Casting On

My grandmother taught me the art of patience, guiding awkward childish fingers to draw a loop around a needle, keep going until too-tight, sweat-soaked wool became a square.

Knit was the basic stitch, purl soon followed as we explored more complicated structures, more colourful and different designs until, together, we conjured up a rainbow from cheap or unravelled yarn.

Later, at parties, the knitter in the corner was me, sipping wine and smoking roll-ups while creating fashion furiously.

I got a kick from casting on; colour, ply and texture played their part, and the pattern was important, involving much searching of the heart.

Mornings are for writing any time of the year. Early light and birds inspire images and words but, in winter, when draughts catch me unawares, a growing woollen item keeps me warm.

Although my fingers aren’t as nimble, I love the comfort of the click, counting stitches and rows; Looping and slipping yarn is therapy for me, and I like to think it keeps me on my toes.

Kim M. Russell, 30^th July 2026

I took an old poem from April 2025 and reworked it as a six-sentence story for Denise’s Six Sentence Story Prompt. The prompt word, ‘yarn’ was given last Sunday, “to use in a story, next scene, soc or portion of poetry in exactly 6 sentences.” The rules are easy to follow: Write 6 Sentences. No more. No less.