I knit them simultaneously, so that they'd be finished at about the same time. This "time" happened to be at 1:00 am on Christmas morning. I tucked them lovingly into my girls' stockings, and collapsed into bed. It occurred to me that the hours I spent working on these mermaids exceeded the hours I spent labouring to bring both of my daughters into the world.
They are mermaid sisters, and I explained to the girls that mermaid sisters always look out for one another. They speak nicely to each other, and help and share. I hope their lovely mermaid manners will rub off on my two little women, who go out of their way to aggravate each other.
These ridiculous dolls have quickly taken up residence in our home and my girls' hearts, and are now required sleep-aids, along with the beloved blankies. Violet told me yesterday, "Mommy, do you know why I don't play with my other Christmas toys? Because the mermaid that you made for me is my very favourite".
I swear, I haven't pressured them in any way to play with them. They sit at the dinner table with us, and we have to act bewildered as first a fishy tail, then a girl's blue eyes peep up over the edge of the table. Then we act amazed at the "magical-mythical-mermaids!" that appear to our astonishment. This has replaced the barrage of knock-knock-jokes-that-make-no-sense that is our usual dinnertime entertainment.
The hours of picky knitting and even pickier making-up of these mermaids were worth it. Like giving birth, I'd do it all again...but only for these two sisters.
What a mama you are! Those mermaid sisters are phenomenal! I, too, was up past Santa's sleigh on Christmas morning, finishing treasures for my treasures. Now I know why my mom and dad begged us to go back to sleep on Christmas morning. Happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE LOVE!
ReplyDeleteYour beautiful daughters know that they indeed received a special gift from their mom. Those mermaids are beautiful and no toy in the store could match that plus they were made by you.
I was hoping you would write about the mermaid dolls which i love, btw. I liked the analogy of knitting these mermaid sisters and birthing their human companions. Both labours of love. Now, it is hard to believe that those two girls come form the same parents.....
ReplyDeleteSo cute! You are amazingly talented and hardworking...
ReplyDeleteThey turned out beautifully! Isn't it the absolute best feeling when your children truly love the things you've made for them? (:
ReplyDeleteStephanie...Those mermaid dolls must have thrilled your beautiful daughters. I'm sure your 'labor' was all worth it :)
ReplyDeletexo, Rosemary
Love the mermaid dolls and the story that goes with them. Sounds like your girls enjoy having them around. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove, love those mermaid dolls!! How I wish I had that talent!
ReplyDeleteOh! I hadn't noticed the tail yarn! Excellent! Did you enjoy working with it? It's Top of the Lamb by Brown Sheep. I love using it - it's one of my very favorites. (:
ReplyDeleteNow I'm all teary. This is beautiful. BEAUTIFUL. And I may just have to get knitting a piece of magic like this to replace the knock-knock-jokes-that-make-no-sense that happen here as well. But mostly, just because those mermaids are FAB! No wonder they are dearly loved.
ReplyDelete