Actually, I think doilies need a complete rebranding. I like to think I'm contributing to that end, but it seems many remain confused that doilies are still a thing. I think it's safe to say they're not the same thing as doilies of the past. Doilies today can be made in the most beautiful colors. And tucked into places that (I think) should delight the eyes of those lucky enough to discover them.
Yes... like their forerunners, today's doilies may end up in thrift stores and flea markets eventually, but I am confident that some creative souls will swoop them up and find new ways to use them, or upcycle them.
So I continue to contribute toward that possibility!
From the book, 99 Little Doilies, I completed Doily #47:
Or Cobblestone Patio
And here is Peony Doily that I showed a peek of last week:
I took inspiration from a crocheter on Ravelry for my colors, but here's a link for fellow Ravelry members to the original doily. Made in one color, it's nearly unrecognizable from mine.
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Just a few of the beautiful colored cotton threads I own - make me itch to stitch up at least a few more before the fascination wanes (temporarily) again.
I love the colours, Becki.
ReplyDeleteOut of complete ignorance, what were they used for originally? I have images of them in my maternal grandmother's house sitting under things, but that is it.
I'm so glad you asked, TB. Before writing this post, I actually looked up the origins of doilies. While writing more confidently about would require a bit more research, I can say my suspicions were correct, that at one time doilies served some practical purposes. Anyone over 50 is probably familiar with some elderly person in their life who had a pretty white doily sitting under a potted plant. I can think of more examples, I but think I want to sit on this topic for a bit, and develop a blog post. Thank you for the inspiration!
DeleteI do love the colorful doilies. I enjoy seasonal kitchen towels, guest bathroom hand towels, etc. so seasonal doilies would be right up my alley.
ReplyDeleteMaureen, exactly 10 years ago I started making a doily as part of a Ravelry CAL. I struggled to the point of giving up, and thought crocheting with a tiny hook and thread was just not for me. Four months later (in a Ravelenics challenge) I picked it back up, and when I suddenly noticed that each round was a repeat of a set of stitches it suddenly felt easy and fun. I finished that fairly simple doily quickly and was hooked from that point on. 😊
DeleteVery pretty Becki, I still use doilies on my tables and have done for years. A more modern term is a mandala. 😊
ReplyDeleteI've actually thought about using the term, Linda - especially as I'm making some in more than one color. Though the term mandala is a much older term than the term doily. In stitch structure mandalas and doilies are the same. In their history and use/purpose and materials, they are different things. To the point, I think I'd end up finding myself explaining using the term mandala for a doily - especially, with my solid color doilies. Having crocheted a few mandalas, I have in my mind that these are usually made with something thicker than thread. Also, while I realize one can make a solid colored mandala, crocheted mandalas are typically made in multiple beautiful colors, as the rounds change. The rebranding I sort of jest about is something that could help everyone see how pretty decorative doilies are. Clearly, artisans and simple crocheters like myself are finding doilies are just as decorative in our modern times, while, at the same time, connecting us to earlier generations that understood how fascinating they are to make. But I can't help but feel the name doily (probably because it isn't ancient, but was a term that arose in a more modern time - the 1800's) is often a turn-off to those who've never made one or used one in decorating. Just the word, in my mind, conjures up an image of something dusty and musty. This is all fodder for a post someday. Thank you, too, for inputting into the thought process for that!
DeleteOoohhh, look at all those pretty pretty colors of thread. I haven't used crochet thread in many years. Might need to pull my boring white thread out and give it a try. That peony doily is so eye catching. Do you starch yours? I used to do a sugar water starch on mine.
ReplyDeleteYes, Marsha, I stretch and block all my doilies. I simple get the doily soaking wet, roll it up and squeeze the excess water into a towel, then spray it with spray starch - pressing the starch into the threads. I pin it out on a blocking foam and they're typically dry within 12 hours or so.
DeleteThey are beautiful. I remember my grandmother made a lot of doilies. I still have her steel hooks. I don’t crochet with them - they are perfect for adding beads to knitting projects - but I know what their primary goal is and I remember the beautiful works she made with them.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Elaine. You make me think... I have some pretty thread crocheted items that my husband's grandmother made. And I'm pretty sure I own a vintage steel hook. I should pull these things out for a post someday!
DeleteI still have some that my maternal grandma made and I also have some tatted ones my mother made while she was in hospital (for four years) recovering from tuberculosis. I've cut some of the stained ones up and used them in various projects over the years and I keep a few of the nicest ones under things in my china cabinet.
ReplyDeleteMary Anne, tatting baffles me. You've made me curious about how tatted doilies look different from crocheted ones. It would be nice to know how to recognize the differences. I'm sure I've seen tatted doilies and assumed they were crocheted.
DeleteThere is a definite difference between tatted doilies and crocheted ones. If you had one of each side by side you'd see what I mean.
DeleteMary Anne, I've been wanting to tell you... I recently saw a video of someone tatting, and while I'm still baffled by it, I see what you mean. I do think I could tell the difference now.
DeleteI enjoy doilies and have a lot of them that came from my mother's house. When I see them at yard sales and such, I often will buy some of them.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, it makes my heart happy to know people buy doilies at garage sales and such. :)
DeleteI love all of the doilies. I have made a few over the years. Some of my favorite ones are what the pattern called Filet Crochet. I would be so interested to read a history of the term and general knowledge of this art form. I also always scoop up handmade linens at yard sales. I generally repurpose them.
ReplyDeleteRuth, I have been looking for a filet crochet pattern I'd like to make. I think I may have one finally that I found on free.vintagecrochet.com. I think what's holding me back is choosing the color to use. :)
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