Monday, October 19, 2020

A Friendship Yarn by Lisa Moser illustrated by Olga Demidova


Badger and Porcupine are the best of friends. They live near each other and they both like knitting. As they are out collecting firewood one day a peddler drops a ball of wool. It unrolls all over the forest. Badger has a kind thought. She plans to knit a backpack for picnics with her friend Porcupine. In turn, Porcupine has a kind thought. She decides to knit a tablecloth for when the pair of friends share their tea time.

The pair each pick up an end of the wool and they begin to knit but this is one long thread and eventually, as each pull the yarn onto the knitting needles, their projects begin to unravel. Sadly things now take an ugly turn. Porcupine thinks she should have the yarn. Badger things she should have it.

"Well, flatten my cake! You're wrong,' said Porcupine."

The pair begin to knit again but this time the projects are utterly selfish - a net to catch walnuts which will not be shared; a hammock for one; a sail for a boat so "I can sail far, far away." Things become more and more heated until finally Porcupine cuts the yarn in half. The pair return to their homes but it's not too long before kindness triumphs. Porcupine begins her knitting and Badger begins her knitting. The pair meet outside in the cold dark night. Their new sweaters, gifts to one another, look brilliant and the reunited friends head home for toast with apple butter and a warm cup of tea. I did smile thinking about the porcupine putting on that cute red sweater.  You could compare this with The Bush Jumper by Jean Chapman and the scene where the echidna tries the sweater which was meant for the little koala.

There are many great books about knitting and friendship; kindness and giving; and disputes and their resolution. Here is a Pinterest collection from my friend at Kinderbookboard - Yarn Yarns.

I would pair A Friendship Yarn with a knitting book and  these two books about disputes and their resolution:






Here are the web sites for Lisa Moser and Olga Demidova.


Image source: Olga Demidova

No comments: