Memory Lane Friday - A Family Heirloom

As I was contemplating what to choose for this week's Memory Lane Friday, I realized how many options there are.  My grandfather was an artist who documented our family history in paintings, and the oils I have from him are a priceless treasure.   I have jewellery from my Grandmothers - both of them - that I wear to remind me of them and to keep them close to my heart.  But as I thought about it, and took pictures of this and that, it occurred to me that the most important heirloom for me personally is the tools and skills to create things.  It's genetic, this knitting crocheting habit I have.  Sweaters and clothes and blankets that my mom knitted and crocheted and sewed for me. There are items that my maternal Grandmother knitted for me personally, like my favourite Aran sweaters, and items that she wore that I have since inherited.  There are the crocheted lace collars that my paternal Grandmother made for me that I loved so much to wear when I was younger.   There are lace table cloths and bedspreads from each of them.  But nothing can replace the ability and desire to do my OWN projects, and that is really the best heirloom of them all. 

But it's hard to take a picture of.  So on top of that, I have an impressive knitting needle and crochet hook collection, not to mention a huge pile of yarn, from my maternal grandmother and great grandmother. 

And to go with the tools, there are an impressive number of patterns for everything from toilet paper covers (remember those horrible dolls with the big skirts that would cover the extra roll on the back of the toilet?), to sweaters,  to afghans, to baby layettes, and everything in between. 

More patterns that I can even imagine knitting.  And going through the box is a great opportunity for giggles.  I mean, really:

And:

Want to play Memory Lane Fridays too?