Welcome

Hello and welcome to my crochet blog!

I've been crocheting for a few years now and have used it as a relaxation tool and stress reliever. I love this craft for two reasons.  One, it allows me to be creative and learn new techniques.  Two, I'm an instant gratification kind of person and with crochet, it allows me to see my work quickly.  I've also knitted in the past but quite frankly, it just takes too long.

Recently, I've had quite a few of requests for my work and I thought that I'd share what I'm doing with you.  Currently, I'm doing a bunch of animal hats.  I thought this trend was finished but apparently not!  Owls are big this year.  I've had requests for hats and pillows and possibly a blanket (I'll know more soon).

HISTORY OF CROCHET

By MaryLee Sudworth

So where exactly did crocheting begin?  Well, that is cloaked in crochet mystery. 

According to Annie Louise Potter, Author of A Living Mystery:  The International Art & History of Crochet, it is believed that the early beginnings of crocheting may have been done using people’s fingers rather than today’s hook method.  That later changed to primitive bent needles with cork handles, and then to the crochet hook which was carved of wood, ivory or bone and then later to silver, brass and steel as crochet popularity heightened.  

Historians agree that they are unable to find any surviving crochet samples prior to 1800, but that does not mean it didn’t exist before the Industrial Revolution, when the notoriety of mass publication printed presses, paper mills and textile factories began to emerge in Western Europe.  According to Greek Historical and Textile Scholar Lila de Chaves, the interlacing with loops was used during the Neolithic Age as far back as 5000 BC.  The pieces were described as knot-less netting because the fibers were interlaced with one another and without using knots which is identical to today’s technique of crochet.

Ruthie Marks from The Crochet Guild of America also suggests that crochet may have originally evolved from ancient forms of embroidery used in Turkey, India, Persia and North Africa.  This method reached Europe in the 1700 and was called Tambouring which is from the French word Tambour meaning “drum.”  However, this process included using a background fabric that would be stretched onto a frame.  The thread was held underneath the fabric and a needle with a hook was inserted where a loop would be drawn through the fabric.  This would eventually form a chain stitch.  Yet, by the end of the 18^th Century, the background fabric was discarded.  The French then called this method “crochet in the air.”  The word crochet is of French origin meaning hook.  Thus, “hook in the air” was born.   

In the early days of crocheting, when it became more of a pastime, it was reserved for only the upper classes.  The rich felt that the lower classes did not have any need of the luxury of decorative household items or fancy clothing.  Therefore, the poor were discouraged and in many cases prohibited from learning crochet.  Instead, the lower classes were encouraged to knit so they could make basic necessities or in many cases, stick to darning or repairing socks and other apparel.  

This thought process changed during the Great Irish Famine from 1845 to 1849.  Ursuline Nuns, who were Irish nuns trained in a French Convent, introduced the teaching of crochet to the local women and children of Ireland for free.  Items were created and then were shipped and sold all over Europe and America.  This style of crochet is more commonly known today as Irish Lace.  It was instrumental in aiding many Irish families to financially survive the famine.

From the Great Irish Famine, a gift of Irish crochet lace was given to Queen Victoria.  She not only accepted the lace but wore it, which instantly catapulted crochet lace to the forefront of fashion.  Queen Victoria was not only a fan, but she herself learned to crochet.  Many Royal Historians believe that crocheting helped the Queen cope with the grief of her husband’s death.  In the last year of her life, Queen Victoria crocheted eight scarves for her forces fighting in South Africa.  These scarves were given to only the most distinguished soldiers.  This award of sorts came to be called “The Queen’s Scarf.”  Many of the soldiers found this item to be an even higher honour than the Victoria Cross because it was an object made by their beloved queen even though “The Queen’s Scarf” was never identified as a valid military decoration.

During World War II, crocheting nearly became extinct due to the shortage of available material.  Its popularity returned with a vengeance during the 1970s when it became extremely popular to wear crocheted items.  Today, crocheting is a traditional home craft.  Although it is primarily thought to be “a woman’s hobby,” men also crochet not only for its relaxing qualities and satisfying results, but some men reported to like crocheting because the stitches have a mathematical quality which can lead to artistic creations.  Men like 15^th US President James Buchanan (in office 1857-1861) and, Scientist and Inventor George Washington Carver (1864-1943) were avid crocheters.  

Crocheting continues to appeal to various economical classes because most of the materials still remain inexpensive and easy to obtain.  It is also a hobby enjoyed by both young and old.  Young children who crochet begin to increase their fine motor skills, learn to keep count and follow instructions, increase their self confidence and it introduces them to a “quieter pastime.”  Older generations enjoy the pure pleasure their craft brings to them, and it reduces painful symptoms for sufferers of arthritis.