You've Come a Long Way Girl!

When I was little we used to visit my Gran every Saturday morning.  My Mum and Dad would go shopping and we would stay with my Gran.  We usually played cards or dominoes but frequently my Gran would pass on some of her crafting knowledge to me.

When I was about 8 or 9 she decided to teach me to crochet.  I don't think I really understood at the time what was going on, it was so confusing but she persevered with me even though I could tell at times she was getting frustrated.  I still have that very first piece of crochet.  Here it is:

A bit wobbly in places but I'm glad I kept it.

Yesterday I suddenly had the urge to recreate the motif my Gran was trying to get me to make.  So here is the 2012 version:

It looks completely different from the original but IT IS the same stitch pattern.  This new one was made using double knitting weight yarn.  I added an extra round of stitches to give it a better finish.

I then made the motif with #10 crochet cotton:

And one with 4 ply:

And finally a sport weight version.

All four of the 2012 motifs took a total time of just over an hour - I suspect the version from the 1960s took several Saturday mornings!

I think I've come a long way in the last 43 years!  I've learnt so many new crafts and skills.  I hope my Gran would be proud of me.