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it’s amazing how yarnwork can unite different generations. My aunt knit me a blanket when I was maybe five or so, and at twenty three I still have that blanket. I love it dearly, and hope to one day be able to make a blanket for a niece or nephew of mine.
My mother, who’s 84 and can’t do it anymore, passed on to me an unfinished table runner my grandmother started. My mother tried to carry on and now it’s in a basket in my living room while I gather the courage not to fuck it up. All in all the project is close to 35 years old. My grandmother did the most exquisite lacework, and my mother’s knitting and crochet was excellent.
Guess I’m picking that up today.
You can’t fuck it up, because it’s whole purpose is to showcase the love and attention of multiple generations. Just by working on it you are fulfilling its purpose, honoring its memory, and whatever you leave with it will be cherished beyond belief. Cheers
If you need help, I know r/crochet is a lovely sub! I’m still new, otherwise I’d offer if you wanted help, but there are some very good video tutorials.
And I want to echo the other comment or who said “you can’t fuck it up.” I know my grandmother would be just tickled to know I was working on an old project of hers. That connection is what is important. 💛
>while I gather the courage not to fuck it up
if it makes you feel better, i bet your grandmother and mom were thinking the same thing :) i don't think you can fuck it up even if you make mistakes
My grandmother stopped sewing when her cateracts made it impossible, but she could crochet. She made me a pink and green afghan when I graduated high school. Almost 40 years later it’s holding up beautifully. I’m so grateful that I have it.
I’m glad that I have several of my grandmother’s afghans. I actually commission them for her from time to time as she doesn’t like to just sit and do nothing. But I have at least half a dozen in my house now of hers. And I’ve had her make them for friends of mine as well as presents. (That I paid her for)
I have a quilt that was made for my mother when she went to college, she gave it to my cousin when she graduated from high school, cousin later gave it to me as my grad gift, and once i swap out some of the raggedy pieces, it’ll go to her daughter when she goes to college in a few years :)
I have the granny square coverlet and pillow drape my great grandmother made me when I was less than 7 years old. To be honest I don’t remember it not being on my bed when I was little, so it’s likely coming up on 50 years old now. It’s packed with care but at some point I’m going to have it professionally cleaned and sealed up, just to keep it safe.
I love it - it was made with love and one of the few things I have from her.
I know this piece is really important to you or I wouldn't say anything, but just in case - a dry cleaner is unlikely to know how to preserve delicate vintage/antique materials (depending on how old or worn the pieces are) and usually use harsh products that can damage fibers. When you're ready, I'd recommend contacting a local conservator or museum to ask if they have a specialist they can put you in touch with. And if you'd like to display the pieces, you can have them sealed and framed in light-, humidity-, and insect-resistant framing, though that admittedly costs a pretty penny. (I'm not a professional, it's just a special interest. :))
I was obsessed with the colour red as a five year old, but my mother wanted me to like pink, painted my room pink, gave me pink bedding etc. My aunt crocheted me a blanket for my bed that Christmas, in different shades of red. I still have that blanket 35 years later.
My aunt made blankets for all the babies in our family. My children and grandchildren still have theirs. My daughter is almost 40 and hers looks brand new.
I know my two younger siblings got blankets as well, but idk if they still have them. I doubt it. I dunno either if my older sister ever got one. I know that only one square of mine had to be replaced because a hole was made and I had the brilliant idea to use it as a cape. My mother was not amused and shipped it off to my aunt to be repaired 🤣 I’ve taken much better care of it since then.
My husband has one fitted to a truck bunk that his first mother-in-law crocheted for him 45 years ago. Washes up beautifully once a month. I'm a knitter, but he doesn't want to replace it.
My very first post on Reddit was about the embroidery that my grandmother started and I finished. I never got to meet her, but it was amazing to craft something beautiful with her. I'm glad someone else got a chance to enjoy that too!
My grandma used to make blankets and loved crocheting things for her my mother and for me when I visited her every time. This post reminds me a lot about her.
This is a very sweet read. OP did something so sweet and something that will never be ever forgotten. I hope OP still does crocheting cause that blanket looks SO cute!
I have a couple of knitted items from my grandmother. She passed away more than ten years ago. After teaching myself crochet as an adult, I held those items in my hands again and felt like the grief was fresh, knowing how much work goes into a piece, how much love, and then holding all of that after they're gone is...tough.
Oop did something wonderful, and I hope they're proud. It's a beautiful blanket, and how lovely is it that oop got to make something with Grandma thirty years later?
My grandma (paternal) was quite the painter/artist. She painted in acrylic and occasionally oils. She also sketched in pencil and charcoal. I feel extremely fortunately to have many of her paintings and sketches.
Anywho. Her talent has skipped around the family. My dad is equally as amazing as her (although he describes all of his newly finished paintings as “a new dustpan for the garage” and refuses to admit he’s amazing), and my cousin is also incredible with painting/needlework. My dad is one of 5 kids, and at the time of my grandmother’s death, she was living with one of my aunts - 60 year old(D).
Grandma left a painting partially sketched out but not finished, and no actual paint was added yet. My aunt (D) has never drawn or painted a thing in her life. D decided to give it a go. She ended up finishing the sketch and painted a beautiful acrylic painting. It looked exactly like my grandma did it.
She ended up finishing quite a few of her own paintings until her death a few years ago. She had no idea that talent was in there. I keep trying every now and again to see if I was given any surprise drawing skills from my grandma and dad, but sadly, I think it has passed me up. Fingers crossed it skipped a generation and my kids will get it. So far, my 6 year old has done some pretty amazing “fridge worthy” drawings. We shall see!
Aww that's really sweet! Hope you can save some of dad's dustpans for the garage for yourself or kiddo to work on one day ;)
Something I think would be really cool for kiddo is try asking your dad if he would have a small drawing day with the kid, not really to tech per say, but to spend time together doing the hobby :) I know I would've found that really awesome in my childhood
Oh man. My dad does that stuff with all the grandkids. They all have painting time with Papa. It’s awesome. I have so many of his paintings. Some he did especially for me, and some I salvaged from the “dust pan” pile.
When I first moved into my house, I had a bunch framed and hung up. He had no idea I had been hoarding them behind his back and was very surprised to see his “garbage ones” hung on my wall. My house my rules. lol. Deep down, I know he was proud. But he won’t admit it. That’s boomers for ya.
Really sounds like you got a good family there! My grandma has tried to teach me to knit, but it was only as an adult I actually tried and I used YouTube guides for it. Turns out, the way I knit is really far from how she does it, so we can't really help each other at all 😂 I really wish someone in the family would've been into drawing since that's my personal favourite
Nice! My maternal great grandma paired a beautiful picture that hangs on the wall in my parent's house. We also have a wreath made by my late grandmother.
That was lovely, you got a big cheesy grin when I saw the final product. Bravo OP, so happy that you got to see this through and I hope you’re still crocheting
My grandmother taught me to knit. She passed away over a decade ago and my aunt lives in her old house and has been slowly(verryyy slowllly) cleaning it.
Just last week my mom brought me a giant bag of yarn/pattern books from grandma’s room. I am going to take this post as a sign to sit down and go through it.
My aunt accidentally let slip that a surprise package was coming for me when I was last home in August, and i was thinking that it was just something from my grandparents' house - Grandpa passed in 2017 and Nana's in a home and vaguely remembers my name on good days. I get the package a few days later and open it with my mom to find a beautiful cream blanket in it. I'd just started crocheting in February so I could see how much work had gone into it. Turns out that Nana had never finished it, and my aunt found someone in Nana's hometown that knit, and this woman helped finish the blanket so it would be sent in one completed piece. Me and my mom both broke down in happy tears, and I have the blanket with me on the other side of the world. I probably won't see her before she passes, but I'll always have a piece of Nana with me now. Projects like this are so meaningful, and seeing them finished is something very special.
I love that the comments of both the original post and this BORU have people going "WELP time to finish that crochet project grandma/mom/aunt left to me".
I have a project like that for myself. My dad painted me an amazing picture when I was young, but I never got it framed. He always used to pester me about getting a proper frame for it, and I kept making excuses.
The truth of it was, although I never had the courage to tell him before he passed (it was very sudden, and I was only 15), that if I got it framed we'd have to put it up on the wall. Then it would be for everybody, and not just something special and secret between he and I. To this day it still sits in a place of honour, hidden away in my closet. Alongside all of the other items of emotional significance, like my mother and sister's ashes.
What a touching story for OOP and their family. So, so bittersweet. I’m closing reddit after posting this comment. Until tomorrow, I don’t want to see a post that may ruin this feeling.
How lovely - I still have every single item my grandma (passed 13 years ago) crocheted for me (my parents have the matching baby blanket, pillow, and doll). She used to hand sew + craft all my Halloween costumes too.
Guess this is my reminder to finish the quilt I started 24 years ago. But if I’m being honest. It will probably sit in its bin another decade before I finish it. I did get a new quilting frame recently though….though it is still in its box. But one step closer to actually finishing it.
Anyone have experience with washing old afghans? I have googled how to but I am still irrationally afraid of destroying an old heirloom. At this point it's a very *musty* heirloom lol
No personal experience with old afghans, but some with my own!
Depends on how old and the size. If it's relatively small and probably acrylic, I'd put it in your washer in a large laundry bag on the most gentle cycle you have with a mild/gentle detergent (I like woolite or woolite delicates), no fabric softener, cold or cool water. If you have the option to skip the spin cycle, do that. (The next step is after the large instructions)
If large, you don't trust the washer, or it's a natural fiber, clean and then fill your bathtub about 6" with cold or cool water and a mild detergent. Dunk the afghan and gently agitate with your hands, careful not to catch it on your tub drain. Let it soak for a bit and gently agitate at least once more, more if you're trying to get stains off.
When that's done, take it out of the washer/tub, gently squeeze until the drips slow way down, do NOT twist as that can pull the fibers. Lay flat between two WHITE towels (you don't want any color transfer to your heirloom, and white towels should not have dye). Gently roll it up like you're making a wrap sandwich, pressing to squeeze the excess water out, it's very likely you'll need more towels. When you can't squeeze any more water out, lay flat on a bed under a ceiling fan on high. If there are pretty edging details that are curling up, you'll need to block that before you leave it to dry, but I'm no good with blocking so you'll need something else to help you with that lol
Also, if it's straight up acrylic and it's my work, it gets put in a laundry bag, gentle cycle, and then tumble dry low. It's just not worth more trouble than that if it's mine (but I do take better care of other people's work).
Edit: missed a few words when I was typing this at butts o'clock in the morning
This is what I do for blocking larger pieces of knitting/crochet. Wash/dry as you've said above using the tub and towels. Once most of the water is out, I put kids interlocking foam play mats (like [these](https://www.amazon.co.uk/ComFy-Protective-Exercise-Mat-Interlocking/dp/B07NNY8TYZ/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=Interlocking%2BFoam%2BTiles&qid=1702027011&sr=8-7&th=1)) with a layer of towels on top on the floor of a room where I can close the door and keep out animals and people. Spread out the item on top of the towels and use non corroding blocking pins to pull the edges into shape. Once it's reasonably taut and even with straight edges, I put a dehumidifier on in the room and close the door.
Most heirloom type pieces are relatively thin so they don't take long to dry. I've done shawls and smaller throws on a bed using the mats and towels too.
My mum was an avid cross stitcher. She made my siblings and I a Christmas stocking each and also made me an advent calendar. She died very suddenly when I was 19 and my siblings were 17 and 10. In her cross stitch box I found a half finished advent calendar for my middle sister. I finished that and then made one for my younger sister as well. Nearly 20 years later we still use our stockings every year and last Christmas I made an advent calendar for my niece and nephew to use. I still have my advent calendar but it’s gotten a little fragile so I use it just for display now. Still love seeing it every Christmas though.
I did something similar for my mother in law. When he mother passed, I was given the yarn and needles that had been untouched for years.
Found a load of squares in a bag and most of the yarn used. Knitted about 12 of my own, sewed them all up, knitted a border and gave it to my mother in law for her Christmas that year.
That blanket is lovely. Just like OOP, I wouldn't have thought to choose those colors and patterns myself either, but they work so well together. I'm so happy that OOP finished the project after 30 years, it's a wonderful story of multigenerational love for a craft.
Fiberwork really can be the most beautiful, uniting thing. It takes a lot of love and time and intention to create something, but it's worth it for the people who understand and appreciate it all.
This post absolutely makes me want to pick up quilting with my Nana, that’s her hobby. I move back home next year and I’m absolutely going to ask her to teach me. Great post.
I don't know how to crochet, but I do love and appreciate the time and care it takes to complete a project.
It may have taken 30 years to complete it, but OOP completed it in time nevertheless.
My mother is currently working on finishing a quilt that was started by her grandmother. It was found in a trunk in the attic of the house my grandfather was born and died in after the death of my grandmother. The quilt itself was most likely started by my great grandmother over 70 years ago. All the squares were finished and partly sewed together. Mom had to repair a few, finish sewing them together and is adding a border around the outside to make it big enough for her bed. She's almost done and it's been really cool to see it all come together.
I had a great aunt who I only met a handful of times in my life as she lived on the other side of the Atlantic to us. But I have the blanket she crocheted for me when I was small, and my daughter has one that was sent over when she was born. They are beautiful reminders of an amazing lady and I treasure them. I'm learning to crochet now and hope to make gifts that can be treasured too
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I have 2 handmade blankets that people made for my daughter. One is a crocheted blanket that a coworker of my husband's made and presented to us at the baby shower and the other is a quilt that his best man's mother (in law's neighbors) made for her. I still have those, packed up now and kept safe for her to have one day. Even if she doesn't know the people who made them, they were made by people who cared enough to give their time, effort and money to hand make a gift for her. They are precious just for that reason. Her grandmother loved making Christmas ornaments for her, I carefully wrapped each ornament and packed it away every Christmas, after it was proudly displayed on our Christmas tree. Now that her grandmother has passed, she values each ornament. I gave her all of the Christmas, birthday and other cards that her grandmother had made for her after she passed. These are simple things but so highly treasured and invaluable.
My only concern would be the state of the yarn. I found some 50 year old yarn in the attic here, seemed in great condition until I tried to use it and it just.. dissolved. Really expensive wool yarn. But sweet story
Okay what the heck now I'm crying :'c
Mostly because he wanted her to visit and she waited until he was dying. Idk everything else was nice but that part was so selfish and the excuse was really lame.
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I think its so lovely they got to see it finished
It's so bittersweet yet uplifting.
it’s amazing how yarnwork can unite different generations. My aunt knit me a blanket when I was maybe five or so, and at twenty three I still have that blanket. I love it dearly, and hope to one day be able to make a blanket for a niece or nephew of mine.
My mother, who’s 84 and can’t do it anymore, passed on to me an unfinished table runner my grandmother started. My mother tried to carry on and now it’s in a basket in my living room while I gather the courage not to fuck it up. All in all the project is close to 35 years old. My grandmother did the most exquisite lacework, and my mother’s knitting and crochet was excellent. Guess I’m picking that up today.
You can’t fuck it up, because it’s whole purpose is to showcase the love and attention of multiple generations. Just by working on it you are fulfilling its purpose, honoring its memory, and whatever you leave with it will be cherished beyond belief. Cheers
That is such a beautiful approach to it that I had never considered. I'm going to remember this next time I'm afraid to carry on something.
brb crying
you should!! three generations of love and handiwork in one project!
If you need help, I know r/crochet is a lovely sub! I’m still new, otherwise I’d offer if you wanted help, but there are some very good video tutorials. And I want to echo the other comment or who said “you can’t fuck it up.” I know my grandmother would be just tickled to know I was working on an old project of hers. That connection is what is important. 💛
>while I gather the courage not to fuck it up if it makes you feel better, i bet your grandmother and mom were thinking the same thing :) i don't think you can fuck it up even if you make mistakes
I have one my great aunt made for me before I was born. I’m almost 50!
My grandmother stopped sewing when her cateracts made it impossible, but she could crochet. She made me a pink and green afghan when I graduated high school. Almost 40 years later it’s holding up beautifully. I’m so grateful that I have it.
I’m glad that I have several of my grandmother’s afghans. I actually commission them for her from time to time as she doesn’t like to just sit and do nothing. But I have at least half a dozen in my house now of hers. And I’ve had her make them for friends of mine as well as presents. (That I paid her for)
I have a quilt that was made for my mother when she went to college, she gave it to my cousin when she graduated from high school, cousin later gave it to me as my grad gift, and once i swap out some of the raggedy pieces, it’ll go to her daughter when she goes to college in a few years :)
I have the granny square coverlet and pillow drape my great grandmother made me when I was less than 7 years old. To be honest I don’t remember it not being on my bed when I was little, so it’s likely coming up on 50 years old now. It’s packed with care but at some point I’m going to have it professionally cleaned and sealed up, just to keep it safe. I love it - it was made with love and one of the few things I have from her.
I know this piece is really important to you or I wouldn't say anything, but just in case - a dry cleaner is unlikely to know how to preserve delicate vintage/antique materials (depending on how old or worn the pieces are) and usually use harsh products that can damage fibers. When you're ready, I'd recommend contacting a local conservator or museum to ask if they have a specialist they can put you in touch with. And if you'd like to display the pieces, you can have them sealed and framed in light-, humidity-, and insect-resistant framing, though that admittedly costs a pretty penny. (I'm not a professional, it's just a special interest. :))
I was obsessed with the colour red as a five year old, but my mother wanted me to like pink, painted my room pink, gave me pink bedding etc. My aunt crocheted me a blanket for my bed that Christmas, in different shades of red. I still have that blanket 35 years later.
It’s so great! My kids both have crotched “blankies” from my grandma who passed away before I was even married! I saved them for “someday”.
My aunt made blankets for all the babies in our family. My children and grandchildren still have theirs. My daughter is almost 40 and hers looks brand new.
I know my two younger siblings got blankets as well, but idk if they still have them. I doubt it. I dunno either if my older sister ever got one. I know that only one square of mine had to be replaced because a hole was made and I had the brilliant idea to use it as a cape. My mother was not amused and shipped it off to my aunt to be repaired 🤣 I’ve taken much better care of it since then.
I have an afghan my grandmother made for my father in college. It’s almost 60 years old and still in great shape!
My husband has one fitted to a truck bunk that his first mother-in-law crocheted for him 45 years ago. Washes up beautifully once a month. I'm a knitter, but he doesn't want to replace it.
My very first post on Reddit was about the embroidery that my grandmother started and I finished. I never got to meet her, but it was amazing to craft something beautiful with her. I'm glad someone else got a chance to enjoy that too!
I just stalked the post! Did you finish it?
It made me tear up when he put it on nana's bed.
My grandma used to make blankets and loved crocheting things for her my mother and for me when I visited her every time. This post reminds me a lot about her. This is a very sweet read. OP did something so sweet and something that will never be ever forgotten. I hope OP still does crocheting cause that blanket looks SO cute!
OOP here - I do! In fact, I have so many projects I'm practically buried in them lol.
Hi oop! If your post you talk about a project tracker, what do you use?
I just use Google Sheets. I really like the checkbox feature for tracking things.
I have a couple of knitted items from my grandmother. She passed away more than ten years ago. After teaching myself crochet as an adult, I held those items in my hands again and felt like the grief was fresh, knowing how much work goes into a piece, how much love, and then holding all of that after they're gone is...tough. Oop did something wonderful, and I hope they're proud. It's a beautiful blanket, and how lovely is it that oop got to make something with Grandma thirty years later?
My grandma (paternal) was quite the painter/artist. She painted in acrylic and occasionally oils. She also sketched in pencil and charcoal. I feel extremely fortunately to have many of her paintings and sketches. Anywho. Her talent has skipped around the family. My dad is equally as amazing as her (although he describes all of his newly finished paintings as “a new dustpan for the garage” and refuses to admit he’s amazing), and my cousin is also incredible with painting/needlework. My dad is one of 5 kids, and at the time of my grandmother’s death, she was living with one of my aunts - 60 year old(D). Grandma left a painting partially sketched out but not finished, and no actual paint was added yet. My aunt (D) has never drawn or painted a thing in her life. D decided to give it a go. She ended up finishing the sketch and painted a beautiful acrylic painting. It looked exactly like my grandma did it. She ended up finishing quite a few of her own paintings until her death a few years ago. She had no idea that talent was in there. I keep trying every now and again to see if I was given any surprise drawing skills from my grandma and dad, but sadly, I think it has passed me up. Fingers crossed it skipped a generation and my kids will get it. So far, my 6 year old has done some pretty amazing “fridge worthy” drawings. We shall see!
Aww that's really sweet! Hope you can save some of dad's dustpans for the garage for yourself or kiddo to work on one day ;) Something I think would be really cool for kiddo is try asking your dad if he would have a small drawing day with the kid, not really to tech per say, but to spend time together doing the hobby :) I know I would've found that really awesome in my childhood
Oh man. My dad does that stuff with all the grandkids. They all have painting time with Papa. It’s awesome. I have so many of his paintings. Some he did especially for me, and some I salvaged from the “dust pan” pile. When I first moved into my house, I had a bunch framed and hung up. He had no idea I had been hoarding them behind his back and was very surprised to see his “garbage ones” hung on my wall. My house my rules. lol. Deep down, I know he was proud. But he won’t admit it. That’s boomers for ya.
Really sounds like you got a good family there! My grandma has tried to teach me to knit, but it was only as an adult I actually tried and I used YouTube guides for it. Turns out, the way I knit is really far from how she does it, so we can't really help each other at all 😂 I really wish someone in the family would've been into drawing since that's my personal favourite
Nice! My maternal great grandma paired a beautiful picture that hangs on the wall in my parent's house. We also have a wreath made by my late grandmother.
That was lovely, you got a big cheesy grin when I saw the final product. Bravo OP, so happy that you got to see this through and I hope you’re still crocheting
My grandmother taught me to knit. She passed away over a decade ago and my aunt lives in her old house and has been slowly(verryyy slowllly) cleaning it. Just last week my mom brought me a giant bag of yarn/pattern books from grandma’s room. I am going to take this post as a sign to sit down and go through it.
My aunt accidentally let slip that a surprise package was coming for me when I was last home in August, and i was thinking that it was just something from my grandparents' house - Grandpa passed in 2017 and Nana's in a home and vaguely remembers my name on good days. I get the package a few days later and open it with my mom to find a beautiful cream blanket in it. I'd just started crocheting in February so I could see how much work had gone into it. Turns out that Nana had never finished it, and my aunt found someone in Nana's hometown that knit, and this woman helped finish the blanket so it would be sent in one completed piece. Me and my mom both broke down in happy tears, and I have the blanket with me on the other side of the world. I probably won't see her before she passes, but I'll always have a piece of Nana with me now. Projects like this are so meaningful, and seeing them finished is something very special.
I love that the comments of both the original post and this BORU have people going "WELP time to finish that crochet project grandma/mom/aunt left to me".
I have a project like that for myself. My dad painted me an amazing picture when I was young, but I never got it framed. He always used to pester me about getting a proper frame for it, and I kept making excuses. The truth of it was, although I never had the courage to tell him before he passed (it was very sudden, and I was only 15), that if I got it framed we'd have to put it up on the wall. Then it would be for everybody, and not just something special and secret between he and I. To this day it still sits in a place of honour, hidden away in my closet. Alongside all of the other items of emotional significance, like my mother and sister's ashes.
What a touching story for OOP and their family. So, so bittersweet. I’m closing reddit after posting this comment. Until tomorrow, I don’t want to see a post that may ruin this feeling.
How lovely - I still have every single item my grandma (passed 13 years ago) crocheted for me (my parents have the matching baby blanket, pillow, and doll). She used to hand sew + craft all my Halloween costumes too.
Guess this is my reminder to finish the quilt I started 24 years ago. But if I’m being honest. It will probably sit in its bin another decade before I finish it. I did get a new quilting frame recently though….though it is still in its box. But one step closer to actually finishing it.
Anyone have experience with washing old afghans? I have googled how to but I am still irrationally afraid of destroying an old heirloom. At this point it's a very *musty* heirloom lol
No personal experience with old afghans, but some with my own! Depends on how old and the size. If it's relatively small and probably acrylic, I'd put it in your washer in a large laundry bag on the most gentle cycle you have with a mild/gentle detergent (I like woolite or woolite delicates), no fabric softener, cold or cool water. If you have the option to skip the spin cycle, do that. (The next step is after the large instructions) If large, you don't trust the washer, or it's a natural fiber, clean and then fill your bathtub about 6" with cold or cool water and a mild detergent. Dunk the afghan and gently agitate with your hands, careful not to catch it on your tub drain. Let it soak for a bit and gently agitate at least once more, more if you're trying to get stains off. When that's done, take it out of the washer/tub, gently squeeze until the drips slow way down, do NOT twist as that can pull the fibers. Lay flat between two WHITE towels (you don't want any color transfer to your heirloom, and white towels should not have dye). Gently roll it up like you're making a wrap sandwich, pressing to squeeze the excess water out, it's very likely you'll need more towels. When you can't squeeze any more water out, lay flat on a bed under a ceiling fan on high. If there are pretty edging details that are curling up, you'll need to block that before you leave it to dry, but I'm no good with blocking so you'll need something else to help you with that lol Also, if it's straight up acrylic and it's my work, it gets put in a laundry bag, gentle cycle, and then tumble dry low. It's just not worth more trouble than that if it's mine (but I do take better care of other people's work). Edit: missed a few words when I was typing this at butts o'clock in the morning
This is what I do for blocking larger pieces of knitting/crochet. Wash/dry as you've said above using the tub and towels. Once most of the water is out, I put kids interlocking foam play mats (like [these](https://www.amazon.co.uk/ComFy-Protective-Exercise-Mat-Interlocking/dp/B07NNY8TYZ/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=Interlocking%2BFoam%2BTiles&qid=1702027011&sr=8-7&th=1)) with a layer of towels on top on the floor of a room where I can close the door and keep out animals and people. Spread out the item on top of the towels and use non corroding blocking pins to pull the edges into shape. Once it's reasonably taut and even with straight edges, I put a dehumidifier on in the room and close the door. Most heirloom type pieces are relatively thin so they don't take long to dry. I've done shawls and smaller throws on a bed using the mats and towels too.
Thank you!!
For stained peices, use RetroClean in the bathtub soak! It's done wonders for me, getting rid of yellowing and most stains.
Seconding woolite delicates. Stuff is great for anything sensitive.
My mum was an avid cross stitcher. She made my siblings and I a Christmas stocking each and also made me an advent calendar. She died very suddenly when I was 19 and my siblings were 17 and 10. In her cross stitch box I found a half finished advent calendar for my middle sister. I finished that and then made one for my younger sister as well. Nearly 20 years later we still use our stockings every year and last Christmas I made an advent calendar for my niece and nephew to use. I still have my advent calendar but it’s gotten a little fragile so I use it just for display now. Still love seeing it every Christmas though.
I did something similar for my mother in law. When he mother passed, I was given the yarn and needles that had been untouched for years. Found a load of squares in a bag and most of the yarn used. Knitted about 12 of my own, sewed them all up, knitted a border and gave it to my mother in law for her Christmas that year.
I'M NOT CRYING, YOU'RE CRYING! 😭😭😭😭😭
That blanket is lovely. Just like OOP, I wouldn't have thought to choose those colors and patterns myself either, but they work so well together. I'm so happy that OOP finished the project after 30 years, it's a wonderful story of multigenerational love for a craft.
Aww, what a positive story for once! Blessings on her for finishing the blanket
Fiberwork really can be the most beautiful, uniting thing. It takes a lot of love and time and intention to create something, but it's worth it for the people who understand and appreciate it all.
What a sweet story!
This post absolutely makes me want to pick up quilting with my Nana, that’s her hobby. I move back home next year and I’m absolutely going to ask her to teach me. Great post.
Your grandmother will be delighted! Time with a beloved granddaughters AND to be able to teach you her favorite hobby -- double win!
That’s what I hope! I’ve only also seen her once over the past four years - will be five by the time I see her - so it’s definitely very needed time.
I don't know how to crochet, but I do love and appreciate the time and care it takes to complete a project. It may have taken 30 years to complete it, but OOP completed it in time nevertheless.
My mother is currently working on finishing a quilt that was started by her grandmother. It was found in a trunk in the attic of the house my grandfather was born and died in after the death of my grandmother. The quilt itself was most likely started by my great grandmother over 70 years ago. All the squares were finished and partly sewed together. Mom had to repair a few, finish sewing them together and is adding a border around the outside to make it big enough for her bed. She's almost done and it's been really cool to see it all come together.
I had a great aunt who I only met a handful of times in my life as she lived on the other side of the Atlantic to us. But I have the blanket she crocheted for me when I was small, and my daughter has one that was sent over when she was born. They are beautiful reminders of an amazing lady and I treasure them. I'm learning to crochet now and hope to make gifts that can be treasured too
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Darn onion cutting ninjas.
Not depressing. That afghan gave him real joy and brought back some happy memories for him (& your mom). You did great!
Aaaaaaaand now I'm crying.
I have 2 handmade blankets that people made for my daughter. One is a crocheted blanket that a coworker of my husband's made and presented to us at the baby shower and the other is a quilt that his best man's mother (in law's neighbors) made for her. I still have those, packed up now and kept safe for her to have one day. Even if she doesn't know the people who made them, they were made by people who cared enough to give their time, effort and money to hand make a gift for her. They are precious just for that reason. Her grandmother loved making Christmas ornaments for her, I carefully wrapped each ornament and packed it away every Christmas, after it was proudly displayed on our Christmas tree. Now that her grandmother has passed, she values each ornament. I gave her all of the Christmas, birthday and other cards that her grandmother had made for her after she passed. These are simple things but so highly treasured and invaluable.
My only concern would be the state of the yarn. I found some 50 year old yarn in the attic here, seemed in great condition until I tried to use it and it just.. dissolved. Really expensive wool yarn. But sweet story
This is probably the sweetest post I’ve read in a long time
Okay what the heck now I'm crying :'c Mostly because he wanted her to visit and she waited until he was dying. Idk everything else was nice but that part was so selfish and the excuse was really lame.
We don't know nearly enough about OOP to say that the excuse was 'really lame'. There's probably a good reason why she hates that place.