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Thrift Store – Crochet Adoption

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maryville-doily.jpg

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:

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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…….

Comments

  1. OOO, the colors are perfect for the room you’re describing! I’d have saved it too, the poor thing, lol. Hopefully after my kids get rid of all my stuff somebody nice will rescue it too 😉

Have you read?

The Miffy Crochet Book Review: 16 Sweet Projects for Bunny Lovers

Some characters need elaborate outfits and a whole collection of accessories to be recognisable. Miffy manages it with two long ears and the simplest little face. There is something rather lovely about that, especially when you’re looking for crochet projects that feel sweet without being overly fussy.

The Miffy Crochet Book brings that familiar storybook charm to a collection of handmade toys, decorations and home accessories. If you have a Miffy fan in the family, or you’re rather fond of the little bunny yourself, this is a crochet book worth a closer look.

What appeals to me is the possibility of making several coordinating gifts from one collection. A bunny is lovely on its own, but a bunny with a matching blanket? That is how a small project quietly becomes an entire gift basket.

What Is The Miffy Crochet Book?

Created by crochet designer Kimberley Zwaans, with designs based on Dick Bruna’s illustrations, this official Miffy crochet book is published by Search Press.

The 128-page paperback contains 16 projects, with a mixture of smaller makes and larger pieces. You can find The Miffy Crochet Book at Knit Picks.

This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

More Than a Miffy Bunny Crochet Pattern

The collection includes Miffy and friends as amigurumi toys, alongside projects such as a blanket, motif cushion and moon-and-stars mobile.

There is also a birthday theme, with a crochet cake, placemats, bunting and a crown. That gives the book an appeal beyond toy making, particularly if you enjoy creating decorations that can come out again for family celebrations.

I like that mixture. Sometimes you want a small character project with a face to embroider. Other times, a larger piece of crochet is exactly what you want beside your chair for the evening.

The collection uses seven yarn shades, which gives it a cohesive feel. You will still need to check the quantities and requirements for each project before shopping. Seven colours does not necessarily mean seven balls, much as our yarn budgets might wish otherwise.

Is It Suitable for Beginners?

The publisher describes the book as beginner-friendly and says it includes illustrated guidance for the key stitches. There are also projects offering more challenge.

My practical advice is to choose your first make by the techniques involved, rather than simply picking the smallest item. Small amigurumi pieces can require quite a bit of counting, shaping and careful assembly.

If working in the round is still new territory, our magic ring crochet tutorials for beginners are useful preparation. You can also build confidence with these easy crochet projects that start with a magic loop.

Before starting, check the book’s stitch terminology, recommended yarn and hook size. Those details matter more than choosing a colour that happens to look lovely in the basket.

The Appeal, and What to Consider

For me, the strongest selling point is the coordinated theme. This would be particularly appealing for crocheters who love Miffy, enjoy character projects or want several related handmade gift ideas.

The narrower theme is also something to consider before buying. If you prefer a crochet book packed with different animals and styles, this collection may feel too specific. Its appeal depends on how much you enjoy Miffy’s simple, recognisable world.

Simple faces also deserve careful finishing. A tiny change in eye placement or the angle of an ear can alter a character’s expression, so I would allow time for pinning and checking before sewing everything permanently.

If you would like a separate bunny project to try first, our free kawaii bunny crochet pattern on CraftBits offers another option. It is a different pattern, rather than an extract from this book.

Who Would Enjoy This Book?

I would put The Miffy Crochet Book on the shortlist for a crocheter who enjoys nostalgic characters and likes the idea of making a coordinated collection.

The combination of toys, home accessories and celebration projects gives those 16 designs several different uses. You could choose one special make or gradually work towards a whole Miffy-themed gift.

That is the charm for me: familiar, cheerful designs with room to make something personal. Just decide which project you’re starting before buying the yarn. Otherwise, “one little bunny” has a habit of acquiring a blanket, bunting and its own birthday party.