Crocheted Treasures

[Mel2nsluvsCrochet]

Yesterday after work I went over to my parents house and my mother got this crazy idea to clear out the rest of my stuff out of their shed. In the process, dad brought in some items that belonged to them. In one box I haven't seen in ages...well not since we moved up to Montana in 1999, I literally struck crochet gold!

 

My great-aunt Frances, my inspiration to crochet, had given mom some of her doiles that she made waaaaaaay back in the 50s and up to the late 70s. As if the doiles were not enough...I found the heirloom item that was originally intended for my deceased sister(whom I have never met) but then it was promised to me. A GORGEOUS, I mean totally intact, tablecloth worked up in size 20 thread! Its huge! I dare not use it because I have a little one and a cat.....so you know what I mean, right? Also among all this beautiful items, I came across an afghan that my mother and I are fighting over now. This afghan was started in the early forties (we have a picture of Frances beginning this lovely Ripple and we have another picture of my mom as a baby on the couch that is covered with the finished afghan....this picture was taken in 1947).

I dare say I covet this afghan but mom is adamant that it is her's, since she didn't get the tablecloth.

 

Tomorrow I will post the pictures of these treasures and share with you what was passed on to my family. Oh, there is one doily in this prize that unfortunately might not survive, since I do not have any clue as to how to repair it. If anyone....anyone at all can recognize the pattern, please share it because I know that the end result will mean frogging this beauty to repair it but I don't want to throw it away...I love it too much. If the pattern is found, I plan on remaking the doily (how's that for wishful thinking?)

[Debbi-a1]

Wow what treasures!

[lhasaapsolady]

Sounds like a treasure trove of cherished memories, can't wait to see the pics.

[Nutsaboutcrochet13]

Can't wait for the pictures! That is too cool!

[NPrairie]

Wow. That is great. Can't wait to see the pictures.

[Me&P]

Awesome! Can't wait to see it!

 

And work out a custody arrangement with mom. She gets the afghan on wednesdays and every other weekend and for 3 months in the summer. lol

[beth eathorne]

i would be almost too excited to sleep if i had found a box like that. maybe someone will be able to help with a pattern for the afghan and it too could be remade..if you cant have the real thing a copy would be the next best..

[Mel2nsluvsCrochet]

Last night you'll never guess what I forgot to take......I will have to go over to Mom's tonight and snap a picture of the coveted afghan and will try to shove it in my crochetville bag........

[Mel2nsluvsCrochet]

As promised....here are the pictures that I took of the crochet treasures I found:

 

This is a close-up of the coveted afghan

 

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a399/crochetk/melannie061.jpg

 

this is my tablecloth

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a399/crochetk/melannie058.jpg

 

here is a picture of one of my dear aunt's doilies

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a399/crochetk/melannie055.jpg

 

my baby afghan that aunt Frances' made for me

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a399/crochetk/melannie060.jpg

 

AND last but not least....here is the doily that needs to be repaired...if anyone, and I do mean ANYONE recognizes the pattern, let me know....PLEASE!!!!

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a399/crochetk/melannie057.jpg

[DreamsOfYarn]

Those are all so pretty. Love love love the afghan. I can't get the doily that needs repaired to open. You may want to check the link

 

You are so lucky to have found these treasures.

[ZuZu's Petals]

:cat I came home from babysitting my friend's kitties, and saw all the posts. Melanie, your things are lovely, as is the story behind them!

I have the pattern for the tablecloth. I couldn't see the last link. I have been thinking of using the pattern, with size 10 thread , for a shawl.

Zuzu

[Mel2nsluvsCrochet]

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a399/crochetk/melannie057.jpg

 

Here is the link to the doily that needs repaired.

[ZuZu's Petals]

Hi Melannie, just saw the link! I don't have that pattern for the doily. I think you can lay it out well, on some acid-free paper or cloth, and then frame it , to keep it. It is precious, and it doesn't matter if it is damaged, as you can preserve it and hand it down.

Zuzu:dog

[Redheart]

Wow! Melannie, that must have been like Christmas! I was getting goosebumpy just looking at your pictures. How lucky all those heirlooms survived.

[Trinket]

I love that afghan. I can see why you ladies are having a clash over it. Very lovely! And that tablecloth is to die for! How beautiful! You do definitely have some great treasures right there!

[Hookerangel]

What a talented woman your aunt was to have produced such beautiful items and what a lucky niece are you to have inherited them! I'm sure wherever she is she's pround you appreciate them.

[Bocabeignet]

Melanie,

Good for you. I can't wait to see the pictures. A while back I found this link for mending crochet.

 

http://http://www.lacemerchant.com/mendingcrochet.html

 

I think I have another link but will have to check my backup files. Will do this if you want me to. Hope this helps. I really appreciate your special "find". You must be on:c9

 

Gloria

[Redhead Deb]

Lovely, lovely. What beautiful keepsakes!

[darski]

The tablecloth looks like the Queen Anne's Lace pattern that I have not been able to make happen yet. I love your treasure trove.. Just wonderful.

 

BTW, those afghan colours are available again. What is that phrase about "everything old is new again" ? I just bought some of that pinky-brown colour

[peggytoes]

WHAT A TREASURE FOR YOU!!! The doily looks great, just needs a press job!

But in case you or anyone else has soiled doilies or tablecloths or something

that they can't bare to throw away because of sentimental value....

heres a great idea I saw somewhere, just can't remember where!

 

I thought I'd saved a photo but can't find it.

 

You make a quilt with just regular plain colored quilt blocks and

on the corner of some of the blocks, you sew in a piece of the doily

that is salvagable....

 

Let me draw it up and I'll be right back with a pict....

Okay this isn't the best but I think you'll get the idea ... a doily quilt!!

 

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s141/peggytoes/doilyquiltidea.jpg