Now the chunky blue rug is finished, Nanna’s knitting something you might like to buy. Guess what it’s going to be?
Will it be orange? Will it be quirky? Will Nanna follow the pattern? (I told her, “It’s very ‘portant to follow the ‘structions, Nanna. When she read them, the model she built for me wasn’t lopsided.)
Nanna’s working on a rug now.
This one isn’t for us; she’s using leftover wool that people don’t need, to knit a warm, chunky rug for kids whose Nanna or mum can’t knit for them.
Sometimes their mum or dad can’t look after them and they go to stay at someone else’s place – sometimes in the middle of the night – and need something to keep them warm. There’s more about these kids at Foster Hope.
She’s nearly finished then she’ll be able to knit things for you to buy. Maybe you’ve got little kids who’d like a woolly rug, but you haven’t got time to knit.
You can send her a message here.
I’m about to launch my new website, little brother, big brother. It features my colourful handmade knitwear, on its own website.
Until now, you’ve been able to see my handiwork here on my knit wit page.
I came up with the name little brother, big brother because my gorgeous grandsons are modelling some of the kids’ clothes I’ve knitted – but I knit for adults, too.
And some novelty items, like Xmas decorations, cushion covers and flower brooches. Come on over and have a look.
little brother big brother bright and quirky hand knitting by Bronwyn White
…it’s such a while since I posted, or felt I had anything to share. I’m hoping I’ll get back and keep in touch more often.
Meantime, for anyone who also has times when you think you have nothing to say nor even the energy to think about it, here are some resources about depression and other invisible illnesses.
You don’t need to do a thing – just look at them, and maybe find a smile…
What do you know about them? I’ve been doing some research – more on that later – and have found some interesting info and misinformation.
Meanwhile, my personal nomination for Holy Fool as Artist and Commentator is: Michael Leunig, Australian cartoonist, writer, philosopher and poet. And pray-er, or writer of prayers. Good ones.
This is one of my favourite prayers by Michael Leunig:
God give us rain when we expect sun.
Give us music when we expect trouble.
Give us tears when we expect breakfast.
Give us dreams when we expect a storm.
Give us a stray dog when we expect congratulations.
God play with us, turn us sideways and around.
Amen.
My grandson, three year old Luka, knows not to jump on or play with my “good” cushions: the ones I tapestried and made, and the beautiful “iris” cushion which was my dear friend Margaret’s wedding present.
Recently, though, he looked at the sofa cushions and said, “Nanna, these are beautiful. I’d like a cushion.”
I asked what picture he’d like, expecting him to say Trucks or Construction Vehicles- his current greatest love. His answer surprised me: “I’d like birdies in trees, Nanna. Pink birdies, coz pink’s my favourite colour!”
Pink is indeed his favourite colour. He has a pink rabbit lunch plate and can be induced to sleep at night hugging a heart-shaped pink cushion. His best friend, 4 year old Leo, also loves pink. Vivid, shocking pink. It’s a guy thing.
Luka enjoys watching me work on tapestries. We’ve been singing “Do-re-me” from The Sound of Music recently, and he likes to observe my tapestry “needle pulling thread”.
As the work progressed, I’d show Luka the canvas and get his feedback. At first, he stared at the picture quizzically, and finally said, “I like the birds and the trees, Nanna, but I want a cushion!“ There followed an explanation of cushion-making, which involved turning an existing cushion inside-out to demonstrate how the tapestry becomes the pillowcase, and the pillow goes inside.
I proposed including yellow birds, but this was not acceptable. A blue bird did not meet the client’s expectations, and has been rendered less visible by the similar shade of sky. At the last minute, the client said he did want a yellow bird. You might see an odd little chicken-like creature towards the bottom of the canvas.
Finally the great work was complete, and I gave it to Luka on the day of his baby brother’s first birthday party. He was thrilled.
It now lives on the armchair by his bed.
“Birdies in a tree” may not be a masterpiece or my most impressive creation, but every stitch represents love: pure, joyous, generous love between a little lad and his Nanna.
I was too shy – and thought I was too unmusical – to approach him… I wish I’d said thank you then.
I’m frantically knitting things to sell at Paraparaumu Playcentre Fair this coming weekend. So far. a “Scorch the Dragon” hat – and another started; baby ugg boots in green+purple Opal sock wool; purple mittens for my grandson which he won’t wear and might as well be sold; mittens in progress made of leftover blue Flutterby yarn (acrylic, so it doesn’t knit well or keep its shape, but cute) with some freebie blue yarn intertwined for strength.
Also three cute flower hats in shades of pink!!! I cannot usually be having with pink but these colours somehow got around my emotional barriers. With knitted flowers on.
Now I need more polystyrene hat stands to display them.
Good grief, look at the time! I’m still in my pyjamas.
Knit five,purlfive, get to the end of this row quick; oh heck it’s on circular needles, endlessrows Do-I-have-time-for-a-shower? Knit-knit-knit-knit-knit-knit-ohshit-that-should-have-been purl….
BronzCreative 
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