The gift of handmade

I like to make things. This would come as no surprise to anyone who reads my blog. I also like to make things for special other people. My favourite gifts to recieve are hand made. I find both the giving and recieving of hand made objects an act of love.

My grandfather died a few days ago.

My grandfather turned 95 just less than a fortnight ago.

I know the people who read this blog are mostly not very interested in knitted objects, but I want to show you this anyway.



I knitted him this vest for his birthday, and watched him open the present in hospital.
When I started this project, 2 months ago, my grandfather was in good health. He was playing tennis a few times a week, and doing all sorts of other things no-one would expect a 94 year old man to do. It is tricky to think of an appropriate present for a 95 year old man. My grandfather had been downsizing for years.

I wrote this pattern specifically for my grandfather. I telephoned him and had him take his measurements, and looked at all my photos of him to check out his favourite clothes.
I thought about him as I knit.
He never wore this vest, but he was pleased that I had made it for him. Being of a generation that did not buy knitted objects in their youth, he knew how much work was in this garment. He laughed at me when I told him the no-seam short row shoulder finish was the knitting equivalent of dovetails. He made things too. Maybe it takes a craftsman to appreciate a home made gift.
I was chopping salad vegetables this afternoon and was thinking about my grandfather. I happened to be using a portable kitchen trolley with a built in chopping board that my father was building for me just before he died. My grandfather finished it, and gave it to me the following Christmas.
No bought present can compare to that sort of history.
My children made me chocolate cheesecake muffins, and blueberry muffins today for Mother's Day.
I am glad my family can make things.