VINTAGE CROCHET

"Life is like a crochet project, sometimes you unravel and start over to create something beautiful.." -Unknown

This is my Vintage  Crochet wall quilt. It's created with my mother's crochet form the 1940's and 1950's, pieces she taught me to make when I was a teenager, costume jewelry that had lived in a drawer for fifty years. I had no idea what to do with all of  it. So about 5 or 6 years ago I created a wall quilt, and added  to it, periodically. It's a work in progress..... 

Some of the beaded pieces were gifts, handkerchiefs made of fine Lawn fabric edged with lace, old costume jewelry , from the same era,  dripping across the lace.

The main crochet doilies are from a tablecloth she and I worked on when I was in high school. It was never finished. I threw it into a shoebox, into storage, till 2019. The net ribbon is from her 1936 bridal bouquet. I found it in an old box, part of it rusted with age. I saved the main part to drape across the crochet with her kilt pin, Celtic cross and her seamstress tape measure she used in the 1950's. I've recycled as many vintage pieces ,as possible.

 

Nov 21, 1936 Nessie Shiels McConachie

In the early 1950's , my mother spent a few summer's teaching crochet to her nieces from Peachland, BC. This is an actual photo of them sitting outside the house making doilies for this Christmas Lace tablecloth. It took them a couple of summers.....

In perfect condition after all of these years. I use it as a drape over the banister.

"There is a certain magic in the rhythm of crochet..." 

                                                                  -Unknown

 

In the 70's I tried my hand at making a lace tablecloth, using a pattern from a 1951 (15 cent crochet book. ) I kind of gave up after a while, and for years, with all of our moves across country, I kept it in the sideboard, thinking someday I'd throw it out. But instead  turned it into the centre portion of the wall quilt. 

(Crocheting over tea in the back yard: My grandmother, Isabella Shiels, my mother, Nessie, and  their dog, in 1951.)

After 2019, I found more pieces I made with my mother....the white sapphire centrepiece, and added it to the quilt....it really isn't difficult to do lace crochet. it makes perfect sense as you do the rounds. Quite addictive.  Very peaceful.

"Crochet is not just a hobby, it's a passion..." - Unknown

(Nov 21st, 1936 Davy and Nessie McConachie . The simple wedding dress, veil, and  bouquet with net ribbon....)

1951 Favourites crochet book.........................taped, torn, retaped .....

"Each crochet project is an adventure waiting to unfold..." - Unknown

The centre of the piece is a soft, fine piece of lawn fabric that my mother edged, before teaching me to make the surrounding doilies......It was a hot July day, and we sat on the porch while she took her finest hook and created the edging, before we crocheted  lace.

"Crochet is a dance of yarn and hook; it brings joy with every turn...." 

- Unknown

15 Cent crochet books, found in another drawer, under tablecloths in the sideboard.....

My mother also did a lot of Tatting, something you don't see very often anymore. Her books were marked and dog eared from years of use.

In 1959, my mother sent away for a filet crochet pattern from the Vancouver Province newspaper. Free. Only 2 cents for postage from Toronto! Still in its original envelope. She kept it inside a mason jar with her my grandmother's hooks and tatting shell. It was never crocheted. Never used. 

One summer, I taught my daughters to crochet. Just like my mother and grandmother, we sat on the back porch with yarn and thread. There isn't a day goes by that one, or all three of us ,are crocheting with hooks shining away in the light of day and night....

My mother, Nessie, Grandmother and Grandfather, My dad, Davey, with an uncle and cousin. 1952. (photographs 2025 and vintage family photos)