Crochet Traditions 2012

Crochet Traditions 2012

Thanks to your enthusiastic reception of the first edition of PieceWork’s Crochet Traditions published last fall, we’re publishing a second. Once again, the stories and projects off er historical context for the art and craft of crocheting. This edition comprises six sections: Irish, Lace, Exotic, Filet, Fun, and Trimmings. The technique sections are self-explanatory.

Exotic contains examples of crochet that are truly unusual as well as examples of crochet practiced in far-flung corners of the world. The Fun section presents the lighter side of crochet, for example, ;the ode to the crocheted doily on page 113 or the adorable donkey on page 116. Trimmings contains not only a brief history of magazines with a focus on needlework magazines but also hints for working the seven vintage patterns found in this issue.

These vintage patterns were taken from magazines in PieceWork’s library of vintage books and magazines and are reproduced exactly as they appea in the originals, warts (and errors) and all. Our intrepid and talented crocheters had lots of fun tackling them, even ones with sketchy instructions like the following: “As dc is used throughout, working 1 dc in each dc of preceding row, save for increasing by working 2 dc in 1, and decreasing by taking 2 together or by missing 1, there seems no necessity for further directions in detail.”

Many of your favorite crochet designers are represented in this issue and perhaps a few new ones as well. Sincere thanks to all, especially our colleagues here at PieceWork, who crafted projects aft er their day jobs, some even after both day and night jobs.

The McCreery House, built between 1888 and 1901 by William H. McCreery (1839–1926) in downtown Loveland and now a bed-andbreakfast inn, and its beautiful furnishings serve as the backdrop for this issue’s photography. Special thanks to Linda Stotz for arranging for permissions. Each article and project, each author and designer featured in this edition adds to crochet’s rich history. And you, too, are among those who are keeping ;the tradition alive. Lovely.

—Jeane Hutchins