Things Pam knitted..

 

This is Pam leaving to go back to America to live for good. It's about 2005. She's stroking Jesse. Tessa the boarder collie was dad's gardener, Michael's dog who is now dead, the dog not Michael. The only one remaining in this photo then is Jesse. Pam and Mike got on really well and went on holiday together once to Goa. In the other photo there's dad and Mike's assistant gardener Chris. Pam once told me a hilarious story about how she had to referee an argument between Mike and Chris who no longer work together, they had a rather strained relationship. I would get her to tell me the story over and over cos it made me laugh. She knitted this gorgeous wrap. I never saw it again after this...

Last night I dreamed about Pam. In the dream we are in the house on North Road in Clayton. Angie tells me Pam has been paying her for cigarettes. I'm furious. Angie is standing wearing glittery clothes from a shopping spree. I shout at Angie. I run to find Pam. I shout her. I'm in the family room she shouts back in a very depressed voice. She's watching TV sitting on the floor. She tells me she got involved with a guy who is using her house for drug trafficking. I say Pam you have to stop him. She knows but she's scared. So am I.

and now the hat :)

Quite honestly I can't get over that I'm doing this!  A few people have said Jane knit?  But I think it's bloody marvellous..

I made a scarf

I knit now like my sister used to...

Autumn

Just over a year ago I put a post on here showing a lot of things that Pam knitted. Well since then I've knitted 3 pairs of socks, a hat, a scarf, a pair of fingerless gloves, a sweater and I'm in the process of making another sweater. I never would have thought it. There are a lot of things I never would have thought. Like my sister's death.. I think Pam would say Jane I told you you'd enjoy knitting. You never listen to me. It must have been hard being the youngest..

Finished knitting the socks! In honour of Pam..

As you can see I'm posing, modeling my creations in the morning light. I sit in this spot every morning drinking my coffee and reading, it's so nice. The reason I'm 'modeling'? Well other than the fact that I'm a big ham I'm trying to hide the mistake I made in the hidden sock. Oh OK go on then I'll show you the mistake.

The ball of wool in the background is because my dad loved the socks so much that he wants some.How sweet,to knit a pair of socks for me old dad,Pam would be so pleased.

knitting project finished..

when I get a chance I'll take a photo of the jumper and post it. I love it!  Now I'm onto a sock.. Meanwhile (since it's easter) here is a pic of two rabbits I met in Crosby by the sea near Liverpool in 2004. From jumper to Thumper. Pebbles, the bunny at the back was the most cuddly of the two. We made an instant connection.

Things Pam Knitted...

Pam was a natural at knitting. She started knitting around 2002 after she'd been to visit me here in Santa Fe. While she was here I took her to see a psychic. Well of course, this is woo woo town. Amongst other things the woman said that Pam was a weaver and had been a Hopi Indian. Well of course. The following Christmas I went to stay with Pam in Long Island where she was living alone in a rented apartment. She was very depressed having broken up with her boyfriend Keith. She was feeling stuck and lost and lonely. We went shopping to Port Jefferson and walked past a knitting shop. 'Come on,' I said, 'Go in there and get some wool.' The answer was a weary sigh and a no.'Come on. Remember that woman said you are a weaver? This could be just the thing to cheer you up.' The answer was still no so I dragged her into the shop and forced her to buy some wool and knitting needles. Back in Santa Fe when I spoke to her on the phone she was so excited,'Jane! Jane! I love knitting, I just love it!' So she went on to knit and knit and knit. She never stopped knitting until the day she died. 

Recently after scouring lots of blogs where women knit gorgeously I felt the urge to knit. My friend from madrigal group Barbara an addicted knitter told me of Looking Glass Yarns on Luisa Street. A few weeks ago I had just finished guzzling coffee and working on my play at Santa Fe Baking Co just round the corner from Luisa Street aha I thought I'll go in. The shop is run by two sisters which sent a pang through my heart. I signed up there and then for a fingerless glove class. My mum had already taught us to knit when we were teens but I never stuck it out and never followed a pattern. Last week I asked mum who taught her to knit. 'No one, I taught myself. Well I had to do something as an only child left alone night after night while my parents went out drinking!'

Pam knitted some things for me the pink, the blue and the pale green below. All the other sweaters were at her house when we went to clear it out. After her death. I've been meaning to do a post on this for ages. Now we've got our fabulous new camera we had a lovely time at our cabin taking these photos.

Funny how everything is a drama for me. The whole time knitting the gloves there was a running commentary from me about every problem and mistake. Loud screams and expletives. Pam never said a word. Just quietly got on with it. Now I look at these pieces that she made I'm amazed at what she accomplished. So quietly and undramatically she was so talented. I'm so proud of her.

And now for my fingerless gloves..... Pam as usual you were right when you kept telling me to knit and I dismissed you... I love it!!!!

Pam in Taos

Pam visited me about five times here in New Mexico. I think these photos were her first visit. Here I took her to Taos Pueblo. This is her just outside the Pueblo calling the horses..

Mum and Dad came for the wedding this June and I took them to Taos. I got them to stand in all the places that I took photos of Pam...

And always some silly ones.. Pam then wearing a scarf that she knitted herself...

And me this year..

So now let me share with you Pam's trip out here at the end of 2003. We bought wool in Taos and she knitted a lovely scarf for me. She got her plane times mixed up so ended up staying an extra few days. We watched the film 28 Days Later and giggled like kids chasing each other round the room like the infected flesh eaters. Pam was particularly good at it and had me quite convinced a time or two! I don't think I've laughed so much since.. And of course she got her dog fix..

God these photos make me cry... sorry it's been so long getting this together.. You can probably imagine why..