A Box of Grandma's Goodies

My parents have been having a clean out and found a box of stuff from Grandma that has now been passed on to me.

My Grandma passed away nearly 17 years ago now, but I still remember all her craft projects.  Her house was filled with them, we all had and frequently wore jerseys and cardigans knitted by Grandma and I recently found a pillowcase with one of her liquid embroidery pictures half finished on it.

The Knit'n Sew Time Saver

This box of goodies was like Christmas for me.  First there was the box of knitting needles, well, at first glance it was a box full of knitting needles, but further investigation turned up a treasure trove of crafty tools and memories - there were crochet hooks, sewing needles of every type imaginable, a knitting needle gauge, tailors chalk, row counters, stitch holders, a bag filled with safety pins and a "knit and sew time saver" still in it's original paper bag.  I found the pair of hopeless blunt children's scissors that I was sent outside with at the age of three or four and told to trim the edges of the lawn while Grandad had a nap.  There are some of the short knitting needles that I used when Grandma tried ever so patiently to teach me how to knit - again at about the age of three or four.

The next smaller box contained more knitting needles and crochet hooks, in sizes I wouldn't have thought were made.  One pair must be at least 20mm.  There are also several that look like a knitting needle at one end (the end with the knob), but have a crochet hook on the other where there would normally be a point.  I'll find out what they're for I'm sure, they seem a bit unwieldy to use as a normal crochet hook.  If anyone does know - please tell me in a comment as it's driving me a little crazy.

Yet another box was more interesting.  All the gadgets you can think of and probably a few you wouldn't have.  Buttons, elastic, vilene, pinking shears, cotton tape, small flowers made of felt and some that you'd expect to find on underwear (actually, I think I used to have some nighties with these on the front), the "Speedy Stitcher" Sewing Awl - a tool for sewing canvas and heavy materials, "safety cutters" - officially for letter openers but also cuts textiles, fabrics, vinyl etc, and a "palm loom" (what ever that is for). 

The rest of the box though is magazines and books.  Craft books, pattern books, crafting magazines, the works.  Some are older than I am but still in fantastic condition!  I'm tempted to have a go at the baskets made with pine needles and raffia, but not so sure on the macrame shoes (even down to making the wooden sole/wedge).

One of the books that I've leafed through has really caught my imagination.  Bright Ideas For The Home by Per Dalsgaard and Elisabeth Erichsen.

This book contains patterns and instructions for making your own furniture - including lounge suites and a four poster bed.  Each design is simple and quite easy and inexpensive to make.  The fabrics used show the era that the book was published in (1978) but fabric choices aside, most of the designs would still look fabulous today.  Those designs that scream 70s could be easily adapted to something more timeless.

There are more that I haven't gotten to yet.  I think I need a rainy day (or week) to explore them all.