We are going to look at some early publications of thread crochet patterns and some lace edgings made from those patterns. So come join us below the tangle orange thread.
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Frances Lambert was one of the most popular writers of needle art patterns in the 19th century. She first published in 1842 in England and that was then republished in the United States. Her books were intended for upper class women who were educated and had time to do fine needle art. I am lucky to have one of her books in my collection of patterns. This one was published in 1857 by T.B. Peterson in Philadelphia. The title is Miss Lambert's Complete Guided to Needle-Work and Embroidery. This was bought 50 years ago at a library book sale. The book is actually in 3 pieces and I found them on 3 different tables. I think I paid 25 cents for it. I just found one listed on line for $50.00 with a description of a unknown cover so it must of been rebound at one point. It is a rare book. Peterson published a ladies magazine at that time.
The language that was used to detail the steps to crochet is very different then it is today. Every pattern starts with the words "commence with." There was not standard pattern language at that time. It came later in the 19th century but was then changed in 1929 to the terms we still use today. The England still use the terms from the 19th century in written patterns today. The illustrations are drawings that give some idea what the article should look like but you were dependent on understanding what she was telling you to do.
This next set of pictures is from 1899 and before 1910. Thread manufactures were starting to publish pattern books for their products. Most of these books were never copy righted. Women loved these little books to carry in their work baskets. The books now had illustrations on how to make the stitches and a reference to the symbols used for that stitch. I was surprised when I found both of them together because the color plates are worthy of framing of the flowers. Many books like this even though these are small you could make more money just selling the color plates individually.
The Home Art Crochet Book was published in the 1920's by Flora Klickman. This is a well known book by collectors. It doesn't have a copy write date on it but I know it was the 1920's. It is very usable even today but you have to follow the stitch guide because it was before 1929.
This is the Boyd Import Company's Pattern Book. Boyd is still a brand that makes crochet hooks. This is also a rare book to find. It is a 2 book publication from 1921 that has hundreds of patterns for thread lace crochet. The first book is photographs of the actual lace and the second book has the instructions. I have also made lace from this book. The blue ink that was used is now becoming blurry in the illustrations. Many women at that time could look at a photograph and make the item with out written instructions. I was taught to do that as a child. I still depend on a good photo to work from even if I am using written instruction.
This pineapple pattern was called lotus lace originally. Pineapple lace was a later name that became popular in the 1930's.
Here is my lotus lace I made for a fall pillow case. I made this about 20 years ago. I did read the pattern but found it easier just to look at the picture and take it from that after I got started. I crocheted over top of the lace with a second color to match up with the fabric that I made the pillow cases from. The set really looks nice on the bed for fall holidays.
I use heavy liquid starch and dry on the line. Then I dampen and iron the old fashion way. I probably should of iron these pillow cases that I took out of the cedar chest and made the lace lay perfect.
If you have done any pattern collecting then you know how popular the Priscilla ten cent books are even today. This is the first one that was published in 1910. The booklets were published and sold by Priscilla Magazine. A very popular ladies magazine before WWI. I have a couple of copies of the magazine and it is fun to look at. When I read the articles I always hear Eleanor Roosevelt's voice in my head. I have a sample of the lace edgings that was offered in this booklet. I made the pillow case out of linen handkerchief fabric and I have not use this set of pillow cases yet. The thread is Cebillia size 20.
Here is a sample of a small edging that I did from this book. It was done for a tea towel.
This is book 3 and a few samples of the lace edgings that are offered in this book.
This is not the same but, I am sure it came out of one of the old ten cent books that I have in my collection of patterns. I started collecting these as a kid and have at least a hundred of them or more. They were common in the 1950's and 60's in second hand sales.
My grand daughter is teaching herself how to crochet from the internet. Her husband is in the navy. She can't read a pattern but looks at the pictures and is now working her way up from yarn to thread. I gave her a set of steel crochet hooks and thread when I visited her this summer. She was never around me much so could there be a crochet gene?
I hope you enjoyed looking into the past.
