Kate’s Chrysalis
Posted on | April 2, 2008 | 7 Comments
My second Chrysalis has been complete and posted in Flickr and Ravelry for a little while, but it was waiting to be packaged, then waiting for the appropriate card, then traveling north to it’s intended home. But it arrived on Monday, and so now I can share with you a little bit about the recipient, Kate. Kate has been through some ups & downs in recent years (I won’t elaborate as it’s not my story to tell), and this last year has been no exception with some new bumps in the road. It seems that you can’t get too very far in this life without experiencing some hard times as well as good – loss as well as love. And sometimes watching someone you love face challenges is nearly as tough as facing it yourself. Kate could tell you this for sure. Some of us have been luckier than others – and I count myself in this category – but I’ve heard it said and now believe it to be true that the tougher things can be, the more we appreciate it when they take a turn for the better. It did my heart good to hear her sound so much better on the phone when we talked.
When she mentioned last fall that she liked the original Chrysalis, I knew another one would soon be in the works, especially for her. I now understand the desire to make a shawl or a wrap for someone that you want to hug and comfort. So, here is Kate’s Chrysalis.
modeled shots & project details can be found on Flickr and Ravelry for the knitters in the audience
And, a few words about my friend:
She’s tough as nails
She’s proof that a sense of humor can help carry you through just about anything
She’s kind and generous
She’s one of my oldest friends
She’s a great mom
She respects our differences
She cares deeply for her friends and family
Sadly, when she and her family visited last summer I enjoyed our time so much that I did not think to take many pictures (making a mental note here to be better about this. I did the same thing when my brother was here over the holiday!), and so I have no recent shots of Kate to show. She has promised to send a few on, but I know that she has many more important things vying for her attention (as it should be). So, no compliments on the wrap, please (not that I am insinuating you would or should), Instead, if you like – tell me about a friend that you miss or one that’s close by that you appreciate.
Kate, I love you a lot, I love your little boy & your husband – you have an amazingly strong & wonderful little family unit. And that is a beautiful thing!
—————-
Now playing: James Taylor – You got a Friend
via FoxyTunes
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7 Responses to “Kate’s Chrysalis”
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mel
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April 2nd, 2008 @ 12:33 pm
We should all make one of these for a dear friend (it’s really beautiful-sorry had to leave a compliment)….every day I miss the friendship of my oldest and closest friend who currently lives about 6000(give or take a few) miles away across the Atlantic Ocean! She’s having her first child this year and it’s almost painful to not be nearby and able to share that new phase of her life. Although we have not lived near each other for several years she is still the friend who knows me best…we have many many memories together and that’s a special thing. It’s so great to be able to knit gifts for friends and family and truly show how much we love them!
April 2nd, 2008 @ 2:16 pm
I’m breaking the rules, the wrap is gorgeous and I finally got off my duff to buy a copy!
But, I will leave a friend comment too. More than anything I miss my 2 best friends. The first is from grade school. She’s in OC, I’m in the Bay (so about 400 miles apart). We’re in touch regularly, but it’s still not the same as being there. I missed seeing her during her entire last pregnancy, and that was hard. Her little girl is 4 months older than my guy and I wish they could grow up together the way we did. Unfortunately, moving back south really isn’t an option for my family. But I see her when I can, and I guess that’ll have to be enough.
The other is from college, and her daughter is 4 months younger than my son. We see them a lot more, because they have family up here (they’re down in LA), but it’s still hard not being neighbors any more. We all lived in each other’s hip pockets in the same apartment complex in college. We were in each others weddings and went through pregnancy together.
Why can’t we all live in the same neighborhood with all our loved ones? Pesky real life!
And sweet topic by the way!
April 2nd, 2008 @ 3:58 pm
Like the others, I will ignore the ‘command’ to not compliment. Because you deserve it–beautiful pattern, another beautiful version.
But I will also write about a friend I miss dearly. About a decade ago, I worked doing research in the Appalachian Mountains in VA. There was a group of us, living all in one house and it was probably one of the best summers I’ve ever had–great work, great crew, great fun! One of the other technicians was from Switzerland and we just clicked immediately. I tend to be guarded normally with new people but with her, it was like we’d known each other our whole lives.
She moved back to Switzerland and I haven’t seen her in person since my wedding in 1999. She has 3 kids whom I’m never met except in pictures …so between her family demands and my field demands, we haven’t been able to get together. And in fact, sometimes our lives are so busy, a year will go by that we don’t communicate at all.
But we are connected no matter how much time passes. She knows me better than any other person (and that includes family and spouse) in a way that I do not completely understand. And I wish that the distance between us wasn’t so great.
Yet again, your post is a reflection of something I have been thinking of lately…I want to knit some sort of shawl/wrap/stole for her…a long distance hug…a small gift that won’t change the physical distance, but maybe will make us feel closer in other ways.
Thanks for the beautiful post about your friend.
April 3rd, 2008 @ 2:30 am
My best friend lives about 3 hours away by car. We have been best friends since high school, although we have only lived in the same town for about 5 years in the last 17 years. She is the one person I would lend money to with no questions asked, the person we asked to be guardian to our child if needed, the person I can just be me around. We can go months without touching base, and yet … we are just there for each other.
April 3rd, 2008 @ 11:17 am
The friend I miss is my dear friend Anthea. She lives in New York, and I live in London, so we don’t see each other nearly enough. We met 15 years ago when we both relocated with our partners’ jobs, and had 2 great years together in Cleveland (seriously). In January this year she came to England just for my birthday party – I’m still glowing from seeing her 3 months later. I love the idea of a knitted long-distance hug – I may knit one for her now you’ve given me the inspiration!
April 9th, 2008 @ 6:27 pm
the friend i miss is named Della. it’s been years since i’ve seen her. she was fun and solid and there for me when i needed her, we had a falling out though (my fault). i’ve tried to reconnect with her a few times but haven’t been successful. it’s nice for me to read about how much you value Kate.
can i ask which yarn you’ve used here for this one – i love the texture of it.
April 10th, 2008 @ 11:02 am
Thanks for the comment on my niddy noddy. It is a little different than most and has a very personal feel to it. It was nice to hear from you!