Afghan Mania

The other day I was helping a friend clean out the apartment of a 90 year old man that is going to be living with his son now. We came in at the tail end of the clean up and I don't even want to know about all the useable stuff that had been thrown in the dumpster by his family. I saw some things going by me and I cringed, but I knew I couldn't save it all and I didn't want to overstep my bounds. But, honestly, the main cleaner upper was this guy's grandson and he had his instructions. Plus, I don't think he was overly sensitive to bookcases, dishes, etc. that were still useable.

I spied this afghan hanging from a nail and commented that if it was going to be thrown away, that I'd like to have it if I could. The guy said that he was keeping it...I was happy to hear it. Later on, when he found out that I do rescue and was giving me lots of stuff that animal rescues could use like blankets and such, he told me I could take the afghan if I wanted it for the dogs. He was just going to use it for his dog's bedding. Now, I know people do this pretty regularly so I wasn't too surprised, but I told him that I wanted it for me...not for the dogs! but for me to repair and use.

I really like it's stripeyness. You can see in the picture below that a panel must have broken free at some point. The panels are awkwardly stitched together, too. I'm thinking that maybe it was a beginners knitting project using leftover yarn, practicing using two colors at a time.

Now I will tell you, I am not a knitter...I tried it a few years back and made the typical beginners washcloth. It sucked, I sucked at it. I grew up crocheting, knitting was awkward for me. But, I will try it again and my panel will fit right into the beginner-ness of this afghan. It has a great weight to it and R. has already claimed it as going to the camper. He is sensitive to things handmade. I hope he realizes that I will be the afghan hog and that if it's wrapped around someone other than me, I will be a big pouty baby. Yup, even at this age, I can be a brat. Hey! can't let go of everything from childhood.

I was told yesterday by a man from my favorite thrift store (that I've chatted with and who has told me how much he likes talking with me and how he thinks I am so nice and sweet) that he pictured me as high maintenance. Huh! can you imagine! It was said after a little discussion I think that involved money...I told him, "well, I've been told that before, but not for financial reasons (hey, I thrift all the time and buy VERY LITTLE brand new) and besides that, take care of myself financially...but definitely for emotional reasons! yup, that's me! Watch out, never know what the mood might be!

Happy Wednesday, the expected snow is lightly coming down. I have my shovel ready...

Grannie Square and Afghan-mania

I regularly check out a blog 'RetroRenovation' owned by Pam, it's a site I happened upon a few months ago and I love it! 
Here's why:
1. I love retro/vintage
2. Her site has a plethora of retro information for those re-doing their homes in that flavor
3. Her reader's comments give more stuff to consider
4. I love retro/vintage (oh, did I say that already?)
5. It's a very friendly welcoming site of sharing information


which brings me to why I'm talking about afghans...
Mainly Pam explores the interiors of homes of the 50's and 60's, but occasionally brings up the decor aspect. Grannie squares and afghans made their way to the site and got everyone excited remembering who grannie square-made ponchos, hats and afghans came from. (If you are interested, she's putting together a slide show of readers' pics. Go here to find out how you can join in the fun.)


I do wish I still had the GS hat mom made, it was quite silly and gave me the look of cat ears (which, I was regularly teased about) but it brings back memories of all the things she crocheted for me and how she taught me how to crochet. Wish I had the ponchos, too.


While she was sick, and before her passing, she was making a full-size bedspread made up of squares that had a wonderful pattern on them of popcorn stitch. She was making it out of the cotton thread/yarn....lots of work. She didn't finish it before she died so my Aunt (who's terrific at everything anyway) took it and finished it. My brother got it. I don't know how that happened, and now it no longer exists. Makes me sad to know how much she loved making it with the plan that it would go on her and dad's bed and she never got to enjoy the completion of it. Makes me sad that I didn't get it to keep and treasure and protect. 


Oh CRAP! how'd I get down that path?


anyway, I have an afghan she made for me, a huge grannie square. I took it out the other day. I always had remembered it being so big and when I took it out to take a picture to send to Pam, I laughed because it's not huge. 

It's funny how things stay with you from when you are a child and the size difference as you are taller and older.


I have no idea who made this afghan, someone in the family line on mom's side. It's not big, maybe it was made for a crib, a lap, or just to look nice on the back of a sofa. It's heavy, made out of wool.

and then there's this one I recently acquired, also made out of wool but the yarn is thinner, making it a lighter weight.

and then, although this is not crocheted but knitted instead...I've included it because my Memere made it and Pepere gave it to me shortly after she died along with some of her costume jewelry when I was 10.

This one looks great on my bed with the turquoise walls. I think it must have been a new knitting project for her because some of the stitching is not quite right. Doesn't matter, I'm glad I have it. 

Have a beautiful day, and pull out your handmade goodies and revel in the memories and wrap up in warmth.