History of crochet – part 3

miniature crochet
© F H Powell 2014

In 1848 Frances Lambert published My Crochet Sampler in which she described the crochet work up until this time as ‘practiced in its most primitive shape’. Crochet became a thriving cottage industry being used to supplement the income of the main breadwinner, as bedding provider or to clothe the family. However crochet seemed to draw the stigma of a low class second-rate type of textile, a situation that was relived when Queen Victoria learned to crochet herself. Fashions changed as the Edwardian era began and highly complex textures in pale colours or white replaced the strong colours favoured in Victorian times. By the inter war years few crochet patterns were published and most were a simplification of previous work. Interest in crochet revived in the late 40’s until the 60’s when again the strong colours of the era returned.

© F H Powell 2010

Basic ‘granny squares’ in vibrant colours were made into bags, caps and cardigans. This was the new fashion of the young in the late 60’s especially in ‘swinging London’. Since then crochet continues much as it always has, as a hobby. Of course crochet doesn’t have to be in full scale, take a look at our web shop or the patterns available as digital downloads here on our blog pages for miniature crochet ideas.