124 Years Later: Crochet Still Practical

We asked Interweave Crochet's project editor, Sarah Read, to share her thoughts aboutPieceWork's newest eBook, Weldon's Practical Crochet: Ninth–Twelfth Series.

Diving into the Handsome Wide Border from the Tenth Series of Weldon's Practical Crochet.

I don’t think there has ever been a better view of crochet than from where we are standing right now. We have a bounty of great projects at our fingertips every day. Looking forward, we are seeing a rapid revolution of technique and style development unlike any that has come before. And looking back, we have increasing access to our rich heritage and history. Every day, the breadth of the crochet world expands with new developments and antique discoveries. And we revel in it, throwing ourselves eagerly in both directions. The Needlework Traditions team has been my lifeline to crochet heritage for many years, and when they sent me a copy of the latest compilation of Weldon’s Practical Crochet, I dove right in. Stitching along to the relaxed, conversational tone of the patterns feels like I’m stretching my skills at the knee of a kind governess. It recharges my sense of purpose in the craft, and I can’t help but love it more for the challenges it offers.

This celebration of crochet’s history isn’t just about admiring the intricacy of stitches in an obsolete antimacassar, but about admiring how far we’ve come, how our appreciation for the craft has grown in the face of constant reminders that we can, in fact, buy hats at the store. Knowing our history gives us the passion to explain the added value of time and heritage to a handmade hat, and the word is spreading quickly. I hope you enjoy this latest offering of Weldon’s Practical Crochet as much as I am. Be sure to share your projects and stories with us! It’s the stories that keep it all alive.