The 30th November was my nan Pearl's Birthday so today I'm remembering her by sharing some thing she made that I still have.

My nan Pearl was my mum's mum and was a proper maker. She made everything she could and buying from the shops was a last resort for her. I've shared photos of something she made ever year on her birthday since Sum of their Stories began. This year it's a crochet baby blanket she made before I was born. 

It's a classic design which people now call the "Call the Midwife" pattern. Call the Midwife is a UK TV show set in the 1950's/60's and the super talented Rebecca from Little Monkeys Crochet saw a baby blanket on the show and couldn't find the pattern so recreated one. You can find her pattern here. 

The modern versions of the pattern tend to have bigger holes to make the flower pattern than mine, I don't know if that's a pattern difference or just the way my nan crocheted. 

The blanket my nan made is quite large, it measures 50" x 60" and is finished with a pretty shell border. 

It's been used and therefore washed A LOT so it's a little bit matted and bobbly now but a bit of an heirloom. 

And just as a final treat for you, here is a photo of me lying on my blanket in 1970! 

So today I'm remembering Pearl, my nan who loved to make things and taught me so much. But not how to crochet sadly. She did try but for some reason I was resistant. It wasn't until years later when I learnt from a book that I realised what she was on to. I should have listened to her....she was a wise woman! 

You can find more photos and stories of the creative woman in my life who inspired Sum of their Stories here.