child at my grandmother’s knee but never took up the craft as an adult. It wasn’t until an Irish house mate named Frances brought back some mohair that I started to knit again. I fell in love with the vibrant Irish mohair, started knitting a tartan afghan (it seemed an appropriate use of the yarn) and 18 years later . . .  it’s still not done. It sits in the back of my closet, one of the only projects I never finished. I can’t seem to part with the tartan strips that want to be a blanket but to be honest, I don’t really want to knit with that mohair either. It’s scratchy, it sheds like crazy and it is just a bit too bulky.

My love (dare we say obsession) with mohair has carried over to Bella Knitting. However, (and this is a big however) the two extra-fine kid mohair blends we selected are positively not scratchy or bulky. Cascade Kid Seta (with silk!) and Crystal Palace Merino Kid are lovely to knit with. Still not convinced? Just ask for a sample with any order and we will send it along for free. It’s all part of my secret goal to spread mohair through out the world.

So, here you go, my very first project as an adult knitter and my only long-term UFO.

Not every project has to be finished – sometimes they can just inspire us. This one lead to 18 enjoyable years of knitting and ultimately to a rather significant career change from IBM to Bella Knitting. My friend Frances? Still at IBM and chasing toddlers instead of new yarns but I know she will get back to her knitting roots when she's ready.

I sent Frances a note yesterday. We met in New York but now live cross country from each other. Me in San Francisco and she in Tampa. It was nice to get in touch. So read that stash of yours - you don't know where it might take you.

Comments

[Frances]

So, I had a lengthy comment added earlier today, but it seems not to have made it to the blog!! Here goes again...

Hi Laura and Sarah! Thanks for mentioning me in the blog...my 15 minutes of fame! Yes, I remember those wonderful snowy days or evenings when Laura and I would knit and share some Grand Marnier to keep us warm, while our hubbies were out being boys. Can it be that 13 or 14 years have passed since then?

I would love to have a big snowfall here in Florida (ok, not as big as they've had in upstate NY this week, but still) so that I could cuddle up by the fire (yes, we have a fireplace in Florida. Don't ask. "Resale", the builder and Real Estate agent told us! Then I could knit to my heart's content. That is, if Rory didn't want to play NHL Monopoly. Again. For the 5th time. smile. Speaking of Rory - he's now 6, and Aidan is going to be 9 this month. Where, oh where, does the time go? Honestly, it's just not fair how fast the years are slipping by.

I'm still at IBM...almost 25 years now! When I first started, I thought those people in the "Quarter Century Club" were ancient!

As for the mohair, I do have to agree with Laura on the scratchy/shedding factor. I have lots of that, but have recently found (with a little free time after a client meeting on Long Island) some lovely mohair that I purchased to make a shawl. Still in the bag, begging me to do SOMETHING with it. Poor thing.

Your website is fabulous, and has re-awakened my primal urge to knit, so don't be surprised if you see my name on your order list! Wish I could do that full time. I'll have to find a way...in the meantime, I will live vicariously through you both. Btw, Laura...I remember that afghan! Nice to see that others don't always finish projects. I'm told that being an Aries, it's a common trait. You should see the closet full of projects.....