Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Can't Resist

Hi Knitters,
How could I say no to this request? Here is the email I just received:


Dear Susan,

Of all of your fans across the U.S. and around the world, I'm pretty confident that my mom Heidi is one of the biggest. She waits patiently every day for her very old and maddeningly slow computer to boot up and log on to the web. And as soon as it does, she's checking in with your blog, following your knitting and family adventures.

Two Christmases ago, my husband and I told her and my dad that their first grandbaby was on his or her way, and we gave her your book "Itty Bitty Nursery." She's been knitting little hats ever since, and my daughter Ellie, now 15 months old, has the cutest collection.

I have a unique request, but before I even make it, I understand that this is a far stretch, and most likely not something you do with your blog. But I was wondering if you could help me say thank you to my mom in a really special way. I recently took some adorable photos of Ellie in one of her new hats, and my mom has not yet seen these photos. I would love to send a unique thank you to her through your blog. I can picture her logging on, pulling up your blog, and spending a few very confusing moments staring at a photo of her granddaughter.

Please don't hesitate to say so if this is not a possibility. I completely understand, and I apologize for being so bold as to ask. But I've learned that it never hurts to ask, and for my mom, I'm always looking for interesting ways to show her just how much we appreciate her.

I know you're busy, so if I don't hear back from you, please don't worry about it.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

All the Best,
Jamie Escola
Massillon, Ohio
That's about the cutest thing I have ever read! I am humbled by Jamie's thoughtfulness toward her mother and by Heidi's efforts to check in with me. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for sharing with me, I am touched.
She's a cute one! Wow.
Hi Heidi! You must be one fantastic grandma and an even better mom for your daughter to make such a kind request to brighten your day. It looks like little Ellie gets plenty of love. Heidi, you are clearly appreciated.

I appreciate all of you, too, readers, for the support and love and I am sending it right back to you.

Happy Thanksgiving, Knitters. I am hosting dinner at my house for my side of the family and I don't think I'll make it back here beforehand. I have too much to do and too little time, as we all do, right? What are you doing for Thanksgiving?

On this holiday weekend, I hope you have a lovely time with your families and friends and that you get to knit a little bit here and there.

best, susie
p.s. The orange flower pattern is in Itty-Bitty Hats and it is included in the Felted Flower Hat pattern. The flower Heidi knitted is not felted, with 2 layers, and it works wonderfully that way, too. I also have a video tutorial on my sidebar for this flower if you are interested. I think Jamie may have meant the Itty-Bitty Hats instead of Itty-Bitty Nursery that they gave her mom. Either way it is awesome.

44 comments:

Jen M. said...

*tearing up*. thanks for posting this. what a great story. :)

Carisa said...

Susan

You are truly the best to do this. Makes me love your blog all the more!!!

KCina said...

AWESOME!!! ;-)

twistedinstitches said...

Precious! Totally precious!!!

Lisa said...

I'm so glad you took up her request - what a wonderful thing :)

Carol said...

Such a beautiful Thanksgiving post! So very heartwarming and sweet. Thank you Susan for posting this. We all celebrate the love of family!

Anonymous said...

Priceless. The memories and stories you created through this blog post will inspire and live on for generations to come! Happy Thanksgiving! ---Ramona

monica said...

this post is so adorable!!

Alana said...

This is soooo cute!

Kate (KnitsInClass) said...

I love it! What a lucky little girl to have such a sweet grandma.

Artful Gathering said...

Just too sweet! Way to go! Such a nice way to say thank you! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

amy said...

Susan - I too, read your blog everyday. You are the best, simply the best for allowing this 'thank-you' via your blog. You never cease to amaze me. Thanks, and have a great Thanksgiving.

Kristi ~ Ohio said...

Clearing the tears to say this was a great blog post. What a terrific letter Jamie wrote about her mom. I'm sure it was a great surprise. You are the best to post this Susan. Happy Thanksgiving! Kristi ~ Ohio

Gale Bulkley said...

Glad to know I wasn't the only one to get teary eyed here. Lovely gesture.

Sandee said...

I love the little green crocheted sweater she is wearing! Wonder where the pattern for that is?

Michelle said...

I can't wait to hear about Heidi's response, hope Jamie writes back about it!

What a great story, I'm sure you made their Thanksgiving even more special.

Heidi said...

Susan - You can't imagine how surprised I was to pull up your blog and see my granddaughter. What a gift! Thank you so much for doing this for my daughter and I. This is why I love your blog so much. You are truly a sweetheart! Thank you and have a wonderful holiday.

Linda said...

I have been enjoying you blog for weeks now without ever leaving a comment. I couldn't possibly do that this time. What a sweet thing for you to do.
That is one adorable little one!

Jamie said...

Susan, thank you! Mom and Dad were out picking up groceries for Thanksgiving this evening, and once they'd put everything away and settled in for the evening, Mom reported to the computer to see what her favorite blogger had been up to. And just as I'd hoped, she recognized Ellie's little face, was completely caught by surprise and then couldn't read your post fast enough to find out what was going on. And just a few minutes later, my phone was ringing... she was so excited!

My mom is the person who is always helping everyone else find their time in the spotlight, so thank you for giving her a unique place on a very special stage.

My brother, sister and I are lucky to have an amazing mom and dad... we can't thank them enough, but you really helped me say it in a big way today. Happy Thanksgiving to you, your family, and all of your readers... Thank You!!!

Sarah said...

Susie, my mom and I were just saying today on the phone that we like you so much on your blog and are certain we'd love you in person--you are always so sweet and fun and it's obvious how much you like people in general! Today's post proves that and more--I got a little teary reading it :) Happy Thanksgiving to you!!

Oiyi said...

This was so sweet!! I loved that you did this request. You rock!

I, too, would love to know the pattern for that cute crocheted sweater!

Terri Paulson-Sasaki said...

What a sweet thing for BOTH of you to do. Happy Thanksgiving

Jamie said...

P.S.
I noticed a few inquiries about Ellie's crocheted sweater. I wish I could point you in the direction of a pattern, but we actually purchased it at a consignment shop for kids' clothes. The tag inside shows it is from The Children's Place.

P.P.S.
The moment I got up this morning, I couldn't wait to see this post again. Susan, you are incredibly generous... May all your good come back to you!!!

Unknown said...

What a heart touching post!! And those pictures of that little girl in her hat are absolutely adorable!

thesewingroomandmore said...

That is awesome, Susan! You are so sweet to do this for them. What a cute, cute baby too!

BeyondStitches said...

Aw! So sweet! And what an adorable baby!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Anonymous said...

Thank goodness I am not the only one who started crying! I was afraid I might be pregnant... again! lol
What a great post!

Jenn Doll said...

How stinkin cute! I love the relationship between mothers and daughters! I have the same bond with my mom and hope to have a daughter someday to complete the circle!

Love and God Bless!

TAMI said...

How wonderful!! What a sweet gesture and response from all involved! I'm a newer fan and blog reader, but I agree with other people's comments -- THAT's why we love you!

Bethany (yarnorgy) said...

What a great story and what a great person You are for the role you played in it!

Unknown said...

I LOVE that white and orange felted flower child! WOW!

Walden said...

That was a great post. That first picture of her is beyond adorable and you just can't help but smile. Lovely, just lovely.

susanmark said...

HI Susan,

I have a question on the Pink Paper Bag pattern from Itty Bitty Hats( I love the book btw).

I looked in the Corrections and didn't find any,so I hope it's ok to ask you here.

I am making the bigger sized hat and have a problem with the eyelet row. Is the stitch number on mine 6 repeated between the eyelets? I have 7 stitches between them and am worried it may not pull tight enough at the top.

Thank you,
Susan
suestone82@yahoo.com

Aunt Marti said...

You know if I have to leave my desk because I'm crying over those photos, they will notice that I am reading knitting blogs and not working . . .

TopChamp said...

so cute!

babyboxermom said...

That is one crazy cuuuuuuuuuuuuute baby!!! Thanks, Susan for posting these pictures :-)

christine m. east of toronto said...

such a pretty baby. such a lucky girl to have this loving gran!

Anonymous said...

SOOOO sweet - I am new to knitting and I just love the warmth I find in so many of the knitting blogs I follow. Knitters are such warm down-to-earth people!!

Jenn said...

That has got to be one of the most wonderful, sweetest stories I've read in a long time! Now to stop the tears... :)

Jenn said...

Wow! What a wonderful, tearful story. Love it! :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Susan,

I have a 16 year old giraffe lover. Yours is soo cute. P.S. I often think about T.C. and her determination and love of creating. She is so adorable. Valli

Joyce said...

Susan, I know I wrote way more than others before, but did want to say that I love your blog. It is awesome. I hope to do this one day but need a bit of guidance.

I hope to open a yarn shop like yours - looks very welcoming.

Keep on doing what you do best.

Anonymous said...

Love your blog-love the photos of The Collector, love the giraffe!
Carolknits

Josey said...

Thank you, Susan, for letting your fans follow you on your amazingly fun book tour. I looked forward to your blogs every day. You are so generous to let us travel vicariously with you on a knitter's dream trip -- nothing but knit shops and more knit shops! I would love to visit each and every one--especially the one with its own cafe! I love that you even describe the special food and drinks you find on your travels--I think most knitters are also foodies. If I win the giraffe kit it is going to my 12 year old niece Abby who is a budding knitter and crafter. Merry Christmas to you and your family.