Life, death, knitting sanity

Heidi H. Benson 1966-2009

My dear sister Heidi (of Heidi’s stole ‘fame’) passed away early this morning after a long struggle with health and mental issues. The last two weeks have been spent knitting socks in the ICU to keep my hands busy, give WRT something tangeable to show my love and appreciation for his support and strength through all this, and a blue wrap for Mom to hopefully comfort her a tiny bit.

I wish I knew how to express my feelings at this point. I love Heidi so much and I’m grateful that she is finally at peace. I’m filled with grief that she’s gone, I miss her horribly all ready. It hurts that my parents are having to deal with her passing. Parents simply aren’t meant to outlive their children, particularly aging parents. In addition to my own sorrow I have a hard time watching my other sisters go through this. Heidi has certainly had her ups and downs, it’s been a difficult and tumultous life for her.

Her son, Tyler, passed away several years ago and she put the love and energy she had as a mother into her nieces and nephews. Yet she was always the favorite aunt, the one who entertained, provided for, loved all her nieces and nephews – all her family but particularly the younger generation.

Mom and two other sisters are working on her obituary right now and I need to get over there to help out with the other arrangements. I’ll write more later on.

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I ended up writing her obituary with a lot of input from the rest of the family. We went to the mortuary, picked out her casket – she’d like it – went over the arrangements. It was a bitter-sweet experience as we cried, smiled at memories, Mom even commented on how much knitting I got done at the hospital, we wondered how to get everything finished and just what really needs to be done…

I’m so grateful that my parents have the support of their neighbors/fellow church members; as I was pulling in the driveway this morning several of their friends were all ready there. By the time we got home from the mortuary someone had dropped off a few groceries so Mom doesn’t have to worry about going to the store, another friend had brought a pot of stew over and had it simmering on the stove. Their church group has worked out meals for the next few days, a house sitter during the funeral, a family lunch afterwards, etc. Again, I am so tremendously grateful that they are being taken care of.

Another thing I’m grateful for is how wonderful and supportive my own friends have been throughout the last two weeks. I’ve had constant texts and phone calls, offers of rides and a great deal of support. I’ve been very blessed.

Misty Lace Scarf and Free Stole Pattern Guidelines

Finally took a pic of another work in progress – the Misty Lace Scarf using the Kollage that B gave me.  It’s a beautiful yarn, little difficult to keep the strands together but not hard if I actually concentrate.  I’m loving the blues with silvery accents.

I’m surprised by how soft it really is even with the little metallic stranding.

Here are the general guidelines for the Heidi Stole pictured below:

Cast on number of stitches appropriate to yarn/needle size in a multiple of 18.  This one was done on sz 6 circulars using Knit Pick’s Gloss.  The recipient is a very petite woman so it’s only about three quarters as wide as I’d do for myself. Remember – it’s a flat knit on circs. so knit/purl back and forth as usual.

Modified Feather and Fan Pattern

Row 1: Knit
Row 2: K3, P to last 3 stitches, K3
Row 3: K3, *(K2 tog) 3 times, (yo, K1) 6 times, (K2 tog) 3 times, repeat from * to last 3 sts, K3
Row 4: Purl across
Repeat rows until about five inches shorter than desired length

Knit right side rows, purl wrong sides adding random eyelets if you want to for three inches or so.

On right side (Knit) row knit in front and back (make 1) every third stitch.
Purl wrong side.
Knit right sides, purl wrong sides for next inch.

On right side row knit in front and back (make 1) every other stitch.
Purl wrong side.
Knit right sides, purl wrong sides for another inch.

Bind off.