Knitted mohair lace 3/4 length cropped sleeve cowl neck

This lovely creation was made for me by my beloved grandmother and cherished friend, Helen Rudewicz Pawlak Horan. It is an absolute honor to have received this tremendous gift from such a beautiful person in my life.  When I'm wearing it, wrapped in all its feathery weightlessness and gentle warmth, I feel as though I am embaced in her comforting spirit.

I remember her working on it for a long time, taking great care and attention, being challenged by the fine and fuzzy mohair yarn, and loving the accomplishment of seeing her work take shape. We would sit together and talk while she knit.  I also feel like so many of the stories and wisdoms she shared are captured in her stitches.  

My grandmother - "Chuchee" as we all called her - was also a fan of watching the game show Wheel of Fortune.  She liked to solve the puzzles and adored the glamour and grace of Vanna White. Some years after my grandmother had passed, I was wearing this piece at a knitting trade show when Vanna White approached me to admire it.  She was delightful and her comments were so very complimentary.  As we talked, I mentioned how much of a fan of hers that my grandmother had been and how parts of this garment were probably knit while watching Vanna as well. Without missing a beat, Vanna said, "Well then, this for your grandma..." and she pulled me up on stage and proceeded to do the famous Vanna presentation move - gracefully guiding her arm up and down to accentuate my grandmother's knitting. What a surprising and fun tribute.

Somehow the magic of knitted treasures is that they just keep on giving ... thank you Chuchee (and Vanna).