Ann Justice Salt’s afghan – 52 Ancestors # 30

The theme for this one is Colorful, and I’ve had difficulty thinking of how to approach it.  I finally decided to write about Ann J. Salt’s afghan.  I think colorful is a reasonable description for it because I would not have chosen the colors used and they are bright even now (except for the part that faded from the sun where I had it draped for too long). 

I inherited this from my great-aunt Susan who was Ann’s granddaughter.  I don’t know when the afghan was made and I don’t know who made it.  It would have been before Ann’s death in 1905, and it was either something she made for herself or it was a gift.  She lived in her later years, on the family farm in Saltair, with her daughter-in-law Katie and her two grandchildren, Henry and Susan.  While it is possible that Susan made it for her, the work seems like that of a more experienced knitter (Susan was only a child).  Katie would have been more likely if Ann didn’t make it herself.  Since I only found and inherited this on Aunt Susan’s death, I have no further information about when it was made or by whom.

On examination, it appears to be strips that were knitted tightly in a garter stitch and then crocheted together and edged.  Her initials are worked into the center strip.  The colors are black, purple, beige, and red.  The wool is slightly rough in texture, and it is relatively heavy for its size which makes it pretty warm.  I can imagine Ann sitting in a chair with it covering her lap and legs to stay warm in the winter.  The old house on the farm was only heated by fireplace in her days (I think) and it probably did get chilly to sit for any length of time in the winter.