Goddess Knitters

19 January 2009

...a new addition...

...meet Wally. Wally stopped by our table during our Wednesday Knit Night and had some questions about knitting. It seems that Wally's wife passed away this past year and she was some kind of knitter. She would knit "toe covers" for patients at our local hospital who leave with a cast on their leg. She was in the middle of one when she died. Wally found her knitting and thought "I can do that". He taught himself to knit and finished the toe cover she had been working on.

Not only that, he went on to knit several more himself. During this time he found that he really liked knitting! No surprise there.







But Wally's real mission is to carry on the tradition his wife started years ago. It seems that she knitted Christmas stockings for each of their children. When the children married she would knit a stocking for their new spouse. And when babies were born, stockings for the new grandchildren. As you might have guessed she had knit many, many stockings. I believe that Wally said that he has 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, all with stockings made by his wife, their grandmother.


Well, his newest great-granddaughter is to be born this year and according to Wally, "No great-granddaughter of mine is going to be without a Christmas stocking." He has the original pattern that his wife has used for these many years (complete with her notes, handwritten in the margin)and he is determined to knit this new addition her own stocking. I have no doubt that he will be successful at this.
What a blessing this man is to his family. How lucky will this great-granddaughter be to receive this stocking and what a beautiful tribute to Wally's wife.
Needless to say, Wally had become a charter member of our Wednesday Knit Night. We are lucky to have him.

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14 Comments:

  • At 11:10 AM, Blogger Angeluna said…

    What a lovely story. And as you said, what a wonderful tribute to his wife.

     
  • At 11:41 AM, Blogger cupcakefaerie said…

    Thank you for sharing that heartwarming story. I wish more men (and more people in general) could discover the joy of knitting.

     
  • At 2:23 PM, Blogger Unknown said…

    Oh, what a darling man! His family is lucky he is continuing his wife's tradition.

     
  • At 4:47 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Awe and a bit teary.

     
  • At 6:29 PM, Blogger IrishGirlieKnits said…

    That story just warms my heart! How lucky for him to have found your knit night and how fortunate for you all to have him!! And what a blessed family!

     
  • At 7:31 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    That just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. Thanks for spreading the joy he brings to all of us.

     
  • At 8:55 PM, Blogger pdxknitterati/MicheleLB said…

    What a great story! Our bell choir director used to knit scrubbies out of tulle for his musicians. When he retired, the new director asked me to teach him to knit so he could continue the tradition. Sweet. He's an intrepid student, and has gone on to hats and socks!

     
  • At 9:35 PM, Blogger Angela said…

    Knit on, Wally! That is so lovely.

     
  • At 10:15 AM, Blogger Lise said…

    well - that story brought tears to my eye - what a sweet, sweet man!

     
  • At 12:39 PM, Blogger Marisol said…

    How very sweet! What a good man--I am sure he is a pleasure to have around on knit night!

     
  • At 4:55 PM, Blogger tapmouse said…

    How sweet! I heart Wally!

     
  • At 6:21 PM, Blogger Linda said…

    Thanks for sharing Wally with us!How wonderful that he is keeping the memory of his wife alive with knitting. And how lucky he was to find your knitting group. I heart Wally, too!

     
  • At 7:47 PM, Blogger socks and said…

    Hmmm maybe my DH will become the "Wally" of another knitting group someday. Or not. Sound like you have a great group. Glad Wally found you and you found Wally.

    Now tell me about your MINI as I'm thinking of getting one myself. Hugs, Alice in the (frozen and still snowy) Heartland

     
  • At 4:59 AM, Blogger PurlsBeyondPrice said…

    Thanks for sharing. He well deserves his membership. Glad he found a place where he can share in the joy of knitting with a new community.

     

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