memories…..

 

 

 

I expected to be happy dancing around the house and high fiving everyone and everything in sight as the end of this project neared. Instead, as those last stray ends were tucked----and I spread it out--all I felt was just a little nostalgic.  

 

Oh, look!  The 'Steelers' yarn that made into the most hideous bumblebee socks.  And there was one of my favorite hats.  A shawl I gifted to a dear friend who moved away.  I saw charity shawls and baby gifts; I looked down and saw I was wearing a cowl that was there in the blanket.  Yikes!  I'm wearing those socks, too!

 

But it isn't just the knit things staring back at me.  I see yarn that had belonged to a very dear friend and knitting mentor--- gifted to me by her daughter when she passed away.  And there is yarn from other friends who had joined a 'yarn-blanket-swap' (i never felt the need to do that!!!!  I thought I had plenty of my own!!!); they thought my blanket deserved the grey yarn they got in their exchange; I have to sort of giggle when I see those grey blobs---am I really so predictable?  A co-worker brought me her 'blanket yarn bowl' and said ---dig in!!!  (I was glad to be able to return it fuller than when I got it!!!!)

 

And when the blanket 'got stalled', I received the most mind-boggling gift--- a carton FILLED with partial skeins from a friend I've only met through Ravelry.  I think of her when I spot anything pink or green!!! 

 

I've been boxing up my leftover yarn.  I could probably make another 2-3 blankets, but (for now) the three I've made are ENOUGH!!!  Time to move on.  I cast on for this blanket on December 24, 2012 (surely this was not supposed to be a last minute Christmas gift?!); I'm not sure I want to give another project 14 months of my life for awhile.

 

BUT, I'm quite willing to be an enabler.  I made this offer a few weeks ago, and several friends took me up on it.   I'm passing all my leftover yarn along to other crazies (like me) who have stalled and need more colors, who don't have enough of their own sock yarn to continue, or who simply want to give up a year of their life and start one.  (Just let me know in the comments, and I'll get back to you.)

DISCLAIMER:  This blanket is as addicting as it is beautiful.

 

While I'm finding a certain amount of bittersweet beauty in it...

 

 

 

somebody else just thinks it feels good.

Comments

[Connie Byrd]

Freddie has good taste - looks very comfy!

[randipants]

It's beautiful!!! And I thank you for being such an enabler! I want my blanket to be all yarn I either knit something else with myself or got as a trade/gift just for the blanket, because I want to be able to look at each square when I'm done and have a memory tied to it. (Hopefully I'll have a dog to claim ownership of it right away by then too!)

[rusty duck]

It's gorgeous, and all the better for the memories.

[Karen]

gorgeous!

[Valerie]

So, how many rows did you do? I am going to finish mine, said the little engine that could!!

[Sonia]

I would love some memory yarn for my stalled blanket!
Yours is lovely and such a generous size!

[Amber]

Lovely--both the blanket and Freddie! Every blanket needs a few dog hairs "felted" in.

Thanks again for the box of fun yarns. I made a Steelers square first. Love it!

[Ann Denton]

What a beautiful blanket. Since it's full of memories, it is even more special!

[Tracy]

WOW... It is STUNNING, Steph! And pooch approved... LOL! ;o) What fun to look at each square and remember what they belonged to first, and to who, etc.... sweet! A lot of work there, and it will be enjoyed for a long time too. Happy Day ((HUGS))

[Wanda]

It is stunning!!!!!! So much work but so many memories. I would love to include some of your yarn in mine sweet friend!!

[Tracey]

A masterpiece for sure! It is one of the most beautiful knits I have ever seen Stephanie, I mean that.

[tanna]

I love this and I love the story of it even more! Freddie has claimed it for his own looks like! This is a work of art. blessings ~ tanna

[Jen]

BEAUTIFUL!!!! Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you it is finished. Although I will miss seeing it's progress shots! I would love to take a few of the left overs for my someday sock yarn blanket. I think that would be a nice blanket actually....to put a call out to my blogger friends for their left over sock yarn and make a blogger friend sock yarn blanket. Hmm. I may have to just do that! :-)

[Shannon]

Awwwww! Freddy! The dogs always find the comfiest spots. That afghan is SO beautiful. :)

[Tien]

It's beyond beautiful because of all those memories. You did an amazing job! Plus it passed the doggie test with flying colors!

[Lisa @ HappyinDoleValley]

Such a sweet memento you have created. Don't know that I'd invest that much time as I find I get bored if a project drags on too long. Glad you stuck with it and shared your memories with us. :) Steelers yarn...love it!

[Joanne Richardson]

Wow! Your blanket is great. I'm going to get mine back out to work on. I think it would be great to add a bit of our yarn to my blanket. You inspired me!

[Leslie]

Wow I just had to go pull my blanket that has been in progress forever just to remind myself of what it looked like and where I was at. I would love some shared sock yarn to pull my blanket out of the drawer and add to. :)

[Debby]

It looks even more beautiful now it's finished than it did in progress. I love the colours and all the memories that are attached to it. It made me think of a book that the artist Louise Bourgeois made from the fabrics of her life bits of a skirt from here and a cloth there. It definitley is a memory blanket and I'll be so happy that I can have a little bit of those memories too.
debbyx

[Pam (knitgal2)]

Love the finished blanket. I'm making one of my own and seeing yours makes me want to work on mine. It's fun to get all different yarn to add to them.

[Stephanie]

Seriously, dear Steph, this is one of the most stunning and beautiful blankets I've clapped eyes on. Well done for seeing it through although I can see the addictive quality to such a project. One day I will be asking you for advice on making a blanket of my own.

[Laura]

I know that feeling; of wanting completion, and then when it's done, it's really really done...realizing that you've just made a very personal masterpiece!

[Sara]

It's so pretty, and I think it's wonderful that you see so many memories in it. I can't believe you've made 3 of these!

[Paula]

Wow, that is gorgeous!! Don't think I'd have the patience to do it out of sock yarn. But good for you.

Love the puppy too. We had a blonde Cocker when I was little. You don't see them too often.

[Kimberlyn]

What a fantastic blanket! Congratulations on finishing. This is such an accomplishment, and I can't believe you've completed three of these. Wow! Still plugging away on mine!