Knitstory 4: Kathy's Story

Here is KathyKOL's contribution to the Knitstory Project.  Kathy is the founder of the Out Loud audiobook company, and also maintains her blog, Knitting Out Loud.

I was taught to knit by my German grandmother, who escaped from Germany just before WWII. She was the most beautiful woman I have ever known, elegant and dignified, and a Freudian psychoanalyst. I was a little afraid of her. Knitting was the only domestic thing she did. She knit almost all of her clothes (suits, dresses, coats, many of which I now have), and she knit all day long while she listened to her patients. Freud’s daughter Anna was a famous knitter, and many of the women psychoanalysts knit. I knit off and on for many years, and ended up living in Maine. Maine is the perfect knitting state, I think of it as a wooly state, lots of wonderful fiber here! I started a literature program in the public schools, telling the major stories of western literature (Odyssey, Hamlet etc), bringing objects from the period for kids to touch, maps to color, art to look at, clothing to try on. This program was funded by a company which, after 10 years, was bought by another one not interested in local affairs, and the funding ended. While I was thinking what I would do next, I went to a yarn shop to buy some yarn - and oh my goodness!!! The explosion of varieties and colors was amazing! I was hooked. Then I went to the library and came home with armloads of knitting books. I loved them, but what I loved most was the stories of knitting in them. An author would tell her/his personal knitting story in the Introduction. I started reading histories of knitting. Heaven! Then I found a book which was all knitting stories. It was Knitting Lessons, by Lela Nargi. Lela Nargi lives in Brooklyn and on 9/11 wandered into her local yarn shop and saw women there who had walked across the bridge from Manhattan after the disaster and were quietly knitting. She decided to talk to knitters across the country to find out why they knit and what it means to them. I loved this book, but it made me want to knit. I thought it should be on audio, so I could knit and listen. So I started the audiobook company Knitting Out Loud. It is a labor of love. I believe profoundly in the value of these stories. They are the small stories of life, the stories in which we share our joy and our sorrow, and through them we learn from each other how to get through life. I believe in the significance and value of the small everyday things we do (I also love to cook and garden). Because life is very hard, we need that little bit of joy, calm, centering, everyday. Just looking at yarn makes me happy. And when I am stressed during the day, I pick up my knitting and knit a few rows. Knitting is different from any other activity I do, not sure why, but it is intensely comforting.

Knitstory 3: Stephanie's Story

RedYarnMama Stephanie's story...

My mother was English and knitted all the time. She made us beautiful items of clothing, doll clothes and toys. She taught my older sister at a fairly young age, and she too was quite talented with needles and picked it up quickly. I was quite the tomboy and also a little awkward, so the rhythm of the needles did not come easy for me. I found it more of a chore or punishment when I was young to try to learn and finally my mother gave up trying to teach me.

However, even as a youngster I was fascinated with my elderly neighbor lady’s crochet items. I don’t know if it was easier to learn or just being removed from the head butting with my mother, but I picked up on the crochet very quickly. I would love to go to Idabelle’s house and make Grannys with her. Not until recent years did I move too far beyond grannys and ripples, but always enjoyed it and found it relaxing. Since Ravelry, I have learned even more about crochet and like trying new things.

However, now I also love to knit. When my daughter was around 8 or 9, the library started a free Knit In program once a month for all age groups. My daughter enjoyed it a lot and I loved the time spent together and sharing her joy in crafting. Started making doll clothes and accessories and lots & lots of scarves. I was able to reconnect with my mother for a few years before her passing and share our love of fiber together. She also gave me her knitting books and magazines from 60+ years of the craft, which I dearly treasure now. My daughter is now almost 18 and still loves to knit and has the ability to see a picture and make her own pattern for the item. I still consider myself an advanced beginner, but enjoy the pleasure it brings me. I always have a “busy bag” of either knitting or crochet with me for any down times that might occur, as I hate to just sit and do nothing. I also love the community of fiber artists and also meeting new people through the craft.

Knitstory 2: Tina's Story

Our second contribution, from Tina...

I am a 60 year old mother of 7 (not all biological), grandmother of 13, and great-grandmother of 5. I am married and teach mentally ill children in a residential treatment center.

When I was about 6 years old my mother, who was mentally ill and had physical handicaps as well, wanted to share her talent for knitting with me. She didn’t have a lot of patience but she tried. By the time I was old enough, I joined a 4-H knitting club and learned how to perfect what Mom had started. During my 4-H years (9-17) I made everything from scarves to a full length jumpsuit. I continued to knit as a hobby and I had my first child (her christening gown was hand knitted lace) at age 19. At first I just made things for friends and family. By the time I was about 23, people asked if I would knit things for them if they paid me. My husband died when I was 23 leaving me with two small children. Therefore, I got my needles out and made some extra money.

I continue to sell my knitting. I have not made anything for myself for a very long time. I have yarn for a sweater coat (heather gray) and for a sweater (burnt orange) for myself and when my stash gets lower I will get to work on them. I am retiring from special education within the year and am going to work more hours on my side job as a tailor/designer. I did an apprenticeship when I was in college and have been a master tailor since 1978. I am excited about this new step in my life.

In addition, I have enjoyed teaching my special education students how to knit. I work in a treatment center and many of the boys don’t have families. I have enjoyed watching them create beautiful scarves and blankets. I have no idea what I would do if I didn’t have knitting as a way to relieve stress. At our local yarn shop most of the knitters who drop by and sit to chat are either teachers or retired teachers. A therapist could have fun researching that fact.

 Find Tina on Ravelry!