Traditions...

Families have many traditions. Whether it be holiday traditions, or just passing something down. In my family, one of those traditions is crafting with yarn.

For as long as I can remember my mom knit. When she found out that someone was going to have a baby she would get out her knitting needles and make them a blanket. She had her go-to pattern that she would make everyone. When she passed, I got all of her yarn and some of her knitting needles. When I was going through some of her unfinished projects I found a blanket that she had started. Since I didn't knit, I sent it to her best friend in Indianapolis who finished it for me to give to my son. I am so glad that she was able to do this for him. She would have made him all kinds of things if she were still with us.

I have tried and tried to knit like my mom did but have never been able to figure it out. So, I decided to try and crochet.

I always knew that my grandmother crocheted. She won all kinds of awards at fairs for her craft. I hope to one day be able to crochet as well as she did. Since I have started to crochet, I've learned that she isn't the only one in the family that crocheted. My Great-Great Grandma Briddle was also a crocheter! In fact, a few of my hooks may have actually come from her! I had no idea that my favorite hobby went so far back in my family. I am so glad that this is a tradition that I am able to carry on.

One tradition that my grandmother had is that she made everyone in our family a rainbow blanket and
a teddy bear blanket. Once I started crocheting, everyone was so happy that I could carry on this tradition one day. I have her patterns and yarn, but have not been able to do them justice like she did.

One tradition that I have carried on from my mom is that when I found out that a friend or family
member is going to have a baby I get out my crochet hook and start making them a blanket. My dad knows that I enjoy doing this so last year, he asked me to make an American Flag blanket for a co-worker who was pregnant. My family absolutely fell in love with the finished product and have decided that this will be my blanket that I should make everyone, just like my grandmother had her blanket that she made everyone. They understand that I wanted to have my own tradition and not try and copy my grandmother. I think that my grandmother would love that I have found a way to carry on this tradition and that I have chosen a design of my own. Carrying on a family tradition, just with a little uniqueness to create my own legacy.