Historic Look at Crochet
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I thought the info below about crochet was interesting. It is from the “Encyclopedia Of Needlework By Thérèse De Dillmont”
originally published in France in 1884.
Crochet work, so called from the hook, French croche or croc, with which it is done, is not only one of the
easiest but in comparison with the cost and labour, one of the most effective kinds of fancy-work. It is also one of the
most useful, as it can be applied to the domestic requirements of every-day life, to wearing apparel, house-linen and
upholstery; and we are sure that the patterns contained in this chapter, which have in addition to their other merits that
of novelty, will meet with a favorable reception.
Hooks, or needles, as they are generally called, made of wood, bone or tortoise-shell are used for all the heavier kinds
of crochet work in thick wool or cotton, and steel ones for the finer kinds. The Tunisian crochet is done with a long
straight hook, which is made all in one piece. The points should be well polished inside and not too sharp, the backs
slightly curved, and the handles, whether of bone, steel or wood, so light as not to tire the hand. Those represented
here, we consider the best, as regards shape. As it is most essential that the needle should be suited to the cotton in size,
we subjoin a comparative table of the numbers of the D.M.C threads and cottons and of the different needles.
Crochet needle with wooden handle.
Crochet needle with steel handle.
English crochet needle with wooden handle.
Table of the approximate relation of the D.M.C threads and cottons to the numbers of the crochet needles.