The Journey of a knitted vest - Greece - Canada - Bristol

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! :)