My Grandfather, the Knitter

My Grandfather was the most wonderfully accomplished knitter, the harder the pattern the more he enjoyed the challenge.  He was particularly adept at knitting incredibly intricate Aran patterns.  As children, my sister and I were always kept beautifully warm with the products of his knitting needles.

He was a naturally talented all-round craftsman, he was a woodwork teacher at a local grammar school and in his spare time also taught at an evening class, managed three allotments, and hand-made many, many Christmas presents.  He could turn his hand to anything involving wood, especially wood turning, he crafted bags and purses from leather, made charming wooden toys, and beautiful foot stools with intricately woven tops.  He had a large shed at the bottom of his garden which was full of all his craft tools and even when I was a child this area was completely out of bounds to prying small hands. 

My Grandfather never enjoyed good health and had a series of very serious heart attacks whilst still only relatively young (about 50, which is not a lot older than I am now!), which meant he had to take early retirement.  He was taught to knit as part of his recovery by some very forward-thinking occupational therapist.  He took to knitting like a duck to water, and seemed to consider it as another craft to be enjoyed.  I certainly never got the impression that he thought it was something only women should do.  The enduring image I have of my Grandfather is of him sitting in his armchair, knitting needles in hand, working on some mind-bogglingly intricate piece of Aran.  He used to knit these not only for our family, but would also take commissions from other people.  I don't think I ever knew him without some knitting on the go. 

He also had a huge knitting machine which took up the entire bay window of the front room.  This was a ferociously complicated beast with sharp needles and an unbelievably heavy dial-like handle which had to be pushed to and fro to make the knitting.  It seemed to take amazing force to push this thing across the stitches, but I found it pure magic to see the knitting unfurl beneath it.  Again, this item was strictly out of bounds for inquisitive little hands.  Disobedient child though I was, I knew never ever ever to touch this behemoth, or else!!

My Grandfather died in the mid-1970s so never got to hear of Kaffe Fasset and his wonderful colour-drenched patterns.  I'm sure he would have been delighted to hear of a male knitter becoming so famous and being such a trend-setter.  I like to think my Grandfather was, in his own way, something of a trend-setter too, he was certainly a very talented knitter.

Comments

[Heather]

Sounds like you had a wonderful Grandad! Is that where all your creativity comes from? My Grandad was a bit like that and took up spinning and weaving. He also made clothes and toys for his family of 5 daughters and yes all five were very creative.

Thank you so much for the most brilliant parcel that arrived today! It made my day!

[Gill]

Pity more men don't take up knitting, I'm sure the world would be a better place! It's very relaxing and therapautic isn't it, clearly your Grandad's therapist knew it would do him the world of good. I like your embroidery, I haven't embroidered for years but you've inspired me...no, no, I MUST finish my crochet blanket first before taking up another project.
Gill x