Hugs & Shrugs

A couple of my spectacular friends made this shrug for me to wear during my dad's memorial service. Not only was it cozy during the graveside service, it was just like wearing hugs from friends.

They made it with free-form crochet and knitting techniques, using handspun & commercial yarns, hand-dyed yarns, some from my stash and some from theirs. Una even made a little flower lapel pin out of the two yarns I used for my dad's sweater vest and socks. And all within two weeks!

Thank ewe so much, JoShell and Una.

Goodbye, Papa

My father died on Jan. 24th. after a three year battle with cancer. We squeezed a lot of 'quality' time into those three years. He died at home surrounded by family. While he died, he was wearing a pair of socks that I made for him. He and Ma said they were the most comfy socks he had.

Here he is at his 75th birthday in October,

in his hand knit
sweater vest in November,

and at our last Christmas together.

Papa was very involved in state-wide education and our roles as citizens. He even volunteered, with my mom, as volunteers to work in the voting booths.

He viewed the right to vote as a privilege, no matter how small one vote seems to be. Our votes do add up, like knit stitches which turn into a sweater vest. Many other people in the world don't have this privilege.

You've taught us well, Papa. Goodbye.