Does Debbie Diss Doilies?

Warning: Rant Follows

While on Crochetville yesterday, I spotted a post from Jess that had a mock up of the SNB Crochet book that will come out soon.  I have SNB Nation, and I love it (maybe, I'll even finish Poster Boy someday) so I'm looking forward to what the crocheting book will have--especially since some of the patterns will be from people I know in Blogland.

However, the statement "40 totally cool original patterns (no doilies!)"  just annoys me. 

I don't mind if there are no doily patterns in the book. I don't like the "no doilies" statement.

Don't get me wrong.  I'm not deeply offended or anything like that, just bugged. It's totally Ms. Stoller's right to think doilies are uncool, and of most of all, it's her book too.  I'm also sure that there are many who agree with her and think that doilies belong in some musty ancient home on big musty ancient chairs in a bygone era made by little old ladies.

But I love doilies, and I think they are way cool!

Started with "The Wrong Doily"

I've been crocheting for over 30 years, but only making doilies two and a half years.  Like many "yarnies", thread and little needles intimidated as well as fascinated me. 

I took a chance, and crocheted a doily using Lustersheen which is sport weight yarn.  The doily was called "White Rose Doily", but I noticed the instructions were wrong, and it turned out to be a pineapple doily, so I called it The Wrong Doily. 

I moved to size 10 thread and a size 6 hook, and Doilimania was born.  I really need to update the site.

I "Heart" Doilies Because...

• I love the small thread.  The smallest I've used has been a size 30.  Maybe one day, I'll drop to an 80.
• I love the small needles. I've used an 11 hook before, but for most purpose a 6 or 5 will do.
• I love the work of doilies.  The stitches are no different than using yarn, but for thread, the tension is different.
• I love that they are so pretty.
• Patti Kristoffersen was the first doily designer I heard of.  Her designs with the post stitches and rolls are outstanding! Elizabeth Hiddleson, Ferosa Harold, Denise Augostine, and James Davis are just some of the designers whose work I admire..
• I love the lacy look.
• I love when I have a pattern that I'm totally into, and I'm in the groove, just going around and around.  I almost hate to finish.
• I adore pineapple doilies.  The pineapple is also the symbol of Southern hospitality too.
• I'm a show off.  Yes, I confess.  This is my favorite doily.
• I love the connection to the past.  Really, just because our Grandmothers did it doesn't make it bad.
• I love that more and more crocheters a getting into thread crochet and dolies too.  Check out Julie's doily page. Chie also does some beautiful work, and there are many, many others.
• Okay okay. Maybe I love doilies because others consider them old and uncool, and I'm striking one for doily geeks like me.

So there you have it--a little bit of "doilirage." 

I'm Really Ready to Swap!

I'm also really looking forward to Crochetville's Doily Swap.  What encourages me is that many of the participants are just getting into thread crochet. 

BTW, you can still sign up through June 25th.  I'm so ready to rock out with something cute!

I Wish...

I wish Ms. Stoller would drop the statement about doilies from the cover. I suppose it's a marketing thing, and that people smarter than I think it's a good thing to diss doilies on the cover of a crocheting book. 

I understand that they are not marketing the book to people like me (for goodness sakes, I just watched Ladies in Lavender), and I'm okay with that. 

I'm not young, hip, urban, or affluent, but I do love knitting and crocheting and I do buy books, accessories, and yarn.

I also wish that she would realize that there are many crocheters and knitters in 2005 A.D. who love doilies, and if she visited Crochetville and other places she'd see that.  Even the ubercool Rowan mags have doilies.

Here are some things from Rowan #37

All of these are gorgeous!

Maybe I should send her a vintage doily.  Maybe not--I'll make one for myself or swap partner.

Still, I'll probably buy SNB Crochet when it comes out anyway.

Vissi d'arte!

Comments

[Stacey]

I'm really getting into doilies lately. I stayed away from them for a while after starting to play around with thread because I didn't fully see the appeal--I thought everyone else's were pretty but I wasn't sure if it was what I wanted to do--but once I made one I was hooked, and I'm working on my second and third ones now :)

[Toni]

I can't crochet worth a darn but I started knitting doilies a few weeks ago. I love them! They are a great link to the past but also simply beautiful objects. Gooooooooo, doilies!

[jess]

They may change the cover from that, but I had the same reaction regarding the doilies. I do get a lot of "uh, exactly what do you do with the doilies you make (the ones you keep)?" sorts of questions from my peers. I think they're cool, too! :)

I'm tempted to join the swap, but I have so. many. things on my plate. I look forward to seeing all of the doilies, however!

[Pam]

I equate crocheting doilies with knitting lace, thin yarn and intricate patterns. How can that possible be uncool? And I've never made one and will not make one in the near future so that in and of itself should put them on the cool list (I'm never on the cool list :( )

[Andrea]

Actually, I wasn't terribly impressed with the "coolness" of the items she's showing off. (I like the teddy, but it's a little top-heavy.) Granny squares? Come on! Crochet is *so* much more than granny squares!!! (My appologies to the designer... I have a thing against granny squares... especially the random "stashbuster" ones.)

[Sara]

Part of the "coolness" of doilies is the fact that they exist simply to be beautiful. I love doiles (although I haven't made one in a while) and part of what I love is the delicacy of the work.

[Wendy G]

Your doilies are beautiful. Just keep on crocheting them!!

[Kari Holtz]

I too cringed when I read the doily part.
Doilies are wonderfully exquisite and complex, they are works of art in themselves. In fcat we are saving up money (It's been quoted at over $200!) to have my hubby's mother's doily framed, it's rather large and extrememly beautiful and since she is no longer on this Earth, exceptionally special. We don't want to use it but want to not stick it away so we thought we'd frame it! Incidently enough; one of my hubby's old drs had SEVERAL doilies framed in his examination rooms.

[cara]

doilies rock!

[Julie]

Vera, this is my favorite post of yours EVER!!! I felt exactly the same way when I saw that mockup at C'ville. Your doilies are beautiful, a huge inspiration to me when I wanted to start making them myself. I'll just say this - the doily gallery is first on the list on my main gallery page for a reason. I LOVE snowflakes but I adore doilies. I don't think it gets any better than a good doily. Period.

[Christina]

I don't really crochet, but I do love doilies. I have several that were made by my grandmothers that I just treasure.

[Donna]

I have not crocheted in years, but I do (did?) enjoy making doilies. Pineapples are especially fun. I can't say that I've ever used a doily, but they are still cool.

[maryse]

i think you should send her a doily. that rowan pattern is proof positive that a doily can be not only beautiful but modern as well.

[Theresa]

I love doilies! I crochet them, AND I knit them! All those knitters out there need to know that they're not just for crochet (anymore)! I even buy them at thrift shops when I find them. Hey, who knows I didn't make them myself . . . .

[Dorothy]

I love doilies! I haven't crocheted any for a long time, mainly due to time crunch - I can't do everything I want. But I still have some around the house from my "doily days" and I still love them. Beauty for beauty's sake.

[Chie]

What a great post!
I feel like making ONLY doilies from now on. :D
Doilies are COOL!!!

[mk]

Have you contacted Debbie Stoller re: the doilies?

[empress]

*applause*

[Swana]

I love working on doilies, because they are finite, and beautiful as finished products, don't need a human body (or anything else) to maintain their shape, usually have no gauge problems, make nice unique presents....I love them! Only problem is, I don't find enough that are square/rectangular/other than round (not too many round surfaces in my house!).

[Cindy]

I don't do doilies. However, I do love them. They are so beautiful. I really think they are art work.

Great post!!!

[Cordelia]

Doilies rock....Why? Because I say so and I decide for me whats cool! I'm not ultra young but I've not giving up my youth infact I still have hair colors with names like Vampire Blood etc... and piercings too boot...But doily making to me is an art.. the patience, the care, and the time involved makes them UBER cool...And to those not soaking in art and appreciating it, fooey on you! Bravo you doily makers! I'll be making my first in the C'ville swap!
Maybe the mock up wont come to light, maybe it will change...we can hope can't we?

[Regina]

I love both doilies and filet crochet. Both are close to my heart because I learned to make both at a young age. They can be hip, cool and groovy too...if done with a bit of vision. Maybe the SNB diva's vision needs our help??? Anyway, rock on with your doily-makin'!

[Laura]

Doilies were the first thing I learned to crochet with. It was inexpensive (I had vintage patterns from my mom) and didn't take up a lot of space for a young newlywed in a small apartment. And of course I grew up knowing that doilies are not only pretty, but also functional. They provide protection between your furniture and the potentially scratchy objects you put on your furniture. Anyone that has antique furniture should know this. It also provides something of a foundation or background for your objects (in addition to covering up possible water stains or scratches that are already on the furniture). It's much prettier to see a plant, lamp, vase or picture frame, etc, on your dining table, night stand, mantle, etc, with a lovely lacey doily as the foundation. I just moved into a new home and of course I need to make some new doilies for some of the new places to put things. And estate sales are an awesome place to get beautiful vintage doilies for a BARGAIN! :)

[Jennifa]

I love that Rowan bag. I have that on my "maybe" list of things to make. It was one of the reasons I bought that magazine this time.

[Sharon]

Totally great post, Vera.

[Brandy]

Amen!! I learned on doilies and they will always be my first love.

[Kim Werker]

Thanks, Vera! You make so many excellent points. I was inspired to post on the Crochet me Blog, too. :)

[Heather]

I think they ought to drop the statement from the book too. It's probably part of her "this ain't your grandma's knit/crochet" attitude. Great rant!

[Ro]

Right on, keep making those doilies girl!

That Rowan stuff is GORGEOUS! *THUD*!!!

[Elspeth]

I totally agree with you on the front of the book and discussion of doilies. I don't really understand her feelings towards most "feminine" things, but picking on doilies seems weird, since when I think of crocheting I think of granny squares anyway. I don't think you need to make something seem cool by denigrating something else.

I hope she listens and changes the tagline of her book (why not "not your grandmother's crochet" or something?) and good luck on your doily swap!

[Michelle]

Rowan has the right idea - doilies are art, and I think they can/should be framed and hung on the wall. I love them; so intricate and beautiful. Let's hope the final version of the book doesn't have that "no doilies" tag line - it is very divisive. So is, "this is not your granny's crochet" etc.