After my Fiber East post, Probably Jane commented that, along with Nickerjac, she's part of a knitting group that meets at Stepney City Farm. Jane mentioned that the farm has a large farmyard to run around in, toy tractors, great cake and kittens (real, actual kittens) , so I decided this would be a way of combining knitting and boys during a summer holiday morning.
The kittens were friendly and cute beyond words. We also fed sheep and patted donkeys, noshed bacon sandwiches and ate the chocolatiest-ever chocolate cake. The knitting group was the best bit though. Nic and Jane were so welcoming, helpful and chatty.
The kittens were friendly and cute beyond words. We also fed sheep and patted donkeys, noshed bacon sandwiches and ate the chocolatiest-ever chocolate cake. The knitting group was the best bit though. Nic and Jane were so welcoming, helpful and chatty.
I found out something really cool too. I sort of knew Nic already; before I had the boys I used to go to a knitting group that met every couple of weeks at the cafe in Liberty department store. Nic used to go there sometimes but it was a large group and I hadn't spoken that much with her. Soon after I had my eldest son, 10 years ago now, I received a hand-knitted blanket in the post from the Liberty Knitters. Nic told me yesterday that she had made and sewn together some of the squares in that blanket.
I was a bit lost for words. I remember that it arrived on a day when new-motherhood was hard. Receiving a surprise parcel and opening it to find that there were people in the world who thought enough of me to knit 65,000 stitches into a blanket for my baby was a powerful way to lift my day.
When I got home from Stepney I remembered that after receiving the parcel, I'd been given access to the Yahoo messages group that the Liberty Knitters had used to co-ordinate blanket-making activities. I found the messages online still, and the final one, dated 14 September 2004, was a thank you copied in from an email from me, so that all the girls who had made squares could read it:
I was a bit lost for words. I remember that it arrived on a day when new-motherhood was hard. Receiving a surprise parcel and opening it to find that there were people in the world who thought enough of me to knit 65,000 stitches into a blanket for my baby was a powerful way to lift my day.
When I got home from Stepney I remembered that after receiving the parcel, I'd been given access to the Yahoo messages group that the Liberty Knitters had used to co-ordinate blanket-making activities. I found the messages online still, and the final one, dated 14 September 2004, was a thank you copied in from an email from me, so that all the girls who had made squares could read it:
Not quite lost for words - but 'Wow' was all I could manage first thing this morning. I received a large parcel, and inside was one of the most wonderful presents I've ever received... a baby blanket, beautifully knitted and lined by the Liberty group. I am so touched, I can't tell you. Whoever thought of it is genius, because I can't think of anything that I could treasure more.
I have been a little down over the last few days. I love my baby more than I can describe, and he was very much wished for, yet still being a new mum is hard. This morning's present has made me feel supported and loved, and I can't thank you enough for that.
Ten years on and I'd like to say again: thank you, Liberty Knitters, your stitches are still treasured.
Ten years of use - and look how well that Rowan Handknit Cotton is wearing!
