"Buttons and patches and the cold wind blowing,
The days pass quickly when I am sewing"
~Author Unknown

Monday, January 3, 2011

Needlework 12 Days of Christmas - 10th day...

On the 10th day of Christmas...


...family inspirations! I come from a family that was always busy doing some kind of handwork. My grandmother, aunts, mother, big brother, sister... I suppose that is why my own stitching and quilting takes a huge place in my life.

One year for Christmas, my dear aunt sent me this child's hat she knitted for Christmas. Not when I was a child but as an adult. She often sent me her wonderful knitted or crocheted dishclothes and edged hand towels but this time it was this hat. And a very special hat it is too! It is the same pattern she used to make me a little green hat when I was a little girl. That hat we no longer have. My mother has a picture of me in it somewhere but we talked about it and my Aunt Janey made me another one.

This was not easy to get a good photo of as I cannot fit it on my head obviously. I hope you can get an idea of how cute it is? It is very special to me. My aunt passed away a number of years ago now yet I think of her often. I put this hat out during January along with my winter decorations.


17 comments:

Maggie said...

I've been enjoying your 12 days of Christmas Heidi, what a great way to remember your aunt and the hat is really cute!

I think i must be the odd one out in my family, i can remember my mother knitting things for us when we were small, although i think it was more out of necessity than out of the love of knitting, neither of my sisters are into anything crafty, in fact i get the impression that they think i'm rather strange. It must be lovely to have family members that appriciate your craft skills.

Take care :-)

Susan in SC said...

What a very special hat it is! A special aunt indeed to make you a hat to replace your childhood hat! I know you are proud of it and treasure it dearly.

Sue said...

How nice to have something from her. It's pretty and looks warm!

Jenny said...

What a wonderful treasure that hat is Heidi, and what a wonderful way to remember your aunt. My Grandmother and I were the only ones who loved needlework in my family...so anything she made me is a treasure indeed. I love how you treasure anything handmade. I have really enjoyed your twelve days of Christmas, thanks for taking the time to bring smiles and inspiration to the New Year. Hugs from CA.

barbara said...

Oh Heidi, I just love that your childhood hat has been reincarnated and found its way home to you again! :D

angelasweby said...

Heidi,
It's lovely that your aunt knitted you another little hat to replace the one you had as a child. It is a trigger for some wonderful memories.
Just seeing this little hat makes me think of the character of Heidi by Johanna Spyri :>)
I'm enjoying your count down or count up to the 12 Days of Christmas very much.
Angela xx

Pondside said...

What sweet memories of your Aunt Janey and a lovely link in the legacy of sewing that is such a large part of life for you and your family.

DonnaTN said...

What a sweet thing for your aunt to make for you. Many of my female relatives did or do handwork,so maybe it is in the genes!

faerieeva said...

Such wonderful traditions and memories. My mother used to knit, but my father claimed the ticking of the needles made him nervous. So I never really knew her as a knitter, except on holidays. Aside from a few things she made in recent years, I have nothing of her from earlier years.

Nora Andersen said...

The hat looks very nice and I feel the warmth. A very nice reminder of your aunt.
Warmest greetings from Germany, Nora :-))

Willy said...

Een mooi verhaal over je muts. Ik zie het al voor me dat je 'm droeg als kind. Misschien had je wel een bijpassende sjaal. Lekker buitenspelen in de sneeuw.
Zelf had ik een groene pluizige muts, met een pomponnetje en koordjes.
Leuk dat je de muts ieder jaar met Kerst tevoorschijn haalt. Een mooi aandenken aan je tante.
Fijne dag, lieve groet Willy

Hazel said...

Lovely hat. Looks very snug and warm. x

Tammy said...

What a wonderful memory and such a cute hat.
My Oma made me a red hat that I still remember but no longer have :(
Happy New Year and thanks for sharing your wonderful memories

Nancy said...

The pictures make it look like two different hats. LOL. You were and are a very spoiled child. You are still only 6, so why does that hat not fit?????
Love you, Mom

Saskia said...

Great treasure from the past, but I thought your where only 6??
I will make a photo tomorrow, I did with your miss pickles hat..
Now serious, I like all special things dear family members make, because there made with love!
knuffels

Margaret said...

This is so cute Heidi - and my how very special.

Like you I am so happy to come from a creative family of women who were always busy with needlework of some kind.

AnitaA said...

Wat een heerlijk warme muts, het een mooie herinnering aan je jeugd en je tante.
Groetjes Anita.