Nanny's Ripple began when I was about 12 years old and my Nanny made me my own blanket.
It was a ripple afghan in pink and white...pink being a favorite color that we both shared.
My blanket has been ever-present on my bed since then. Whenever I moved, it moved with me, going as far as Japan in the early 90s. It has always been a great comfort to me, especially when I most needed it.
Last year, I finished a ripple afghan for Jack and at that time decided I would like to make an afghan for each one of my nieces when they graduate from high school.
It hadn't occurred to me to make one for each of my siblings as well until I drew my brother John's name in our family Christmas exchange this year.
Maybe...(I thought)...my brother and my SIL would enjoy one too? And so, that was it. I was underway...making a double-wide ripple for their queen-sized bed.
Nanny made lots of afghans in her lifetime, many of which she donated to Church sales and bingos.
She didn't just make ripples but granny squares as well. I can still remember loving to stack and re-stack those piles of granny squares, organizing them by color as they covered the tabletops in her little row house.
I've noticed over time that the granny square afghans have had a tendency to unravel, whereas my ripple afghan has lived through lots of washings and years of use and has never sprung a hole.
My guess is that's due to the increased number of yarn endings on a granny square afghan where you have tend to change colors multiple times within and amongst squares.
These endings come loose over time and cause the blanket to get a few holes. I know how to fix them but not many folks do. That decided it for me. Everyone was getting a ripple just like mine.
Well....a queen-sized afghan was a bigger undertaking than I had expected.
It took me about 45 minutes to complete one row and it's about 161 rows long. Needless to say, I ended up crocheting many hours throughout December which is why I wasn't blogging~! I crocheted myself right into carpal tunnel and had to wait until after Christmas to finish the final few rows.
We met yesterday for breakfast and for Operation Blanket Transfer (which includes a photo shoot, of course...)
Aren't they cute!
We were taking pics on the rocky remains of an old mill down near the river.
It was also the day of the Ravens' playoff game and Ray Lewis' last game *sniff* so we were all dressed for the day.
I like to think of this pic as a foreshadow of our later victory...
I hope we beat the pants off Peyton Manning next Saturday...sorry Denver fans...
And Nanny's Ripple has begun....two down and LOTS to go!
Happy Monday everyone.
P.S. The crazy elf went off the deep-end over the weekend. I hope she'll be ready to appear here next post.
21 comments:
Oh, I love ripple afghans too. Have not done one in years. Your post makes me want to pull out my crochet hooks again! BTW, my chiropractor does wonders with my carpel tunnel. A visit once or twice a year is all I need.
Hugs,
Kathy
Your ripple afghan is beautiful! I love making them myself and have made one for each of my children. And it does take a while to make a large one. Hope your hands get to feeling better soon.
It looks gorgeous, but perhaps you need to start a little earlier with future ones?
WOW! I love it! This is soooo beautiful work!
Gorgeous! I can't imagine starting and finishing one of this size in a month! You rock!
What an achievement. The Afghan looks great.
Great afghan! I'm, um, still working on a blanket for our son.....oops, yes, it was for Christmas........
Wonderful story and lovely Ripple Afghan. And yes, knock Manning out of the playoffs! I am a NE Patriot fan...Tom Brady all the way.
Your ripple is lovely and it looks like your brother and SIL loved it.
You've inspired me once again. It's been ages since I made a ripple.
FlowerLady Lorraine
What a great story behind your ripple! Love the old mill photo shoot!
Love the colors you selected. My Grandma made lots of different afghans too. Years ago I crocheted 6 very large ripple afghans with matching pillows for in-law family members (divorced that family years ago!). I put a lot of love into those many stitches. Your pink and white one is precious. Sorry your Carpal Tunnel slowed your progress. That is very painful and slow to recede. Crocheting Bliss...
That's one large blanket! And here I am struggling to finish a little sweater.... How much and what kind of yarn did you use? One of the last things my om made for me was a ripple blanket; the neat thing about gifts like that is that they are a constant reminder of their creator and something to be cherished. Hope you had a great day; your birthday isn't it? Happy, happy!
My Grandma made ripple blankets also, one for everyone of her grand children when we married, and a baby size for the newborns. Every one of her many many grands loved and cherished their blankets. Yours turned out so beautiful, and the tradition continues. Thank-you for the awesome memories. (Unfortunately, mine and my son's blankets were stolen. I wish I still had them.)
love the ripple blankets but am I the only one that has never heard of them, will try and find on google how to ripple as would love to try, maybe cot size first/
It is beautiful! I can't believe that you were able to make it in such a short time frame. I see a lot of crochet in your future :-)
What wonderful memories you have with a afghan and how nice you are making new ones for your family. I loved your little elfs you made so cute. January Reflections turned out so beautiful.
Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches
It's a lovely blanket. I did the same thing at Christmas 2011 - embroidered myself into carpal tunnel. I had to wear a brace and take a break. There wasn't as much stitching this Christmas, so I managed to keep going.
Hi Susan! Happy New Year! The elves and the blanket turned out *beautifully!* I think that's one thing I love about your posts is seeing the link and connection between making thoughtful gifts that reach into the past to make a connection and make a tradition or heirloom for the future. It's just lovely and I always wonder what you'll come up with next. :)
Regarding your carpal tunnel, I did the same thing as Heather M, Christmas 2001. I went to an Occupational Therapist three times this past year. Looking back, here's what I would do differently. If you need a referral, take your embroidery work in with you to the Dr. appointment so that they can see what kind of fine handiwork you are doing. Some people seem to hear "Embroidery" and think gross motor. Not sure what that's about. But eyebrows get raised when they realize you're doing the equivalent of surgical sewing. The first two times I went to a spine and sports specialist. The next time, I went to a hand specialist. That's the one you want. The exercises were similar, very similar, but the hand specialist had me doing some additional ones, as well as a hand paraffin bath dip. I bought a more economical one at Bed, Bath and Beyond for about $32 with a coupon, and now use the wax that peels off to do my hand exercises. I'm finally back to normal.
I wish you the best this year. It's painful and will take some time. Be kind and patient to yourself. It's very hard to slow down.
Oops. I meant Christmas, 2011. Not 2001. :?
Good lord that is a ton of crochet work!! It looks like you hit the mark though!!! Take care of your wrists. Start planning for big projects like this in February rather than November!!!! You are a wonder! happy New Year!!
Hi Susan, Happy New Year! Loved your little elves and your afghan. I would like to make the little elves for my children schools store...would you be willing to share your source :). I would also like to know what kind/brand yarn you used to make the blanket (btw your choice of colors is right up my alley) it looks expensive. Would like to make blankets also for my children school fund raisers. Thanks for the inspirations.
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