Hi, everyone.

I've got a question I need some help on.

I don't know who visits my page or reads either my cre8buzz or Blogger blogs, but the gentleman I was helping care for (who was also my boyfriend's father, part of the reason I did hospice care for 18 months for no pay) passed away around the end of August.

Being the plan-ahead camper I am (and broke as well, meaning I do my best only to buy yarn I have a purpose for), I purchased a large amount of yarn to make him a lap robe with. Obviously, he's got no further need of it, so there's the question:

What should I do with the yarn? I can't stand to just pack it away and forget about it--I bought it to use for something this Christmas and I would really rather use it than pack it away and forget about it.

Some of the answers I've thought up on my own:

1. Knit the lap robe and donate it to the nursing home where he spent his last days.

2. Knit it bigger, make it as a throw blanket for my boyfriend (he was along when I bought the yarn so he knows which ones were for the lap robe).

3. Knit a lap robe and donate to a senior center.

4. Knit a throw blanket for someone who doesn't know I bought the yarn originally for someone who's passed away.

5. Make myself something with it, as a memory of my bf's dad.

The pattern lends itself well to being made bigger or smaller (it's throw blanket size) or adding other yarn(s) to it in other colors to alter what I had in mind for it originally.

Does anyone have an opinion? I'd really love to hear what others think and really could use a little group conscience here, so I'm asking y'all--what would you do in my place?

I like the idea of donating it to a senior center. It is a good idea to make your conscience work for you. And, sometimes things that remind us of people sitting around where we can see them all the time have a way of making us depressed and lonesome. (Unless you are one of the nostalgic ones who feel much better being reminded of people who have passed away.)

I also like the idea of making it and giving it to someone at the Senior center. In fact, I'd ask them at the center if there is someone who does not have visitors or family to be there for him - and that's who I'd give it too. There are so many in senior centers and nursing homes that are forgotten people. Thinking that would be the nicest kind of 'pay it forward' - and keeping the good memories going! Whatever you dok don't pack it away - give it away if you need to (with time constraints and all), but don't let the yarn not be made into something and enjoyed this year!

Sew-and-so: I like that idea too--while we didn't use the local senior center as a resource there are lots who do and most need all the support they can get.

Trysh: I definitely don't want to pack this away--I want to use it this year, since that's what I bought it for. Besides, I am seriously low on space, so using it would give me back about 2 square feet.