“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.” – Edith Sitwell
That brownish knitted sweater.
I needed it. It was that beautiful wool against my skin or it was going to be hiding under the covers for the rest of the day.
It had been a gift to my aunt many years ago. So long that she hadn’t realised it had found its way to that blanket box in my grandmother’s bedroom. But it was waiting for me. For 5 months, it became my way of putting on armour against the world which felt like it was falling in on me, chasing me, and suffocating me.
It warmed my skin, soothed my frayed nerves. It was like a hug from my aunt and my grandmother whenever I needed them.
It became such a part of my way of handling & healing that RM started to gauge how I was doing based on the appearance of that ombre jumper. At first he feared it and it unsettled him. Later, he learned to observe and acknowledge its healing powers. We both knew how important it was for me!
It was a gift. But it was only for a time. It was not mine to keep.
And when my grandmother gently mentioned how much my aunt loved the knitted jumper and was so pleased it had been found, I gladly gave it up. It had done its work. I was still healing. But the worst had passed. And I thank the jumper for its role.
As I was sorting out everything in the last couple of weeks of being in Australia last year, I came across my own beautiful cable knit sweater knitted for me by my grandmother.
In this home, as in every home, textiles add a warmth and comfort that nothing else does.
After we got married one of the first and only things I insisted on in terms of home decor was adding some couch cushions – the couch was completely bare! Now, there is also a beautiful blue and purple cashmere lap blanket my aunt gave me a few years ago, and a mint knitted blanket that was also a gift from a friend, on the back of our sofa – these make great covers for an afternoon nap, or to put over shoulders when extra coziness is necessary.
I have found myself becoming more interested in how to match textures, textiles, and patterns. It takes time, skills, and information I haven’t had the interest in before now.
Whatever works for you the textiles you incorporate into your home are important.
What rules do you use for figuring how to mix textures and textiles?
Which room makes you feel most comfort or warmth?
Which room is the most interesting in terms of texture or textiles?
Where could you add a little comfort?
Where could you edit or change things up?
Listening. Observing. Participating. Writing. Photographing. Reflecting.
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Anna Blanch Rabe is an Australian-born writer and photographer. You can follow her adventures on 
Not A Pedestrian Life, or Facebook. More of her photography can be viewed here. For more domestic things take a look at Quotidian Home or her previous website, Goannatree.
This is Day 9 of 31 days to Making a House a Home. The Introductory post is here.
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