Nin

About Nin

I think I was about 11 or 12 when I began my first knitting project. No scarves or simple things for me. I started with a ribbed pullover sweater, despite my mother’s misgivings that I was trying something too big. Still, she taught me the basics and turned me loose. I finished it and wore it for years. I moved on to cables and other complicated patterns and soon surpassed what my mother could teach me, but not what I could learn from books. A few years later I taught myself to crochet, as my mother only knew how to knit. Interestingly, my mother-in-law only knew how to crochet, but their granddaughter, Chase, merged the family lore from both and, like me, does both. Both of my grandmothers were knitters; both of my granddaughters – currently 1 and 3 – are often found with yarn in their hands, too. I have high hopes that our family obsession with handmade items will continue through the next generation.

I’m most happy with some handwork projects going, typically more than one. I’d gone back to crocheting – mostly caps for premature babies and blankets from unwanted fabric to donate to the local animal shelter – after my first granddaughter was born. I was operating on the unfounded assumption that it is easier and less likely to lead to dropped stitches to lay down a crochet project than a knitted one. It only took a nudge from my daughter to rediscover circular knitting needles. Without that attractive bouncing end of straight knitting needles to entice little hands to tug, I find it is simple to lay my work down as necessary and pick it up again when I can. It is truly amazing how much I can accomplish around watching the girls while their mummy works.

Besides yarn crafts, I also sew, quilt, make bread, paint fabric and love being a full time grandmother. Having a business with my family is a dream come true.