"The Best Knitters Make the Most Mistakes"

         

         Right before Christmas, I put the finishing touches on the first Little Lamb for Peace.  On a cold Saturday morning, one of my yoga students arrived early as she usually did for warm conversation before class.  Erin saw the little lamb sitting on my coffee table and she immediately picked it up and gave it a squeeze.

          "This is so comforting!" she said, holding it close.  "So cute!"

          Soon my friend, Barb, walked through the door.  "Look what you inspired," I smiled as she took off her coat and boots.  Barb had encouraged me to knit toys for the families of Sandy Hook the week previous and my enthusiasm quickly bubbled over into what Erin was now cuddling.

          "Oh, that's so sweet," Barb said, taking it from Erin.  "And it's still warm."

          Soon the little lamb was passed around to all of my students as they arrived and was hugged and loved by each of them. I'm sure that whoever receives it in the weeks to come will be blessed by their positive energy and joyful response.

          Many knitters have told me that they've never tried to create a toy, that it looks too complicated or out of their range of skill.  I've encouraged knitters to come together as a group and work on one lamb.  A new knitter can make the ears or legs, while a more experienced knitter can work on the head and embellishments.  It's the desire to create something positive that's important.  Mistakes will happen, but that's all part of the learning process.

          One of my mantras for new students is:  "the best knitters make the most mistakes."  They simply learn from them, correct them and try again.  Recently my little pal, Harshil, asked me to teach him to knit and although it was challenging, he persevered and made a lovely change purse for his sister for Christmas.  When he made mistakes, I'd remind him of my mistake mantra and laugh, "Harshil, if I had a dollar for every mistake I've made, we could take a trip to Paris."  He smiled and kept knitting.

         

          I've knit dozens of gifts for people of all ages and often keep a picture of the person nearby as I work.  Weaving love into every stitch is not a cliché for me...it's a reality I fuse into every sock, sweater, toy and hand-warmer.  It's my wish that whoever receives a hand-knit gift will not only enjoy using it, but also receive the intangible loving thoughts, prayers and memories that were floating through my mind as the yarn flew through my fingers and wound itself around the needles. 

          May your hands be blessed as you knit your Little Lamb for Peace and may you know the joy of gifting someone with your unique creativity and warmth.   You may just want to knit one for yourself!