I love getting curious about stories and journeys of knitted belongings. I
often ponder that actually there are two journeys going on at the same
time. The first journey - a tale of knitting stitch by stitch and the
second journey is the adventure the knitting gets taken on as its
getting made. (Also there’s a third journey which is the wearing the
knit too.)

It’s sometimes a long labour of love - full of ebbs and flows - tight
stitches and relaxed ones! It’s ever growing and ever changing, as are
we in the process too!

The story begins to unfold, emotions are transferred from my heart into my
hands as I continue to knit round - a continuous spiral some might say,
like a snail, a labyrinth and our own cyclical journey through life!

I have been feeling into all of the different places I have visited along
the way. Making each section and knowing that every element has its own
little adventure. I see my mistakes (or shall we say the unique, secret
elements that nobody else has on their versions.) It makes me wonder
about my mindset when making certain areas - initially wanting to go
back and fix the ‘mistakes’ or eager to get on with it!

It takes on many energies and it connects me to other knitters along the
way. The best meeting of two textile friends come in this next story!

I was on a boat to Pender Island, just off Vancouver Island in Canada. I
started knitting as I always do when I’m sat down being transported
somewhere! Usually I don’t actually look up or around when I’m busy
knitting, super focussed! This time was the same as always, I was so
involved with my knitting that I didn’t see anyone around me until my
partner gave me a gentle elbow in the side and said

“You do know the older version of you is over there, doing exactly the same
thing as you’re doing now?” I looked over and there was Martha! (She was
the mirror image of me and my partner, with her husband).

She was knitting a vest herself! She noticed me and instantly said “Is that vest you’re wearing from Retrosaria Rosa Pomar in Lisbon, Portugal?”

[I was wearing my favourite Burgos Vest
in my  ultimate favourite colour - Chartreuse green) Martha had visited
Retrosaria Rosa Pomar in Lisbon before - I am still yet to visit Lisbon
and the shop]

I replied ‘YES!’ and then of course I went and sat next to her and then
started talking for the whole journey about wool, needles, patterns and
life as a maker! I found out so many things about Martha - she was a
teacher and quilter too!

It’s an incredible feeling to connect with wonderful humans along the way -
it gives me hope in humanity and futhers my recognition of community is
the most important thing!

I met lots of other people along the way whilst knitting my vest and Martha was certainly one of my favourites!

The vest has taken me to Greece and plenty of boat rides later - to Canada and plenty more boat rides later and back to Bristol (no boats to report!)

My ever changing self and the way I make has taken on many forms during
this knitted vest, but practice, practice, practice and sacredly closing
one knitted story before I open my next is so satisfying and it just
feels right. It’s made me realise that its not about getting stressed or
rushing through - it’s about slowing down and enjoying all of the
moments including the ‘ebbs’!

I wonder what travels your knitted or sewn garments have been on. I would love to hear about those stories!

My vest has already lived a ‘growing, knitted’ life and now its off for new adventures on my body! :)

Here’s a link to my May Newsletter

I have been learning about Medicinal herbal knowledge in the UK for the
past few years. So, of course before travelling to Canada one of my main
hopes was to learn about the herbal knowledge there, especially
intrigued to learn about the seaweeds and kelps as we would be by the
coast!

I spotted a wonderful book through the window of Ten Old Books in Duncan, BC. The book was ‘Luschiim’s plants’ by Dr. Luschiim Arvid Charlie and Nancy J. Turner.

It felt really important for me to understand more about the knowledge and stories of First Nations in BC . ‘Luschiim Arvid Charlie,
is a Cowichan Tribe Elder and botanical expert. He gained knowledge and
understanding from is great grandparents and others of their
generation.’

It was incredible to delve into this book whilst walking on Vancouver
Island, it felt very special to have knowledge that has been in
Luschiim’s ancestory for multiple generations.

In particular, I loved learning about the uses of the Bull Kelp (pictured)
- these were used for curing things such as a bow and arrow. The
wonderful thing about the book is you hear Luschiim’s voice and stories
throughout, you hear his ancestors voices through his stories too. This
for me is a very special way to read about First Nations and their true
knowing and connection with the land. I am very grateful that Luschiim
shared some of his wisdom.

I was also very inspired to know more about  the Skunk-Cabbage. Luschiim
mentions a story that his great-grandfather told him. ‘“when the black
bears and grizzlies wake up in spring after their winter sleep they
gorge on ts’a’kw’a (skunk cabbage leaves) - all they can eat and run
through the bushes. This flushes out all the worms they might have”

On a kayaking trip our guide told us that the skunk cabbage retain alot of
heat and when there is snow they are the first things to pop out as
they melt the snow, so the bears have something to gorge on as soon as
they spot the green leaves!

I look forward to reading more about the native plants in BC, even being
back in the UK, it’s always exciting to see links in our herbs too!