Today marks a month away from the day I would usually remember my Gran (5th October), so with that I would like to follow up on my last blog, and briefly talk about the online store I had, because it would not have come to fruition without her.
Always believing in me, my Gran was not just my grandmother; she was my other mother (but not in the creepy Coraline way) and a constant presence in my life, especially during my childhood where my Mum juggled single parenthood with full time work. Acting as a second parent she always stepped in, providing unwavering support and nurturing care. In my opinion she was a mystical fountain of knowledge, sharing her wisdom on everything from the therapeutic properties of herbs (and how to make potent tinctures with Wray and Nephew rum), to the art of baking and crocheting. I recall being mesmerized by a photograph of her arriving in the UK after graduating as a nurse in Jamaica, she was so young yet stood confident and resplendent in her pastel yellow dress. It was like she was the sun, bringing warmth to anyone who knew her.
"One day," she promised, "we'll make a dress like that for you,” where she watched me admire her photo in her album as she reminisced about her childhood back home. However sadly, before we could fulfil that dream, my Gran became too frail after developing CPOD due to Sjogren’s (resulting in a tracheostomy),so I stopped asking her about our planned project as I did not want to upset her where she could no longer do as much as she use to (she would get breathless walking and could not talk clearly in regard to giving me instructions). When she passed away back in 2017, I then decided to take her sewing machine, (a precious heirloom in my eyes) as seeing it in her now empty room reminded me of all our memories together, where I would come home after school and see her lovingly stitching and seaming clothing for herself, neighbours or relatives (I was amazed by her turning fabric into clothing, it seemed like magic).
I have since then vowed that I will craft that dress myself with my god-daughter, but until then I picked up another hobby that was also one of my favourite pastimes with my grandmother, this was crochet and brought me immense solace after her loss, with the wool almost acting as an umbilical cord to her, a red string of fate that connected me to her beyond the veil of the physical, where I was not quite ready to let go. I could even recall her voice at times reminding me of the chains, links and slips I would need to use to create certain projects.
Crocheting then became a significant part of my life just before and heavily after her death, but I know my Gran would not want it to define me entirely. She always encouraged my artistic pursuits, celebrating my graduation from university with ecstatic pride. She truly wanted to see me succeed in doing what I loved most (art), ever since she caught me making dolls from my grandfather’s pipe cleaning wires, and I strive to honour that wish every day.
Named “Keturah Crochet," after my beloved Gran, spreading the joy of crochet with others became greatly healing, like I was sharing the eternal love I received from my Gran with everyone who wanted to bring a smile to themselves or others. When my daughter passed away, I placed a crocheted teddy bear (a gift from Gran during my childhood) in her coffin. For a while, my son wore a jumper Gran had knitted for me as a child, and slept under the alphabet curtains she had made for my room as an infant. These cherished items, now passed down to him (as well as items I crocheted later for my son) will hopefully one day bring joy to his own children if he chooses to have them. Going full circle, I wanted to return that comfort back to her as well, by just about managing to make a bear for her (my Gran), which was given to her during one of my last visits. I can vividly recollect her face as she teared up upon receiving it, and that bear was later cremated with her during her funeral service.
Although it has been nearly seven years now since she left us, my Gran's presence lingers strongly in our hearts and helped to shape me into the person I am today. Her glasses remain sat on my mantelpiece, as if she is continuing to watch over me, and I also keep her nurse's watch on my prayer table, the stopped hands a poignant reminder that time stood still when I learned her soul had ascended on the eve of her 85th birthday. We had planned to celebrate with cake at the hospital, but instead, my family and I gathered at her home, sharing stories and celebrating her life. My Gran was a beautiful soul, a true inspiration and I am forever grateful for her love, guidance, and the enduring legacy of her spirit.
Anyway, here is a collection of things I created some time ago now; however, I still make gifts for my loved ones to celebrate special occasions, my most recent being a jumper, blanket and booties for my Stepsisters daughter born earlier this year.
