When I was a sophomore in college, I came home for the summer and decided I wanted to learn to knit. My grandmother had taught me when I was little, but I had forgotten all of that. I asked my Mom if she would teach me and she said, "I think you should go see Mary Helen." Mary Helen wasn't a new name to me. She was the mother of my best friend in early elementary. I spent many overnights and dinners at the Growt home. I had many fond memories of times with the Growts. Mary Helen became my Brownie and Girl Scout leader teaching me many wonderful things. While I was away at college, Mary Helen had opened a charming yarn shop called The Little Shop.
Mary Helen taught me to knit continental style (or as my knitting buddy Linda says, "left handed".) I really wanted a picture of Mary Helen to go with this post, but I settled for a picture of my hands knitting continental like Mary Helen taught me. My husband and I taking this picture was a little like the Three Stooges making bread without the hitting. I struggled that first summer to perfect this new way. I am a hard core right hander without a hint of ambidexterity. After much work, I finally got the hang of it and I am grateful every day I stuck it out. Mary Helen also taught me the importance of steaming pieces, how to invisibly weave pieces together, not to be intimidated by cables and always add new balls at the end of the row. (I must admit I don't always do this.) The Little Shop became my first stop when I came home on vacations. It was my very first LYS. I thought it was a wonderland. I could spend hours looking at patterns, picking out yarn and just talking knitting with Mary Helen. There is a reason why this blog is dedicated to Mary Helen. She started it all. She planted the seed which has become a life long love and obsession.
I would love to hear who taught you to knit.