shirl

knitting needles that once belonged to shirl, i am a lucky, lucky girl. shirl is my friend caitlin's grandmother who passed away on march 1st and she was one amazing woman. one cool thing about growing up on an island is that you know everyone. and everyones family. so i grew up knowing shirl as cait's grandmother. and as the post mistress. and as a master crafter. i knew to be afraid of her cat (i even had a nightmare about this cat 2 or 3 years ago that is still vivid in my mind) and i knew that she was sharp of mind and tongue and wit. as i grew older i came to know more about shirl and i knew to respect her talent as my understanding and appreciation of sewing painting creating expanded. i know that she was liberal. i know that she was outspoken. and i know she was the sweetest battle axe one could find. i know how to imitate her voice, tone and infliction, as much from listening to cait and sharon imitating it to hearing it myself. it makes me smile. it makes me miss cait. so. back to the knitting needles. i am now the proud owner of a slew of her needles and a bag of her yarn. an unfinished mitten. the beginnings of a scarf in a pattern i do not know but will try to learn in luscious teal mohair. i have fat needles. skinny needles. tiny little ones that i fell in love with. and lots and lots of in between needles. i feel so lucky. i feel so proud. i only hope i can channel shirl while i give her needles a whirl and create masterpieces she would be proud of.