A few months ago, my mom visited one of her cousins. She showed my mother a bedspread she had inherited from their grandmother (my great-grandmother). And, knowing my love of anything fiber arts, especially anything related to fiber arts with a sentimental back story, Mom sent me a picture:
It’s a beautiful crocheted counterpane. Counterpanes are traditionally knit or crocheted bed spreads, worked in white or off-white cotton yarn. They usually are comprised of separately-worked pieces (squares, octagons, etc.) which include textural elements that work together to make a bigger pattern once sewn together.
See how this blanket is made of large squares, sewn together?
My great-grandmother was a prolific knitter and crocheter, but through the years, most of her projects have been lost to moths, given away, or otherwise misplaced. I always get excited to see a piece of her work that has been kept safe over the years, especially as beautiful and well-preserved as this blanket.