Auntie Squares

Lately, my niece and I have been reading together on Wednesdays. We get our OJs from the fridge and clamber into the big bed with our book. Yesterday it was Misty of Chincoteague. You can imagine I am quite an enthusiastic dramatic reader (and it's quite an exciting book!). Nevertheless, my listener could not sit still. She was on top of the covers. Then reaching for her juice. Then under the ripple blanket. Then on top of the ripple blanket. Then under the duvet. Then out from under all of it and flat on her stomach, as I was. Then back to the juice. At the end of Chapter 3 she said, "Let's just read until the beginning of Chapter 4." I said, "Okay. What do you want to do now?"
     "I think I want to learn how to make a granny square."
     Thwap! [book slammed shut by Aunt Alicia]

She went to pick out her yarn and came back with Rowan Cashsoft Baby DK, which is a beautiful yarn (and I do believe in starting kids with yarns of their preference, even cashmerino, because anything that can help add to a positive experience when learning something new is good). I had my D hook on the nightstand, and, though it was smaller than anything she's used before, she was game. That's what I love about this girl: She's totally game. She already knew how to chain and make single crochets, having learned it at school (where they are allowed to crochet while the teacher is reading — oh joy!). But I showed her how to make the "blobs and holes" of the granny square and she was off. (We have such technical terms: "Put the hook in the top of the first stick of that blob and then wrap it." "That blob?" "No, the one next to the hole." "Oh, that blob." I cringe thinking about how they must prefer to explain these at school.)

Anyway, well, she's a genius, of course, and picked it all up right away, and made a tiny turquoise square of her own. She even managed to employ a rather sophisticated sense of crocheting humor as she neglected to wrap the yarn around the hook almost every time she wanted to make a dc, which would routinely send us into howls of laughter and mock-despair. I said, "You keep forgetting to remember to wrap before you pull up the loop." "No," she said, "actually, I'm remembering to forget." More stitches, more forgetting (remembering), more howling and laughter and bed-bouncing. I said, "Do you hear that little voice in your head, telling you to wrap?" "Yes," she said, "it's whispering but it needs to be yelling!" Giggle giggle. Love. This. Girl.

Comments

[Julie]

What a feel-good story! I wished I was cozied up in the bed with you, learning how to crochet from a fun teacher like you and joining in on your crocheting laughs!

[lisa]

one of the best posts i've read in a long time. yours are always good, but this was exceptional. loved the story. makes me wish i could have mia on my bed every wednesday afternoon. thank you for sharing!! and hugs to you.

[Lallee]

It's wonderful to hear of your relationship in the midst of the transient society we now live in. I was crocheting my first row of a ripple afghan as I read this post. You've been a good inspiration ;-)

[Helena]

Too cute! Is it me or has your niece growing fast. You guys are too funny. Audrey and Bee are probably rolling their eyes going... People!Pets napping here. Why do we have to be the mature ones?

[Amy G.]

What a fantastic niece you've got there! You must post *her* first granny square project when it's done, because you've obviously got her....hooked. :) Good for you with your "best yarn first" philosophy. I know I didn't stick to my knitting as a child because the acrylic was just too icky.

[quenna]

What a sweet relationship :) A school that allows multitasking during lectures -- so nice for us non-auditory learners.

[heather]

is your niece a montessori student? my daughter is and in her class everyone begins knitting or crotcheting at age 6. they too have a lot of time during circle or read aloud for these quiet projects. what a nice afternoon you had.

[teresa (maggiegracecreates)]

Alicia, I read you every day, but I think this is my all time favorite post. I love seeing a child "get it" no matter what it is. My daughters' friends all have sat with me at one time or another and learned something. And my teenage girls are not embarassed by it at all.

As a matter of fact, my 13 year old wants to have an Abracadabra art party for her birthday (ala Sally Jean's book)

WOnderful post.

[Erin D.]

Aww how cute! She is a smart cookie! Hmmm now she can teach me how to do granny squares heehee!

You must be so proud, she has a great sense of humor too!

The ripples look beautiful mixed with the florals on the bed. :O)

[cindy k]

i wish i had an aunt like you. sounds like a constant stream of fun with your niece.

[amy k.]

oh this made me smile so big.

can you be my aunt? and she is way ahead of me. I have been "remebering to forget" only in the last few years-and what a beautiful thing it is!

[Kelly]

awwww What a great time! I can't wait for kids!

[kylie d]

At Connors(5 yo) school assembly last week, a tiny little girl stood up the front with her microphone saying "knitting club will be in the hall, second half of lunch". I nearly burst into tears..mostly at the cuteness of it all But a little at the sadness that I will never be part of that knitting club! haha It made me want to make them little membership badges or something. I love that girls are getting back into the 'old' crafts. Your neice will remember these times with you forever!

[Gina]

How wonderful! My son wanted to learn to crochet the other day when he was home sick but quickly decided to stick with a chain as there was to much thinking involved with a single crochet. He even took it in the car to pick up his sister. By the end of the day he had a chain around 60 FEET LONG!
You niece is lucky to have you.

[ameliab]

Unfortunatly for me I'm the oldest grandchild on both sides of my family so I'll have to wait a while to be an aunt. :-) Though your niece is very luck. You reminded me of when my Aunt (we are fairly close in age and share a birthday) taught me how to do Cat's Craddle using a Chinesse Jumprope no less. Sweet memories from a sweet post.
~Amelia

[Laurie]

What grade is your niece in? I'm a 4th grade teacher and I've never thought about letting my students crochet while I read, draw sometimes yes, but crochet, no. What a neat idea!
Laurie

[Kristin Nicholas]

Passing the hook to the next generation - that's what it's about for so many of us. Lovely story and few hours for both of you!

[preeety]

it's good to know the next generation is keeping tradition.
yeah right, I just know by the look of her she'll break all the crocheting rules available. good for her!!!!

[Robyn]

I love that you have this type of relationship with your niece. It reminds me of the one I had with my aunt.

[Jude]

Very cute! What a good aunt.

[Tracey]

I am usually not a crochet fan, but I must admit, your stuff is hella gorgeous and is making me re-think my previous feelings on the matter.

[June]

I really love this heartwarming little story and think it's ever so marvelous when a young person wants to learn an old craft. I don't know how to crocet but I've bought the stuff to learn how. Your little story has inspired me.

[vicky]

What a lovely story.Thank you for sharing.

[Athena]

Can you be my auntie, please?

[tiffany]

What a fun day! and.. what a fun Auntie!!!