Some trips are filled with excitement, new places, and adventure. Others are made out of necessity, woven with emotions too deep to put into words. This time, I traveled back home with my daughter, not for vacation, but to be with my family as we prepared to say goodbye to my grandmother.
I knew this trip wouldn’t be about knitting. My heart knew that the priority was being present, holding hands, sharing memories, and simply being there. Still, I tucked a small project into my bag, my second Ranunculus sweater that will be for me to wear, just one to work on during quiet moments. I also brought a finished piece, my first Ranunculus sweater made for my daughter to enjoy, thinking I might find a chance to take some photos. But above all, I carried the weight of knowing this visit was different.
Let me share with you the yarns I have been working with for these two Ranunculus and here you may find the knitting pattern. I will share more details on Episode 24 of my Knitting Podcast on my YouTube channel. I invite you to watch some of my previous episodes here.
A Familiar Place, A Different Purpose
Returning home always stirs something deep within me. Even in the middle of these sad circumstances, it has been a joy to be back, to walk streets filled with familiar scents and sounds, to hear the same laughter that shaped my childhood.
And what has made this trip even more bittersweet is seeing my daughter experience all the things I loved at her age: the warm embrace of family, the food made with love, the freedom of running through places that once felt like the entire world to me. Watching her delight in the simplest things has reminded me that, even in hard times, there is still joy to be found.
Knitting as a Quiet Companion
While my hands haven’t been busy with needles the way they usually are, knitting has been there in small ways: during flights, in the stillness of early mornings or evenings. Knitting has been a source of comfort and rhythm through the years, and research even shows that it can help reduce stress and provide a sense of control during difficult times.
But this trip has also been a lesson in setting my knitting down. Some moments aren’t meant to be filled with stitches. They’re meant to be felt, fully and completely. The conversations, the shared meals, the quiet time spent beside my grandmother and my dad, these are the moments that mattered most.
The Importance of Presence
More than anything, this trip has reminded me of the power of being present. When feelings of sadness, uncertainty come, it’s easy to distract ourselves, to keep busy, to fill the silence. But there’s something about simply being there. No project in my hands when I am with her, no camera between me and the moment, just being with my family.
I know I’ll return home with unfinished stitches, but my heart will be full, and that’s what matters most.
A Gentle Reminder
If you’ve ever used knitting as a comfort through difficult times, I’d love to hear your story. And if there’s someone in your life who needs you right now, this is your reminder to be there for them, for yourself, for the moments that truly matter.
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