Crochet – Then and Now Sept. 2007
As you might suspect, I’ve been going through some “stuff” and ran across an article I did in 1984 for a magazine entitled Crafts and Trends. Here it is 23 years later and I’m still crocheting, knitting, tatting and quilting. In fact, I have a quilt in my hanging frame at this writing – a Grandmother’s Flower Garden – quilting it by the piece. There are 39 flowers with lots border and it takes almost two hours to quilt one flower. Back to the subject (as you know I often leave the subject at hand and “chase rabbits”) – much of today’s article I’m taking from the earlier writing.
Crochet did not become widely popular, either in Europe or America, until the beginning of the 19th century. The Irish immigrants actually popularized crochet trims and garments in the United States. Appropriately enough, crochet derived its name from a French word meaning “hook.” Early hooks were made from natural materials, such as shells, bone, or wood. Some hooks were made simply of wire bent into a hook at one end. In our collection of things we have a hook or two made by John’s father, Clarence.
Clarence’s mother and wife both enjoyed the art of crochet. Hooks today come in all sizes and materials; steel, aluminum, plastic and wood. Aluminum or steel hooks are generally used with the smaller threads; plastic or wooden hooks are primarily used for heavy, bulky yarns or multiple strands of thread. In my crochet basket, I have some very large wooden hooks I use for making “rag” rugs; crocheting with fabric cut or torn into narrow strips.
When I was growing up here on this farm, feed and fertilizer came in fabric sacks. Raveling threads were always saved and many times these threads were used for crocheting. All kinds of threads are made and used today – even narrow ribbon can be crocheted; however, perhaps 100% cotton thread, which comes in a variety of sizes and brands, continues to be the favorite.
There is no difference in the stitches used for yarn and the smaller threads, although I have people tell me all the time they can crochet with yarn, but not the cotton thread.
Actually, it is all a matter of tension on the thread. If the right hand is the working hand (the one holding the hook), then the thread is held and controlled with the left hand. It takes some persistence to master the holding of the thread with even tension, but, once that is done, learning to crochet is a breeze.
No two people hold their thread exactly alike or work with the same amount of tightness in the finished stitch. The tightness of my crochet work varies from day to day. If I’m relaxed my stitches are looser; if I’m under a lot of stress or just simply do not feel well, my work will be tighter. Then, as you can see, each crocheted piece tells a story about its maker.
Crochet is more than needlework – it is an art form. Its delicately joined threads form a gossamer piece that looks as crisp and intricate as the first snowflake of winter. This back-to-basics needlework is done for fun as well as for the feeling of independence and achievement derived from the making something with one’s own hands. It gives the needle worker an opportunity to express artistic creativity. Crochet work is satisfying and easy to learn, although even an accomplished crocheter must do some counting of her stitches.
“It is interesting, that, in the electronic age of the 1980’s, crochet is enjoying a revival. Crochet represents a less complicated time, when living was at a slower pace – no carpools to help out with, and no fancy appliances to load, unload and keep repaired. Today’s busy woman is using her leisure time to revive the age-old charm of crochet.
Hand crocheted spreads, tablecloths, and afghans are now heirloom treasures, passed down in families from one generation to the next. As we lovingly examine these old pieces of crochet, we wonder about the maker; what was she like? What were her joys and her sorrows? Since we may never know the answers to these questions, we treasure the objects of this art of crochet. So valued are these pieces, that often times the disposition of such items is included in the writing of wills.”
Perhaps some of these old pieces saved for years have become yellowed with age and here I want to share an old-timey recipe for removing age spots. Mix 1 cup white vinegar, 1 quart buttermilk and 1 gallon of water. Soak the item in this solution overnight; rinse and dry. Be careful that the item to be soaked is washable. Another remedy for whitening of doilies and the like – in the month of May wash the item, hang it on a clothesline and leave it out for the May dew to fall on it. Use these at your own risk
Crochet – a wonderful pastime while at the same time producing a useful item — is just one of the many pleasures of country living.