vintage crocheted doily book

Being a fan of flower fabric, I was happy to find this vintage pattern book, Doily Bouquet (Star Book No. 71, by American Thread Company).

The doily at the top right is made of flowers crocheted separately at first, and apparently joined as they are made.

For my own flower fabric, like the Roses Poncho (close-up below), I crochet all the flowers separately, pin them to a template, and sew them together with sewing thread.

Suzann

I chuckled when I read the doily instructions. The designer obviously assumed some intelligence on the part of the crocheter, which is not so common nowadays:

“Work a 2nd daisy same as 1st daisy, joining it to 1st daisy as illustrated.”

Illustrated where? The only illustrations in the book are photos of the doilies. You’re on your own to figure out how to join the flowers.

I think it’s good for crocheters and other crafters to figure things out on their own. You have to think. You have to try various options to find the best one. The more you are forced to figure things out on your own, the more you improve as a crocheter.

That’s how crochet designers, teachers, and writers are made. Hurray!