Happy Makes

Category: From The Archive

  • This was Hidden in a Wooden Parasol… Threads and Family Stories

    This was Hidden in a Wooden Parasol… Threads and Family Stories

    I wrote this post all the way back in 2012 when I first started teaching crochet as Carry Yarn Stitching. Christine brought in a beautiful set of heirloom antique crochet hooks to show us, undoubtably the finest I’ve ever seen.

    I’d forgotten about this post until I stumbled over it today, but rereading it brought back the joy of those classes and reminded me that I’m passing on skills that stay with people.

    The writing here isn’t great, and the photos are clunky, but the memory is special. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you Christine.

    Caroline. x

    Nobody managed to correctly guess what it was (well, apart from K. who was already there!)

    This antique is beautifully carved, I think from oak, although I could be wrong, in the shape of a parasol or umbrella. Lift off the handle, and you can see it’s hollowed out to protect the finest crochet hooks you can imagine. The hooks have their own lids to protect the delicate ends, and would be about the right size for crocheting with sewing thread. Christine knows I’m fascinated by items like this, and brought it in when she came to the Squares workshop.

    The top of the folded parasol removed to show the hooks

    Lids removed from the hooks – can you see the ends?

    She said the hooks and case belonged to her late mother-in-law, who inherited them from her own aunt. This lady was an accomplished lacemaker, who learnt to crochet as a child, trained as a milliner, made her own wedding items, and was eventually promoted to making fine wedding veils. Quite a career back then! C also told me that,

    “during the war she made all her own net/lace curtains for her first home and I’d guess again she used those hooks”.

    Here’s some of her work, probably made by the same crochet hooks in the case:

    The hooks and original case were amazing, the fine lace doilies, runners and veils were amazing on their own, but to hear about the woman herself, and the stories behind them, was absolutely inspirational.

  • From The Archive: Roll Up! Crochet Newspaper Tree

    From The Archive: Roll Up! Crochet Newspaper Tree

    I’ve been teaching and writing about crochet, knitting, and assorted crafts since 2011, here, and on my old blog. Some of the posts are pretty special, and I’d like to keep hold of and share them again, here, for you.

    I’m not going to edit them much, and I’ll give each one a little intro from Current Caroline.

    This one is special – my tree won a prize, you know… (tooting my own trumpet)

    The black cat in the last section is Onyx. We bonded over a paper bag, and she was an absolute star! She liked to help.

    This is a piece I made a few years ago for a contest on Craftster.

    I tore strips of newspaper and twisted them to make a rough yarn, but not really spun. I joined the ends by twisting them together as I worked, without using glue as I was worried the damp would weaken the paper. The trunk is worked in single crochet, with increases made by eye.

    The branches are the exception to the ‘no glue’ rule. The base is florists wire, with several pieces twisted together to form thicker parts. I wrapped thinner strips of paper around the wire base, and secured them with a dab at glue on the ends.

    This tree was great fun to make, and I’m pleased to say it won! Newspaper is a bit of a challenge, but I found that once you have the tension right it’s a straightforward medium, although you end up filthy with newsprint!