Knitting Revolution: a Mother / Son Bonding Time
On our recent trip to AK, Kari invited me to join the Knitting Revolution! I happily joined, knowing our two 9-hour one-way drives (with a cabin and a fireplace lodged between) were the perfect grounds for such a knitting attempt on my part. Knowing my world, this was my one and only shot to do it and finish it, save for it to sit for all eternity - incomplete. My project: I would knit a pretty-in-pink scarf for our little Miriam who had been wearing her daddy's businessman's-gray scarf all winter long.
I will be the first to admit I quickly became a knitting grouch when I realized that I got car sick while knitting and feared that there would be no way for me to get it done. Thanks to some rain and cold, a warm fire, and a whole lotta positive encouragement from Kari, I got it done within the final moments of the journey. Even though, it is a fun revolution, I declared I may never knit but for 2 more scarfs, one for each of the boys. However, those scarfs would have to wait for another vacation and were in my mind, near impossible tasks.
Happily, Miriam loved her scarf. The boys loved it too and they requested their own mama-made scarves with large child eyes of wonderment and pride that their mom can make something they could wear.
I was hooked... yarn and knitting needles.
Zeke also wanted me to teach him how to knit and last night I started Zeke on his scarf. I taught him all I know, which wasn't much, and he began knitting. Once he had the system down he says, "Mom, you should knit something too so we can knit together."
Wooed by his loving smile, I sat next to him and started knitting Max's scarf. Within moments I realized I was jealous of all the times Josh has gone fishing with the boys. I do believe this is the first "relaxing" hobby we have done, just the two of us, and for the next hour, Zeke and I sat on the couch, knitting away, watching AI and the other 3 cuties have a dance party around us, and having priceless conversations...
"Do you like knitting Mom?"
"I like knitting with you Son."
"Are you a good knitter?"
"No. You are doing a great job though."
"Thanks. I can only do it with God's help."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I can't do anything without God's help."
"Me neither Son, me neither."
...
And it continued, more precious with each passing moment, and all I could do was sit there and smile on the verge of tears.
I would never have guessed a hobby that brought out a brassy, get-r-done spirit in me on my own, would with my son, make me want to have all the time in the world to sit and knit and find ways to carve more hours out for this hobby with him.
He already has our Saturday planned: in the morning we will watch cartoons and knit (since he can knit without looking, a skill I don't have) and in the afternoon we will go sledding... unless he isn't done yet, then we will knit some more.
That is such a sweet story dana!
I wanna knit with you, too!
I'll have to bring my knitting with me next time we come to Iowa City! I enjoy it a lot! I highly recommend getting super large needles if you do an afghan, cuz it goes quicker!
Isn't it though Alicia? When days aren't this sweet it is good to remember and take note of the sweet ones like this, :)! I wanna knit with you too Leah-peah! Woman Holly! An afghan? Wow! That sounds like a lot of work! Phew! That may take me decades! So when are you guys coming to IC?! Please keep me posted!
I was so laughing out loud at your change of attitude. :) That is so awesome that your boys love to see you relaxed and just with them. Tell Zeke and Max that I can't wait to see their progress and maybe they could bring it to our house sometime! ...and even knit with Isaac. :) Who would have thought?