Homemade Gift

CULTURAL ARTIFACT – Written Descriptions

Nichole Schollars

Informant: Bonnie Brown, Utah, 1995

Title: Endless Afghans

Genre: Homemade Gift

Informant (who):

Bonnie Brown is my grandma and she grew up in California as a child. When she was married she moved to Washington. After the death of her husband she settled down in Hide Park, Utah. My grandma comes from a long line of German and Dutch heritage. One of the items or hobbies that my grandma is most known for is her baking and her skill with a crochet hook.

Context (where):

My grandma Bonnie hand stitches large afghans with her crochet hook for all of the members of our family along with anyone who is married into the family. My afghan that she made me is navy blue and usually lays folded at the end of my bed. The blankets display the skills that my grandma has along with the love that she has for us with each blanket. My grandma is a great role model to all of her grandchildren and she expresses her love in so many ways, but with each blanket she spends countless hours making each stitch perfect.

Text (the Cultural Artifact itself – the item):

The idea of gifting crocheted blankets start back at the birth of my aunt. These blankets have been crocheted every time by my grandma and that is the best part because she asks exactly what you want and then makes them. For example, since my grandma new that I would be going to college she made me another blanket that was navy blue. Overall these blankets mean something special to every member in my family because my grandma spends countless hours perfecting each blanket.

Texture (how):

Every blanket is unique to the person receiving the blanket because the color(s) and pattern are chosen by the individual. My grandma spends the countless hours and then usually attaches a heartfelt message to the blanket for the person. So depending on the individual, my grandma will make around three afghans for each person. One baby afghan, another afghan for college, and then another afghan when someone in our family gets married. Overall it is a gesture that is meaningful beyond belief.

Meaning:

My blanket is a symbolism of love. It is something that can’t be described in many ways because my grandma’s love is expressed in so many ways and the blankets allow for a more tangible emotion. Every member in my family that receives a blanket is usually overwhelmed with gratitude and loves them. It is a great gift that touches the people in my family like nothing else.