Knitting the pain away
Crafting is a huge part of life for Linda Luker
When her husband Bruce died suddenly in 2020, she was saddened and confused. Her husband's death was unexpected.
Fortunately, Linda Luker has very close friends and family who are helping her through the difficult times. She also has her crafting to take her mind off of what she is going through.
“We found out from the doctors that Bruce was very sick, he died within four days of us finding out there was even anything wrong with him,” said Luker, a native of Florence, who now lives in Sydney Mines. “I am not sure what I would have done without my family here to support me. I am also lucky because I have a hobby that I go to whenever I just need to not think about anything.”
Luker is a talented crafter and a prolific knitter. Her hand-knit socks and slippers are a favourite among craft fair goers here on the Northside. Several years ago, she knitted a Cape Breton tartan blanket and put it on sale at an annual craft fair where she was a regular vendor.
“I knew that people liked my socks and slippers but wasn't sure what kind of reaction I would get to the blanket. I was surprised to see how much people liked it. I sold a few that year.
“It seemed like when people bought the blanket they would tell other people and then people would contact me and ask me if I would knit a blanket for them.
“When I first started I was knitting the blankets, a few years ago I tried crocheting them. That was a little easier and I liked the finished blanket better when I crochet it,” said Luker.
“Other than the fact that the blankets are made in the Cape Breton tartan, I think what people really like about them is the colours. I use a good quality yarn with crisp bright colours. The quality of yarn I use is great to wash, it is very durable and won't fade or get out of shape when it is washed.”
Luker lives in Golden Court in Sydney Mines. She is an avid walker and it is not unusual to see her out for a walk whenever you drive through Pond Road to the Florence area. In fact, she walks so much that when she had to take time off recently to tend to her blanket orders, people began to ask her if she was OK and why they hadn't seen her walking.
“Right now, I have orders for 14 blankets, they take a fair amount of time to crochet. It is hard to say how long it takes to make one because I am not at them all of the time. I do have to pick up the pace now because I don't want people waiting too long to get their orders.
“I have blankets literally all across Canada. A lot of my customers buy them to ship to their family members who live out west or in Ontario. I have one lady whose mother lives in a guest home. She said she wanted the blanket to give to her mom to have in her room to make her feel more comfortable.”
When she is not working on her blankets or out for a walk, Luker spends time with her grandchildren.
“My grandkids are very important to me. I love the time I spend with them. They are a lot of fun to be around.
“When my eight-year-old grandson Lincoln comes over he goes to the bathroom and puts on Bruce's aftershave. Then he comes over and gives me a big hug so I can smell the aftershave and be reminded of his grandfather. It is just too precious.”
“Bruce will be gone a year this October, I miss him a lot. He really supported my crafting and was there to lend a hand when I needed help lifting heavy boxes or setting up my table at the craft fairs,” Luker explained.
For additional information or to order one of Luker's Cape Breton tartan blankets contact Linda at 902-7368918.