Rhyme of the Stitches Poem

[quilting.addict]

My mother taught me to crochet when I was ten. She gave me a copy of this poem many years ago. When I read through it, I believe it must be meant for English crocheting instructions, not American. See what you think, since the number of wraps is different than I was taught.

 

The Rhyme of the Stitches

 

If you who are dispairing

Because you can’t crochet

Will kindly give attention

I’ll try & show the way;

First, take a spool of cotton

And hook of proper size

And make a chain of stitches

In manner of this wise!

 

With thread upon your needle

Tied there with knot secure

You have the first loop ready

A goodly start, I’m sure.

Now put your thread once over

And catch it with the hook.

Draw thru the loop on needle

You have one chain, just look!

 

Once you have learned this process

The rest you make with ease;

And now we’ll try a treble,

So simple, if you please.

With one loop on your needle

The thread o’er hook you throw

In work your hook you enter

And over once more go.

 

Draw through & see three stitches

On needle, side by side;

Now over goes your thread again

And hook through two must glide.

Then over & through two again

And now it is complete.

Behold, our stately treble,

‘Twas but a simple feat.

 

Should you wish to make a double,

Insert your hook so true

And continue as for treble

With two stitches to draw through

And next we’ll have the single

‘Tis easy to begin it;

Put hook in work,

Take one thread up

And draw through both that minute.

 

To make a treble-half or short,

Get first the stitches three

Then put your thread once over

And draw through all you see.

For triple, o’er three times

And here we have the stitches

We need in merry rhymes.

 

Now good friends, take a copy

Of our latest needlecraft

And with these few directions

Just try & make a draft

From paper into lovely lace

You’ll see some patterns grow,

And all your sad and bitter thoughts,

Like fleeting clouds will go.

 

Published in Augusta, ME

Needlecraft Magazine

July 1924

 

 

The Rhyme of the Stitches.doc

[Avon Lady]

Thank you--that's neat!  Yes-I agree-I think it uses the English stitches.  Also, because it was written back in the 20's, it calls the hook "needle".  But it's still pretty cool!

[Startigerlily]

Great poem and I agree it's English stitches.

[Granny Square]

In the US, in the early 20th century, 'UK' stitch terminology was still used. (this was published in the US in 1924) You have to be careful working with vintage US patterns!  Somewhere by the 1930s it seems we changed things--I wonder why we bothered?

[Ellie 13]

Love it! It's nice how people did things long ago to remember things. Now it's just read and memorize.

Ellie 13