A new book is proving it's hip to be a granny square.
Vintage Crochet from the National Library of Australia is a follow up to the wonderful Vintage Knitting book in 2022.
In the past, people knew the magic of a handmade garment - the uniqueness, the custom fit, the time and care taken by the maker.
In today's world of mass-production, fast-fashion and obsolescence, we now crave the individuality and satisfaction that comes with creating clothing by hand.
Building on the success of Vintage Knits, Vintage Crochet brings together more than 35 timeless patterns for garments, homewares, accessories and kids toys.
Curated from publications such as the Australian Women's Weekly and the Australian Woman's Mirror, the patterns have been thoughtfully updated to suit today's crocheter, with something for every skill level.
The book presents patterns from these publications from as early as 1888, tried and tested to suit the needs of the modern day crocheter.
It has instructions for a variety of vintage garments, accessories, toys and homewares. Each pattern will be accompanied by illustrations from the original publication and modern photographs of the newly-crochet piece.
Vintage Crochet features full-colour photographs of the garments, modelled by diverse models from the National Library community, and illustrated spreads that explore the social and cultural significance of this beloved craft.
From the origins of the iconic granny square to considerations of feminism and sustainability, these fascinating reflections add depth and context to the patterns.
The book also includes an introduction to the basics of crochet, providing beginners with the necessary tools to embark on their crochet journey.
As the trend for everything vintage continues to captivate, and the handmade revolution gains momentum, Vintage Crochet is set to bring style and joy to modern crocheters of all ages.
Whether as a Mother's Day gift or a treat for oneself, this book is a must-have for anyone seeking to embrace the art of crochet and create cherished pieces that will stand the test of time.
Vintage Crochet will be released in April.
Therese Murray
Wordsmith. Senior journalist. Editor. I have a proven track record in helping people and communities solve their problems. My career is all about telling stories.
Wordsmith. Senior journalist. Editor. I have a proven track record in helping people and communities solve their problems. My career is all about telling stories.
