Her Life Was Like a Rose Pattern

Take your needle, my child, and work at your pattern; 
it will come out a rose by and by.

Life is like that - one stitch at a time taken patiently

 and the pattern will come out all right...like the embroidery.

~Oliver Wendell Holmes~

It isn't often you find vintage photos of women with their needlework.  Finding this one got me to thinking about how much of their lives women of yesteryear spent with needle and thread, yarn and hooks, hoops and linen, and frames and muslin.  But how often did they sit for a portrait with their needlework in hand.  Having a portrait made was not a spur of the moment event in the late 1800's and early 1900's. 

 I'm thinking that this woman was conveying one of two things...

...her life was like a rose pattern...one stitch at a time taken patiently.

or

...knitting is a boon for those of us who are easily bored. 

I take my knitting everywhere to take the edge off of moments that would

otherwise drive me stark raving mad.

~Stephanie Pearl-McPhee~

I have to say that I'd very much like to be thought of as a person that Oliver had in mind.

However, the part about 'one stitch at a time taken patiently' ... that's where Mr. Holmes lost me.

So, I guess I'll have to go with Stephanie Pearl-McPhee!

I take my knitting/needlework everywhere...it's a comfort for Me and Thee!