The Stitch that Binds

On Fridays I work at Hodge Podge in San Marino. It’s a gift store connected to A Stitch in Time – a needlepoint shop. http://www.needlepoint-knitting.com

Before I started working there eight years ago, I took up a needlepoint project just to “sit at the table.” That’s where all the action takes place.

The women who gather here are all about celebrating the milestones with their craft, whether it’s a Christmas stocking for a new member of their family, a wedding ring-bearer pillow, or a simple tree ornament.

Needlepointing for the holidays is big. Halloween pumpkins, the winter stand-up villages, Easter Eggs, Menorahs, 4^th of July pillows…

This Friday, a needlepoint class is going on, led by a guest teacher from Kentucky whose southern charm is infectious. “When in doubt,” she tells a student with a lilt, “Ah always use the basket-weave stitch.” The tables are littered with canvases, threads, reading glasses and stitch guides. It’s noon and the bright-colored chairs are empty. The class is taking a lunch break at Tony’s down the street.

There’s a knitting group up on the table at the back of the shop. Normally, they are up front at the large table to the left. Yet, the knitting table is bustling this morning…baby sweaters, a blanket for someone in need, a long scarf - more gifts made with yarn.

The knitting teacher is encouraging. “You’re doing great,” I hear her say to a woman frustrated with a complicated pattern.

Over in “Hodge,” the gift section, I open a box of new gift items to be priced when my phone dings another Breaking News Alert. I don’t want to look down. It’s all been so much lately. I’m still back in Orlando trying to absorb that when more mass shootings have since occurred. 

My mind retreats back into the store and I glance across to the wall of needlepoint canvases. Pastoral scenes, beach themes, animals, flowers… Shelves to the right are bursting with soft, color-coordinated yarns.

A regular customer walks through the door with her finished still life – a project she’s framed after working with our resident needlepoint teacher. Everyone in the shop takes a look.  There are lots of oohs and ahhs. The customer is beaming.

In the background, the female DJ on the soft rock channel is talking about wanting to just get away from Facebook, Twitter…the whole thing, she says. “Lately, it’s been too much. The violence these days. It's everywhere. I need a break.”

Indeed, it’s a complicated world. But, some things do stand the test of time and the Internet.

Through world wars, revolutions and through good times, women have gathered together in a community to knit or to needlepoint. Crafting handiwork that seems no matter what, survives the test of time. Looking forward to the future. A new baby. A wedding, a holiday, or just to have something beautiful to admire.