1.26.2013

fairest of them all



My love for crochet started because -- plain & simple -- I wanted to be able to somehow duplicate the delicacy & beauty of a doily.




And I am just head-over-heels, in love with this pattern designer...

Elizabeth Hiddleson





I found one of her patterns in this magazine:
This one is ~ Fairest of Them All.




And this pattern truly is!



The crochet thread is Coral 
Classic 10
by Aunt Lydia's
hook size 7

I read that Elizabeth Hiddleson began designing crochet thread patterns in the '30's and did this in her 'spare time' while working a full-time job & raising 2 children.  She designed over 200 patterns & lived to be 101 years old.  (Her birthday would have been this Thursday, January 31.)

Indeed ~ the fairest of them all.





28 comments:

Manja A. said...

Wundervoll!
Liebe Grüße,*Manja*

Deborah Hamilton said...

That's a beautiful design and the color you picked is so feminine. I like to crochet doilies, but I have never used one of her patterns. Your pictures are fantastic, and thanks for the biographical info.

Faith said...

this is a beautiful doily, I love that color..so bright and vibrant...I'll have to look into this interesting lady..

LindaCrochets said...

I love her work. I believe I have all, if not almost all of the books she published during her lifetime. I'm working on one of her designs called Mountain Trail that was in Volumn #38 of the books she published.

Unknown said...

Wow, that pattern is so beautiful and incredibly modern looking.
The colour as well is stunning!

Great blog :)

Emma
readbakestitch.blogspot.co.uk

LindaCrochets said...

I love her work. I'm working on a doily called Mountain View that she published. I think I have all her books!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

She would love what you make from her patterns Dawn!

By Neymes said...

OI AMIGA,LINDO CROCHÊ,LINDO LIVRO,LINDA IMAGEM,LINDO,LINDO.BOM DOMINGO.BEIJOS.VALÉRIA.(BRASIL)

Peziperli said...

It is really a wonderful pattern! The color is beautiful too!
Greetings, Petra

annemarie said...

Wow this is so beautiful. My dream someday is to crochet a tablecloth - the old fashion motif style tablecloth. I have yet to find a pattern that looks like one I could master.

cristina said...

you are absolutely amazing with these doilies of yours! you make me want to crochet them too. unfortunately, i can't find the proper thread here, in my country. i'll keep looking for it and when i'll find, stay away from me! :))

marmarel said...

Very beautiful, the pattern and the color!

Jeanne said...

Oh my Dawn, this is simply beautiful. How wonderful that this lovely lady influenced you so! The design of the doily is so pretty and that color coral is just stunning! Thanks for sharing. What a lovely way to honor and commemorate someone you admire!

Anna said...

Beautiful color you choose for this lovely doily...
Have a nice week.
Anna

Kusita said...

Me ha gustado mucho el tapete y he visto durante un rato tu blog y es precioso todo lo que haces, eres estupenda. Te voy a seguir.
Saludos,
Kusita

Becca said...

Oh my gosh! I have been teaching myself to thread crochet and have gone nuts for it! Now, I stumble upon your blog...so beautiful and inspiring! Thank you!

Angelique said...

Very delicate and beautiful work.

Bari Jo said...

This was a sweet post to read - I loved the history behind the pattern and the lovely woman who created it. It amazes me how much generations before us could accomplish. Life was harder for them in many ways than it is for us with all of our modern conveniences, yet I have to wonder how much technology truly has improved our lives compared to the simplicity and contentedness they lived in. They worked hard and made beautiful things with their hands. My grandma always said, "Use it up, wear it out, do without." They lived through a lot of history, and the depression and wars, etc. and saw lots of changes in technology. I love seeing pieces of history like this! Thank you for sharing! Your work is a beautiful tribute to her pattern!

God's Kid said...

Gorgeous doily and I love that color!!! :)

Tatkis said...

Simply adorable! And the colour is sooo beautiful!

Hugs,
Tatyana

Jennifer Stumpf said...

This is so lovely! I'm so glad you posted about Elizabeth Hiddleson because I had never heard of her even though I have been crocheting doilies for a year and regularly pour over vintage volumes I find at thrift shops. So, after your post, I went through my stack of vintage volumes and found I have volume 39 by Elizabeth Hiddleson! I am so pleased! I love the spider patterns in particular-- so much like the bobbin lace spiders I have made. Wonderful!

Jagna said...

beautiful :)

Toca do trico e croche said...

Honey,
your works are wonderful!!
I love the color of this washcloth!!
A big hug from his admirer!

Sonia Faria

Crissi said...

So beautiful!
Crissi

Katherine said...

Gorgeous!

Tracy Joyner said...

Oh my..I can definitely see how this could inspire anyone..your rendition of her pattern is truly beautiful!

Yarn-Madness said...

This is gorgeous! So beautiful, and a lovely color!

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Your doily is breath taking its so pretty. I love it!

I am also in love with the front cover of that magazine with the beautiful swan filet. I am really into filet crochet right now...and that pattern is awesome.

Blessings always