A Knitting Pattern Story

With my mother's passing, just a month ago, the circumstances of the last year of her life brought me and my Sister-in-Law Christiane closer together. I live far away from the sleepy little German town of Sulzbach-Rosenberg, where my mother spent most of her life and where the rest of our large Family can be found close by. The distance from Bavaria to California had to be bridged somehow, there was no doubt about that. With all the hospital visits my mother had to endure and numerous dramatic events happening without forewarning, it was hard being so far away.
My mother and I used to talk every week on Sunday. But that was no longer possible. She could no longer reach the phone or speak clearly, recognize the person on the other end or make cohesive sentences. It was time to find another way to stay connected. I was able to visit in September and see her. 

Christine stepped right up. She became the bridge and closed the gap of thousands of miles. She used a phone App to connect with me every time she visited my mother, no matter where and when that might be. I just had to get up early and receive the most amazing video calls.

Mensch aeregere Dich nicht ( Aggravation in English) was her favorite board game when she could not play card games any longer.

The knitting pattern that is forever linked with this life story is named HABILIMENTS.

It's a sock pattern that was created for Christiane. What was happening in her life was the focus of this pattern. She was important to me! She was the bridge I needed! She had monumental changes in her life that needed her full attention. Despite that, she came through for me. 

I have designed this pair of socks for her.

Chriatiane is a woman who has made it up the ladder in the men’s world. She even went as far as always keeping a very short hairstyle and wearing exclusively pant suits to work to achieve success. A few days before Christmas, she started her early retirement. In conversations leading up to the day I could sense her fear of the unknown. I could hear her usual assuredness fade. It was time to make her realize that this was the perfect opportunity, the right time, to re-make herself. It was not the end, but the beginning. To live without the corporate constraints, to break free and fully embrace the woman in her.
The word Habiliments when used in a sentence: “The women’s rich habiliments made one think she was someone important”, that’s the flair I wanted for her when wearing these socks. The rich red color, the bead work highlights, and the hint of cashmere luxury in the yarn does just that.
These socks include several knitting features that contribute to the impression of 19th century womanly richness. The toe-up pattern begins with a Turkish cast on, includes a reverse Dutch heel, and carries a small elegant mock-cable to separate the varying front and back designs. Highlighting a beaded star pattern on the front leg and topping off the design with Jeny's surprisingly stretchy bind off.

You can download the pattern as it was released today for free on knitty.com