On Being Perfect

I was reading Knitting Daily this morning and it brought back a really special memory. The editor of PieceWork was talking about Galina Khlemeva and Orenburg Lace Shawls and it brought back a really special memory of when I met Galina for the first time and took a spinning and knitting workshop from Galina and her mentor, Olga Alexandrovna Fedorova.

I thought I'd share with you all the comment I left for the author.

I remember that 1996 trip to the US well. My spinning group was so excited to be having a special session to welcome Galina, George, and Olga to Dayton, Ohio where they would be conducting a workshop. They were the last to arrive at my friend Cay's home, and we all were anxious to meet them. When I saw Olga for the first time, it struck me that she looked much like the older women in my family, who were of Eastern European descent.

I sat at her feet that evening and showed her all my spindles and how I used them. We didn't speak the same spoken language but we clearly understood each other. It was my honor to be their chauffeur while they were in Dayton and I spent most of the day with them for three days, going to class to learn to spin and knit in the style of the Orenburg shawls, learning a few words of Russian as we worked, and attending evening activities with the Dayton Knitters Guild and the Weavers Guild of Miami
Valley.

My knitting has always been more enthusiastic than anything else. Many times during our three days, Olga would say, "Nyet!" then take the needles out of my hands, rip out my stitches, then painstakingly hold my hands in hers as she attempted to make me the knitter she wanted me to be. The only thing I could do to make her smile was to prepare the down and spin it. She was a tolerant teacher, a perfectionist in her work, completely unpretentious though I'm sure she knew that she was the greatest shawl knitter alive. She was a really sweet woman who seemed to enjoy sharing her knowledge, expertise, and love of her craft with a new generation of knitters.

The day they left, as I dropped them at their host's home for the last time, Galina told me that Olga had something to say to me. I expected to hear that Olga thought I should give away my knitting needles. Instead, Galina translated as Olga spoke, "From the moment we met, I knew you were the special one!" We hugged and I cried. I knew I probably would not see her again. She left me with the knowledge that you should always strive to make your work the very best it can be.

It has been thirteen years, but she still has a special place in my heart. When I look at the Orenburg shawls I own, see an article by Galina, or just see my own Russian spindles among my collection, I remember the days spent with three new friends, and that I should always strive for excellence even if I can't be perfect!