Today’s post was written by Chatter.
Chatter wearing one of her crochet creations
I was about ten when Granny first showed me how to crochet. All I could make was long chains. I’d make the chains while I stayed with her and Pap. I ended up with enough chains to hang from my bedroom door as a sort of screen.
After that spell of crocheting I didn’t really pick up my needle again until I was in my mid teens.
When I became interested in crochet again Granny helped me by answering all my questions and showing me how to make more than a long chain. By that time I understood it all better and realized I really like to crochet.
I’ve made sweaters, blankets, hats, scarves, rugs, pumpkins, Christmas ornaments, and baskets. I like it all but if I had to pick a favorite it would be scarves and blankets. I find them easier to make and the process is really satisfying.
Earlier this week I sat down with Granny to talk about crochet and to showcase some of her creations.
I hope you enjoyed the video and hearing a little about my journey as a crocheter.
Chatter
Interest in seeing what is referred to as an Appalachian crochet cow blanket. Do you have any pictures? When I google all I find is blankets that look like cow hides. Is there a pattern or book about it? Thanks
Marion-the ones I’m familiar with were made by Granny Donaldson. You can search cow blanket and her name to see some of her pieces 🙂 Not sure if you’ve seen the video where I talk about her, if not here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD5uILblazU
This is so sweet. So much talent and precious things to have. It’s a pleasure to hear Granny talk. My grandma knitted and crocheted. I have things she made and they mean so much. I learned how to knit and the joy it brings to make things for others is wonderful
I loved this video. I live watching Granny and listening to her. She is very talented. I loved the Christmas basket she made. O how I would love to have one of those. I know you said she didn’t sell her stuff but I would sure pay her if she would make me one. I was looking at the design and i just love it. And plus i would know it was a part of Granny. Tipper, can you ask her. I can’t crochet a lick. Lol
This is one of the most precious videos I’ve seen here. I love the bond between Granny and grandaughter and just the precious sweet spirit in the video. Those are very fine pieces made there. Thank you for your generosity by sharing this with your followers and on the blog.
Beautiful work! Do you ever make blankets and sell them?
Betty-Granny doesn’t sell her stuff, but you might convince Corie to make one for you 🙂
Thanks to a timely coincidence (or something more?), there’s just over a minute of this video (beginning at 14:32) that could “go viral”. It’s then that Granny sweetly tells about her husband teasing her that she would “just crochet and can green beans” after he was gone and now, since his passing, she crochets to keep “from being so lonesome”. As Granny then talked about crocheting flowers to put by her husband’s grave and changing them with the holidays, she finished with, “I thnk if he knew [about the flowers she crocheted for him], he’d be proud of that”. At that very second, a hummingbird briefly hovered over her right shoulder, beside a clothing item she had chrocheted. I’ll always wonder what Granny was thinking in the eight seconds that followed, as she sat in silence looking wistfully away.
Doug-I wondered if anyone else would see the bird! Corie and I thought it was extra special that it showed up right when Granny was talking about Pap 🙂
What beautiful work and it is especially heartwarming to see the relationship of the two generations. How fortunate to get to live so close to each other and to be able to learn and pass on the skills. I too learned to crochet from my mother. Presently I am finishing an Afghan someone started but didn’t finish. I will pass it on to someone else when it is finished. I hope the many projects I started will fine a home. My crocheting is very simple and I admire your Granny for being able to follow patterns and instructions and teach herself. And it sounds like the many family members will continue to receive treasures from her. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve seen/heard many interviews that Tipper and the girls have conducted, but none was more enjoyable than this one with Granny, the Queen of Crochet. She’s a beautiful and talented woman who is becoming even more creative by mentoring others. I’ve never seen more vibrant colors and original designs.
Crocheting was common when I was growing up many years ago in rural Ontario, Canada. So was quilting. Both arts seem to have fallen off these days, as life gets busier and the cameraderie of rural life (quilting parties, barn raisings) becomes more and more the quaint stuff of history. More’s the pity.
Granny is a treasure! Corie will be!
Granny is a blessing jewel to your family and Chatter you have listened and learned how to crochet well. I enjoyed the video and seeing the many types of garments Granny has crocheted. I learned how to crochet from my dear Aunt when I was about 16 and I loved it. She taught me the shell stitch and I enjoy making lap quilts and giving them to nursing homes. I love, love the coat that Granny made!!
I used to make every gift I gave. They were mostly knitted but a few were crochet. For me knitting went faster. I swore when I retired I would get back to all the crafts I used to do but for some reason I have done none of them. I think a lot of it is I have started other projects like my music. There are not enough hours in the day to do all of the things I am interested in. Loved the video. I learned to knit and crochet from my Granny and my Mother.
Such a wonderful bond. It is really good to have somebody who shares your interests in the family. It seems to make them double interesting. Your girls were blessed to have such good teachers in their grandparents. Granny is precious. I have that same deep love of genealogy or just history in general. I shared with an uncle who recently passed away, and it is difficult to get back into it with him gone. Nobody else in the family has that same dedication and enthusiasm when finding a picture or a document that gives more details about whichever line we are studying.
I was disabled once for a few months, and my sweet sister in law taught me to crochet. It was a wonderful way to pass the time, and I got good enough at it to make little baby jackets for my sister’s new baby. Once I mended, it seemed life took off, and I was never able to get back to that wonderfully calming hobby. I still keep one large doilie I made all those years ago. It is still hard for me to believe I was once that creative.
A beautiful video! Granny is just precious. What a blessing to have her still with you. It is wonderful that Chatter is using what Granny taught her to make beautiful things. Love your family!
Thank you so much for sharing. I love Granny’s phrase..’to content myself’ . We all need to learn that skill; to find something to do with our hands to help us be content.
I absolutely love the hat she made to go with her jacket. It’s all so beautiful but that is my favorite, right after Chatter’s bowls. I’d love to have a set of those! Great video.
I remember interviewing my grandmother for a girl scout project. Things brings back a lot of memories. I don’t crochet but needle felt. Doesn’t matter, the pride of craftmanship rings true. Thanks for the video.
I wonder if Granny would consider selling custom orders on your Etsy site? Her crocheting, and yours, is beautiful!!
I so recognize in your Granny the traits of women I have known in my boyhood. One part of it is the making of hand crafts just to give them away. And part of that is Appalachian thrift but a larger part is about putting oneself into a gift that is unique, that cannot be bought at any price. Another part I recognize is the country habit of not letting opportunity go to waste. Just from what Granny said it is clear she has a year-long program of crocheting that she has to stay after to get done. All those crocheted items, along with this video, will become increasingly precious as time goes by.
I loved the video! I think Granny is without a doubt the coolest lady in the mountains!!!! I liked her response she’s been crocheting for ten years now. I also liked her comment that she needed contentment at ball games. She’s a card for certain. I really enjoyed her and Katie’s homemade creations and Katie is a very beautiful young lady I must say. I think your family is awesome, Tipper and a joy to all the people they meet!!! Your sweet video made my morning gay and bright so thank you.
Chatter, I have several of your lap blankets and I love them. On a chilly day as I sit down to read I spread one on my lap and instantly I have my cat, Yoda, join me. He loves your lap blankets too. Not only are they useful but they are beautiful to the eye!
I have tried to knit and crochet a few times in my life but was never able to maintain a consistent tension so that some places were to tight and some too loose but it was mostly the too tight that happened so I finally gave up.
You and Granny make such beautiful garments and scarves. I congratulate you both or your extraordinary skill!
I loved the video how loving and sweet my mother also crochet many blankets for family’s I didn’t learn it but she taught my daughters what a blessing.
Loved the “Coat of Many Colors”. Wish I had one!
Great content. Your Granny is a kind hearted soul and incredibly talented. What a treasure! Applaud Corrie for taking time with her and learning such a patient art from a master artist. My g-g grandmother taught me to crochet when I was 12. At almost 70, I still enjoy it along with quilting (self taught) Still enjoy both as Arthur will allow. It’s so interesting the way all the different arts (music, fiber, cooking, etc) are taught, passed, and lovingly carried through the generations. Special thanks to Tipper for having an eye, ear and heart to highlight and share the importance of individualism, each day thru the years.
What a sweet and lovely interview. It’s great to meet Granny and to see some of the beauty she gives to the world.
You are so fortunate to have her. I learned to crochet as a small girl, and I’ve always loved it. I love knitting too, and quilting. Somehow these crafts seem to anchor me to the creative women of the past.
Passing knowledge from one generation to the next is a gift that is beyond a price tag. I can imagine the pride both had in the first result, nor mentioning the memories they both made and have. That’s always been the Appilachin way.
I watched the video several times, gets better every time. Chatter, I enjoyed your talk with Granny on your crocheting journeys soooooo much, You and Granny are like Salt and Pepper, You go together.
Your crochet design your wearing is beautiful.