the amazing afghan

by Stacy

My friend Kimberly and I met when we sat together in high school physics class — I would nap before class, she would knit socks and mittens and wake me up before class started.

Where other friends brought a bag of chips and six-pack of beer to a potluck, Kimberly brought homemade twinberry jam bars and apple spice cake. The year I teased her about these habits, she responded by dressing up as Suzie Homemaker for Halloween. When she found out we were moving to California, her first comment was, “A move halfway across the country may require a housewarming gift. Thoughts?”

Kimberly is well-known for her knitting and crocheting skills and her all-around awesomeness. While any gift would be very appreciated, I couldn’t very well ask her to invest that much time and effort in something. So imagine my surprise when a box arrived from Virginia containing a beautiful crocheted afghan!

The only request that accompanied such a generous gift was that I take photos of it for her.

It’s really a beautiful blanket, and perfect for curling up for a nap on the couch. The kitties agree and will only nap on the couch if the afghan is on it.

Since my living room doesn’t have great light I decided to use a model for scale and interest.

Someone hasn’t watched enough America’s Next Top Model, it seems. I don’t think Tyra would consider this “smizing.”

IMG_9864

IMG_9870

Unable to resolve our creative differences, I needed a new model and a new idea.

Always helpful, Kimberly had a suggestion: “Photo shoot idea: person walking along the beach with afghan wrapped around shoulders. Of course there will be a perfect wind blowing it back just the right amount. Ha!”

Since my first recruit hadn’t worked out, I had a model fly in from New York.

afghan goes to the beach

afghan goes to the beachafghan goes to the beach

afghan goes to the beach

afghan goes to the beach

Special thanks go to Liz for making the trip out just to take pictures with me.

And even more special thanks go to Kimberly for being a rock star.

The other part of my plan was to post a photo of us together, but the only one I could find was 1.) blurry and 2.) taken at High School Musical On Ice which would require admitting that we were in fact there.

afghan goes to the beach

So if you live in Virginia and need an afghan, befriend Kimberly! Or don’t so I can hog her awesomeness to myself. She’s still nice to me even though I took these photos in March and just posted them now.

What’s the best gift you’ve received lately? And “lately” can apparently include the last year. Whoops.


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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }

Angela August 18, 2010 at 8:37 am

OMG. I am crying, I’m laughing so hard. Also, I am crying because I am jealous. I wish Kimberly liked me half as much as she likes you…

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Stacy August 18, 2010 at 2:37 pm

Whatever, cookie-fisher. <3

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Kimberly August 18, 2010 at 2:58 pm

Oh yeah, I totally forgot about the cookies!

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Angela August 19, 2010 at 12:46 pm

Hey now! I fish cookies from you both equally!

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katya August 18, 2010 at 8:39 am

hi Stacy! Great afghan – and great pictures! My favorite is the one on the rocks, and of the kitty too. So.. best gift in the past year… wow, I think I have to say Peter’s gift card for a spa for my Birthday… it was exactly what I wanted and needed. I have been blessed with great friends and family who have been very generous in their gifts to me this year as well. Some wonderful dresses from my mother in the mail also top the list.

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Stacy August 18, 2010 at 2:37 pm

Mmm. Spa day. Good job, Peter!

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Kimberly August 18, 2010 at 8:43 am

OMG I am crying because this so sweet…and because I didn’t know I was such a dork…and because of that HSM on Ice comment. I am not ashamed!! And Angela, I taught you to knit and crochet – that has to count for something, right? Right??

Thanks SO much for (finally) posting this :) HUGS!

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Stacy August 18, 2010 at 2:39 pm

Oh Kimberly, you make my heart smile.

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Olivia August 18, 2010 at 9:05 am

Hey that is cute! I used to live in VA, does that count?

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Stacy August 18, 2010 at 2:39 pm

Hah! Worth a shot. =)

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Bridget August 18, 2010 at 9:52 am

Wow, I used to knit (before I had a food blog!), and I never made anything that beautiful. I love the pattern, the design, and the colors. Everything really.

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Stacy August 18, 2010 at 2:40 pm

Isn’t it gorgeous? I love it. =)

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Kathie August 18, 2010 at 12:38 pm

Wow, that’s just lovely! What a wonderful gift and even more wonderful friends.

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Stacy August 18, 2010 at 2:40 pm

Indeed!

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Naomi August 18, 2010 at 9:44 pm

Love the afghan, great combo of knit and crochet? Blue rules. I have a whole afghan made with the checkerboard relief pattern. My godmother made it decades ago. The best gift I got was a return to yoga. p.s. My feet would give my eye teeth to walk in that sand. Amazing therapy for high arches.

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Jackie August 18, 2010 at 10:15 pm

Wow, that afghan is AMAZING! I love the kitty pictures. :) And the picture of Liz on the rocks. Beautiful photography!!

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