I Do Not Make Doilies

My title is a misnomer, I do not make doilies. In fact I do not even like to work with the tiny steel crochet hooks that are required to make those dainty fancies. I suppose it is for the same reason that I will never, not ever make another granny square. When I learned to crochet, my first pattern was the infamous granny square.

I made granny square slippers, hats, afghans, pillow covers, bags, and scarves, but not a skirt. I have seen many a granny skirt pattern, but never felt inclined to make or wear one, Cate Blanchett notwithstanding.

I suppose there are some parts of crochet that deserve to remain in the past, doilies and granny squares amongst them. I love the new crochet. I love all of the colorful books on the subject that abound now. I love all of the cool magazines (6) that crocheters have to choose from. When I was young and funky fresh in the 80’s

it seemed that the only books my library had on crochet were from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. They were never in color and every page had either a granny square vest or dainty table doily on it. No wonder the magazine McCall’s Crochet and Magic Crochet

went out of business. I have had enough. Although I am not hostile towards knit I have also had enough of crochet taking a back seat to knitting. I am a little jealous that knit and not crochet is mentioned in the Bible, I am jealous that when I am sitting and crocheting in public, people ask, “What’s that that you are knitting?” I am jealous that if you search for a crochet clip art in Microsoft Word you get four choices. If you enter the word “knit” you get an overwhelming choice. Go ahead, give it a try and see. I was thrilled when I found out there was an entire museum devoted to the art of crochet…till I learned it was no larger than the Fotomat booths of the past. If you are crocheter, you already know these disparities; if you are a knitter, please feel my pain! So, it is with this post that I make a stand for crochet! I love that crochet has made a resurgence with the likes of Allison Hoffman who makes cool celebrity amigurumi. I am/was afraid of those cute little things so my I applaud you Allison for having Hollywood clamor for your cute stuffed things.

And I love Shauna Robertson whose hands are no doubt cramped after crocheting those GIANT lion sculptures for Olympics this year.

She coined a new term called, “crochetdermist.” COOL! And I love Gordana Gelhausen. When I heard there was a crocheter in the Project Runway I was thrilled…till I saw that her work was actually knitwear! She made up for it on her website where you will find some lovely crocheted jewelry. Way to go ladies, you are championing the cause of so many crocheters out there who want to see our stuff in the media. Keep it contemporary and keep it crochet! ++