An open letter to the person who stole my shawlOn Friday morning before the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival was officially open, you happened to be next to the Brooks Farm Yarn booth as they were finishing setting up. The booth was full of yarns and samples, but for some reason your eye fell on the Optic Waves Shawl, which Sherry Brooks was carefully putting on a hanger for display. I had loaned it to her expressly for this occasion.
Suddenly, you were overcome with the desire to have this shawl. Not by making it, which is what knitters do, but by taking it. A minute later, pulse racing, you made your move. You snatched the shawl off its hanger, stuffed it in your bag, and left.
Did you hear the announcement over the PA system minutes later? Were you there when the police came? Did you see just how upset Sherry Brooks was? Were you there when I arrived and she agonized over how to break the news to me? Did you see the anger and the tears?
I don't know. By then, the deed was done and the police were on alert. There was no easy way to undo the damage.
I'm guessing you've discovered by now that having this shawl in your possession doesn't make you feel as good as you thought it would. In fact, it carries a heavy weight of sadness from all the people whose hearts you've broken. This is not yours, nor was it made for you.
The Howard County Sheriff's Department has circulated color images of this shawl, and the knitting community is on high alert. The shawl has several distinct features that make it completely unique and easy to identify as the stolen item—which means that you'll never comfortably be able to wear it out and about.
In your heart of hearts, I know you know you did something very wrong.
And it's only going to get worse.
So I ask you do to the right thing. When you're ready, put that shawl in a USPS box and send it back to me, COD. There will be no questions asked, and I know—as I think you know—that you'll feel much better as soon as you've done this.
You can send the shawl to:
Knitter's Review
P.O. Box 1617
Blue Hill, ME 04614
Thank you.
18 comments:
What a shame Clara. I hope it does arrive on your door step.
Linda
Oh my goodness. I had heard that a shawl was taken, but I had no idea that it was one that you had made. How awful!
I hope that someone finds it in their heart to return it to you.
Monet
I feel so sorry for that person ... sorry that he/she for a very brief moment thought taking the shawl was a good idea!
Just hope that he/she would be turned around and return your shawl.
Wow, the nerve! What is this world coming to? I hope it returns to your doorstep. How sad for someone to take it - I feel for them...they missed the joy of knitting it themselves.
This is when we need actual Knitting Police, don't you think?
What nerve? They better not be on KR.
I hope the shawl finds its way home to you.
xxoo
What can one say that has not been said? Oh, Clara! When someone steals a beloved object, he spreads such heartache and the creepy unease that goes along with such a violation. May your shawl be returned, and the thief redeemed.
Hugs,
oh no! that is terrible.
That's awful. I hope this reaches the right person and brings about the right action.
A well-written letter. You're absolutely right about how this person must be feeling. And you are very generous about your return offer. I hope this person sends this lovely feather of a shawl back to its rightful owner (and creator) and feels an enormous weight lifted from her shoulders.
Kati
Clara, I'm a firm believer in Karma. The person who stole your shawl will have consequences for his/her action, although maybe not when or how we want. I'm sorry this happened. It's a sad day in our knitting community when we need security to protect our yarn and the items we knit. And I'm sorry you have to deal with this scary intrusion into your world.
Clara, I was terribly sorry and angry to read about this awful incident, along with the other things that happened at Sheep & Wool. I know I'll be keeping a sharp eye out for that gorgeous shawl, and I hope you'll get it back somehow.
Clara, it is so hard to believe that a knitter would take your shawl, I couldn't believe when I heard the announcement. I really hope that it finds its way back to you soon and that someone has a huge guilt complex.
I have cast mine on with the lovley Neighborhood Fiber Co Studio Sock and Alchemy Haiku that you helped hook up at Loop. Its scrumptious.
Many hugs,
Lisa
I'm so sorry to hear this... I can only hope it's going to end up on your doorstep, somehow.
OK where's my handy can of Dixie whoop***? That is awful. But, as the old people say, what goes around comes around.
Any news or sightings yet? We're all hoping. . . .
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