My ninety year old neighbour, Winnie, knitted these lovely mittens for me, with strings attached.   Nothing this pretty and colour co-ordinated ever came out of my grandmother’s knitting bag. 
Winnie is an incredible person.  She and her husband were childless. She has been widowed for 20 years and has outlived most of her friends.  A severe fall a few years back left her dependent on a crutch, but Winnie never complains.  Her mind is sharp, her wit is sharper. I hope I’m like that when I hit 60 let alone 90.
 I can not knit, despite numerous attempts and instructors.  Until grade two I was predominately left handed.  When we moved to town I attended a Catholic school, where  I was slapped each time on the arm each time I wrote using my left hand. So I learned at an early age to use my right hand.  When I attempt to knit, despite my best attempts, I knit backwards.