Do you remember the gift you received on your fourteenth birthday?
How about your tenth or twenty-third birthdays?
Try remembering Christmas 2002.
I can recall a few gifts over the years, but I most remember the moments they were given.
My mom and grandma taught me a skill I’ll always remember. It
was a gift from them. I’ve even passed it on to two of my daughters. It’s
something I can use for fun or necessity, I can use it over and over. My great –
great – grandmother gave the same gift to my grandmother and her to my mom and
my mom to me. No, it’s nothing tangible, or valuable . . . to most people.
But to me – it’s priceless.
What is this gift?
Crochet. Yep, that’s it. You know, the crafty hook and yarn thing.
I have memories of my mom teaching me to crochet a chain, and then making one
by myself almost as long as the inside of our little ranch house. In elementary
school, a group of friends and me crocheted little curly-worm bookmarks during
recess.
My grandma was extremely proud of the fact she once
crocheted a skirt and jacket during her work lunch breaks. She’s passed away now,
but she had the foresight to make a receiving cap for each of my children’s
first baby. Every time I watch my children open their gift from my grandma I’m
reminded how much she loved us.
My mom has made each of our six children and five grandchildren
granny square afghans. Each stitch of each blanket was made just for them. They
all treasure them.
So, even though crochet might be a trivial skill in today’s
world, to me, it’s one of the greatest gifts I’ve received.
Here’s an easy to follow, how to crochet series from Curtzy
Crochet Hooks: (a youtube.com video series)
http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/patternFinder.fcgi?search=1&searchText=granny%20squares&Go.x=1&Go.y=1&Go=1&start=15&pageLength=15
The patterns in the above link are from the Lion Brand Yarn website. You’ll
find a multitude of fun crochet patterns from easy to advanced skill level.
Whatever it is you love to do, share it with someone special to you. (I didn't intend that to rhyme, but it is catchy, isn't it!)
You'll give them a gift that lasts. And memories they'll cherish.
Oh Michele, you did receive a wonderful gift. Crochet is one of the most versatile crafts in the world. You can literally make anything with a hook and a piece of string, practical things and things of beauty. I taught myself to crochet from a book when I was very young. I get in some of my best thinking time while crocheting.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Elaine. Crocheting is great for relaxation. Thanks for the comment!
DeleteI'm not a crocheter. I can do it, but I prefer knitting. It was passed down from my mom. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm the same with knitting - I can do it, but prefer to crochet. It's kind of special isn't it? (learning from our moms) :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful expression of love, and something you'll always have with you, Michele.
ReplyDeleteThose gifts taught are priceless, and the one's made by our great-grandmothers and our grandmothers are always with us. :) Sweet share.
Good post, Michele. I have a crochet baby afghan made by my mom who passed away before my children were born. I didn't use it for my kids (Too special and precious. Silly me.), but I've told my daughter it's for her first child. That way it'll get used and be special and precious to them too.
ReplyDelete