I love a good story and I assume you all know mine. I have been knitting for approximately 11 years. My parents have been gone for 8 years and that is when I really starting knitting daily.
Benjamin Levisay was kind enough to invite me again. The first time was Stitches West and more recently on his Podcast. If I understand correctly, he recently dusted off this podcast that he use to have calls Fiber Hooligan.
As you all know I met Benjamin for the first time back in February. He was so kind that I couldn’t decline his offer to tell my story on his podcast. I think the conversation was a good one. We covered it all….how I started, orange, growth, diversity and the community.
If you missed it I have posting it here for your pleasure. I would love to know if you learned something new. I would also like to take this time to thank Benjamin for inviting me to be on his show. You can’t measure the impact when folks willingly introduce you to their audience.
What is your fiber story? How did you start? How long have you been a maker? I think I am going to dust off my Saturday Spotlight. Would you all like that?
Have a fabulous day…On Purpose
GG
Great interview, GG!
Thank you Terry
Yes for Saturday Spotlights!
I’m working on it
Great interview GG, you made me laugh, and you made me cry at your losses and when you said you wrapped your heart in yarn! You’re a very wise woman.
Thank you
I love this! Thank you!
I was a wiggle bum child and when my grandmother tried to teach me both crochet and knitting, it went in one ear and out the other.
Years (20 or so) passed and I asked my aunt to try to teach me. This time it stuck. So in 2013 ish she rekindled my fibre flame. I did beanies, scarves… blankets etc.
My mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer in July of 2016, the c2c crochet blanket I made in the 9 weeks that followed helped keep me on an even keel. I finished the last stitches on the main blanket as they were putting her on the pain relief device and she passed 3 days later.
As a thank you to my aunt for her absolute steadfast support I completed Mandala Madness and handed it to her on my 35th birthday.
In 2019 my employer told us that each store had to have one staff member who could teach knit and crochet, but no extra pay was to be allocated for learning or teaching. I was literally watching knitting YouTube videos before work on those days. I got the hang of it, but I wanted to know more. So I signed up for the Steven Be class when he was in Brisbane. I was hooked.
September of 2019 The Yarn Bowl opened its doors and was to change my life forever. The yarn, oh my word, the yarn! I asked if staff were wanted… I now work in the most supportive, inspirational and calming environment a human could ask for.
I walk in smiling, I leave smiling and I’ve realised how much joy can be found if you are willing to take a leap of faith.
As the song goes, the rest is still unwritten. I get to choose my path, and wow it’s a bright one.
So glad to have you along for the ride GG.
Hey my honey! Thanks for sharing that story
Knitting (and crochet) seem to skip a generation in my family. My Grandmother knit. My Mom and my daughter just don’t have the patience for it! hehe My brother and I did the spool knitting for a few years in grade school. I got my Mom to show me a knit stitch and a purl stitch when I was a figure skater around 10 or 11 years old. Hand knit Fairisle yoke sweaters (with fluffy angora if you could afford it) were the bees knees back then. The only way I was going to have a sweater was to knit one myself, so in my innocence, I just decided I would teach myself how and I did it! I still have all of those colour work / Fairisle sweaters and cardigans. My daughter has worn several, as well as multiple scarves, socks and sweaters made at her request. After more than 40 years, I now do most of my knitting (& crochet) to give away: mittens, hats & scarves, prayer shawls, socks, baby and toddler outfits, blankets, granny squares for local organisations doing yarn bombing, etc. Knitting has been my meditation and stress-relief for many, many years. I have been through (and continue to deal with) my share of health issues. I don’t know what I would do without knitting to keep my hands busy; it has been a life-saver many times over. So glad to hear your stories, GG, and so many others that are inspired by you.
Thank you for sharing all your thoughts.
My yarn story started with a home ec teacher (remember when?!!) when I was 12 years old . She taught us to knit and Purl and I made a scarf for my Dad, buying a ball of yarn when I had the money. Couldn’t figure out why the shades of brown yarn were different. Many rabbit holes later, I still knit, spin, weave and stitch.
I am listening to the podcast now. I absolutely resonate with what you are saying. I started knitting at the age of 5, I have just turned 56. But knitting has kept me sane. I was my saving grace when I went through my divorce, when I was diagnosed with cancer 5 years ago. It was my saving grace when I lost my job in September 2021. Knitting is a large part of my life, always has been, always will be. Thank you for your blog that I have recently discovered.
My knitting journey started in Girl Scouts, more than six decades ago. I was fortunate enough to have a neighbor who was an amazing knitter and she helped me through the process. My mom was a crocheter, so she couldn’t help, but she encouraged me. In my twenties I taught myself to crochet. And I’ve been doing both ever since. I’m currently knitting a blanket for my oldest grandson, a cowl for my daughter-in-law and a scarf for myself. I have a shed filled with yarn…really!! My wonderful daughter-in-law will inherit my stash. She’s a crocheter. Creating keeps me grounded and I love making things for family and friends. Thanks, GG, for your positivity, your energy and encouragement. And for sharing your stories with us. I just discovered you and I’m so glad I did!! BTW…you’ve made me look at orange in a whole new way!! I need to wander through my stash with new eyes. Yay!!
thank you for sharing