4. Crochet a doile (31x31) or, The Eternal Feminism

The Complete Book of Crochet. 1946. Mathieson, Elizabeth L. Greystone Press, New York, NY.

History of Crochet
"Today, when crochet is enjoying such unprecedented vogue, it is doubly interesting to delve into its past and discover that what once helped save a nation from starvation became the accomplishment of queens. By curious irony, though its history dates back to the sixteenth century, crochet only came into its own with the birth of the Machine Age and has been growing in popularity ever since.

"The word itself is derived from the French crochet, meaning hook. Originally the crochet hook was one of a number of tools used in the intricate process of lace making. As time when on, a repertoire of stitches and designs evolved, and crocheting graduated into a separate and pleasurable art. In the beginning it was was almost entirely a convent art, classified with other types of handiwork under the general heading of nuns' work. It took a famine - the great Irish Famine of 1846 - to give crochet its greatest impetus. At the time nuns taught it to their pupils and the proceeds derived from the sales of crocheted articles helped alleviate existing miseries. It was then that it became, along with playing the harpsichord, one of the graceful accomplishments of the well-born young lady.

"Fascinating and versatile, crochet has become one of our best-loved handcrafts. With hook and thread agile fingers are capable of producing an endless variety of beautiful modern and traditional designs, each with its own special charm. Probably one of the loveliest is that known as Irish Crochet, famous as far back as 1743 when the Royal Dublin Society awarded prizes for outstanding examples of the art. During the famine it became more generally popular when rare patterns of old lace were so skillfully copied by the Irish girls.

"The machine has brought us many comforts and luxuries, but when it comes to the touch of beauty which is every woman's birthright, nothing, it appears, will ever supplant the charm and inimitable loveliness of the "handmade." This is especially true of crochet. There is a joy in wearing it, a subtle magic that goes into it, that the machine cannot copy or equal. That is the secret charm of crochet - whether it is done for profit, or as a hobby, a means of brightening a wardrobe or beautifying a home. It is an art that grows on you."

I am all about the hyperbole, but this lady takes the cake. I started reading this around 11:00pm last night.







I attempted a few different doilies, but then I read on to the chapter...

Irish Beauties [and since I am one of those, I thought this would be the more appropriate place to start my birthright crochet career]

"Way back in 1743 Irish crochet was winning handwork prizes. Today connoisseurs still consider it one of the loveliest designs in the crochet family. The world has done a lot of changing in the intervening years but The Eternal Feminine remains essentially the same - home and family still her dominant interests - the same need to make her surroundings attractive.

"For two hundred years exquisite examples of Irish crochet have graced the homes of beauty-loving women. As a decorative accessory it is extraordinarily versatile. Even a small amount used as a trimming - either as an edging or insertion - can transform a counterpane into a notable beauty, give an everyday tablecloth party manners [or Betty Friedan a headache]. Curtains, pillow shams, dressing-table skirts - any number of household needs - acquire new personalities [like Sybil] when treated to an Irish edging."

All feminism aside, they ARE very lovely patterns. You can see the Irish Roses, periwinkles, thistles, and heather in the laces below.



I decided to try 7577 with silk I frogged from a scarf Mart got me for Christmas a few years ago and a crochet hook I yoinked from Jenna when she was moving to Brooklyn. Turns out the crochet hook was too large for the gauge silk thread I am using. So! I HAD to go to the yarn shop and get another hook. Dang.



Crochet has an entirely new set of abbreviations which I hope to forget quickly.