I love my Grammy. Grammy is awesome. Those of you that have met her know how cool she is. Others of you might get an understanding of how neat Gram is by reading here. Especially if you’ve been reading a while, you have read some stories. I told some of you the reaction Gram had when I got my last tattoo (the one that honored my girls). Gram loved the tattoo and talked about how it was way better than getting jewelry to honor their births. I’d always have the tattoo and the story of it with me. The girls will always be able to see a reminder of them on me.
Sweet, I know. It was good to see that she “got it”. At 93, you never know what the reaction is especially since her generation of women didn’t do this. Her reaction almost made me cry it was so perfect.
Now, for those that don’t know, my whole family is getting honored on my arms. I figured with a response like that, Gram had to be next. She was the one that taught me to knit and crochet. Since Gram’s strokes, crocheting is the main thing she is able to do in her leisure time. And boy does she ever turn out afghans! I couldn’t think of any way better to honor Gram than to have her name on a crochet hook.
But there is more to it than that. This tattoo has been in the works for well over a month so I’d have all the pieces to take in to <a href=”http://www.sanctuarytattoo.com/jen/index.html”>Jennifer</a>. I asked Gram to make me the little granny square (Granny squares are my favorite but it’s also fitting since it’s a Granny square). She had given me the needles at one point last year. They are the needles that her dad made for her when she was a little girl.
The hook was the one thing I didn’t have until just this past Monday (One day before I was getting tatooed). I was sitting with Gram and noticed she was working with a different hook than normal. I always saw her working with this gold colored hook so the new green one really stood out. When I asked about the change, Gram’s reply was the hook had worn down too much and it was no longer good to crochet with. I asked to have it and my set was complete.
Yes, the ball of yarn changed color. I wanted to work in with the rest of the tattoos forthcoming so I changed it. I’m thrilled with it. I’ll have to take a picture once the redness and swelling go down, and have another person do it. The only one up right now is me myself and I so it’s not easy taking a photo of your inner right arm.
August 1st, 2007 at 6:07 am
Amy, I love it! My Nana taught me to crochet when I was 8 years old, and I think of her each and every time that yarn slides through my fingers, whether knit or crocheted or spun. I wish I had one of her hooks, but she’s been gone for over 30 years now.
I’ve seen a lot of knitting tattoos - yours is fab, with the addition of the granny square (and of course, your Grammy!)
August 1st, 2007 at 6:57 am
Oh wow. I commented on the photo BEFORE seeing this post. I’m a genius. So NOW I understand why you had this particular tattoo done. I’m ready to cry myself.
That’s your arm? Oops, I thought it was a leg. It still looks pretty good to be a self-photo, though.
August 1st, 2007 at 7:05 am
that is awesome! what a great way to honor your Grammy!
August 1st, 2007 at 7:41 am
What a wonderful tribute to Gram! I missed the tattoo for your girls. Can you direct me to the page? I would love to see it.
August 1st, 2007 at 8:21 am
I’m not the tattoo sort, myself, but that tattoo is absolutely AMAZING!!!
August 1st, 2007 at 8:22 am
totally and completely ROCKS. What did gram think? I think it is awesome!!!
August 1st, 2007 at 8:41 am
That’s an excellent tribute to your Gram… and I’m so glad she “gets” the whole thing about your tattoos!
August 1st, 2007 at 8:45 am
That is absolutely perfect! The tattoo artist did a wonderful job, and I love the story behind it.
August 1st, 2007 at 9:01 am
OMG Amy!! I love the tribute to your Grammy!! That is beautiful! I have a tattoo on the back of my leg that honors my boys, and DH and I have “X” tattoo’s on our wrist that we got on our ten year wedding anniversary. I am itching for another!!
August 1st, 2007 at 9:13 am
That is inspiring! Tattoos are such personal things and that is one of the best ones I have seen.
In the years to come you will be able look at it and be happy because she is with you. My grandmother crocheted but she hated my tattoos. No knitting ones yet.
August 1st, 2007 at 9:47 am
Bee-you-tee-ful.
(SO SO Jealous of heirloom handmade knitting needles!!!! Words cannot express…..)
August 1st, 2007 at 10:40 am
Wow, simply gorgeous and so special. You obviously put a lot of thought into your tattoos and it really shows.
The artwork is phenomenal as well.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:54 am
I just love your artwork! I’m pretty heavily tattooed (I began getting them when I was 18 - it was very unfashionable for a woman to do that then - and I’m 49 now and still getting them. Honoring a beloved member of your family is a terrific thing to do. I have a memorial for my grandpa on my left forearm, complete with a life-size version of his badge (he was a cop).
No matter what people say to you about it, just remember that’s it’s something very personal to you and nobody else’s business. Some people hate tats and will make nasty comments. The stigma is going away, but in some communities it’s still a horrible thing. I applaud you, my dear.
August 1st, 2007 at 12:00 pm
That’s fantastic!!I love the story so much and just wanted you and Granny to know that the black afghan she made for us has a place of honor on the sofa and keeps us cuddly warm in the evenings, even in summer here.
Congrats, it’s beautiful!
August 1st, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Your Gram must be the most awesome woman. I love the knitting needles. The tat looks great. What a great way to honor your family.
August 1st, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Love it, love it, love it!!! The colors are amazing…so rich and deep. The whole effect is very striking. I love the way the project came together and the thought that went into it. Makes me miss my grandmothers, both of whom contributed knitting needles from their own collections to mine. I use them with pride!
August 1st, 2007 at 12:18 pm
stella!!!
sorry. the tattoo looks awesome. i’m sure your gram will love it.
August 1st, 2007 at 1:12 pm
That is great!!!! I am sure she is going to love it. I don’t remember seeing the one for your kids. Of course I have only been reading for a month or so now. I looked up “tatoo” on your search and just this post and one about food came up. Oh well.
August 1st, 2007 at 1:46 pm
How very cool!
August 1st, 2007 at 2:35 pm
That’s beautiful, Amy! The tattoo, the story, the lady…
I still have your Grammy’s afghan on my bed (where it’s been since I stole it back from my daughter). I alternately sleep under it, and then kick it off, every night.
August 1st, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Oh that is so awesome Amy! Did it hurt being on your inner arm? I picture that hurting more than on the outer arm.
August 1st, 2007 at 3:25 pm
August 1st, 2007 at 3:42 pm
I love it. The colors are amazing, and the story behind it even more so. Thank you for sharing it with us!
August 1st, 2007 at 8:03 pm
I love it! I love the way every piece of it has meaning. The needles her dad gave her?! That’s priceless. And Jennifer did a wonderful job as always.
August 1st, 2007 at 8:33 pm
I love it! What a great way to honor your Grammy.
August 1st, 2007 at 9:27 pm
This rocks so much! Mind if I link to it?
August 1st, 2007 at 10:02 pm
Very nice tribute to your Grammy! Love the tattoo!
August 2nd, 2007 at 6:54 am
Ha! I love the tattoo and it’s funny that I found this post through another link and I know Jennifer! My DH did some of her tattoos and pierced her.
Small knitty, bloggy, tattooey world!
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:36 am
Now THAT is love.
August 2nd, 2007 at 6:08 pm
That’s so beautiful; both the actual tatoo and the meaning behind it!
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:20 pm
Amy it is beautiful. That is so great the image, the thoughts, sentiment, and memories. I hope my grandkids are as awesome as you. Beautiful tat.
August 3rd, 2007 at 5:14 am
So wonderful!!! It is awesome that your granny “gets it.” Can’t wait to see more pictures.
August 3rd, 2007 at 7:54 am
You know I love it… such an amazing amazing tattoo…
August 3rd, 2007 at 8:56 am
That is so cool, and such a sweet beautiful tribute!!
p.s, the red sweater is gorgeous!!
August 3rd, 2007 at 11:34 am
AWESOME!!!!
August 5th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
How jealous am I have your knitting tattoo. That is the next one on my list after I get my cupcakes..
It looks fantastic!
August 8th, 2007 at 5:15 am
Okay, seriously, I just started to tear up a little bit.
For some reason, when you were talking about your grandmother on Ravelry a couple of weeks ago (I think in the tattoo forum), I did not put it together with Granny-of-the-crocheted-afghans. My eyes are open now.
That tattoo is beautiful, both the artwork and the story. It makes me want to give your Granny a great big hug.
August 10th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
I love this tat! I really want to get artwork done for all of my family members also, but that will come with time I guess.
September 27th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Love the ink. I was wondering if I could post the pic on my blog. I have started a page with all the knitting related tattoos I can find. I’ll make sure there is a link back here!!!
November 28th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
this is awesome! i saw it on Ravelry and had to come over and comment.
my Grandma’s name was Stella also, she taught me to crochet and she was a crochet machine. so weird!