Thrift Store – Crochet Adoption

I couldn’t help myself. There it was. It looked cheery but lonely. It looked perfect but unloved. I HAD to take it home with me. What was it? A doily at a thrift store! There were actually a bunch of doilies there, but most had been crocheted with white thread, and I’m a sucker for color. Check out one of my own doilies below. I love the cheerful colors that can be found in size 10 threads.

So, like others I’ve read about, I am now the adopted mom to this wonderful doily. The colors will go pretty well in my ‘undersea’ themed guest bath since they echo the colors of several of the deep sea fish. I plan to display it there.

So, how much do you think this beautiful doily cost me? Well, I’ll give you a clue. It was half price! So, instead of the tagged $1.50, it cost me a mere 75 cents!! I couldn’t resist. You couldn’t have either. Oh, go ahead – admit it!!

I wish I knew who made this beauty. I rescued it from a thrift store in Maryville, Missouri where I was visiting this past weekend. The friend I travelled with is a thrift store junkie like me – a junk junkie??? But, she’s not interested in crochet. While I troll for yarn, hooks, books and magazines, she’s snatching up 1970’s vintage clothing and microwaveable Tupperware for herself . But, we both love the thrill of the hunt at thrift stores. On this particular weekend, where the stated purpose was to deliver her youngest son and his possessions to his dorm room at Northeast Missouri State University, we managed to spend several hours at three different thrift stores, one in Maryville (home to this University) and two in Kansas City where we also spent the night to visit my cousin.

My version of the Pistilli Pineapple Doily which can be found at:

http://www.io.com/~cortese/crafts/pistilli_pineapple.html

Not much crocheting got done. We mostly ate, shopped, ate, drove, ate, and talked trash about our wonderful husbands! It’s a good thing our two hubbies are such great guys. They strongly support our thrift store shopping, especially since they are so often the beneficiaries of the great old books we find there that they both enjoy.

If you get the chance, run on down to your local thrift store and rescue or adopt a doily or afghan. There are lots of them for the taking. I simply do not understand how anyone could abandon these wonderful handmade beauties…….

This is one of those shawl patterns that feels instantly calming, even before you pick up a hook. The Forest Valley Shawl (After Party Pattern 23) by Scheepjes, available through Jimmy Beans Wool, has a very gentle, nature-inspired feel that really lives up to its name.

What I love about this design is how wearable it is. Some shawls are beautiful but awkward to style; this one feels practical in the best way. It drapes naturally, sits nicely on the shoulders, and works just as well for everyday wear as it does for something a little dressier. It’s the sort of piece you grab when the air cools in the evening and you don’t want anything heavy.

From a crochet perspective, this is a lovely “slow and steady” project. The stitch pattern has enough variation to keep your interest, but it’s not overly complicated. It’s very much the kind of crochet you can sink into — the sort that lets your mind wander while your hands keep moving. Perfect for quiet afternoons or evening crochet sessions.

Skill-wise, this one is best suited to confident beginners moving into intermediate territory. If you’re comfortable following a pattern and keeping your stitch count in check, you’ll enjoy this a lot. It’s also a great pattern for appreciating beautiful yarn — especially colourways that shift and flow, as the shawl really lets them shine.

Overall, the Forest Valley Shawl is one of those free crochet patterns that feels thoughtful and soothing. It’s wearable, relaxing to make, and finished with a look that feels timeless rather than trendy. If you enjoy shawls that are as comforting to crochet as they are to wear, this one is definitely worth bookmarking.

Comments

Have you read?