Grandma's Knit Eagle Sweaters and Pickle Recipe
Saturday, March 5, 2011 at 4:11PM 
I've been waiting for these sweaters to fit the boys at the same time. My Grandma, Iris, knit them for my sister and I when we were about the same age as the boys are (4 and 2). Aren't they awesome? The colors are so 70's and the eagle is just so cool.
My Grandma was a crafty lady, she sewed quilts, knit sweaters and canned pickles. She had this fantastic garden that I remember playing hide and seek in and eating raspberries right off the bush in the summer.
I tried to get my Grandma's pickle recipe the last time I was visiting with her, but she hasn't made them in so long and never really had a recipe to begin with, that the best I could get was a few printed recipes in the community recipe book from back then. My aunt said they would be similar.
My favorite thing about my Grandma's pickles was that she would put a few carrots in each jar. Those carrots were fought over at Christmas time when everyone was over, or at least it seemed that way to me. I would sneak a carrot out of the dish before anyone sat down for dinner.
Let me know if you make them ok? I figure it's going to take a few tries to get it right and some combination of the three recipies above. I've never made pickles before, but when I attempt this project, I will be sure to photograph it and report back. Thank you to Mrs. Manske, Mrs. Scherer, Mrs. Weiss and to my Grandma.
Family, Favorite Things, Milo, Nostalgia, Quinn
Reader Comments (12)
It's funny that you mention the pickle recipe because one of the things I remember about playing at Grandma's house when I was little was all of the dill in the backyard garden. The smell was so strong, but I guess that's why I remember it.
She did have quite a garden! I still love fresh dill.
Those sweaters are totally sweet! And the photos rock too!
Thanks Nikki! I could totally see your kids wearing sweaters like these.
LOVE those sweaters. How awesome that you kept them and in such great condition!
Moving on to pickles...
First of all, what I love about these recipes? They're so fabulously vague. They assume that every woman knows how to make pickles and here's Mrs. John Weiss's version.
Also? Cracking up over the husband's name being used. We have no idea if these were Bertha or Doris or Esther's pickles.
Okay...so...I know that one of them says to put the jar in the oven, but I'd suggest doing a water bath for them just to make sure that the lid seals properly.
I hope you make them. Let me know how they turn out. I use a much new recipe for my pickles out of the WilliamsSonoma canning book, but it calls for the same basic ingredients - garlic, dill and vinegar. (I kinda like the idea of carrots being added. I think I'm going to do that next time.)
Mandy, thank you!! I saw on your site that you did some pickling and I was hoping that you would see this in the weekend link up! Thanks for the suggestions and I completely agree with your observations. I've gotten vague recipes from my Mom too, a pinch of this, a dash of that. For me, who needs VERY specific instructions, it's maddening!! And yes - the husband's names. I've also come across that in local history books from that era too, none of the women's names were written down. So sad! I might have to get myself that canning book, and then try to blend it all together. Thanks again for the fantastic comment!
I love those sweaters!! The boys look so stylish. And such a great photo shoot. How did you light it? It looks so pro.
Hey Reggie! Thank you my dear friend! It's natural light, they are right in front of their north facing bedroom windows.
Love the sweaters! That's so cool you were able to save them & pass them to your kids! Now when 1 of them has kids hopefully they can do the same! Grandma is very talented!
Thanks Adela, that would be great to see MY grandkids wearing them! My cousin's children have worn them and I hope that I can pass them onto my sister too.
Love the sweaters.....the colors are actually very NOW! I could see them in an Abercrombie and Fitch catalogue.....your Grandma was very 'avant garde'.....but then again, so are you!!!
Signed,
Mrs. Adam Lowry
Thanks Eva, I will tell my Grandma that!