Saturday, July 22, 2006

A yarn of old.









7 months ago Sonia came over to my place in Richmond & I lay out my handspun stash for her to see. She picked up a skein of handspun & hand-dyed singles (fingering/worsted) in the colors of Fall & said "This is mine." Then she went away to live out her life & heal herself through difficult times. I didn't see or hear from her much in the months to follow other than exchanges of anguished phone calls.
A few days ago she called me over to her home for some home-cooked "Dhokla". She had found her ground and long lost love. As I sat cross legged on the floor of her studio, my eyes wandered to a half finished scarf that lay in the shadow of a wooden chest.

I now wonder - 'is this really the yarn I spun?'. Sometimes I think people in pain make beautiful art. I've been convinced of this for years after having seen my mother's work & now Sonia proved a point. She's now back to making the exceptionally beautiful jewelry that sat in the shadow of the same chest for long, dark months.

I'm not sure what size the needles are - maybe US 3, 4 or 5. She also alternated with US 8 or 9 to get a more latticed/open knit in between. The yarn & scarf will now go back to Sonia so she can finish it. Hope the pictures explain.

8 comments:

AR said...

That is really beautiful. The yarn, the scarf, and the story behind it.

Becka said...

It's beautiful!!

loopystitch said...

Oh,Manan,the colours in the yarn are just beautiful!It's Fall,it's fire,its sunshine & its life!!!And I agree with you when you say some of the most beautiful art is born out of sheer pain that life offers.Even literature,when its written with agony & experience behind it, becomes immortal.
My congrats to Sonia.
Ma

loopystitch said...

Oh,Manan,the colours in the yarn are simply beautiful!They are of Fall, of Fire,of Sunshine & of life!!And you are so right when you say most of the beautiful things are born out of sheer agony that life has to offer.Even the most immortal peices of literature have pain behind evry line.
My congrats to Sonia.
Ma

karenology said...

Such a lovely colorway. I love the process of knitting as well as the product; it really is cathartic. The act itself, as well as the scarf, is healing. I hope it brings her much joy.

Anonymous said...

Manasi...thanks is all I can say :O)
I knew I was in love with that yarn since I lay my eyes on it.

Anonymous said...

Manasi...thanks is all I can say :O)

I knew I was in love with this yarn the moment I lay my eyes on it.

Miri Mack said...

Gorgeous yarn and a lovely scarf!