My earliest memories of my grandmother are of her crocheting. She would make intricate, delicate doilies and table covers. I was fascinated how she was able to wield the slender crochet hook and create these lacey items. My mother also crochets; her specialties are afghans, and sweaters. I figured I would never carry on the tradition of creating with yarn—this was based on my attempt at knitting. I only knitted one item, a lavender scarf that started being about six inches wide and ended up doubling its width. How I did that, I will never know!
Then years later, at work I saw a co-worker by the name of Sophie crocheting. I remarked to her I could never do that. She responded that was nonsense, and offered to teach me. During our lunch breaks, my fumbling fingers tried to get used to working with the crochet hook. Sophie was always encouraging and patient. Eventually, I was able to produce stitches that resembled something other than a large knot. Once I was able to maneuver with the yarn and the crochet hook as an extension of my hand, there was no stopping me! It was near Christmas, so everyone in my family, whether they wanted one or not, got a crocheted scarf that year. During that winter, I crocheted two afghans, which got displayed on my son’s bed and the couch respectively.
I have to admit, with each project, I did improve at crocheting. My son’s teacher was going on maternity leave and I used my new talent to crochet her a baby afghan. She absolutely loved it and couldn’t believe I made it by hand. I felt by far, this was my best work.
Then, I fell into a rut. What else could I crochet? One day, I thanked Sophie for teaching me crocheting. She informed me that another co-worker, Catherine, was collecting granny squares for Warm up America, which provides woolen afghans, scarves and hats for nonprofit organizations such as Women and Children’s Alliance, Special Olympics and veterans, to name just a few. She is always looking for help in this great cause.
Finally, I could put the bags of yarn to good use! But granny squares? I panicked—I didn’t know how to make one of these. Catherine, like Sophie, patiently taught me how to make granny squares. Sometimes, I would produce granny pentagons or octagons, but I kept trying. Catherine never refused my squares, even though they were not my A game. She always found a spot in an afghan she was working on. Just like everything in life, the more I practiced, the better I became. I was able to advance to mixing colors, making the squares resemble a wooly kaleidoscope. Our group even was featured on the local news. We were filmed sitting around a table crocheting, having fun and good conversations.
Granny squares are by far my favorite. I love the fact that they are created by yarn that normally would have been discarded. Then, put together, they can be made into something bigger than its original self.
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