During the break, I’ve been working on a sneaky side project. Last year, Gordon showed me some Christmas ornaments he’d seen online. They were clear globes with miniature pieces of knitting inside, complete with a little ball of wool and tiny needles. The stingy Yankee inside me said, “I don’t want to pay that much, I can make my own.” At the time, I sourced some clear plastic baubles, but didn’t buy any. This year, I re-sourced them, and bought some at the end of November. I hoped to get at least one done, with a mini gansey-in-progress inside, as a Christmas surprise. Even though there was no longer a recipient of the project, I decided to go ahead as a break from knitting the ‘big’ gansey.
Attendees wearing ganseys Gordon knit for them
One little gansey (the blue one on the right) was complete by Christmas, but is too big to fit in the neck of the ornament – the 5-ply Frangipani is just a bit too heavy. The second one, in red, is of laceweight, with the same number of stitches. The third, in grey, is of Rowan Fine Lace, with fewer stitches. The two in baubles don’t lie well, so the pattern isn’t visible, and the one in red lace weight wool is too dark to see. But it was a worthwhile experiment.
As a complete surprise, the Wick Heritage Museum brought their gansey display, and set it up outside the room where the service took place. Gordon knit all but one or two of these.
This past week, Gordon’s Celebration of Life service took place on Friday morning. It was a long, busy day for Gordon’s brother and me, from arriving at the venue at 10:15 to dinner with Gordon’s oldest friends in the evening. There was a few hours’ rest in the afternoon, of which we took full advantage. The service was well attended – all the seats were taken, and some were standing. People came from the south of England and Wales, or from within walking distance. A friend who viewed the service online said there were 50 attendees. So, if you were there, thank you very much for attending; I know it wasn’t the best timing for many of you. And if you couldn’t make it, I will update the blog with the link to the recording as soon as I have it.
The service covered Gordon’s life and career from birth in New Zealand to becoming Nuclear Archivist, detailing his education and positions from east to west, south to north. I had honestly expected to break down in floods of tears, but having seen the service, tributes, photos, and chosen the music beforehand, this helped greatly to ameliorate bouts of sorrow. Some who worked closely with him were better at grasping the reality than I perhaps have been, and couldn’t hold back the tears. These next few months may well be more difficult than the last, but I know that with the help of friends and family near and far, I will make it to the other side.
Nacreous cloud on Christmas Eve
There’ll be good times, sad and bad times, but also times when you can remember with smiles instead of tears.
You’re in all our thoughts Margaret
For my miniature ganseys I use a single strand of Appleton’s embroidery wool and size 17 or 18 needles. But even this might be too big for your baubles, perhaps a strand of Anchor embroidery thread might do?
That’s a good idea, and would use up the stash of embroidery threads left over from past projects, which I have . . . somewhere. 2.25mm needles seem to work well, the baubles are fairly large.
Very emotional seeing the photo of the attendees wearing their ganseys. Goodness me, what alovely guy Gordon was.
One stitch at a time… 💕
Looking forward to the link to the service.
Also I’m thoroughly enjoying your posts. Hugs from Nova Scotia.
I love your little mini gansey project.i think others would be intrigued by them too if they were available to purchase I would buy one ..having a love for all things miniuature..
I’m wondering if Gordon ever kept count of all the ganseys he knitted …quite astonishing dedication to his craft.
Meg, you find the gallery of Gordon´s ganeys here :http://www.ganseys.com/gallery/gordons-ganseys/.This is an amazing collection, an incredible work.
I was lucky to correspond with him about the old patterns and colors and enjoyed the blog every week.
Heartful thanks Margaret for continuing Gordon´s work.
The ganseys were never counted, and sometimes he didn’t even keep the notes. It was the only type of knitting he ever wanted to do.
What a neat side project! I wonder if there are any more accommodating clear bobbles available.
I tried some tiny knitting once but it took me some time to get used to the fine needles, and then “normal” ones looked huge. I’m impressed that you can switch back and forth.
I bought mine on Amazon. They’re on the large side, with large necks, and are probably designed to be filled. I used 2.25mm needles.
Years ago I knitted a gansey for a very good friend. On his death his partner wore it. She told me, “Whenever I needed a hug from him I put it on.” I hope the people Gordon knitted for can feel the same way.
I recently found some clear plastic baubles that come in two parts. Your simply screw the two parts together. They come in a number of sizes. You may not the line around the middle but, if you don’t mind it, would they be easier to use?
A knitterly hug from Downunder – across the pond from Kiwiland
The seamed baubles may be easier to use, but I preferred the un-seamed ones. It was easy enough to get the little ganseys in the baubles, it’s how they lie flat that I don’t like. I’m thinking of suspending them inside the bauble with clear thread or little wire hangers.
Gordon is so missed, his blogs were a Monday highlight. Thank you for continuing them, I hope between writing them and the support of his, and now your, readers, you will find healing.
Dear Margaret,
I had this comment well planned out during my awake time during my “supposed” sleeping time. Please forgive me if it doesn’t quite come out as planned.
I have not been following this site for the last couple of months due to “whatever” life brings. I was shocked to find that my Gansey Guru had passed along to the other side. My heart aches. My heart aches for you! Gordon was the reason I knitted my first Gansey. His humor, wit and fortitude have inspired me for years. I’ll think fond thoughts of him when I wear it – snowy season that it is. As for the globes, I received one from a dear friend last Christmas – 2022 – and it is special to me. It is a permanent decoration that I see every day.
May you find peace sooner than later. We’ll all miss him!
Bridget
Dear Margaret, thank you so much for your inspirational post. You are a truly amazing woman!
To see the beautiful Ganseys worn by their owners, plus the display and Gordon himself was beautiful. I look forward to the recording of the service and perhaps seeing more photos.
The road ahead may be long and painful at times but I feel that Gordon will be at your side and you will make it through.
Thank you for all that you are managing to do. Like I said earlier you are truly amazing.
Sending a woolly hug from a cold north of England. X
It was a lovely service — thank you so much for inviting Gordon’s online knitting friends. The wee gansey ornaments are such a clever idea!