Thursday, April 7, 2011

My First Blanket

 When I was 8 years old my Grandmother taught me how to crochet.  My Grandfather had recently passed away so my sister and I were staying with my Grandmother to help her with the transition.  I'm not sure two little girls were a big help, but at least we were a distraction.  My Grandmother was always crocheting and quilting.  By the time I came around crochet was her favorite hobby.   
 So I learned how to crochet by making my beloved rabbit Peter, a blanket.  I loved Peter so much growing up.  You can see that I loved the fur, and ears right off of him.  No one deserved a blanket more than Peter.
 I remember how patient my Grandmother was with me.  We looked through her scrap yarn and found all these wonderful acrylic yarns, (just joking here).  I think that acrylic from the local variety store, is all they really had in those days.  My color combining skills may have not quite emerged yet.  My Grandmother made all of us blankets.  I had a orange, avocado and cream colored blanket for my bed.  She made me a brown and cream colored blanket for when I got older, I still have that blanket in a closet.
 I didn't crochet again after I made this blanket for Peter, until I was an adult with my own kids.  My sister Claudia taught me, well she actually taught me twice because I couldn't remember after the first time.  I turned to knitting in early adulthood, and really never even thought about crochet until just a couple of years ago.  I wish my Grandmother could see me now.  I never understood her love of creating something with her own hands, and surrounding herself with yarn.  I wish she could see all the wonderful creative yarns available now, and all the amazing things that people create with a hook, or  two needles and some yarn.  I have taught many, many people to knit, and even a few to crochet.  I am so blessed that someone took the time to teach me, what would eventually be a life long love and passion.

12 comments:

Unknown said...

You go girl. Welcome back to the hook. Glad Claudia got you back in the fold. I'm loving the looks of your first blanket. Great job.

So, if you know that hotel, you must be close by. If you know the local yarn shops, you must be close by. Scott's family is spread from Dunedin all the way up to NPR. That's is why I'm down in Redington Beach until he arrives tomorrow. Then it up and down with his wild and crazy family. Enjoying my peace and quiet while I can. And trying to get over this cold I brought from home.

Time for a dip before an afternoon nap,
Thanks for your kind words,
Kate

Grateful4Crochet said...

I love this post!!! And your blog!
It reminded me of my own great grandmother who first taught me to crochet, and some of the interesting colour combinations I used!!
I hope that I will be as patient as she was was.

Teresa said...

I can remember my Grandmother crocheting all the time when I was a little girl--in fact, I'm lucky to have some of the tablecloths she made. But they were not wool creations, the tradition here were the white or soft colored tablecloths, doilies and edgings for bath towels. I got that from her, even though I had to learn by myself because I'm lefthanded. My paternal grandmother was the one who passed down to me the love of embroidery and sewing.
Isn't it fantastic to look back and remember them dearly and think we're the keepers of tradition...? I'm sure they would be proud of us :)
xx

Claudia said...

It's good to see Peter again. I remember him fondly. Many a night I tucked you in and made sure Peter was right next to you, little sister. Gram would be very happy that you love working with your hands, that I love working with my hands. I never appreciated what she did - the quilts she made, the crocheting - as much as I should have. Don't you wish she could be here with us just for a day? We'd have lots to talk to her about.

xo
Claudia

Karen said...

I'm sure it meant a lot to your Grandmother, to be able to teach you and Claudia her love for crochet. Especially at such a difficult time in her life. There is so much healing in the creative process. And look at you now! I'm so in awe of what you're able to crochet.

I had an afghan the same colors as yours -- avocado green, orange and cream. What a sign of the times! I actually picked the colors and my mother made it for me.

Teresa Kasner said...

Meredith, I love your post about your grandma, I was never around mine long enough to learn anything from them, my parents moved us from Oklahoma to Oregon when I was 4. One of the sadnesses in my life is being deprived of a relationship with my grandparents. Lucky you.

Hugs from Oregon, USA -- Teresa :-)

Kristen said...

That's so lovely! I'm glad you still have your blanket and your little rabbit, too. He's so perfect without his ears. :)

Kitty Sue said...

If I were a judge and this were a contest you would win. This is a wonderful story. I wish I still had my Teddy and the things I made for him but alas I lost them in a house fire.

Thanks for sharing :o)

WildflowerWool said...

I can remember my Grandma knitting and have seen some of my great grandma's amazing crochet work. I think that they would be very pleased that we are continuing on with knitting and crocheting as well as passing the love of it one to others.

Toni said...

I love this story! Both of my grandmothers crocheted and embroidered, and both of them--bless their patient little hearts--tried to teach me to tat. Wonderful memories--even if tatting is WAY over my head.

Rizzi said...

WHAT A WONDERFUL POST, SO WARM
AND BRINGS BACK SO MANY MEMORIES. MY GRAM LIKE TO CROCHET DOLIES, AND THEY WERE SO BEAUTIFUL. MY MOM TAUGHT ME TO CROCHET WITH WOOL WHEN I WAS 8 YEARS OLD. I JUST LOVED IT, AND I NEVER STOPPED.
MY BEST STITCH IS THE GRANNY, I DID A FEW OTHERS, AND MADE MANY PIECES. I LOVE YOUR LITTLE BLANKET, SO PRETTY.
MY MOM WOULD CROCHET LARGE AFGHANS USING THE WAFFLE STITCH, THEN EMBROIDER BEAUTFUL ROSES, OR ANY FLOWERS ON IT. THEY WERE JUST
GORGEOUS. I LOVED THOSE DAYS.
HAVE A NICE DAY, RIZZI

Monica said...

This is touching and sweet, Meredith! That blanket reminded me of warm, colored blankets my Grandmother made for me... both my Grandmas gifted me with their precious time, and I learnt so much and love so many things because of them! Thanks for reminding me to be grateful!
Belly rubs to the handsome boy ;)
Monica xo