I spent similar time with a similar rug as a kid. From what I've read the concept of deliberate imperfection so as not to offend the god(s) arose independently in several cultures: Southwest Native American bead jewelry and rugs also have such "mistakes" in them. There are others, I'm sure.
It seems to me Stephanie had a riff on this in one of her books, wondering if she should put a mistake in on purpose and concluding that there would always be enough accidental mistakes to keep her safe from divine wrath. It's a great comfort to the perfection-challenged knitter.
Your article is great. Were you by any chance Jewish in a former life?
Lene, I've been reading your blog for about a year and I really enjoy your comments and photos. I clicked on the link to your article and read that. I agree! Knitting lady, Elizabeth Zimmermann, had the same feeling about the beginning of a new year. And I've noticed from reading other blogs, observing myself and others-Fall is the more popular time for "Spring Cleaning". Thanks for sharing your life with all of us!
We drove past our kids' high school last week, with its announcement on the marquis of the date for Back to School night: the first one in 19 years that we don't have to go to. No groaning at getting back into driving to 6:30 am classes before school, no school for that matter. I'll just have to get more organized by myself. The wonder of it is, that I am! It's time for a new year, a new and more organized look. And after two lifetimes--mine and my kids'--that rhythm is ingrained in our lives.
You captured it beautifully.
This the time that feels like a 'new' year for me too. My birthday is the 27th of August; so that is part of it but I feel an energy at this time of year that is missing on January 1st.
As the date changes to a new calendar year I long only to eat root vegetables and hibernate; right now I am breathing deeper and walking faster and my mind is ready to explore new ideas.
in a tidying mood, grace
Lene, I too will never recover from "back to school" as the start of a new year. And about those pens -- yes, I bought more.
Love the article. I, too, consider September a beginning. I'm more lively, more willing to take on new things.
Do you think we can get the new year changed officially? After all, the Chinese have their own new year.
What a great piece of writing! It's a great kudo to be published in the Goat and Pail, but with writing like that, how could they have refused? Brava!
I have this (admittedly crazy) idea that everyone is really Jewish, they just don't realize it. Shanah Tovah (Happy New Year).
What a beautiful piece, congratulations!
I shall add my heartfelt congratulations to all the others. Your writing is very beautiful and I'm so proud of you.
I never thought about September as new beginnings until you pointed it out, but it is true that something seems to be happening within me when summer is over and the days become a little shorter. My guess is that so much more has to be put into the shorter days that it gives me a kick in the proverbial.
Thank you for the memories from your childhood - spent lying on your stomack following the patterns in the Maslagan. This was our first rug and it has always been my favourite too.
Funny how something from your parents house sticks in your memory.
This is the time of year that I have to stay out of office supply aisles and stores. I love them just as much as kitchen gadgets and organizational stuff. Good thing Ikea is a couple of hours away!
Hi Lene,
We don't know each other, but I came across your piece in the paper today and out of curiosity thought I'd google you and found your blog here. Just wanted to say I enjoyed it.
Thanks, congrats, and HNY.
Even though I've been out of "school" for years, I still prefer using the week at-a-glance planner that follows the academic year. Happy New Year!
The pattern on your Mor's rug is beautiful. At first I thought I spotted dancing, tumbling teddy bears! LOL!
very interesting essay about september... i feel the just the same way, and i always thought it was because i loved (and still do) school more than many people i know... i always spent the last two weeks of summer vacations longing for the "new school year" to begin... hmmm... it's interesting to think that even now, years after my last official "back to school", i still feel like the fall is a new beginning, while nature all around is actually going toward a cycle's "end"...
and this "starting anew" instinct, it's not just about frantically cleaning and putting things in order... it's also about cooking and baking with the new harvest!
i actually spent a few hours this weekend emptying the freezer (i really hate emptying the freezer!!!), just so i could better fill it with a batch of apple sauce and sqash soup! i think the fall is about smells: warm cinamon, hearty soups, crisp automn leaves... and wooly garnments we take out of the cedar chest. i think i'm gonna bundle up the kids in warm clothes and go for a walk, now, and enjoy the first days of september. thanks Lene!
It is not lost on me that, from a very early age, you were nose-first into any number of things looking for FLAWS. I'm sure you understand why I wouldn't find that surprising in the least.
Re: your G&M article - Congratulations, very lovely, and also cool how you got them to include a painted picture of Miss Mojo beside the actual printed version (you have to buy a copy to not miss out on that bit of serendipity, people) -
but PLEASE - invite me over when you have the place looking the way it seems to have been described in your prose.
I HAVE to see that!
;-P
Oh, congratulations on the piece! It's lovely, and I feel beginnings in the fall, too. I wonder why? Is it tied to beginning school? My son likes school, but not all THAT much - he says he looks forward to winter because of the FOOD, and I admit I like cooking winter food more than summer food. And the fireplace, and all that cozy stuff. You write SO WELL. 
Something will be coming to you from Stephanie - something small, don't get too excited. But it was really fun to see her and have it passed by hand.
John, I am imagining Mojo casually (because cats do most things casually) crossing "have portrait published in national newspaper" off her Life List.
As soon as I read that there are 'many small mistakes' in the rug, I was reminded of what I learned at Disney World about intentional mistakes in the Islamic tradition.
And then you go and mention it, ruining my opportunity to share it with you.
I learned it from the Morocco exhibit at EPCOT, where they have small flaws in the mosaic tiling.
I've always wondered if the "magic carpet" that could fly you anywhere in the world wasn't actually a devout Muslim's prayer rug, that could in effect "fly you to Paradise."
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