Grey

I grew up with the sound of the click click clack of knitting needles constantly at work in the background, in my mum's hands. Every year she'd make my brothers and me a new jumper or cardigan. I loved thinking about colours and designs and yarns, and placing my order at the beginning of autumn.

I've enjoyed knitting for my children too, and every so often, for a niece or a friend's baby. The only downside is that it takes me so long to finish anything. I can touch-type like the wind, chop onions like a demon, but I just can't knit very quickly. 

 In my pre-Easter holiday planning, knitting was at the top of my list. I had my yarn selected and purchased, my pattern reviewed, needles selected and packed. And fabulously, I had another pair of hands to wrangle the children, and even drive. I knitted in the car, at the beach, over coffee, after dinner. In a few days I put enough rows under my belt to secure my conviction - this garment would not be abandoned.

At no stage during the holiday did anyone ask what I was knitting. And I didn't spontaneously share that information with anyone. It was only after we got home that Doots casually enquired... what are you knitting Mum?

Why darling, a cardigan for you!

I really like grey. I think it's pretty in a subtle, subdued way. It's unassuming, it flatters other, more obvious colours. It looks lovely with red, navy, yellow, cream, green, purple, orange, pastels... It really does. It can be cool, or warm. It is softer than black, more approachable than white, and it reminds me of rainclouds, rabbits, ponies and baby birds. And I discovered today that it is the Quakers' official colour - the colour of simplicity. It didn't occur to me that my four year old daughter wouldn't share my admiration for grey.

How could I be so wrong? She declared that she hated it, and would NEVER wear a grey cardigan. So, with a deep breath, and my bruised feelings brushed to one side, we ventured to the wool shop so that she could make her own selection.

And this is it. Rainclouds and baby birds? More like fairy floss and rainbows. It's really NOT my cup of tea, and I don't know if I'll be able to finish this one. It kind of makes my teeth ache to look at it. It's just so... sugary.

But she loves it. And insists that she will wear it, and will love wearing it. 

Really sweetie? 

Yes, she nods.

Righto, maybe I'll hand this one over to Mum to finish off!