"I started photographing my domestic world and writing not just about what I had made,
but why I made it, examining the thoughts that accompany creativity and the act of making."
Jane Brocket from The Gentle Art of Domesticity p. 189 UK edition

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Crocheting a Cocoon in Fall












We are looking forward to welcoming a new baby into our household in about four weeks!  My oldest son-in-law and daughter are expecting to birth Rosie, so this grandma has started crocheting a cocoon and cap to snuggle her in. I am using a free online Bernat pattern and Lion Brand 100% acrylic Jamie yarn in the Mardi Gras Stripes colorway.

The sheep buttons I bought months ago seemed a perfect finish for my cane coat, and have helped me have a better attitude about using the cane when I need to do so :)  If you decide to make a cane coat one thing I discovered about the one I made is that when I use the cane the coat slips down a bit.  So I took three straight pins, caught some of the top edge of the coat and inserted the pins under the handle of the cane which is some sort of rubber.  This has worked so far to keep the coat in place.

After driving back and forth to California several times this year, and then to and from Nebraska, it is good to be home.  There have been so many changes in this season of my life. Not only did my sister join me in widowhood in the last four months, but three friends from my church fellowship group became widows, also.  In August I marked the fourth year since my husband died. Then this past weekend, in her early nineties, my mother-in-law, who was a widow for nearly 4 years, died, after living a long good life. I  am so grateful she was a positive part of my life for over 40 years.

As I process the changes in and around my life now, the amber-red-gold colorway of fall is wrapping itself around me...a glowing cocoon as the rainy days of autumn have started. The local weather forecasters said yesterday that Mt. Hood  had snow showers...good weather for more stitching, I hope :)

What is happening in this season of your life?

Blessings to you and yours,
Gracie xx
  

30 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry to hear about the losses in your life, Gracie, especially that of your mother-in-law. Your family is in my thoughts. It's wonderful news about the new baby! How exciting. The cocoon is a wonderful idea and I love the colors in that yarn. I am sure your creations will be much loved and appreciated. :)

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  2. I'm so excited for your family to have a new baby coming soon! You know the changes in my life.. 4 new people living on the farm.. 2 of which are 4 and 5 years old and very "active". But we're enjoying having them here, so all is well. I look forward to see you and the girls soon. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  3. Oh Gracie, so sorry to hear about the loss of your dear mother in law. Yes, you have been through many changes.
    How exciting to be welcoming a new little one soon.
    Lovely photos!!
    xo Kris

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  4. A new baby! How exciting for you all! I love your color choice for the cocoon and cap for the new little one. Can't wait to see the finished product. Sorry for your losses but you do seem to be processing all these changes very well and that's a good lesson for us all. I so enjoy all your beautiful photos!

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  5. Congratulations on the expected arrival of a new babe Gracie and I'm sure your crocheted projects will be just right for Rosie! I'm sorry to hear of so many losses in your life and wish you and all concerned, peace and tranquility.
    Your pics are beautiful once again - fantastic views and bright blooms of colour; thank you for sharing them with us all!
    Warm hugs, Joy xo

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  6. You live in a very beautiful part of the world and take some gorgeous photos! Life never seems to stand still, does it? I'm thinking of you! Lesley x

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  7. Hello Gracie. A new baby - so exciting. Love the ' cocoon' idea. So sorry to hear about your M.I.L. but good that you have such happy & positive memories.
    The photographs are stunning!
    I love Autumn & have to admit that I'm glad the hot weather is over it does not suit me.
    As for changes- I'm trying to make some in my life. The main one is to not take on as much. I hate saying no to people but after being unwell again I realise I must. I also need to get a bit / well a lot fitter!! We have also started our 12 months looking after Phoebe our youngest GD on Mon & Tues afternoons. Should mean exercise!!! She is so cute though. There are hopefully some other changes afoot but more another time.
    Thank you for your kind comments on my blog.
    Take care Love & hugs. Anne x

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  8. I am so sorry to hear your sad news Gracie, but am pleased that you have a new addition to your family on the way :) The pattern and the yarn is gorgeous!
    I loved your photo's, especially the one of the chrysanthemums - gorgeous colours, and similar to the colours I intend to weave into an autumnal scarf shortly.
    I hope you enjoy the rest of the week, hugs and blessings Sarah x x

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  9. Oh sweet Gracie, so many changes and all of them difficult. I am sure you have been such a blessing to your sister and to your friends at church. Having a friend who knows what you are going through can make such a difference. I love the colors changing in your neck of the woods, here it is still very hot.
    Yuck!
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  10. Hello Gracie and many of God's blessings to you and yours!
    Oh my dear friend, I'm so sorry to hear about all of your losses recently. Especially your dear MIL. I'm so glad that she gave you lots of good memories and especially the best gift of all, your husband.
    The fall leaves are gorgeous, as is Mt. Hood. We had snow at the ski resort on Lookout Pass last night! So glad you made it through there before the snow hit, it can be a doozy driving through there in a blizzard. We've done it one too many times!
    The cocoon is beautiful. Are you going to bring it to lunch next week so we can see it "in person"? A=I think a new baby is the greatest joy this earth can give.
    I also really like the addition of the sheep on your cane. I went back to acupuncture three times since your visit and I've been able to put my cane away for awhile. I'm very happy about that.
    See you VERY soon my friend.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  11. Ah Gracie, you sound like you need a cocoon yourself. You really are in the cycle of life with the happy news of a new addition to the family. Please keep photographing the fall colours for us in the UK, I love them. Happy crocheting. Jo x

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  12. Gracie you inspire me with your loving, philosophical take on life. How true that each season brings wonderful fruits, and change. Thanks for the beautiful photos, as always. And I love your "cane coat"! Take care. xox

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  13. Hello Gracie, The baby cocoon is looking very pretty.. I am sorry to hear about the losses in your life. Having wonderful memories will give you constant peace and serenity. The Oregon Autumn colors are most beautiful.. I can hardly believe it is already starting to snow on Mt. Hood already.. Enjoy your lovely lunch with the girls. Hugs Judy

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  14. Losses are something that touches us deeply but so wonderful to hear of the new baby coming to the family ☺
    Beautiful pictures!!

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  15. Your baby cocoon colors are very sweet! Sorry about your losses.
    Now that a baby is coming your hands will always be full.

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  16. Autumn for me is a time to reflect on all the bounties bestowed and it marks a change and a turning point. I hope this new gorgeous baby brings a joy that only the young can. Sweet smells, uncreased skin and eyes as yer untroubled. I am sure your mother in law valued your love and friendship greatly.

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  17. Very nice autumn wreath Gracie - love the colors!!! The sheep buttons on your cane coat remind me of Psalm 23--The LORD is my Shepherd :) May He who leads us give you comfort at this time.
    Blessings,
    Aimee
    PS: So soon till your newest little grand-blessing arrives!

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  18. Gracie so sorry to hear of your losses which can be difficult to come to terms with. Your cocoon looks lovely and will be wonderful for the new baby. I loved your images of Autumn too. Take care.
    Sarah x

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  19. Oh dear - such a bundle of happy and sad news. (Psalm 103:15-16 spring to mind.) So sorry to hear of all the loved ones lost, and praying for comfort for all who have been left behind.

    The cocoon will be very cheerful and perfect for that new grandbaby!

    Thank you for those lovely photos - especially of Mt. Hood. Whenever I see it, it just lifts my heart.

    P.S. What is happening at this season of my life? Health problems for the two remaining parents we have left (my dad and Mr. M's mom), and frustration that they live so far away from us. Otherwise, life is full of blessings and I hope and pray we are properly appreciating them. :)

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  20. So sorry to hear of your recent losses Gracie but how marvellous to read that another little one will soon join your family. The cocoon is lovely :)

    Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment on my last post x

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  21. Awwww so excited to hear about your soon-to-be new granddaughter :) Hope everything goes well during mums labour and babies birth, looking forward to seeing some piccies hopefully when she's born!

    I love the cap you're making, the colours are fab and I also love that it's not just pink because I suspect she'll be getting a lot of that :)

    Your cane is also looking amazing, I couldn't work out what it was at first; well yarn bombed Gracie! xx

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  22. Sending prayers and hugs to you during this season of changes, Dear Gracie.

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  23. I'm sorry that there was so much loss around you these last few months, yet you seem upbeat and full of happiness and hope. It's always joyful to have a baby on the way and I love the colour you are working with on the cap. I also loved the photos of your loval area - it truly is a beautiful place. That mountain - wow! x

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  24. Dear Gracie I am sorry to hear of the sad losses you have gone through and admire your calm and cheerful spirit. It is wonderful that a new baby will soon join your family though.....such a joy to treasure. Your fall pictures are beautiful, and the cocoon looks delightful.
    Helen x

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  25. How exciting for you to have a new person coming into your life soon. I really love the beautiful yarn that you are using.
    xox

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  26. I'm so sorry, Gracie, for the loss of your mother-in-law but I'm excited about the new addition to your family. Babies are so wonderful and this little one will have her Grandmother's love to wrap around her. The yarn is beautiful and so are all the fall photos of your area.

    Hugs,
    Sharon

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  27. It's strange how so often a new little person joins a family and an older one breathes their last breath. I'm so sorry for your loss of your MIL. My mother is 93 now and has been a widow for 23 years. From what she says, I don't think the loss ever gets any easier....just that you have to keep on keeping on. I don't know, though, as I haven't 'been there' I am so sorry about the anniversary of the loss of your husband. I think the cocoon looks so cosy and the colour way of the yarn so pretty. Joan

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  28. Hello Gracie

    Thank you so much for visiting my blog and your numerous comments. I am always delighted to hear from you. I sincerely wish I could spend more time on my blog as I enjoy blogging so much. Never-the-less as you well know the beginning of the academic year is very stressful.
    In my opinion there is nothing better than the prospects of a new baby on the way. My great niece is expecting too and I'm busy doing a star blanket for her....hers will be a New year babe. I have often seen patterns for cocoons and have been tempted to make one too considering my great niece is having her baby in winter. It is very cold in Devonshire in the winter,where she lives so I can imagine a snuggly cocoon would be well received. I imagine this is the case for you too. Do you have very harsh winters where you live? I spent Christmas in Chicago in 2001 when my daughter lived in the States and it was freezing freezing cold there!!!
    I know it is natures way and one must leave a space for the next little life that is on its way however I agree with June the loss of loved ones doesn't get easier really you just push the pain and loss back to be able to cope.

    keep well

    Amanda :-)

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  29. My dear friend Gracie, I don't know how I missed this post... I'm
    So very sorry for the list if your motet-in-law and most sorry for the loss if your husband.
    This coming Tuesday it will be 3 years since I lost my dad and life is not the same without him here, even though I know he is in a better place.
    May the happiness of a new baby bring a shining light into your life and may the happiness of a new life bring your heart to a smile.
    It was great to see you on Friday :)

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