Marion Roach Smith’s alternate sisterly reality, with Margaret Roach.
SOCKS AND SWEATERS? WHY? When you can have a brand new, bright pink uterus! After reporting that I had knit mere socks following my recent fibroid surgery, several knitting sisters emailed me an alternate suggestion of what a perfectly sane woman such as myself might instead have preferred to have on her needles during such a time. Do I hear the call for another Ravelry knitalong? (Thanks to the archives of Knitty for the image, by M.K. Carroll.)
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THE OLD DAYS: In Grandma's garden.
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
that is amazing, in an adorably gross way. I think it should definitely be added to the ravelry queue! “Should I knit a new cowl or scarf, hmm, no I think I will knit a replica of my reproductive system!” hee hee hee.
Hee hee hee and ha ha ha, indeed. Oh yeah. I almost split my surgery scar over this one. You’re right: Let’s get this little cutey on the needles http://thesisterproject.com/roach/she-doesnt-knit-big-surprise/ right now, and start a hyster-sisterhood.
Believe it or not, when I was a childbirth educator there was a pattern around for a knitted uterus into which you could put a doll, to show the movements the baby makes as it is born. It even had a detachable cervix knitted in ribbing of course, so it could stretch. I didn’t knit at the time so my dear grandmother made one for me. Imagine what her friends had to say about that! I am sure educators use animation now or some U-tube video. We were very low tech.
Dear Mary Alice: That your grandmother knit you a uterus may be the most astonishing, marvelous laying on of hands woman-to-woman I’ve heard yet. Honestly, were it not for the sound of my own riotously delighted laughter, I’d be simply hushed at the thought. Thank you, thank you. It’s a wonder and a gift that you told us that. Please tell us more.
It is kind of amazing isn’t it? I didn’t think a thing of it at the time. It is only now that I am amazed and so appreciative that she made it for me simply because i asked her to. Too add to the scene, she even made a miniature one that i could take to teach at the bedside. My grandfather must have been mortified, he was pretty proper. But as the only child and only granddaughter, he may have made an exception, and looked the other way!.
(bare with me I do have a point!)
Due to endometrial (aka uterine) cancer I had a complete hysterectomy 4 years ago. I find that every once in awhile things will stop me in my tracks…. especially things that I intentionally ignore (as my mom says regarding funny engine noises… turn the radio up louder and drive faster)
I find the fact of being a cancer survivor is something that I tend to ignore. Maybe something about the fact I didn’t really have a large support group, nor is there any major foundation for uterine cancer… However…seeing this project again (it came out a year before the cancer was diagnosed) I’m tempted to take it on. For several reasons.
One to regain my femininity (uterus),
Two to kick dirt in cancer’s face (a la Fran Drescher’s Cancer Shamncer Foundation)
Three to give to my oncologist to acknowledge the huge job my uterus gave him (it wasn’t a pretty picture)
Four to remind myself that even without a uterus and soon to be 56 that I can still have children (single and never gave birth) they can be children of my heart and of friends and family.
Five to possibly open up discussion regarding the uterus and female “stuff” funny how even in today’s world discussing the uterus is not something that’s done.
I could go one but won’t.. don’t want to be greedy with bandwidth, esp since I get pretty greedy with ellipses!
Tina
Hi, Tina: And welcome to TSP, where having a uterus is optional, though being able to talk about one is not. Yes, we’re bad at talking about it, but we must try, mustn’t we? I found after having had uterine surgery that it’s not the kind of surgery people want to talk about. Open heart? Bring it on. Knee replacement? Talk all night. But mention the uterus, and suddenly we’re talking about the weather or baseball, just like that. Which is why I love that little knitted uterus so much. So outrageous, it makes the topic come back around. Speaking of the uterus, did you see our recent almanac piece about women and the moon? If not, please do. And shine on, sister. And let’s keep talking.
Hi Tina and Marion,
I found this page when trying to find some info about
“Knitting for her cure” which was featured in Vogue knitting back in 2005.
I laughed so hard when I saw the knitted uterus. I think it was the placement on the piano that did it.
I was diagnosised with uterine cancer end of June this year. I’m a knitter , and I love the moon.
Patricia
Hi, Patricia. And welcome to TSP, where we do try to laugh, even through our tears sometimes. I do hope you have had better news since June. We will be looking at the moon, and our knitting needles, and hoping for your full recovery. Please come back soon.
I really love this. You rock!
Hey, Needyl: Thanks. So Glad. Love your screen name. Please come back soon.