Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

Have you created a Crochet Heirloom?

by

heirloom-pic.jpg

Dictionary.com defines ‘heirloom’ as:

 

1.a family possession handed down from generation to generation.

A crochet heirloom is pictured above.
That got me to thinking about crochet and our heritage. Do you have any crochet items made by your predecessors – mom, grandma, auntie? I have only one. It’s a small doll sweater crocheted by my mother’s mother for my mom when mom was about 5 years old. To my knowledge, my mamaw had no interest in anything domestic. I never saw her sew or crochet or knit. Of course, she cooked every day and kept her huge kitchen garden in her small town in rural Arkansas. She LOVED being outside. The summers I spent there were filled with fishing, picking berries, swimming in the ‘hole’, visiting neighbors, and eating her exquisitely delicious fried pies made with peach peels leftover from making peach pies. No crochet! So, I cherish even more this single item I have inherited from her. My mom is 84 and I am 58. My mamaw has been gone since 1985. The little doll sweater is a soft pink, moth eaten, and attractive to no one but me!

My mother remembered mamaw participating in quilting bees in my mom’s youth. I have some precious quilts composed of fabrics that my mother can readily identify as having come from her brother’s shirt, her sister’s apron, her grandfather’s tie, etc. Some of the patches are signed by women I knew as ancient ‘relics’ – probably the age I am now – when I was a child.

So, I take these messages, few as they are from my own family, and try to assure that my children and other family members have heirlooms from my hands. I have crocheted an afghan for each of my three kids. I routinely crochet baby afghans for all suitable occasions, but especially for my two cherished grandnephews who are now 4 and 6. Since I have no grandchildren as yet, Dominic and Nicholas are my crochet beneficiaries. I just completed a tiny poncho for the 1 year old daughter of my husband’s secretary. My friends and their children now receive baby afghans for each grandchild and something crocheted as a token gift for each birthday. Maybe some day, these will become heirlooms, valued by their owners as the love tokens they are.

So, go make an heirloom!

Comments

  1. My grandmother had crocheted my mother and each of the granddaughters a sunburst centerpiece doily. Over the years and many moves, my sister lost hers. While it could never totally replace the one Grandma made. I reproduced that doily for her. The look of gratitude and joy when I gave it to her was awesome.

  2. My husband has an afghan his grandma made, one his mom made, and I’m making one for him. He says they are very special to him and he thinks of the person who made it while he snuggles in them. For some reason, crochet and family go together. Something about making it yourself or home made. We need connections across generations and across distances. I agree, go make an heirloom!

  3. Karen,
    I’m so moved by your brief story! How sweet and thoughtful of you to reproduce that cherished doily for your daughter. It’ll always be a memory of both you and her grandmother.
    jd

  4. Jennifer,
    I agree that crochet and friend go hand in hand, across the generations of families and distance. How well stated! I have a few things, few crocheted however, that I cherish from my grandmother and aunts. Your husband is very special to have three afghans made just for him!
    jd

  5. I loved your story! I guess I am very lucky. My mom and her mother were both avid crocheters. I have a huge pile of their doilies that I inherited after each passed on. I would give anything if I could spend an afternoon with a good cup of coffee spent crocheting doilies with my mom and gramma! Thanks for the smile. Your “crochet beneficiaries” are lucky indeed!

  6. I never knew my gradparents, my family moved away from them before I was born. I have this big hole in my life. my mother was a advid crocheter. She taught me to crochet when I was about 8yrs. I have lots of her (and my)stuff. I don’t crochet much now but I do weave and have a trunk full of weaving for my kids and grandkids probably enough for the greats, also. I have a wooden trunk my great great grandfather made in 1859, which is my pride and joy. All my heirlooms are in it. “In case of fire.. grab that first!!”

Have you read?

How to Crochet the Suzette Stitch: An Easy Textured Crochet Stitch for Beginners

Learning a crochet stitch is much more satisfying when you have an actual project waiting at the end of it. The Suzette stitch is especially versatile because its dense, softly textured fabric works for everything from practical cotton washcloths to cosy scarves, hats and blankets.

Here are some Suzette stitch crochet patterns worth adding to your project list.

Suzette Stitch Baby Blanket

The free Suzette Stitch Baby Blanket pattern from Premier Yarns uses the stitch to create a softly textured crochet blanket with a subtle tweed-like appearance.

This would make a lovely handmade baby shower gift, particularly when worked in a washable baby yarn. The stitch creates more visual interest than plain single crochet without introducing large holes that may catch tiny fingers.

Easy Suzette Stitch Blanket

The Suzette Stitch Blanket pattern by Stitching Together is another approachable blanket project for crocheters who enjoy a relaxing stitch repeat.

This is the sort of project you can keep beside the sofa and work on a few rows at a time. Just keep an eye on those skipped stitches—television crochet is wonderful until an extra stitch quietly sneaks in three episodes earlier.

Casey Suzette Stitch Scarf

The free Casey Scarf crochet pattern uses the Suzette stitch through most of the design, producing a cosy scarf with a softly scalloped, zigzag-like texture.

It is a good first wearable project for beginners because scarves do not require complicated shaping. You can also adjust the length fairly easily or use a self-striping yarn and let the colour changes do the decorative work for you.

Quick Suzette Crochet Scarf

For another scarf option, try this free Suzette Stitch Scarf pattern from Hooked by Robin.

The designer includes written instructions and a video tutorial, making it helpful for visual learners who prefer watching the stitch placement before beginning. It is designed as a quick project and would make a practical last-minute handmade gift.

Suzette Colour Block Scarf

The free Suzette Colour Block Scarf pattern is a cheerful option for using several coordinating yarn colours.

Colour blocking also makes this a handy stash-busting crochet project. You can use leftover yarn from other makes, although it is worth choosing yarns of the same weight and similar fibre content so the sections behave themselves after washing.

Chunky Suzette Stitch Beanie

The free Chunky Suzette Stitch Beanie crochet pattern turns the textured stitch into a warm winter hat.

Chunky yarn helps the pattern work up quickly and makes the raised texture especially noticeable. This would be a useful project for craft stalls, charity donations or quick handmade Christmas gifts.

Hazel Textured Crochet Beanie

The free Hazel Beanie crochet pattern combines simple ribbing with the Suzette stitch.

The ribbed brim gives the hat a neat, finished appearance while the Suzette stitch adds texture to the main body. It looks more complicated than a basic crochet beanie but is still built from familiar beginner stitches.

Suzette Stitch Washcloth

For a small practice project, try the free Suzette Stitch Wash Cloth pattern from The Purple Poncho.

A washcloth is one of the best ways to practise a new crochet stitch because it is small, useful and not terribly demanding. Even if the first one is slightly wonky, it will still wash perfectly well.

Use a smooth cotton yarn so the cloth is absorbent and the stitch texture remains clearly visible.

Suzette Ridge Crochet Washcloth

The free Suzette Ridge Crochet Washcloth pattern adds another layer of texture to this familiar stitch combination.

Make several in coordinating colours and pair them with handmade soap for an easy spa-style gift. They are also useful little projects for testing unfamiliar cotton yarn before committing to a larger set.

Corner-to-Corner Suzette Stitch Washcloth

The free C2C Suzette Stitch Washcloth pattern gives the stitch a slightly different construction by working it from corner to corner.

This is a good next project after you have mastered ordinary flat rows. It lets you explore increasing and decreasing while still using the familiar Suzette stitch combination.

Suzette Stitch Afghan Square

The Suzette Stitch Afghan Square pattern turns the textured stitch into a smaller crochet block.

Afghan squares are useful for charity blankets, sampler blankets and portable crochet projects. You can make the squares individually, use up leftover yarn and join everything together once you have enough—although “enough” has been known to become a surprisingly flexible number in my craft room.

More Suzette Stitch Crochet Pattern Ideas

Once you are comfortable with the basic stitch, you can also use it to make:

  • Crochet mug cosies
  • Ear warmers and headbands
  • Fingerless gloves
  • Cushion covers
  • Tote bags
  • Baby rompers
  • Crochet cardigans
  • Lap blankets
  • Double-thick potholders

You can browse additional Suzette stitch crochet patterns on Etsy, including sweaters, baby blankets, beanies, mug cosies and accessories from independent crochet designers.

When choosing a pattern, check whether it uses US or UK crochet terminology. Also check whether it uses the traditional Suzette stitch—one single crochet and one double crochet worked into the same stitch—or a designer’s variation of it. That quick check can prevent a great deal of confused unraveling later.