Who Crocheted Your Family Heirloom?
Some time in the period between high school graduation and marriage (1961 to 1965), I asked my Grandmother to crochet me a bedspread (only later did I realize what a monsterous request this was). She did and I still have it. The pattern is from Coats and Clarks and is called ‘Mosiac Rose.’ It was made with cream-colored #10 thread. The spread ended up being queen size - in an era when there was no such thing unless you pushed 2 twin beds together!
Describe Your Hand-Crocheted Heirloom in Detail.
In about 1980 I started a bedspread in #30 ecru thread. Because I hate dealing with thread ends, I actually crocheted the top in one piece even though the pattern called for filet squares. I carried this project with me until it became too big. To make a long story short, I finished the top and laid it aside for a while. Then I made the drop which was a separate piece. The two pieces 'rested' a while longer. Eventually, I finished it. I entered it in the Indiana State Fair in 1991 (my first time to enter there) and this took the sweepstakes for a crocheted item!!
We finally got a queen-size bed some time around the time I finished my spread. When I got around to digging out Grandma's spread, I was shocked to realize it was the same pattern as I had used to make my spread!! Why I hadn't recongized that sooner, I don't know. I guess it shows we both have/had good taste in patterns!
My Grandma did a lot of crocheting (as did her mother). After I asked for this spread, she went on to make idential spreads for all 'the women' in the family - her daughter, daughter-in-law and all 3 granddaughters. Then she followed that with (big!)tablecloths for everyone. All were done in #30 thread and done in an old pattern that called for multiple motifs that had a lot of sc in the center.
Today, I have a queen-size bed and periodically I put it on the bed although because we have a dog who thinks the greatest napping place ever is on the pillows, I don't use it a lot.
Advice
- I have to admit that I have never washed my spread and it is stored in a large plastic bag (I know, that's not really ideal).
- Grandma's spread has been washed a couple of times but I'm careful about using it because it's so big and heavy to wash.
- I have a lot of my grandmother's crocheted (and quilted) things as well as HER mother's things and a lot of them I use regularly. Most of these things are a minmum of 30 years old and up to 100+ years old (Grandma married in 1908). I wash almost everything in a laundry bag in the washer with gentle cycle. I don't starch most pieces - just block.
Amy Solovay, Crochet Guide, says:
To Ann: Those bedspreads are both exquisite! Congrats on the well-deserved win at the state fair. What a great story! Thanks for sharing it with us, and thanks also for all the wonderful tips.
To Everyone: You are all invited to share the stories of your vintage crocheted heirlooms too. You might also enjoy seeing a vintage handkerchief posted by another reader. If you'd rather try your hand at crocheting a vintage design, be sure to visit our list of vintage crochet patterns.
