Old Fashioned Blankets

When little people are tired or pretending otherwise, I offer them a “Special Blanket”. They never say no. Adults are quite partial to them too and not only in winter. They are extremely old-fashioned but seem to go well with my eclectic decor. Soft and warm, they wrap, cocoon and protect, like being tucked into bed, and are reminders of a simpler time when people still made clothes and knitting was part of winter and warmth. Security and nostalgia all knitted up in these coloured squares made from discarded skeins.

Hand made Nana Rugs
Handmade Nana Rugs

My special blankets were donated to me after the Black Saturday Bushfire of 2009. Soon after that awful disaster, Australian women from across the country began knitting squares: some did this alone, many more did so in knitting groups. The squares were then collected and sewn or crocheted together by another team, often with an attached hand sewn cotton label and a few kind words. There were thousands of these blankets made and distributed in 2009. Mine are treasured, well used and loved. Although it’s now six years on, they are also symbols of generosity and kindness, values that should never become old fashioned. Thank you dear knitters and crocheters.

Ailsa’s travel theme this week at Where’s My Backpack is old- fashioned. Now, where’s my Special Blankie?

 

45 thoughts on “Old Fashioned Blankets”

  2. They are lovely. I have one that my Grandma made me when I was 18 years old, and another my Mum made me the first year or two I was in Australia and I will never part with them. Nice reminder, thanks Francesca.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. Hand crochet/knit blankies are indeed special. I believe they are imbued by the sprit of the person or process. Yours have a truly special heritage.
    I didn’t get along with my previous mother-in-law but a crochet blanket she gave us was the go-to in our house. Whether it be adult, child, cat or dog it was the thing they wanted most. My dog had her own blankies which I bought from markets at ridiculously low prices. I still have her rainbow blanket now washed and across the end of a bed. Guess where every cat or kid who enters our house goes… that blanket.

    Like

    Reply

  7. My nana crocheted blankets and I remember making one out of scraps of wool as a kid. when my dad got sick recently I crocheted him and mum one each. there is something comforting about a blanket made with love!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

        1. After the bushfire, I think many women made these squares for the same reason. They also knitted chooks but that is another story. Hope your Dad is well and that he liked his blanket.

          Like

          Reply

  10. Much love Francesca!! There is nothing like a hand-knitted blanket (my mum made a couple for my girls when they were each born, they are such treasures), and I love and am very moved by the symbolism of yours xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. These nana rugs were the tip of the iceberg as far as generosity goes.Honestly, I was overwhelmed. Bit by bit, I will find a way to keep saying thank you through my posts.

      Like

      Reply
  19. Pingback: Intense | ALMOST ITALIAN

    1. Hi Lisa, I’m not sure where you live? I have many knitted blankets to pass on, but not those ear marked with the Bushfire labels. These will always be special to me. I also have some beautiful patchwork quilts made by women after the fire, and labelled with the source. Treasures.

      Like

      Reply

  21. I spent my childhood vacations at my grandmother, in the countryside. She used to wear traditional clothes, made by herself. Years later I had tried to save some pieces and two years ago I started to sew by hand in my effort to keep the models alive. I feel very relaxing doing this. Your blankets are very beautiful. You are right: they are a treasure.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Now over to you.

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.