Growing up, we always had a treasure trunk. If we ever complained about being bored, Mom would have us dive into the trunk and pull out all sorts of goodies – pillow cases and embroidery floss, yarn stash leftovers for spool knitting or some other craft project. We also helped her bake bread. She would set aside a small piece of dough and we would bake our own mini-loaf! We weeded the garden, shelled peas –probably eating more peas than ended up in the bowl. For me, my passion for fibre began in those early days.
When I was 10 years old, we moved “away” to Ottawa. Every summer, my grandmother would come to visit. I remember when she would open up her suitcase and ask me, “What would you like to learn this year?” She had such patience – teaching me all about knitting and tatting. This was our special time together – one on one. I have her tatting shuttle in my craft basket to this day.
When I was 10 years old, we moved “away” to Ottawa. Every summer, my grandmother would come to visit. I remember when she would open up her suitcase and ask me, “What would you like to learn this year?” She had such patience – teaching me all about knitting and tatting. This was our special time together – one on one. I have her tatting shuttle in my craft basket to this day.
She was also an amazing cook. Born in 1901, of course she was skilled at cooking and baking with a wood stove. In fact, she never really trusted the knobs and dials on an electric stove. She would put her arm in the oven and know if it was the right temperature for a loaf of bread. Or she would hold her hand over an element and know beyond the shadow of a doubt that it was at the proper heat for creating a sauce or even candy. She knew all about canning and preserving food to see us through the winter.
I wish that I had paid more attention to these skills! While I was drawn to fibre skills, my sister learned to cook and bake by taste and feel. You stirred food until it was the right consistency; you seasoned until it tasted right; a tap with your finger on the top of a cake or a loaf of bread would tell you when it was done. When she moved in with me to attend university in Toronto, she was shocked to see me measuring the water for Kraft Dinner! I thought I was all set with my one frying pan, one sauce pot, one cookie sheet and one 9” square cake pan. What more could you possibly need? Thank heavens, my skills have improved since then…..
I wish that I had paid more attention to these skills! While I was drawn to fibre skills, my sister learned to cook and bake by taste and feel. You stirred food until it was the right consistency; you seasoned until it tasted right; a tap with your finger on the top of a cake or a loaf of bread would tell you when it was done. When she moved in with me to attend university in Toronto, she was shocked to see me measuring the water for Kraft Dinner! I thought I was all set with my one frying pan, one sauce pot, one cookie sheet and one 9” square cake pan. What more could you possibly need? Thank heavens, my skills have improved since then…..
These are the memories that I treasure - that bring a smile each time I recall them.
One of the reasons that I so enjoy hosting workshops in the studio during the summer season is that I see these same memories being made with other folks. Parents with their children, grandparents with their grandchildren, siblings enjoying a family vacation, spouses looking for an authentic Island experience, good friends getting together for a well deserved reunion. All taking the time to unplug from technology and reconnect by learning something new together. There is always a lot of laughter, sometimes some competitive spirit – but always fun and a sense of pride and accomplishment. I certainly don’t expect everyone will become master knitters. In fact, I am sure that some folks will leave the knitting lessons behind. But the memories of time spent together will last forever.
One of the reasons that I so enjoy hosting workshops in the studio during the summer season is that I see these same memories being made with other folks. Parents with their children, grandparents with their grandchildren, siblings enjoying a family vacation, spouses looking for an authentic Island experience, good friends getting together for a well deserved reunion. All taking the time to unplug from technology and reconnect by learning something new together. There is always a lot of laughter, sometimes some competitive spirit – but always fun and a sense of pride and accomplishment. I certainly don’t expect everyone will become master knitters. In fact, I am sure that some folks will leave the knitting lessons behind. But the memories of time spent together will last forever.
So thank-you, Grandma – for sharing your talent with me. I am thrilled to be able to honour your memory by passing along some of these skills to guests from all over the world.
My grandmother, Katherine, as a young girl – top right in photo.
My grandmother, Katherine, as a young girl – top right in photo.
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