On Gloves, Gratitude and a Decade

Reflective post alert!

Indulge me for a moment - this one is a little sentimental.

Last year I finally made these gloves for my youngest, who walks to school everyday and had been asking (for years apparently) for a pair. First she wanted mitts, and then gloves with actual fingers were requested, which made me groan, but no matter, fingers were imperative.

(Pattern credit: Mary Garing Designs - Gloves; a free Ravelry pattern and very easy to follow.)

Next was choosing some wool - our 12 year old jumped into my stash and was delighted with a ball of Countess Ablaze hand dyed BFL in purples and greens, it is pretty magical. Gloves were swiftly knitted, each of the ten, fiddly fingers building my character and testing my new found zen patience, and to give her credit - she loves them, has worn them every day and says they actually keep her hands warm! Nothing could please me more than that - it genuinely makes my heart glad that something my hands have made, are giving someone I love, warmth and comfort.

I’ve even calmed down about the possibility of her losing them. A customer told me yesterday about a friend who’d lost an intricate colour work hat she’d made - but she was happy it had been clearly loved and worn. I liked that - and we imagined that they are now being enjoyed by another lucky soul who appreciates hand knits. (Have you ever found anything hand knitted? I’d love to write a story about the secret lives of hand knits as they travel from maker to owner and beyond!)

But wait, I haven’t even got to the reflective bit yet!

I took a picture of the gloves this week and remembered carefully choosing and buying that yarn at Countess Ablaze in Manchester over 10 years ago, then knitting up a short sleeved sweater, Blanche by Susan Crawford. It felt like pairing two icons, two women who really inspired me at that time.

I was just starting Northern Yarn, full of energy and enthusiasm but growing in self doubt and imposter syndrome. Lyndsey was so kind, inviting me to do a trunk show at her shop with my very first Northern Yarn: Poll Dorset lambswool from Quernmore, Lancaster. She promoted me, gave me solid advice and cheered me on. I’ve never forgotten that. Looking at these gloves took me right back.

This May marks 10 years since I started Northern Yarn - and it feels really significant. I’ve made lifelong friends, learned many hard lessons and I’m still here, loving my little shop in Lancaster and making our traceable, local wool from farms up the road. I’m grateful and happy to be able to say that I’ve loved the last 10 years, even the tough bits!

So here’s to the next 10!

Over and out.

Xxx