Almost Mother's Day

For me, Mother's Day is going to be tomorrow, because my mom will be arriving from North Carolina where she lives and spending the night before we go on to Germany together to visit her sister.  I can't wait to see her - we haven't been together since she visited last spring, although we either talk or email just about every day.  And I get to have her almost all to myself for 2 whole weeks :-)

Several days ago, I finished the back of my Antibes polo, and I decided to share it today in honor of Mother's Day because if it weren't for my mom, there wouldn't be any knitting or sewing going on around here.  Well, maybe there would, but she is the one who taught me both of these skills at a pretty young age.

I don't really know exactly how old I was when she first taught me to knit, but I remember I was in Mrs. Thomas's class, and that was third grade, so I usually count it from about 8 years old.  When she first taught me, she had me hold the yarn in my right hand - and I agree it's usually easier for a beginner to learn that way.

But I also remember that when I was maybe 13 or so, she strongly suggested that I start holding the yarn in my left hand, so I switched.  So now, I can do both, and that makes it SO much easier to do Fair Isle color work - one color in each hand! Thanks, Mom!

Mom also taught me how to crochet, I think even earlier than knitting.  Several years ago, one of my aunts presented me with this item which I made, and which she had saved for me for many years:

In case you can't tell, it's a dress for a Barbie doll!  You're seeing it from the back; the little loops at either side are where the arms go, and the strange loop at the top is for the head somehow.  I clearly remember sitting on the stairs at my aunt's house crocheting this!

A lot of the good stuff I know, I learned from my mom.  She's an amazing woman, and I'm always trying to be more like her.  There are times when I'll say or do something, and I think, "I'm turning into my mom!"  And for me, that's a good thing!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!  I love you!