Prized Heirlooms: Afghans Crocheted with Love

Lillian made this afghan to celebrate my new pink-flowered sofas. The sofas didn't make the cut when I later married my husband and consolidated households. The pom-pom pillow is another of her creations. (You guessed it—the pillow isn't currently on display.) Both are safely tucked away for a future guest room or office.

One day at the craft store this multi-colored yarn caught my eye. I bought several skeins and asked Lillian if she could recommend a pattern to show it off. I love what she came up with. The alternating green stripes are beautiful and calming.

This one was a complete surprise. Lillian often made afghans out of yarn scraps, and thought this would be perfect for my cats to sleep on. She was right—they love it (as illustrated by Sammy). After dozens of machine washings, it still looks great!

My friend Debby started this afghan during a very dark time. Her father passed away unexpectedly, and then her mother was diagnosed with cancer. The afghan was intended as a gift for her mother, but sadly the disease won and the project was abandoned. Several years later I was making last minute preparations for my wedding, when a large parcel arrived during a particularly chaotic and frustrating day. Curious, I opened the box and immediately recognized her mother's afghan. Debby had finished it as a wedding gift for us. I still get teary-eyed when I see this afghan and remember the feelings I had when I first opened the box. My husband and I had a strict "no gift" policy for our wedding, but a few close friends, like Debby, ignored our request. This afghan reminds me of her lovely parents, Raymond and Bette, and I will always cherish it.