Fiber History

I am not certain of the roots of my fiber history but I know they are deeper than my mother’s learning to knit from the Red Cross as part of the war effort. Guess who was my teacher and guess why I learned the continental style, lucky me. I feel fortunate to have this picture of my mother posed in front of her grandmother’s spinning wheel. The Perrys had come to this continent from the Isle of Man in pursuit of a better life. Isn’t that why everyone came? I am so not into genealogy, but it appears the fiber gig was on both sides of my mother’s family. I can't be sure but don't you think it looks like a Haldane? And look at that distaff?! I love my Lendrum, but I think I'd have to move the furniture to fit if I could have one of these. And isn't my mum, cute - I regret the lack of family resemblence.

My grandmother had this piece of counterpaine set into a service tray, so that tells me that she had some pride in the value of the piece. On the back she taped the following typewritten inscription: “A piece of counterpane made near Frankfort, Kentucky about 1835—by our Great Grandmother McPherson and our Grandmother Sarah McPherson-Wilson. Made from the wool of their own sheep. Carded, dyed and woven by them.” I have some silver spoons in the garage in one of the yet unpacked boxes from four years when we moved in. My mother told me that they were purchased from the profits of the McPherson’s wool sales, recognizing that silver would have a more lasting value than wool. I’d love to provide a photo of them to complete this reflection, but not enough to dig through those boxes.