Capelet and cap for Sonu

 

This is another poncho, similar to the ones I mentioned in a one of my previous posts, here.  As I recalled in that post,  back in the 80's it was called a Cape.  Just the other day, while chatting with a knitter friend about one of her ponchos, she said the word "poncho" is dated and referred to it as Cape or Capelet.  What goes around comes back around!

The model here is a niece, daughter of cousin R who I talked about in this post. I feel that Chitra Baneerji Divakaruni must have been thinking about the two of us when she was writing certain paragraphs in the initial chapters of her novel Sister Of My Heart.  We can relate to each other in a lot of aspects.  We are the same age, both grew up in India, both made our homes in the US,  both work for the same company, both have two daughters.  We are there, just a ping away, to reassure each other every time we second guess ourselves as we nurture our girls. 

It was wonderful to watch the kids connect with each other during our visit to WI last summer.  All four of them mailed hand written letters after getting back home from the vacation.  I heard that the sisters were occupied the entire day writing and fine tuning their letters before they gave it to mom to mail, Sonu marveling at what she had produced.  Many skype sessions filled what was remaining of the summer holidays before school started.  Sonu is a sweet heart, guess you can tell from the picture :)

Knitting @ noon

I have, finally, resumed my regular attendance at Knitting@noon sessions at work after the break in summer.  Part inertia and part being swamped with everything you have to do with two girls in the house getting back to school, including, fighting what I call the 'back to school bonus' bugs.  The kids fought better this time, but mom needed a course of antibiotics for an ear infection.  It took some time to get organized enough to narrow down a pattern and shop for the necessary supplies.  I love that time though, right after summer, when the routine resumes.  So much to learn and experience, so many opportunities for the kids, I would not want it any other way, but for the sickness part!

This blog post was a long time coming.  I have been itching to write about Knitting@noon group at work. Allow me to share how it started.  Flash back a couple of years . . . I went to the conference room as usual for our weekly team meeting one afternoon at 1:00 PM, this time, my mind completely engrossed in the presentation I was to give about my research and analysis of the latest GUI (Graphical User Interface) Test Automation tool that we had discovered and explain how it would be the best thing for our project.  We waited till it was time and one of us peeked in and the friendly bunch in the room said, "Oh we are wrapping up, come on in"  and what do I see?!  A group of colleagues with yarn and knitting and crochet needles!  I have brought my hobby bag to knit/crochet during various activities that kids have been enrolled in over the years,  on long drives, camping trips etc.  But to work?!  It had not occurred to me that it might be a possibility.  My eyes still wide open, and with a smile that would not cease, I finished the hour long meeting.  By the way, the presentation went very well, decision was made to use the tool I had presented and the project was a success.

First thing I did after I went back to my desk that afternoon was shoot an email to one of them to find out more.  It did not take too long for my calendar to show "Knitting@noon" from 12:00 to 1:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays!  It opened up a whole new world to me with introduction to sites like Ravelry, WEBS , Knitting Universe, etc, by my wonderful colleagues.  Looking for something new to knit or crochet? Need opinions about yarns? Can't decide on what colors to use? No problem!  Friends to the rescue.  And you get to brag about your work with a "show and tell" once it is done.  We sometimes just show up even if we are not knitting that particular day for whatever reason. It seems like it does wonders to just sit around people knitting, the aura is so pleasant.  Just the other day, one friend stopped by to say she was not going to knit that day and stayed the entire hour :)

Braced with the support of this wonderful group which includes a few experts, last year I ventured into my first knitted garment, a vest for C.  I had knitted scarves, baby blankets and afghans in the past,, but not a garment for an adult.  A very happy recipient who wears it proudly, made for this impressive picture.  Impressive enough for the editor to request it to be featured on Lion Brand Yarn's Pattern page here on Ravelry.  Gotta love the handsome model!

Simply Shawl with Simply Soft for Simply Mom

'Simply Shawl from Simply Soft' is actually how the pattern is named.  It is from Caron International Yarns.  The pattern can be found here.  I had found the pattern paper leaflet in a store, with a picture of one done in white, and instantly liked it.  I decided to use a different color, but I am sure I will make one in pure white some day.  The semi circle things for the edges using 'double treble' stitches were interesting.

I crocheted this a few years ago for my mother-in-law. She used it with much appreciation and happiness whenever she was here with us, but refused to bring it back with her to India since she thought it would be spoiled in no time because of the dirt and dust on Indian roads where she traveled often.

Last month I uploaded this picture and started to draft this post, thinking about all the interesting stories, especially the ones from her time spent here with us in Boston.  But it seemed like everything came to a screeching halt and I needed time before I came back to a to a place where I could write again.  On a Friday evening in Sept, after I went home from work, we got the call.  Yes, that one, the one you never want to hear but that which is about a moment that is as guaranteed as the night that follows each day.  A reminder that it is "when it happens", not "if it happens" that holds true for each and every one of us.  My mother-in-law passed away due to cardiac arrest.  We grieve and experience emotions that are indescribable in words, but learn again what it means when they say "time will heal".  Time, the only thing that allows you to pass through moments and things that we took for granted which now make our hearts go heavy, like the time of the day when we used to call her, the speed dial on the phone that still says Parvati,  my phone numbers list that says "Pune Amma", the sanDige dabbas whose bottoms peek at you when you open them now, the half filled masala powder container, the red sweater that she left here using the same reasoning as for leaving this shawl here, the rudrakshi japa mala that now lays inanimate, times that I shall make sabudana khichidi, gargi etc . . .

I got goosebumps when C pointed out the coincidence that it was the same day in Sept, the 29th, 39 years ago that my father in law had left them.  I try to find comfort not only by thinking that she is in a happier place and at peace, but also in the good memories we have of her. 

She was a woman of indomitable spirit who lived humbly and happily, loved fiercely, gave generously, expressed freely, cooked with reckless abandon and faced all her life's challenges courageously.  She had a strong personality, the kind I have found typically in women who hail from north Karnataka.  She made many friends where ever she was, and did have a few who disagreed with her as she lived life on her own terms, clutching faith till the end.  She raised two fine sons.  She was an extrovert who had the ability to carry on conversations with complete strangers, even if language stood like a huge brick wall in between.

Our daughters have many memories of grandma (Ajji).  She was around for them during their childhood days.  She even was the topic of M's "My Hero" essay in 7th grade.  She never missed walking the long driveway to the bus-stop to see the girls off in the morning and receive them when they got home in the afternoon from school.  She teamed up with the kids and picked crab-apples from the tree in our front yard which she made pickles out of, using authentic Indian ingredients (always innovative).  Among other things, M and S remembered how she had once told them the story of Lord Ganesha.  S said she felt guilty now because she got mad when Ajji would often ask to switch to Zee TV while S was watching her favorite TV show and Ajji would give in so easily and never complained. This would make for a very long read if I wrote about the million questions S asked me and the things that she shared that were going on in her head.

I loved it when my mother-in-law shared memories from her past.  I feel that in this age of global living, she has had a remarkable journey.  There are so many people who I have not met in person but have heard a great deal about from her.  I was part of her life only in the last 18 years, but have had many opportunities to hear about the rest of the people who comprised her world.  At social gatherings, she trusted only me to bring her plate with food, which I selfishly admit, made me feel very special.  She had some self imposed dietary restrictions.  She looked too cute when I or the girls would help her with socks and shoes and bundled her up with coat, scarf, gloves etc during the winters here in Boston. She held on tight to her way of living, but encouraged us to adopt new ways with changing times and places.   I tried and was successful to a certain extent in getting her to crochet again.  She remembered the basic stitches from when she had done it a very long time ago.  She was too much of a free spirit to follow the pattern instructions and always did her own thing.

We have had a few profound conversations along with pregnant silences in our house in the past few weeks finding deep meaning in ordinary, everyday things.  It has changed each of us in the family a little bit, in ways only death can.  There are a few women who come to mind when I need an example of courage and "Pune-Amma" is definitely one of them.

Yakshagana

One Saturday afternoon this summer, we got a rare opportunity to watch a Yakshagana  prasanga "Bhasmaasura Mohini" played by Yakshamitra Group from Toronto.  Thanks to the organizers who made it possible for us to enjoy this performing art here in the Boston area.  M and S also loved watching since it had many comic elements, and they were also able to appreciate better this time, because of the subtitles provided on a screen on one side of the stage.  While the live 'himmeLa' made it very authentic, the actors in the "mumELa' played their roles to the T.  A wonderful treat overall.  This took me back to my elementary school days.  Ask me why! 

A huge part of those years was my training in Yakshagana.  It was an all kids ensemble and we performed not only in many cities and towns in Karnataka, but were also invited to bring this as one of the main items to the 5th National Children's Assembly in Bal Bhavan Delhi.  We were a team representing Karnataka.  The two days long train journey back and forth between Bangalore and Delhi, attending a variety of workshops at the camp, performances on the open air stage at Bal Bhavan, and a meeting with the then Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi: all these made for a memorable 20 days.  The huge metal trunks filled with costumes and props were put to another good use on the train journey.  They were lined up to form a make-do stage for us to perform impromptu acts.  Very entertaining :)  This whole trip and the purpose of the National Children's Assembly was about fostering creativity in kids!

The Yakshagana prasanga was titled "kusha lavara kaaLaga", an episode from the epic Ramayana, in which yours truly played the role of 'Kusha', one of the twin sons of Rama and Sita.  I remember the long rehearsals with dripping sweat on the red oxide floors, moving to the beats of 'chanDe' and 'maddaLe', having to memorize the dialogs and deliver them right after you have performed the rigorous routines and trying to catch a breath at the same time, competing with each other as to who can do the maximum number of jumping spins in the air(typical in the thenkutiTTu style of Yakshagana).  It was such hard work that it called for supplements to a strictly vegetarian diet.  I don't know whose suggestion it was, but Amma made an exception, and had me drinking raw eggs with milk (I hated it!) in order to build stamina.  After each performance, when I returned home exhausted, there was the make-up removal routine.  Smear face with coconut oil and wash with Mysore sandal soap and cold water from the "thoTTi", which was sufficient for the time being before going to bed.  But it took the customary castor oil massage the next day with hot water from the 'hanDe' to clean it off completely, and make me look like me again.  The soreness from tying the bun on top of the head so tightly used to last a couple of days.

Reminiscing my stint as a Yakshagana artist, albeit, once upon a time . . .

Road Trip Summer 2012

A road trip to Milwaukee, WI and back!  Long drives in the vicinity of the Great Lakes.  Saw sun rise and sun set many a times, breathtaking views all along, with miles and miles of corn and soybean fields, wind turbines, hay rolls etc.  Stopped at Niagara Falls (never ceases to amaze me), camped two nights, one at Barrie, ON in Canada and another at St Ignace, MI.  Took a tour of Mackinac island on horse-drawn carriages (Island highlights: Lots of history, Fudge and smell of horse poop), visited spectacular Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising, MI.  

Reached cousin's home in New Berlin, WI.  What a great time we all had, four cousins and our families!  Suffice to say we made lots of sweet memories and I think we gave something to the kids that they will cherish forever.  Day trip to Chicago (Willis Tower Skydeck, Navy Pier, Millenium Park.  Nice ending to the day with music at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millenium Park).  Next was a day trip to the beautiful Door County. Once again amazing views all along.  Then it was another camping night at Dells, WI, this time all three families together.  Having 'hoLige' meal at the campsite made it one-of-a-kind experience, thanks to my cousin for the thoughtful planning and preparing such scrumptious meals throughout our stay.  Somewhere amongst all this, cousin and I squeezed in a trip to the mall.  Next day was Noah's Ark, largest Water Park in America.  

After a relaxing day at home in New Berlin, we made a trip to Springfield, IL (Visited Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and Lincoln 's Tomb: the words I remembered from my school history book came alive) and St. Louis, IL (Visited Gateway Arch, the tallest man-made monument in the United States and the Science Museum).  A night of camping in the seemingly arid St. Louis area.  Yet another relaxing day at home with all the cousins, and then drove 14 hours in one day from New Berlin, WI to Syracuse, NY for some fun with my almost 1 year old nephew and his parents.  Trip had quite a few hikes, long walks at the lakes, ample beach and pool time.  Still fighting a bit of post vacation blues today, but looking forward to the many fun things with friends and family that await here at home through the rest of the summer.

More on Mehendi

Continuing on the same theme as my previous post . . . A couple of weeks ago, we were at a picnic organized by the cultural organization that we have been associated with for many years now.  On that very hot day, as I cooled off so many little hands with Mehendi, I was reminded of the days when my own girls were that little.  They want to be done soon, but want the most elaborate design possible, they want the best stain, but want it off the hands as soon as possible, and as it dries, the stuff keeps coming off *accidentally* (so they can get a peek at the stain, fascinating!!), and want it redrawn, lest that part would be stained less.  At this picnic there was one boy who was intrigued enough by this to want it on his hands too, but I think was unsure of whether this was meant for boys or not, and so he got a star on just his thumb.

Will keep it on as long as needed to get a best stain!

And the fun seems to double when cousins are around.  This picture is from a few years ago.  Looking forward to a repeat action soon, in the next couple of weeks, this time, with an additional cousin.

Cousins + Mehendi = Ultimate fun!

That time of the year!

 

It is that time of the year when in our house, mehndi cones, along with lemon and sugar mixture in a small steel bowl, a few cotton balls, all placed in a big plate, occupy the space on the kitchen counter right next to the microwave oven.  Through the summer it stays there with replacement cones and other materials as needed.  Like most girls, my daughters love to get their hands and feet adorned with mehendi.  They can hardly wait for the stain to fade away completely, which usually takes about 2 weeks, before applying again.  No special occasions like festivals or weddings, we do this just because!  It has become somewhat of a summer tradition.

Their Daddy used to help out with making the cones.  Like with everything else he does, a great deal of research went into finalizing the cone design so it was fool proof.  And I shall cherish the cotton candy feeling I got as I watched him make the beds with an old sheet to sleep on when they kept it on overnight, making sure they were comfortable, hugged and kissed goodnight taking care not to smudge the mehndi on the hands.

We have been doing this since the girls were very young. Now, they try a few designs of their own and often ask for my hand to practice on. We have had quite a few birthday parties over the years where I got a chance to decorate many cute hands and have thoroughly enjoyed the look of fascination and wonder on the children's faces.  Here are a few pictures from over the years:

 

 

 

  

Aura Cacia 51737 Eucalyptus Essential Oil- 0.25oz

Aura Cacia 51735 Clove Bud Essential Oil - 0.25oz

One scarf's journey

I found this beautiful pink and green fashion yarn and thought I'd knit a scarf for my then 14 year old niece for her birthday in Nov.  This niece lives on the other end of the globe.  So I figured I'd mail it to her.   I made sure I finished it on time and with much care and love packed it, made a trip to the post office, picked a nice gift box and sent it off to her Australia address along with a hand written letter and a birthday card wishing her a world of happiness!

Days went by and I never heard anything from her about this.  I did not want to mention it when we spoke on the phone because I wanted her to be surprised.  I was almost starting to forget that I had sent this.  Then one day the package returned home as I had sent it, but with a bunch of seals, dirtying the pretty package, indicating that it had gone all the way to Australia and back, saying that the addressee does not reside at that address.  My brother-in-law and family had moved to a new house and I still had their old address and such a coincidence that I had to mail this in that window where their address was not updated yet.

The package lay on my bookcase headboard for months, along with the outdated hand written letter in it.  As it turned out, we all planned a trip to India the following summer and had a family reunion of sorts.  It was a memorable 4 days we spent together after 10 years!  She sent this picture last week, sporting the scarf :)

Poncho Princess

I wrote in one of my previous blog posts about the Ponchos  that I crocheted a couple of years ago.  This one had the name of my niece Shal.. written over it.  I gave it to her when cousin Shail.. was visiting us with his family a couple of summers ago.  I was told later that she wanted to wear it to school everyday after they returned from here.  Loved how she coordinated her outfit for this picture.

Cousin Shail.., who was in college at that time, had accompanied me from Belgaum on my bus journey to the far away city of Pune from Shimoga, just before my first flight to US in 1994. I remember it took 18 hours on the road from Shimoga to Pune.  That is about the total air time to fly from Mumbai to Boston!  This bus ride gave us a chance to bond a bit more, sharing our hopes and dreams, admiring the rainbow out the window.  Who knew then that years later he would settle down in the neighboring NJ and actually come visit us with his wife Le.. and two kids Shal.. and Sheel! Yes it is a beautiful family of sh's and l's :)

Bag Pattern Invention

It was December break last year and I found myself in between projects!  Yes, sometimes that happens.  Although most of the times I have two or three things going on in parallel and eying four more that I cannot wait to get started with.  Anyways, I picked up the Readers Digest book I mentioned here, and found a stitch I wanted to try and experiment with.  The result was this invention of a bag design using leftover Sugar N' Cream yarn of different colors from another project.

M was appreciative of my effort, and loved taking these pictures, but she did not want it for herself.  Somehow by the time you enter high school, everything has to be either black or gray or beige.  On the other hand this was the best thing in the world for S who had just begun middle school.  It was an instant hit among her friends.  I am seeing it being used a lot and hope that continues for a couple of years.

Saree

Born and brought up in India, Saree/Sari has been  an integral part of my life.  I could probably write a novel with all the personal stories and incidences around these 4-9 yards of fabric .  But what is interesting is the million different uses they have other than wearing as a garment.  They make such beautiful raw material for so many of the creations!

One such project that I and my sister S enjoyed together was Rug Making (Braiding technique).  We found that cotton sarees are the best for this.  Trash to treasures!  We would eagerly wait for mom to declare that she was retiring one of her sarees.  Cut it into ~inch wide stripes and made small sized rugs for use around the house.  One such rug I made during my visit a couple of years ago, mom found it so beautiful that she refused to use it on the floor and hung it on the wall instead.

I am currently experimenting crocheting a rug with synthetic sarees.  This is a solid rectangle worked with Double Crochet Stiches throughout.  Simple enough, right?!  A tad bit of laziness to count, and I must have taken it apart about 5-6 times already and my family cannot fathom how/why I keep going back :)  It is in a paused state right now since I have run out of old unused sarees, or in knitting-lingo this is WIP (Work In Progress).

Silk sarees that were either too jazzy to one's taste to wear as sarees or were just uninteresting or the wearer just got bored (these last forever if they are well maintained) were transformed into Salwars and Chudidaars.  I remember short toddler frocks,  lehengas and kurtis made for my nieces and later for my own daughters.  Patchwork and Quilting are among other techniques that I think can use this beautiful fabric.  Window treatments with chiffon sarees.  Bet you have seen that!

Warm up America afghan block

A few months back, one of the friends in our "knitting at noon" group at work was collecting squares for Warm up America Afghan.  The idea is to knit or crochet a square (actually a rectangle of 7x9 to be precise) and donate it to "Warm Up America" where volunteers stitch them together to make afghans to give to people in need!  I took this opportunity to try the popular cable stitch in knitting.  Have you seen those Red Sweaters in the stores for little boys that usually have this pattern?  I find those totally adorable.  This happens to be my husband's favorite stitch too.  Have gotten repeated requests for a vest using this pattern!  Someday I shall get to it.  Here is a start . . .

Vanishing Chenille

Here is an Afghan crocheted using Chenille Yarn.  Pattern from the Lion Brand website.  It was pleasing to work with and when done, had a plush and royal look and feel to it.  It saw many cuddles shared with my girls during their toddler/preschooler days, reading children's books together or watching movies.  Those little fingers sometimes poking through the tiny spaces in the afghan.  Fascinating how kids can make a play out of just about anything and entertain themselves.  Reminds me also of my mother-in-law on the rocker sofa comfortably wrapped in this afghan watching her favorite shows on TV.  It was wonderful when in use.  But, just like how those days are gone, all that remains of this afghan are cherished memories of some well lived moments.  I found that this yarn shed a lot!  It began to thin out, and eventually was reduced to fine thread in places. There came a time to say bye-bye. I have not used Chenille after that in any of the projects.  Still have a skein of this yarn in my stash.  Maybe I should try making something out of it now.

 

The chair in the picture is a very old one that my dear husband had picked up from a yard sale back when we had not found each other yet.  It was renewed by sanding, applying a couple of coats of white paint and embellished with some free-hand designs, by yours truly.

Yet another Thread Crochet

There were two of these in yellow thread in D Chikkamma's (Aunt D's) house.  Following that pattern, I crocheted this during one of the summer vacations spent in Mysore. 

 

I and cousin R are 10 months apart.  We must have been twins in our past lives or something.  All the fun we had together during our childhood summers . . .  learn new songs to sing, dress up in costumes and do fashion shows, try new hairdos, choreograph dances and perform for our loyal and very encouraging audience - our aunts and uncles, play Scrabble under the covers past bedtime with a flashlight, read and chat till late into the night.  Then there were bicycle rides, games of badminton, carom etc.  And how can I forget stringing jasmine plucked fresh from the vines in the balcony.  And yes, chikkamma's home-made ice cream!  R's brother, cousin V, is quite the entertainer.  Singing and mimicking the actors of yesteryears.  Thankful for the exposure to Hindustani Classical Music and Theater Arts.  Many things to count in the blessings category!

DMC 12668 Cebelia Crochet Cotton Size 30 - 563 Yards-Banana Yellow 

Pretty Poncho

About 3 years ago, I crocheted this poncho for my daughter S and fell in love with the cotton yarn, Lily's Sugar and Cream (pattern on their website).  This yarn comes in such happy colors.  I like having a few extra skeins in the house, just like that.

What to do when life throws a bunch of tangled balls of yarn at you?  Make more of these ponchos!  Working on knitting and crochet projects has a meditative effect and helps me find my center during those times when a perspective/priority check is in order.  Have you tried to knit/crochet and worry at the same time? Makes for an interesting exercise.  You will find that you actually have to stop what you are doing to create worrisome thoughts.  I liked this pattern so much that I felt that this needed to be made in every color combination possible and every little girl ought to have one of these.  I crocheted more, some in solids and others in three colors like the one in the picture, as gifts to many children of friends and relatives.

On a completely different note . . .
Flashback:  Poncho reminds me of neighborhood S Aunty.  She had crocheted one for her daughter Putti (nickname) and one for me!  It was in a different pattern, complete with pom-poms.  Back in those days and in that place, it was called "Cape".  On cold days in the Malnad area, we wore it to elementary school on top of our white and blue uniform.  Putti and I used to walk to school together everyday and I was secretly happy whenever she ran late (which was quite often by the way) because then, we would get a ride on her dad's Scooter instead of walking 45 mins.  So I did not mind helping her finish getting ready for school.  I have older sisters and older brother, Putti filled the spot of a younger sister.  Her brother and I once had a 'uppu-khara' eating competition.  (uppu+khara=salt+red chili powder mixture, used with raw mangoes or guava).  I shall leave the consequence of that competition to your imagination.

ओ ओ ओ ओ बचपन के दिन भुलान देना . . .

Pineapple Design in Thread Crochet

I made this many years ago.  This was also reproduced by following an existing piece stitch by stitch.  I am unable to recall exactly who, but it must have been either grandma or one of the aunts who had done it before.  As I write this, so many works of art from my talented aunts, make their way on to my mind's canvas, albeit vaguely.  Some of them are, V Atte's (Aunt V's) 'kutch work' on white lehenga for my sister and her 'mirror work' on yellow lehenga+blouse for me, U chikkamma's (Aunt U's) mustard yellow knitted sweater for my cousin D with a black teddy bear on the front!  Growing up watching them, some of this craze was bound to rub off.  V Atte used to own a copy of "Readers Digest: Complete Guide to Needlework".  As a young girl I was fascinated with that book and still recall the joy I experienced as I flipped through the pages of that book.  I have bought a copy since and have it on our coffee table for the last 15 or so years now.  Ogling at it every so often,  I imagine the endless possibilities for creation.  Quilting, Patchwork, Macrame, Knitting, Crochet, Embroidery, Rug Making and many such techniques are described in that book.

New Favorite Person

To all my cousins, nieces and nephews, who I have adored in the past, I am sorry, but I have a new favorite person in cousin A's brand new son I.  Unless of course you can be a five month old baby again who gives me a huge toothless grin every time I even begin to say something.  He is so cute, I could eat him up :) Very glad to have made the three day trip to Syracuse over the holidays recently. All we did was play with him when he was awake and when he was napping we played numerous games of Lexicon and Cards and caught up on some movies.  My girls had a request for a baby brother after this visit!

This simple hooded baby blanket was made for him. I found the pattern on Lion Brand's "Pound Of Love" yarn. This is actually my second one in this pattern. The first one was in yellow that was made for another special baby of a dear friend. That baby is now a smart second grader.

 Stiches Up Close

First Crochet Project

This was my first Crochet work, or at least the first that I have a picture of.  I have a picture because I still have it with me.

Not entirely sure when exactly I learned the basic stitches of crochet and knitting or who taught it.  I remember amma (mother) had knit a sweater for each of us three sisters.  But this one, I remember vividly, I made during the summer of 1986, during my extended stay at ajji's (grandmother's) house in Chikamagalur, by following a piece that she had made during her younger years.  No written instructions or charts.  At that time I did not know that this particular technique is called Filet Crochet.  I ran out of thread before I could finish and had to wait for a long time to find the right match, which I unfortunately never managed to find.  That is why the gauge in the last few rows is different.  An imperfect piece, but a treasure to me because of the memories associated with this . . .

The rainy days of Chikmagalur, the long lazy afternoons, reading out loud the darawahis (fiction) in Sudha and Taranga (weekly magazines in Kannada language) for ajji sitting on the extra bed in her room,  dodamma's (aunt's) gamakas and food served with such cheer and affection.