This Christmas, only one person on my list received a handmade gift. Now, before you assume it was because I was lazy and lacking any creativity, I must defend myself and say that was not at all the case. It's just that the gift given to the one person who received the handmade gift was a very time consuming project, and quite frankly, it's a miracle I finished in time. Because of this, I didn't have nearly as much time as I normally do to make handmade gifts for those on my list.
This fall, my family came over to visit. As I think I have mentioned before, we refused to turn our heat on until November 1st, so some of our October evenings were a bit chilly. Without hesitation, my sister walked through the front door and grabbed a blanket, a crocheted blanket that had just been given to me as a gift from Adam's grandma. She commented on how much she would like one of her own and I told her that Grandma Muszynski would be happy to make her one. Her response: "Well it would mean a lot more coming from you." I laughed and told her there was no way I had time to make a blanket for her since I was already making one of my own.
A few days later, my sister sent out her Christmas list and somewhere near the top read "a crocheted blanket (hint hint Melanie)." I figured if it meant that much to her, I would ask Grandma Muszynski for the pattern and have her teach me how to crochet her famous blankets. A few weeks later, we went to visit her and sure enough, she gave me three copies of the pattern, told me what kind of yarn to buy, and the cheapest places to buy it. She offered to make the blanket for me, telling me that it would only take her about a week. I heard my sister's voice in my head and kindly declined.
I remember this day fondly, as it was the last time I saw Grandma Muszynski. Sadly, she ended up in and out of the hospital with pneumonia in November. While in the hospital, I remember her asking how the blanket was coming along, and we would send her pictures of my progress, which at that point was only about 18 inches. I couldn't wait to take it with us for our next visit on December 12th. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to show her. She went back into the hospital on Thanksgiving and never recovered. She passed away December 9, 2014.
Before that day, I can honestly say the blanket was less than halfway done. I had planned to work on it more once I finished school and told everyone I would finish it by Christmas, but in my head I had my doubts. After that day, I told myself there was no choice, I needed to finish that blanket by Christmas, not only for my sister but for Grandma Muszynski, as well. I crocheted every free moment I had, for hours at a time, and I know she gave me the motivation to do it. It became my way of coping with losing her. As I crocheted, I thought about all the memories I had of her and how proud she would be of me if I finished it.
After two months, I ended up finishing the blanket on December 22nd. It was a wonderful accomplishment to say that I finished my first ever crocheted blanket! I know Grandma Muszynski was on the beach somewhere, drinking an ice cold beer, and watching with a smile as my sister opened it Christmas morning.
It has been one month since Grandma Muszynski's passing, and I miss her like crazy! Although I wasn't her grandchild by blood, she always treated me as if I were one of her own and I have so many fond memories of her that I will cherish forever. I am hoping to continue to make these beautiful crocheted blankets in her memory.
Come back next week, because I will be sharing the pattern for this beautiful Crocheted Double Sided Shell Blanket!
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