Doily heaven

Monday was another day of doilies waving gently in the breeze, but rain was forecast so vigilance was called for.

And the rain came down, but not before I had rescued the clean doilies that were mostly dry. So another joyful ironing session on the to do list.

But right now I'd like to take a closer look at doilies and their stories. The internet brought up very little, so I'm just going to talk about those I have and my ponderings.

First let's have a better background. A piece of thrifted maroon velvet is mush better. This is a very sweet little piece with the filet crochet centre, then fragile knotting and a frilly edge. I wonder what it was for. Was it part of a set. Who made it?

I do like this pattern and it's quite chunky. I'd like to try and copy it but those circles look a lot of work, tight double crochet around them and the centre.

This is so dainty and pretty. I'm not sure what to do with it. Some I think belong behind glass in a frame. I think they would make Great Wall art. I have several like that.

Even what I call commercially made ones like this beauty. Or is it?

It does appear to be crocheted and I don't know of any machine that can do this yet.

Look. There are definitely trebles there. I wonder who made it, and was it for a commercial company. 

I do wonder, and fret and worry about these situations. I prefer to imagine these lovely ladies in lesser developed regions, gathered together in their village laughing and chatting as they craft these beautiful pieces as a way of earning a living to feed their families. 

There are sooo many store bought crocheted items these days, so where are they made. Where are the factories of crocheting ladies. There must be a lot. Are they treated well and paid fairly. I'm afraid to say probably not.

Some groups are working to help artisans of remote cultures, like these lovely ladies in the mountains of Peru with their special Alpaca knitting. This is a Fair Trade leaflet that I treasure as I would just love to visit these ladies and sit and knit with them. The thought of it make my heart sing.

There are tours of these communities evidently, and I'd sooo love to go, as I'd also love to meet and join ladies in Asia where I think most of the crochet doilies come from.

There are so many styles and shapes etc of doilies, so I just trawl through a few for you.

Some so very fine with such fine thread I don't know how they could see to do it.

Some not crocheted, maybe made by machine, though this is evidently an old traditional style of a certain type of lace making.

At our quilt show back last October, where I displayed my doily lampshade in the upcycled section, a very knowledgable lady was telling me about all the different type of lace and stitching were in the doilies I had used. I wish I could remember all she said. She didn't like what folks were doing with doilies these days, but did approve of my lamp.

But she didn't approve of my smock and the skirt that I had decorated with doilies. Ah well! One out of three ain't bad.

Now, this one is fascinating. It is made with crochet and knitting.

Can you see where the maker has alternated between the knitted filled in tiers and the lacy crochet joining rows.

This is another example. See the knitted boarder, with crochet edge

And the crochet and knitted body of this delicate old table cloth. As usual, I ponder on the maker, spending quiet times, concentrating closely over her work. How long did it take her. Was it for a special occasion, like a wedding present, or for her hope chest maybe. How old is it?

And this exquisite beauty IS destined for a frame. It is sooo lovely, quite heavy. It too has a story I can only wonder about.

The cupboard is definitely not bare. Some months ago I set myself the task of getting my stash, soaked, washed, ironed and stored in one place instead of spread in various baskets etc. I'm catching up, I think.

Of course there are the embroidered doilies too. We'll have a look at those another day.

Bye for now, and abundant blessings to all who pass this way. Love Trills.xx