First Crochet Project

This was my first Crochet work, or at least the first that I have a picture of.  I have a picture because I still have it with me.

Not entirely sure when exactly I learned the basic stitches of crochet and knitting or who taught it.  I remember amma (mother) had knit a sweater for each of us three sisters.  But this one, I remember vividly, I made during the summer of 1986, during my extended stay at ajji's (grandmother's) house in Chikamagalur, by following a piece that she had made during her younger years.  No written instructions or charts.  At that time I did not know that this particular technique is called Filet Crochet.  I ran out of thread before I could finish and had to wait for a long time to find the right match, which I unfortunately never managed to find.  That is why the gauge in the last few rows is different.  An imperfect piece, but a treasure to me because of the memories associated with this . . .

The rainy days of Chikmagalur, the long lazy afternoons, reading out loud the darawahis (fiction) in Sudha and Taranga (weekly magazines in Kannada language) for ajji sitting on the extra bed in her room,  dodamma's (aunt's) gamakas and food served with such cheer and affection.