Family crocheted a 90th-birthday blanket for Sakari that became his heavenly veil: ”Having your own granny square in Grandpa’s blanket was an honor”
It was Pirjo Lampsijärvi’s idea that family members each contribute to a granny square blanket for her father Sakari. Later, he was laid to rest with that same lovingly crocheted family blanket.
In total, 180 squares of love and an abundance of creativity came together in one blanket. Even Pirjo Lampsijärvi was surprised at how family members of all ages and skill levels got excited about crocheting granny squares for the gift blanket.
Pirjo, how did the idea for the blanket come about?
My father Sakari’s 90th birthday was coming up. I had previously knitted wool socks for all the women in the family together with my sister, and that shared project was so much fun that I decided to suggest a new one. My father was always chilly, so a blanket seemed perfect. I brought it up in our extended family’s WhatsApp group, and everyone jumped right on board. I truly appreciate how ready they were to give it a go. I knew the men in the family hadn’t done any needlework since making potholders in primary school, but here they were, crocheting a blanket for their father-in-law. That’s definitely worthy of respect.
The youngest participant—just two years old—helped by working a few stitches from her mother’s lap, creating a small bow for the blanket.
How was the blanket made?
I gave two instructions: each square should be about 10 × 10 cm, and it had to be colorful. We agreed to us Finnish Novita’s Seitsemän Veljestä yarn. Most of us are enthusiastic crafters, so we already had it at home. I promised I would figure out how to fit all kinds of squares together. It sparked hilarious conversations when the men—my father’s sons-in-law—shared videos of their clumsy attempts and tried bribing others to do their part. Eventually, crocheting your own square became a point of pride for everyone.
I crocheted black borders for the blanket and embroidered each maker’s name in the center. Even the newborn was included, though there wasn’t time for even a spit-up contribution! I joined the squares with a zigzag chain-stitch band, which accommodated the many sizes and shapes. Finally, I dampened and stretched the blanket so all the pieces settled neatly in place.
How did the recipient react?
My father rarely spoke about his feelings, but the smile on his face told us he was pleased. He hung the blanket on the wall.
Two years later, my father passed away. We covered him in the casket with the blanket we had made. For all of us who contributed, it was an easy decision. Grandpa’s blanket was never meant to stay behind—it was meant to go with him.
