Introducing Tannie Son... A LYBL Studio knitter
Our Tannie Son is responsible for creating a number of the hand-knitted beautiful throws in the collections that we sell on our website. We know her personally and she is just the most inspiring and loving person. In spite of the personal losses she has suffered she really is a rising ray of sun on our #LYBL horizon.
Tannie Son says that when she is knitting she is happy and at peace. “I feel creative and it is almost as though I am transported into another world. I really do feel like I’m living my best life. It is therapeutic, satisfying and exciting, because I’m anticipating what my end product will look like. I’m always thinking another two rows, another two rows…and I’m always knitting, even when I’m watching rugby, cricket, F1, or my soapies. And, when I finish what I’m knitting, it is so satisfying to look at what I’ve made; sometimes I even think ‘wow, look what I’m capable of making!”
How long have you knitted?
“I’ve been knitting for as long as I can remember. I was one of three sisters, and we would knit with our mum and in the beginning would drive her crazy when we would cast on the stitches, but starting our knitting projects well really made a difference to our finished pieces. She also taught me that if it’s not right 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 rows down… you must ‘trek los’! Then I’d lose a stitch, and pick it up and try to fix it – she was such a help and inspiration. I used to watch her sitting on our couch with the Keur Book Club book on the arm rest. She would stretch the pages with the needles and then read and knit at the same time – I found this ability fascinating. When I was in standard 5 she crocheted me a sleeveless jacket with a little button at the top, and I still wear some of the jerseys that she knitted for me. She'd knit little jerseys for everyone's grandchildren, and socks for children (you know the ones they say they don't want when they grow older...)"
What is knitting to you?
“Knitting is a love language for me, it does not matter what I’m making – a pair of bed socks or a beanie, socks for a prem baby or a baby grow, a jersey, a blanket or a throw. My mother always used to say “when your hands are busy your head will be okay”. And, it also gives you time to say thank you to the Lord. I think everyone should knit, as it gives you a purpose, while also being relaxing and therapeutic – you go to another world, and the negative doesn’t exist for the time that you’re busy.
“My youngest son was knocked down, while walking on the pavement, by a drunk driver when he was just 11. The doctors said he would only live for a few more months so we took him home, so that he could die peacefully in his own bed and among his family… but he was so in love with life that he refused to die. He turns 40 this year! He is such an inspiration to me, and everyone around him. He is a curious, attentive and happy loving person, who is never downhearted and even though he is wheelchair-bound and totally dependent on me, he is thankful for every day. We spend most of our time together, and he will tell you that I never go anywhere without my knitting… in front of the TV, on holiday, even to the cricket ground…because you don’t have to watch every ball if we’re not batting!
“My eldest son passed away when he was 36, and in the January that followed the November that I buried him I was back at AVBOB to arrange my mother’s funeral. We had done everything together, so it was a hard knock. My losses made me determined to be thankful and grateful for all the blessings I have, and the grace of people I’ve met on the way. God has given me creative talents that I can use for the good of others – and knitting is one of the ways I can participate in bringing others comfort. At the church a group of ladies knit squares and I crochet them together for blankets for wheelchair users, or I make clothes for prem babies… And now I make these soft, beautiful, and very big (they take time and space!) LYBL throws, that I’m so proud of. It’s humbling for me to be part of this LYBL quality drive, and to work with so many amazing, good-hearted people!”
What else, other than knitting are you passionate about?
“Of course I’m very passionate about taking care of my son, and I love everything creative. I also enjoy filling in the sudoku crossword which also keeps my mind busy and relaxed. Crocheting is an even bigger passion than knitting (you have to count ALL the time!). I make mobiles for new born babies; I play the organ; I walk with my sister. For 17 years I worked at our church office, and I also used to arrange a sokkie four times a year for a disabled group – we would always have a different theme. I also love helping arrange weddings and parties and creating special birthday cards.”
Any other thoughts?
“The team of LYBL knitters have christened themselves “flukse hande” and I feel so privileged to be a part of this project and to see our creations for sale on the website. It’s an amazing feeling to know that our God-given talents are bringing joy to people, and that people will cuddle and keep warm under these throws. We make them with all the love in us, and it’s nice to know that this love lasts longer than today.”