D is for

Dresser scarves. Old crocheted ones.







When I was digging out the crocheted bedspread, I found these dresser scarves.

This time, however, I don't think anybody in my family crocheted them.

Years ago, a friend was cleaning out his parents' apartment and he gave me a bagful of crochet work done by his mother. I'm fairly sure these are from then.

I never met his mother -- she died when my friend was fairly young. But, as I look at these crocheted dresser scarves, I imagine she enjoyed the challenge and the beauty of these pieces. She must have been very proud of them. And I feel guilty that I've put them aside and forgot about them.

B is for

Bedspread.

I took this bedspread from my parents' attic many, many years ago. Being young, I never thought that someday I'd want to know the bedspread's history. And that when I wanted to know, nobody would be around to ask.



Who crocheted the bedspread? Was it my mother? My Grandma or Aunt Emma? Was it a gift? Who was it made for?

When was it made? Did my Mom patiently crochet it as she waited for V-mail from my Dad? Did Grandma or Aunt Emma pull it out in the evenings after long, hard days of working as housekeepers?

Perhaps my cousin Kathy can tell me if this bedspread is a twin to one that her mother crocheted. But then I wonder if my Aunt Marie and my Mom/Grandma/Aunt Emma would work on their bedspreads together? Did they share patterns? Did they advise and help each other?

As I look at it, I have more questions. The bedspread is dirty and damaged. Can it be fixed?





If the bedspread can be repaired, will it be so fragile that I'll be afraid to use it? Or will I lovingly place it on our bed and think about other people, other times?

Why Crochet?

This is why:



Our other cat, Kippy, needs some extra lovin' these days. She's missing Barney as much as we are. And I needed something different to do. Didn't want to knit the sadness I was feeling into the Clapotis I've been working on.

I used to crochet years and years ago. And figured this would be a good time to practice the stitches.

This cat blankie isn't going to be best looking thing I've ever made. It's a combination of all kinds of crochet stitches. There's no pattern in mind. And I think I'm even making up some stitches.

But Kippy doesn't care. She just wants to snuggle into it.

New Things

Thank you, everybody, for your comments and kind words about the passing of Barney. I truly appreciate each one of them.

On a happier note, Spring has started here in NYC!





And there's something else new around here--