I started this site, Sum of their Stories because I wanted to share with others just a little of the help, skills and enthusiasm for crafts that I was surrounded with as I was growing up. My mum and both my grandmas were great crafters and so as a tribute to them, on what would have been their birthday each year, I share something I have that they made, taught me or a craft thing that relates to them somehow.

7th February was my mum’s birthday so today I’ve found something she made to share with you. When our oldest 2 children were really little my mum made them both Teletubby jumpers. We are talking round about 1999. I’d forgotten all about them but the other day we were watching some old home videos. My husband was transferring them from CDs onto a digital format. It’s funny isn’t it? We have to keep transferring this kind of thing. About 10 years ago we were busy transferring them from the original mini tapes to the CDs!

I’ve really struggled to find any photos of them in their lovely Teletubby jumpers though, it seems we did more videoing than photo taking, especially in the colder (jumper wearing) weather. To be honest I’m quite impressed we have anything though. With 3 children under 5 it’s a wonder we could even find the camera! You can just about see it here on our middle lad, behind his picnic! It’s the best photo I could find.

The pattern is something I do still have. I kept quite a lot of my mum’s patterns when I was sorting out her stuff, anything I thought there was a chance I might want to make. This pattern was from a magazine called Essentials (I’ve looked it up and apparently it closed down in 2016 here)

So today I’m remembering my mum, she was such a great knitter and loved a challenge. This kind of picture jumper was so fashionable back in the 80’s and 90’s I know she made several for all the children in the family with various designs.

Julie