Last autumn, friend's wife had a second baby and we went to visit her, another blanket in tow.
When we got there, we inspected the baby - as one does - and found her cute in all respects - as one does - and then I noticed the original blanket hanging over the side of the new baby's cot. It was battered and tattered and stained, despite having the appearance of something that had been bunged in a washing machine on a number of occasions.
I was thrilled. This is just wonderful. There is no greater compliment to anyone's work to see it well-worn and well-loved and, despite its wear, pulled out again for the next baby.
Which is why I was very glad that my friend Lenka liked her blanket.
"If it's too bright," I said, "You don't have to take it. You don't need to be polite - I can give it to someone else. I won't be offended, I promise."
"No!" she said and clutched to her chest. "No, I love it, I love it! I swear, I love it!"
And, reassured, I handed it over.
"Don't be precious with it," I said as she left. "Use it - wash it - wear it out. When you do, I'll make you another one."
And I meant it - I would gladly replace something that well-loved. It gladdens the heart :-)
You're right- there is nothing nicer than when someone loves a blanket you've made for them. I felt all warm and happy reading your post
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to find your first blanket gift so loved ! & what a lovely post ... Gladdened my heart <3 !
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to find your gift was so cherished & what a lovely post ! It's lovely to think of something you made in your home being part of another families memories at this special time.
ReplyDeleteThat is sooo lovely! I really love your 'Lenka' blanket and it really inspired me to make my first blanket which I'm about half way through. I get excited driving home thinking I'll soon be home working on it-lol (I don't get out much!!)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. I love when my knits are used. Especially, when they are used up. It gives me the flimsy excuse I need to knit more!
ReplyDeleteI recently made a couple of stuffed things for my fiance for Valentine's Day and he adores them. He sleeps with them at night and has told his friends about them; he is very proud of his stuffed friends =). It makes me very proud to have made him something he loves so much.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you, it's so good to see something you've made with so much love and care being loved and actually used.
ReplyDeleteThis actually reminded me once many years ago my mother-in-law showed me the contents of a very old chest, you wouldn't believe it but it was full of the most beautiful lace and crochet and whatever else you can imagine all handmade, it had been kept there and never used for fear it would get damaged and in the end all those beautiful things got damaged anyway from lack of use!
I smiled reading this post - I agree that seeing a handcrafted gift does certainly gladden the heart. Happy for you!
ReplyDeleteYay, that is the highest compliment. Awesome!
ReplyDeleteI had this very discussion with a friend the other day. I had made her a large blanket and I asked her if it was warm. She told me it was on the back of the couch, she hadn't used it yet. I told her to "use it up" and I would make her a new one when it was falling apart! My other friend was there and she said she uses the blanket I had made her all the time. I just smiled!
ReplyDeleteNothing better than to have to redo a blanket due to use!
Blessings
karen
Thank you all! It's weird to think that you could feel so happy to see something you've put so much time and energy into being worn and torn. But there you go - that's one of the Crafting Ironies :-)
ReplyDeleteTo give a made-by-you gift that is cherished by the recipient is just the best felling isn't it, and who wouldn't cherish your lovely blankets x
ReplyDeleteI love your stuff and your sense of humour is bonkers. You and I have quite similar ideas and tastes... are you a decmber baby by any chance?...
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