Knitting Lesson

While Janet (Grandma) was here she took the time to introduce Ashley to the wonderful world of knitting. She is a prolific knitter (you can read about her knitting exploits on her very own blog here). Over the last few years we have  all been very fortunate to have received various knitted (and woven) items from Grandma. The girls snuggle under Grandma’s woven blankets on their beds, they stay cozy in the car in winter with her crocheted blankets and, when out and about, stay warm with scarves and hats she has knit for them (I have a hat from her too!).

So I felt it was appropriate (and very special for Ashley) that Grandma be the one to teach Ashley the basics of knitting. One afternoon while Janet was here she and Ashley sat over a knitting kit that Ashley had received for Christmas (from Grandma and Granddad, of course). Ashley is very keen to learn and enjoyed her lesson with Grandma. The jury out as to how successful the lesson itself went (it may be another year or so before lessons will sink in), but Grandma continues to be motivated to teach her and Ashley still wants to learn.

 
There was a lot of focus on knitting while Janet was here. From early in her visit, and pretty regularly throughout, Caitlin requested Grandma to knit something for her, with a 3 year old’s expectation that she would start immediately and it would be finished almost right away. Grandma did an excellent job of fielding these requests without devastating the expectation that Grandma will knit other things for her.

Ashley, on the other hand, with the reasonableness of a 5 year old, had only one request: that Grandma knit her a dress. I overheard Ashley tell Granddad that “Grandma is going to knit a dress for me. She might start it while she’s here and she may or may not finish it before she leaves. A dress takes longer to knit.”

Grandma has indeed taken up the challenge. She has never knit a dress before and I think is intrigued at the prospect. She bought a book while she was here with a pattern she may adapt. James took Ashley’s measurements and Janet has brought them home to Ireland. She will now contemplate the task before her and consider wool options.

Meanwhile, Ashley waits patiently, as only a five year old can. She may not mention it for a very long time, but I’m pretty sure that out of the blue either I, or Grandma, will hear the question, “Is my dress ready yet?” When that time comes I wonder what Grandma will say? The challenge is on…

These are the beautiful socks that Grandma knit while she was here for Christmas