Vintage Book Reviews -The Mary Frances Knitting and Crocheting Book

Well, you might not agree. The three books I reviewed over the past few weeks as ‘reruns’ were all excellent books. But, this week’s book is CHARMING!! Even I find it amazing that I find this book so charming. I hated dolls when I was a kid as I was SUCH a tomboy. I can’t say I’m a doll fan now, but something in this book just speaks to me. Maybe it says as much about how I think a child’s like should be as it does about the charm of crocheting for one’s favorite doll or teddy.

The Mary Frances Knitting and Crocheting Book by Jane Eayre Fryer is one of my all time favorite crochet books. And, unlike most books that mix crochet with knit, crochet does not get short shrift. There are lots of crochet projects in this little gem. Further charm is added by the (mostly)black and white photos and the quaint drawings of Jane Allen Boyer. The book claims over 55 projects for all levels of expertise. I think they are right.

The subtitle of the book ‘Adventures Among the Knitting People’ pretty much tells it all – except that the wording should have included among the crocheting people also. The book certainly does.

This book tells a story that you will enjoy reading to or sharing with a youngster in your life, perhaps as you teach the art of crochet. There are plenty of ‘how-to’ instructions, photos, and illustrations. And, I don’t think you will find a more complete set of projects to properly clothe your dolls and teddies – and maybe even your own babies or grandchildren!

From crocheted leggings (to teach the decrease) to the infant doll’s complete crocheted outfit of socks, cap, and sacque to the doll’s crocheted garters, you will find a wealth of pretty patterns, each focusing on learning a new stitch.

One defect in the book is that the chapter on ‘Red Cross Knitting’ includes no crochet patterns among its patterns for wash cloth, wristlets, ehlmets and hot water bottle cover. Such a shame! We crocheter are/were willing to crochet for the Red Cross effort too! It would also have been pleasing to have a greater number of color plates also. The ones included are especially attractive in vintage tones and styles.

For you who also knit, both the ‘standard’ and continental version are included, along with an equally good collection of knit patterns for dolls and teddies.

This book is 270 pages published in 2003. ISBN is 0875885373. It’s readily available at online booksellers, new and used, from about $4 to more than $70. This one should not be missed. Note: the same author has written books about sewing, cooking, and several other titles that might be of interest.

Some crochet projects are made simply because we need a warm hat. Some are made because we need a quick gift, a stash-busting project, or something easy to work on while watching television. And then there are crochet projects that carry a message.

This Red Slouch Beanie Crochet Pattern PDF sits firmly in that last category.

Inspired by the Melt the ICE craftivism movement, this red crochet beanie is more than just a wearable winter accessory. It is a handmade political statement — soft, practical, visible, and rooted in the long tradition of protest through craft.

You can find the Red Slouch Beanie Crochet Pattern PDF here.

Crochet as Protest

Crafters have always had a way of saying things with their hands. Quilts have carried coded messages, embroidery has documented women’s lives, banners have marched through the streets, and yarn crafts have wrapped public spaces in colour and defiance.

This beanie belongs to that same creative lineage.

The phrase Melt the ICE gives this pattern its political edge. It connects the humble red crochet hat to conversations around immigration enforcement, detention, family separation, human rights, community care, and the role ordinary people can play in public protest.

And that is what makes this pattern interesting. It is not loud in the way a placard is loud, but it is visible. A red handmade hat catches the eye. It invites questions. It gives the maker a way to wear their values without needing to shout over anyone.

Sometimes craftivism works because it is disarming. People expect political protest to be hard-edged, but handmade work brings something different to the conversation. It says, “I cared enough to make this stitch by stitch.”

About the Pattern

The pattern itself is beginner-friendly and refreshingly straightforward. The hat is worked flat in rows, then seamed and gathered to create a relaxed slouch beanie shape. That makes it especially approachable for crocheters who are still building confidence with wearable projects.

Instead of needing to work in the round or fuss with crown shaping from the start, you are essentially making a rectangle and turning it into a hat. I love that kind of construction because it gives beginners a real sense of achievement. You are not just practising stitches — you end up with something wearable and meaningful.

The design uses a textured crochet fabric, giving the finished beanie a cozy, slightly chunky look. The slouchy shape keeps it casual and modern, while the bold red colour gives it that unmistakable activist feel.

Why Red Matters

The red yarn is not just a colour choice here. It is part of the visual language of the project.

Red is urgent. Red is warm. Red is visible in a crowd. It can suggest anger, love, warning, solidarity, courage, and care all at once. For a political crochet project, that matters.

A red slouch beanie can be worn to rallies, community events, mutual aid gatherings, craftivism meet-ups, or simply out in everyday life as a quiet statement of support. It is one of those pieces that can be as bold or as subtle as the wearer wants it to be.

Of course, you could make the pattern in any colour, but for the Melt the ICE inspiration, red feels intentional. It gives the hat its message before a single word is spoken.

Have you read?

Crochet as Protest

About the Pattern

Why Red Matters