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Open Letter from a member of "Our Family"

A Member of the Pisgah Yarn Family

My mother and I learned to knit in 2007, after her unexpected cancer diagnosis. She lived in Spokane, WA and I live in Black Mountain, NC. Our original intention was to have something to do together which would connect us over the miles and also give her something to focus on during subsequent chemotherapy and radiation treatments. We laughed over dropped stitches, cried over nausea and hair loss and rejoiced in each other’s creative efforts. As time went on, larger projects gave way to smaller scale efforts and the need for more immediate successes. We discovered that simple hand-knit dishcloths were easy to complete, but required size 5 needles that were too small for our mutually arthritic hands. Being Scotch, we used what we had, and recreated the same dishcloth pattern using size 11 needles and “The Best Darn Washcloth Ever” was born. Somehow, the larger needles created a perfectly sized bathtub washcloth, while the loopy texture and 100% cotton yarn sopped up soapsuds perfectly and even got hot water to the back of the neck while it was still hot! We decided to put our multitude of washcloths into my small retail gift shop in Black Mountain and “see what would happen.” They became an instant hit and a miracle was born!

Mom’s greatest joy was in choosing new yarn – the variety of colors brightened her spirit and each new ball was yet another beginning. She often sent my US Army Retired Master Sergeant step-dad on “reconnaissance missions” to various craft stores in Spokane to search out unusual color combinations. She eagerly awaited his return with all of the fresh goods! I would send her spending money and she would ship me boxes filled with the newest colors. Her favorite yarn was a 100% cotton brand called Peaches & Crème; and her very best color was a brilliant tie-dye blend of red, pink, purple, yellow and green by the name of “Fiesta”. Occasionally, Master Sergeant would score an entire cone of yarn in a sale bin and the celebration was nothing short of fireworks!

We knit through numerous chemotherapies and various radiation treatments for almost three years. Upon my Mom’s passing, her knitting needles and yarn stash were sent to me. Sure enough, on the top of the pile of yarn was the famed tie-dye “Fiesta”. Reading the label, I was stunned to discover that her favorite yarn (the yarn she had been shipping to me from Spokane, WA…) was actually created in Old Fort, NC, just 8 miles from my shop! Small world…

Many months later, while walking through our local craft fair, I spotted a small booth with a familiar logo on the banner – it was Mom’s “Peaches and Crème”! Overcome, I stepped into the booth and unloaded my story of tie-dye yarn, washcloths and the joy of connections beyond ordinary understanding. That day, I discovered an extended “yarn-family” that I never knew existed! Mountain Spirit Gifts currently carries an extensive variety of Pisgah “Peaches and Crème” yarn (including Mom’s tie-dye “Fiesta” favorite) and “The Best Darn Washcloths Ever” continue to bless bathtubs everywhere, with all proceeds from yarn and washcloths going to Hospice in Mom’s name.

But wait… it gets better! Master Sergeant flew out from Spokane last week to visit me. The one request he had was to “go to Mom’s yarn factory”. Needless to say, he got the grand tour and was treated to kindness (and homemade ice-cream) beyond the call of duty. Thank you to everyone at Pisgah Yarn Company for being who you are and for doing what you do! Together, we have created memories that will last a lifetime.

Kate Shawgo, Shop Momma

Mountain Spirit Cards and Gifts

Black Mountain, NC

PS: I never forget to launder my washcloths with ‘like” colors for the first few washes – Mom may have appeared fragile and weak on the outside, but underneath, she sported the wildest tie-dye colored (used to be white cotton) undies you could ever imagine – just one more benefit from her beloved “Fiesta” yarn! (My heart is smiling.)