Franklin’s Inspiration on Handmade Crochet Blankets

You’re probably wondering how Ben Franklin inspired crochet blankets. Right? Well, let’s get started.

I read a biography on Benjamin Franklin last year. It was a rather large book. A bit intimidating actually. I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy it, or even finish it. But I remembered reading many biographies as a kid, and enjoying those. And it came recommended from another book I enjoyed. Fast forward: I both enjoyed it and finished it!

Leaving a Legacy

One of the parting inspirations I received from the book was the idea of leaving a legacy. A legacy that continues to help others. Franklin was known for helping others. It was his religion since he didn’t follow any particular religion closely. He felt that by doing good for others, you were doing good for God. Pretty simple.

In doing good for others, he built many different establishments for the betterment of mankind. One of those establishments was the library system. What started out as a donation of books from a group of his friends to share amongst themselves, turned into libraries popping up in other cities. His idea being that working alone didn’t always get you as far as working together with others.

And it got me thinking about what an awesome legacy Franklin left behind, many of his ideas and establishments still in use today. His forward thinking. And his ever present ability and philosophy to do good for others.

Tithing. How about crochet blanket as inspiration?

It also reminded me of tithing, though I’m not sure if that word was actually mentioned in the book, despite Franklin donating monies to a variety of causes.

I remember my dad being a firm believer of tithing 10% of your income. Which, when you think about it, involves a little more intention, right? That could be a chunk of change. And where to direct it?

Along with cash donations, I consider my crochet blanket donations a form of tithing as well. The time, investment, effort, and talent that goes into making something that will bring solace and comfort to someone who is likely in need of it.

It all got me to thinking about how you could tithe 10% for the good of others, and couldn’t it become a legacy too? If you set up a fund, or a scholarship for it, and use it for the purpose you instruct. Maybe it’s for low income students to get a scholarship for college. What about a charitable organization like Project Linus who facilitates and coordinates blanket donations to a variety of organizations and hospitals in need of them? What about the simple idea of participating in Project Linus? I don’t have to create a new organization necessarily.

Final Thoughts on Franklin’s Inspiration on my Crochet Blankets

Like Franklin, how could I use my talents and those areas where I am skilled to better the lives of others? And to leave a mark, even if it’s just on my corner of the world? How do I leave the world just a little better from having lived in it? And wouldn’t that contribute to a life of no regrets? A look back on a life well lived?

How often do people make it to their death beds with regrets? They didn’t do the things they wanted to. They didn’t contribute in the ways they wished they had. Why not start now? And start with what I know. I crochet. I sew. I craft. How could I transform those talents and skills into a lasting legacy of a project that does good for others?  That would involve others who have a kindred spirit for crafting for the betterment of mankind?

And what would my legacy contribute that might not already be covered elsewhere? Or does that matter? How many organizations exist today for cancer research? Until we have a cure, does anyone feel we should shut down the extraneous ones? Probably not.

What are your ideas around tithing and leaving a legacy? What have you done, or heard of being done? I’d love to hear everyone’s ideas. Put them in the comments below. Let’s, like Franklin suggested, work better together than alone.

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Did you know I also have a series that features new projects I try out from other crafty designers? If you are interested in learning more about my New Project Spotlight series read my New Project Spotlight series welcome article.

I’m always looking for new projects to feature. What is a new project you’ve tried and liked? Would it be a good one to shine the light on in my New Project Spotlight series? Are you an awesome crochet artist with a design you’d like to see featured here? If so, leave me a note in the comments.

In addition to several of my crochet boards on Pinterest, you might also check out my Made It, Did It, Tried It board, chuck full of a random assortment of projects, places, recipes and more that I’ve tried and liked.