This post does contain knitting, but also mention of terminal illness. You may therefore wish to skip it.
I was on a train Wednesday to be with a friend who was diagnosed suddenly with cancer. I got to spend a day with her where she had some recognition of those around her, and two days where she slept. She passed on Saturday.
I won’t write more, except to say that if you feel moved to donate to Macmillan Cancer Support, I urge you to do so. I’ve linked to their general donations page rather than the fundraiser we’ve set up for my friend – she was a fiercely private person.
For some of the time I was visiting, I sat and wound a skein of Malabrigo lace. I didn’t know what I was going to do with it, only that it was mindless work at a time when I couldn’t concentrate on anything more taxing. I finished up during the limbo time on Saturday after she’d gone and before we did the next thing.
I’ve had the Flowers in the Air (Ravelry link) pattern by Sachiko Uemura bookmarked for a long time and decided, once I was home, to go ahead and start it. I knitted on and off for twelve hours on Monday, and have picked up a couple more times for an hour or so.
It’s pleasantly mind-occupying, and I’m just getting the hang of the pattern without looking at every stitch. The yarn is a navy mix – excuse the poor photos! Winter lighting has a lot to answer for.
My hope is to have it finished for the funeral but trying not to hang too much on that. If it’s done, great. But it’s felt nice to work on something with a connection to my friend, no matter how sad, or how tenuous.
I’ve added this post to the Unraveled Wednesday linkup, with thanks to Kat for hosting.
The Crafty Yarnster 