Zigzag

I have a memory of being around 7 or 8 and lying on our brown, high pile carpet in West Palm Beach, Florida. Next to me was my older brother, and over us was our Mom's zigzag crochet blanket, just wide enough and long enough for 2 snuggled kids.  All twenty of our toes had found adjacent holes to poke through, just like piglets lined up for dinner.

I asked my mom why the brown and orange striped blanket had holes in it (that seemed like the opposite thing to have in a blanket) and she told me that it was an afghan; she had crocheted it years before, and it was all made from just one strand of yarn!  Maybe she'd teach me someday, she said.

On a winter trip home around 10 years ago, Mom taught me.  I made all kinds of wonky scarves for friends that year, but I was hooked.  Thanks goodness for gracious friends.  Luckily, things have gotten a bit straighter.

I love these things that tie us to our families, things that make us like our mothers.  I found my inspiration for our new nursery and the first thing I thought to make for it, and the little one that will someday fill it, was a zigzag afghan, just like the one my mom made so many years ago.

So as the rain pattered our skylight this weekend and I nursed an 8-mile-run racked calf muscle,  I sunk into the couch, tucked up my toes underneath me (just the way Mom does) and started in.  I can't wait until it all comes together, and I promise I'll share with you then too.

Do you remember having one of these afghans in your home when you were young?  What do you have that ties you to your family?