Legacy of the stitch

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Sometimes when we are children we don't realize the wonderful gifts people give us that don't really cost a lot of money. My legacy is one of them. When I was a kid it was the tale of two grandma's, my mom's mom was very generous. She always gave me the greatest gifts, pretty much whatever I wanted and then when I was older money. What kid doesn't love money? My other grandmother taught me needlecrafts. I sat by her side and learned how to knit and crochet and hand embroider. Every Christmas we would get doll's from one grandma and embroidered pillowcases from the other one. From a kid's perspective you can see which one won out most of the time. I kind of took those pillowcases for granted and chucked them to be honest. But while other kids were riding bikes and playing tag I was knitting something anything or crocheting an afghan that never seemed to get finished, or embroidering pillowcases. Whenever i got that money from one grandmother I would spend it on yarn or embroidery floss or patterns whatever I could find to feed my stitchery fix. I remember walking home from junior high with a couple of dollars left over and buying a new skein of yarn in a different color to add to my never-ending multicolor afghan at the little five and ten store on my route. Still even though it was the focus of my life I still didn't quite give my grandmother the gratitude she deserved. It was so much easier to be with the other grandmother and I really loved her gifts.

It took a long time to realize just what an important gift she gave me. Happened right around the time I moved from afghans and pillowcases to my little cottage industry. She gave me the gift of the stitch. She gave me my life and I didn't even realize it. So I guess what I'm trying to say is pay attention to all the little things your family teaches you, it may just be the most important gift you ever recieve. It might be your legacy of the stitch. My grandmother's been gone quite a while but she gave me a gift I will love forever. Thanks Grandma!

Comments

michele merges martens said…
One of my grandmothers taught me to crochet, a neighbor taught me to knit, and the other grandmother taught me to cook.
June 13, 2007 at 3:57 PM
Tangled Stitch said…
My other grandmother taught me to cook too. Really she taught me how to appreciate fine Italian food. Not only generous but a great cook too.Thank you for your comment.
June 13, 2007 at 9:19 PM
Laura said…
One of my Grandmothers started me out with cross stitch on gingham...and I did all sorts of embroidery and needlepoint and rug making from there!
June 14, 2007 at 5:59 AM
Tangled Stitch said…
Thanks Laura, I love to hear that people love to do the same things I do. It really is a lost art. I hope some day to teach my grandchildren all the wonderful things my grandmothers and fathers too taught me.
June 14, 2007 at 12:23 PM
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