Cast on for a Remsen Baby Blanket for mom's workshop. The pattern is so easy. Cast on 2 stitches. K1, inc1,knit remaining stitches. Repeat this row until desired width. (Blanket about 32inches). Then K1, K2tog, knit remaining stitches. Repeat this row until 2 stitches remain. Bind off. Easy peasy. Your needle size depends on the yarn you have. The yarn I'm using is Lion Brand Jiffy Acrylic that's been around, unknitted for about 10 years. Attic yarn. I have just enough balls to knit a nice sized blanket.I do wonder where the name Remsen comes from. As far as I can tell there is a town in New York State with that name. Did someone "invent" the pattern and it got passed around as the pattern that came from Remsen? Inquireing minds would like to know but understand that all patterns, knitting, quilting, and needlework started with someone and just get passed on.
7 comments:
I think Remsen also refers to some of the earliest knitting mill in the area. Probably blankets were one of the first machine made knitted products.
Remsen blankets were started by a missionary..our church ladies(Liverpool Presbyterian Church) have been making them for at least 30 years. I'd have to dig in my files for more info :-)
The Remsen Baby Blanket is named for my Great Aunt Laura Remsen who knitted thousands of these blankets over many decades (even after her eyesight was failing) for Church Women United to distribute in third world nations. She was an amazing woman with a big heart who touched so many lives, although she never had children of her own. She lived in Mt. Sinai, Long Island, NY. She constantly had one in the works, almost always using variegated yarn in baby colors. I treasure the Remsen Baby Blankets she made to celebrate the birth of each of my sons and truly appreciate those who carry on her legacy.
Susan is absolutely correct! Joan Remsen (perhaps Laura's daughter or niece?) is credited for passing the instructions on to Presbyterians who wanted to follow in her footsteps. When my kids and grandkids were born, they got Remsen blankets from church ladies. Because they are knitted on a diagonal, they wrap snugly around the baby. To this day, if you Google Remsen Blanket, The PCUSA link to PDF instructions will come up near the top.
Laura Remsen was my great aunt. She never had children of her own. Church Women United passed on the instructions for her baby blankets. I was lucky to have baby blankets stitched by her for my kids as well. The Remsen family lived in Mt. Sinai, New York. She was a member of Mt. Sinai Congregational Church.
Jeanne, thanks for your comment! I had a few Aunt Lauras in my past who never had children. It's wonderful to have those memories of your Great-Aunt Laura! It's seems she had family of nieces and nephews who treasured her.
Post a Comment