Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

40 Plus Years In The Making.

I think it was in the summer
of my 28th year.
That my Mom sat down with me and
taught me to crochet a granny square.

 I made about 6 or 7 and quit . . .
I thought it was boring :)

 Now I wanted to learn so badly that I 
purchased a book.
It's a good book, if you have someone
to work you through it,
but trying to lean from it was a waste for me.


So I looked at the finished pictures,
counted stitches and kept trying 
until I figured it out. 
As I tried making them . . . the lessons that 
my Mom gave me started coming back.
That was over 40 years ago:)


So once I got one to look right
I started making more.


I can see a throw  . . . it's not here
yet, 
but by Spring it will be spread 
across my bed :)

 I even have my Mom's hooks.


She kept them in this metal cigar tin. 
Funny I can't remember any cigar smokers in our family, 
but we did live near Tampa, FL when I was in kindergarten. 
I have no idea how old it is, but it does
make a great little case.


Thanks Mom!

Do you have a Mom, Aunt or Sister to thank
for spending time with you and teaching you 
a craft or skill of some kind?

Have a lovely day...
Keep Smiling.

Your blogging sister,
Connie :)


69 comments:

  1. My gramma Signe wanted so much to teach me how to make her Swedish cardomom buns, I always said "some time soon, Gram" - I had the time, but little did I know, she did not. I can smell (in my mind) Saturday's at her house - cardomom and yeast and of course coffee, but not ever in mine.

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    1. That is so sad, I'm very sorry. Maybe you can get your Mom or an Aunt to teach you and that way you can keep gramma's recipe live and well and pass it on to your children.

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  2. After not picking up a crochet hook for about thirty years I relearned it two years ago. My obsession is dishcloths! And I also have my mom's crochet hooks. Not all of them though, I shared them with my two sisters... my mom had three or four of every size!

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    1. It feels good to keep the creative talents in a family alive and passing them on. I'm sure that it make your Mom very proud.

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  3. That is so lovely, some wonderful memories. You are certainly doing a great job I am looking forward to seeing the end result.

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    1. Thanks, I'm looking forward to seeing it too, LOL.

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  4. This is wonderful! My Mom was a crochet nut! She could do it with her eyes closed, making a pb & j, and smoking a cigarette at the same time...lol! I never did learn from her, but I still do have alot of her creations. My fave is a crochet bedspread...out of that tiny thread, like a doily! I don't use it on the bad, because it is quite fragile at this stage, but I do bring it out to display every now and then. Keep it up, your spread will be done in no time! Thanks for the trip down memory lane! Aloha.

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    1. Thank you for the big laugh. You drew a picture in my mind of your Mom doing just that, LOL. I am delighted that you are following my blog, thank you so much. I'm looking forward to becoming great blogging friends.

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  5. I taught myself to knit and crochet from a book when I was in my 20s. My grandmother crocheted and made quilts though. I wish I had watched her more when I was growing up but I married young and moved away. She was very talented. And I think granny squares were the first thing I made too! Enjoy your afternoon my friend. Hugs!

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    1. It took me about four tries until I finally figured them out, but now they are coming along just fine. I'm looking forward to when I have enough to start putting them together:)

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  6. I have crafty people in my family but I don't recall any of them ever teaching me how to do anything. I've pretty much been self taught with everything.
    I like your granny squares. I started making some years ago and never got very far before I gave up. I don't even know what I ended up doing with them

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    1. I know the first ones that I made 40 some years ago, bored me to death. So my Mom took the 5 or 6 that I made and she continued until she had an afghan finished, then gave it to me :)

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  7. Beautiful squares and such wonderful memories. I love that you have her hooks. I have some of my Grandma’s hooks. She taught me to crochet when I was seven. I’m looking forward to seeing your finished throw.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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    1. You do beautiful work, if you lived closer I would ask you for lessons.

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  8. Oh how nice!! :) You really did a lot of squares, I guess it's like riding a bike? :) I taught myself everything I now know about arts and crafts. Lucky now in the age of You Tube, I can learn new things and new techniques because I'm so visual, I wouldn't be able to follow a book either.

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    1. I know, I don't know why I wasted money on a book when I have You Tube. It is the best place ever to learn something new.

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  9. Great story Connie and good on you for re-learning how to make these - your mom would be proud. I remember making a granny square afghan and it was a bit boring - I'm sure I don't have the diligence to make one at the age I am now. My mom taught me to embroider, my sister-in-law taught me to crochet and everything else is self-learned; the one thing I'd like to know how to do is tatting but I've had no luck teaching myself how to do it. When it came to sewing I learned an awful lot from Nancy Zeiman (Sewing with Nancy). k

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    1. I've only met one person who tatted. She was sitting at the lake fishing and tatting and it looked very interesting and such delicate work. I think it is one of those long lost old fashioned arts that should be kept alive. I wish all the luck in the world for finding someone to teach you . . . have you looked on You Tube?

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  10. I love your crocheted pieces! They're great fun to make ~until~ setting them together is a problem for me. I can credit a teacher in our local high school for teaching a group of us to crochet. It's been one of the most enjoyable crafts I have learned. I learned to quilt from my mother.

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    1. I think that crocheting is great because it is something that you can carry with you without much effort. I like having a little something to do on the go, or when watching TV. The other thing is that you have a lovely old fashioned project when you're done:)

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  11. I worked with two grands today, trying to figure out cross stitch. They "sort of" understood. I sent supplies home to their mommy. Your granny squares look great, Connie!

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    1. I love that you're teaching your grands . . . it's time very well spent. Whether they ever get it or not, they will have wonderful memories of loving time spend with their grandma:)

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  12. Making those squares is on my Bucket List too.Good on you doing these.
    My mother always told me I was hopeless at things and took over, so I have had to learn from You Tube etc , and I thank all the lovely women who are strangers and have given their time freely to people like me. Not all mother are nice you know. You are so lucky to have had a kind one.

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    1. Hi Judy, I agree about the great people that take the time to make tutorial videos for You Tube. It is wonderful to be able to find so much information there and since I am a hands on visual learner You Tube is a blessing.

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  13. Nice!

    My grandma crocheted. Wish I had taken it up!

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    1. You still have time, if not grandma then ask an Aunt or friend or go to You Tube. It's not true that old dogs cann't learn new tricks . . . I'm an old dog and I'm learning all the time :)

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  14. I like your granny squares! I am totally not blessed with the ability to do hand work but I admire it when I see it.
    I think it's lovely that you still have your Mom's crochet hooks!

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    1. Thank you, I love that I have them, too. You are always so kind with your comments. Thanks for being such a sweet blogging friend.

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  15. Connie, my Mama taught me to crochet about 50 years ago. I was only 4 year old but I remember making chain stitch necklaces and bracelets, for hours. She gradually taught me other stitches and I've been going ever since. I, too, have my Mama's hooks. Such a treasure!

    I love your granny squares! They will make a lovely throw!

    Grace & Peace,
    Pam

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    1. I love your story. You have a talent that has brought you pleasure for 50 years, all because your Mama spent some quality time teaching you, and now you have her hooks to always keep that memories in your heart and thoughts.

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  16. Looks like you have a great start to crocheting! My mom taught me quilting. I took sewing in High School, but my mom helped me too, when I was young she made my clothes. I learned cross-stitch in High School too, that is one thing my mom didn't do.
    Hope the new year is off to a great start for you!

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    1. These days they have so many machines that do all of these things for you, but nothing . . . absolutely nothing beats homemade. I think it is wonderful that we had women in our lives to teach us and we need to pass it on :)

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  17. My mama and my grandmama taught me crochet. When I was 14, I began a granny square blanket of all colors of scraps with white borders for my husband. I met him a couple years later, married him at 21, and gave the blanket to him as a gift on our first Christmas married.

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    1. That is such a sweet story . . . Girls used to have hope chests where they saved special items to be taken out after they married. Do any girls still do this?

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  18. Granny squares are almost the hight of my skills and I make some every week. My children probably herit a bag of loose squares each in different shades. Now I am working with green and yellow shades... Have to make a post to show you:)

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    1. I would love to see them. They make the prettiest old fashion throws . . . I'm looking forward to seeing what mine will looks like after I'm finish, too :)

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  19. Oh wow!!! I like vdcthis pist Connie! Yes my aunt taught me how to Quilt! She bought me my first rotary cutter and mat and a guide to quilting. I should dig out that very first project she helped me start and see what could become of it! I’m sooo happy fir you Thst you are finished this one! Looking forward to seeing if in your bed this spring.

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    1. Hi Val, thanks your stopping by and visiting. Sounds like you never finished that first quilt; it would be a great thing to add to your list of 2018 things to do :) I like vdcthis pist Connie! I'm slow on all these shorthand texting abbreviation, you'll have to come back and telling what you said, LOL. I'm just and old dog wanting to learn a new trick.

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  20. Good Cold Morning! I love the colors you are making your granny squares! My Mom crocheted and sister but of course when I was young and living at home I was not interested! Funny how your interests change as you get older. My neighbor taught me to crochet and I am still not very experienced but developed a little more skill this year by making scarves for a couple grands and the fold over pot holders. What a nifty little crochet holder that your Mom had to store them in! Your throw will look so cheery throw over the end of your bed! Nancy

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    1. I think that the colors will be very pretty for spring. Each winter I seem to find a new project for lap work in front of the TV. When the nights come so early and I spend less time outside it's nice having a lap project. Last year it was embroidering dish towels.

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  21. My mother was a crocheter, and she did teach me. However, it's been decades since I picked up a crochet hook, and I'd have to learn all over again. Your granny squares are so pretty. I can't wait to see your finished throw. I'm happy to see granny squares are really popular again. Have fun!

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    1. Hi Nancy, I don't know how popular they are, but it seems like if I'm living in an old cottage I should have old fashioned things decorating it. I love staying true to this new/old home of ours . . . it grows on me more and more each day :)

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  22. Mom taught me to crochet in grade school, but I taught myself to do the granny square. Mom showed me how to chain and double crochet and I took it from there. Had a cousin, on a weekend visit, taught me how to knit...took off on my own with that. I look at something and do it. Hate the books! My grandma could crochet or knit anything from a book pattern. Not me!
    Love your granny squares. Making lap throws and baby blankets here- single crochet. Very tight and supper warm!

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    1. I love that so many women are keeping this old fashioned craft alive and well, and hopefully passing it on by teaching others. There are so many young women that I know and have worked with that have ever experienced the joys of hand stitching of any kind. Most are not interested . . . if we take the time to only teach one or two we have keep it going :)

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  23. I learned how to make weave-it squares from my Gramma. She taught all 8 of us grandkids and I'm the only one who stuck with it.

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    1. I'll bet the others still have wonderful memories of Gramma spending time with them . . . Your Gramma's talent is being carried on by you and that's very special.

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  24. How lovely! Those will make a very beautiful spread. I love the cigar tin!

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  25. Such lovely colors for your springtime bed! Back in the days when long distance travelling was more difficult, an Auntie came to visit and brought her crocheting along. I was about 9 or 10 and fascinated as the baby sweater grew in her hands. She happily taught me a few stitches. Fast forward 15 years, as my little family moved into a fixer-upper old house. The elderly lady had been in no hurry to move and did not have much help, so DH had told her not to worry about cleaning it, just take her things and leave the rest. Well! The chest of drawers on the sleeping porch was filled with what could only have been from her vacuum cleaner bag ---except for the bottom drawer which was crammed with unfinished yarn projects. Treasure! I took all those bits and pieces and crocheted a colorful granny square afghan with black work around each square. It was a big one and warm. I have it and the memories still today. Sadly, neither of my girls were interested in learning craft work. The times changed. It was not cool. Good for you, re-learning the skill.

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    1. Most young women today have no interest . . . crocheting and knitting are slowly becoming a thing of the past. Just wait, you might have a granddaughter that wants to learn :)

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  26. Hi Connie happy New Year, I also learned to do the granny squares first I can remember sitting with my great gram for hours watching One life to live and General hospital. I just kind of make my own stuff up as I go. Cant wait to see your finished afghan. And you even have the old crochet hooks. My great gram was a real pro she crocheted a huge American flag that I put out every 4th of july. That's some good snowy day fun ....crochet and cocoa Lisa@ Sweet Tea N' Salty Air

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    1. Oh wonderful that you have that flag made by your great gram. I'm sure that it will be a family treasure of many years to come. Thanks for sharing your story, I enjoyed reading it :)

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  27. What a wonderful story. Keep working and you'll have a throw in no time.

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    1. Oh, they are piling up . . . it won't be long before I start sewing them together :)

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  28. Love granny squares, one of the first things I learned to crochet! AND one of the last. lol

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  29. Now why can't I do that! I've bought beginner's books before but just can't do it. You make me want to try again. I love the granny squares. My Aunt Berlie used to try and teach me how to crochet, but she was right handed and I am left handed. She would get started on a crochet piece, showing and telling me how, then hand the piece to me and I would turn the piece around backwards. She would get tickled and I would be more confused than ever!

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    1. I wonder if you tried typing "left handed beginner crochet" into You Tube. You might be surprised at what you get. It's worth a try:)

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  30. I know your throw will be just beautiful! My mom tried to teach me to sew and to do cross-stitch and honestly, I hated both. Anything to do with needle and thread (or crochet hooks or knitting needles) are not my forte. My talents lie more in decorating and cooking and baking. I actually flunked the sewing portion of Home Ec in high school! ha ha

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    1. Hi Melanie, thanks for stopping by . . . that's what makes life interesting . . . people have different talents, different likes and dislikes. If we all were the same it would become very boring:) Some of the recipes and gardening ideas that you have shared through the years are amazing:)

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  31. My mama taught me to make a granny square. too, but at the time, I was raising 2 sweet babies and soon forgot how to make a square...now, I am wanting to try again.

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  32. My mom sewed (and still does) beautifully. She made so many of our clothes and they were gorgeous. She, along with my home ec teacher, taught me to sew and I continue to enjoy time at my machine. My mom has switched to sewing quilts these days, beautifully and precisely pieced. She crochets, too, but didn't teach me that skill. I can do the basics - learned from a book. Your granny squares are such beautiful colours - love that blue!

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  33. How sweet Connie! It is going to be so pretty. I love the cigar tin that was your moms! My dear mother taught me how to embroider. I still love doing it today. I tried crocheting when I was a young bride, but I did it too tight. Haven't tried it since, but would like to.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  34. Oh your grannies are so pretty! And I enjoyed reading all of the comments and the stories! My mom was a knitter and I learned to knit very early, probably around 10 or so. I knit for years and made many many sweaters that I sold to earn money to buy my first horse, which I did when I was 13! A next door neighbor worked at a tavern in downtown Portland, OR and she would take the sweaters there and sell them for me! I also wanted to learn to crochet and my aunt did, so she taught me the basics and I used books and magazines to learn the rest on my own. I did love granny squares. Made one completed queen sized afghan that I used for years, and somehow it disappeared, got sold or something. Made a few others that were stripes or just plain big squares. I would love to make the squares but hated sewing it all together, so I still have TWO boxes of completed squares for afghans that I've never sewn together.. made about 40 years ago! My aunt also taught me how to sew clothes and quilt, and mom taught me cross stitch and I made alot of the embroidered things with the crosses stamped on the fabric. I never did like counted cross stitch as it took too much concentration and I liked to watch TV while doing handwork!

    I love YouTube for making projects.. so much easier for me to follow along that way, rather than from written instructions. And I don't like so many of books of today that have the instructions drawn out with all the little lines and circles, etc. as I can't make heads or tails of it! And another trouble is... I'll make something really cute from YouTube, and then not write down which channel I learned it from, and when I want to go make it again, or make more (like coasters, etc.) then I can't remember the pattern as I didn't write it down! I started a set of darling coasters and do you think I can find the channel now that I got them from??? nope. Live and learn. Take care and hugs... Marilyn

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  35. Congratulations on 6 years Connie! Hope to see you around for many, many years to come!

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  36. I do like your squares ... seeing them reminds me of an Aunt of mine she was always crocheting or knitting, her hands were never still.

    My good wishes to you for 2018.

    All the best Jan

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  37. My mom taught me to crochet the single and double stitch when I was young. I am left handed so I couldnt really catch on that good. Later in my years (like 40 years later) I picked up the hook again. I started by finding a simple stiitch on you tube and made a pair of baby booties. I was so excited. Now I crochet all sorts of things. I even have an Etsy shop. You can find it on my blog. I read and see all the patterns backwards since im left handed.
    Love your granny squares. Thats acutally one of the last things Ive learned to do. Haha.
    Lisa

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  38. Your banners are so cute and original- I already feel inspired to go through my scraps and make some up!

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  39. You make me want to get back to crochet. I taught myself years ago...like in the 70's! Every once in a while I try it, but don't seem to ever get anything made. I hope when you put your cover together you will show us how to connect the squares. That was always my stumbling block.

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