The Art of Crochet

So long ago my patient Gramma Schnepf and my patient Mother taught me to crochet. My first lessons were in the cabin at Greer where there were no phones and very limited TV. I was maybe 9 or 10. I did chains and learned single and double crochet. I was "hooked" no pun intended. When I was about 11 Nana took me to the Showlow T,G&Y (a five and dime store of the past) and bought me yarn of my choice for my first afghan. It was lavender, pink and white. Wow. I crocheted on it for a long time, and I really can't remember if I ever completely finished it. I wish I had taken a picture of it, for it is long gone by now. The next time I began an afghan I was in college. I crocheted one in fall colors for Grumpy's Mom & Dad for Christmas while Grumpy was serving his mission. I did my first (and last) knitted afghan that same year for Nana and Papa. It was burnt orange, brown and mellow yellow. Again no pictures of either of those.

I made one that matched our apartment when Grumpy and I were first married. I do have a pic of that one, only because it has been lurking in a box or trunk for these many years. It was made from yarn bought at the supermarket as were my other previous projects.



In the next few years I was introduced to a better quality yarn at an actual yarn store. It is a bit more expensive, but wears so much better and retains a softness that the cheaper yarn does not through the years. My Mom was trying to guide my Gramma Schnepf into better color choices and better yarn for the many, many afghans she crocheted. She and my Gramma went to a yarn store and bought the better quality stuff. I could see the difference right away. She made some truly beautiful bedspreads and blankets for her kids and grandkids. I still have the ones she did for me and when I can unearth them from the boxes of storage I will get pictures of them.

When my kids started getting married, I decided to do afghans for them. I made Tawna and Nathan one in the zig zag pattern that I love to do so much. It's easy and fast and there is no set way. They have been enjoying it's warmth for about 14 years now. It's time for a new one for them.



I did one for Taya and her first husband Ryan about that same time in a different pattern. I later regifted it to Grandma and Papa H. as it matched their living room furniture perfectly. It was blue and rose and I hope I can get a pic of it one of these days. Summer was next and I did something different for her. I like making granny squares as they are small and travel well. I was going with Grumpy once in a while on his business trips, so I would take my yarn and hook along and do granny squares. I love the way they look when they are all put together. Stacie's afghan is made with granny squares also.




I started one for me and kept it going for several years. It's the one that went to hospitals, vacations, business trips and even some quiet nights at home. I treasure it for the many memories in it for me. I was determined to finish it before I started another one, as I had taken so long to get it done. Some of the yarn was even out of stock and I had to find alternate colors that would match well enough. I did get it done and immediately started one for Jade.



Jade's went pretty fast as I had two trips to Utah where I had many hours to work on it in the car. It was almost done and stayed that way for over a year. I finally got it out one night and just stayed up and finished it. She and her family get cozy under it for movies.



While we were staying with Taya's family, I needed a project to keep my hands busy. I went to the yarn store and got yarn for a new afghan for her. I finished it just after Christmas this year and was able to send it home with her when she travelled here in February. I know it is colder in California, and I know her family loves blankets. I hope it serves them well through the years.



I am doing a new one for Tawna now. I found a pattern that is called a YoYo afghan. It is very colorful and is made from scrap yarn. I have plenty of scrap yarn, but will add a few new colors as I know she has a bright color scheme in her home. I have to make over 1,000 yarn "yoyo's" and they go pretty fast. It will be a fun project. I am working on that and my baby booties/hat project, so am keeping my hands busy when it is quiet, or when traveling. I think a lot when I'm crocheting, and my thoughts often turn to the many beautiful handicrafts that Gramma Schnepf and Nana both made. I love the memories of those quiet hours spent learning the art of crochet from these talented women.