Crochet, for many of us, has suffered from its connection with 1970s fashion when an acrylic granny square armchair cover or a crocheted string bag was the height of the craft. With samples of crochet being dated as far back as 1000BC it is certainly a long-lived craft but one that has suffered swings in popularity. Prior to the 1800s the craft had largely disappeared in Europe, confined to monasteries and the homes of wealthy ladies of leisure where lace was crocheted for religious garments of the time.
This was until financial disaster struck. Crochet was revived as a widespread pastime during the Irish potato famines of the 1840s and 1850s when it became a major cottage industry for farming families looking to make money any way they could. Now well to do ladies could have their delicate crocheted collars, cuffs and shawls made for them to order. Irish Crochet is extremely delicate lace-work unrecognisable from the crochet we know from the 1970s. By the 1870s it is estimated that there were between 12,000 and 20,000 women in Ireland producing crocheted items for sale.
Fast forward to 2009 and I wonder are we seeing a new resurgence in home-based craft businesses? If evidence coming out of newly bankrupt Iceland is anything to go by then the answer is yes. Reports are that sales of thread, yarn and fabric are high in the tiny nation as its inhabitants are turning to crafting to make money.
And we need only look to the online world to see that home-based crafting businesses are alive and well regardless of the economic climate.
Stacy Murray of http://www.sheepsclothing.com.au/ has a love of knitting. She started her home-based knitting business when she found it difficult to find high quality knitted clothes and accessories in contemporary styles and colours for her children. Seeing a gap in the market she launched Sheeps Clothing with both children's and adults styles and now sells her range online and direct to children’s stores here and internationally.
Tracey Petersen of http://www.imaginethatquilts.com/ is a passionate sewer and is motivated to create beautiful and unique quilts by order. Her home-based quilting business started when she found herself sitting down to sew for pleasure after midnight each night after finishing work and then putting her children to bed. Exhausted from her sewing in the wee hours she realised that with the sewing skills she had developed she could make sewing and creativity her main job. Tracey now works less, creates more and has achieved an enviable work-life balance.
A craft-led economic recovery? A damn fine idea I think.
On the theme of crochet and home-based crafting we’d like to giveaway this beautiful hand-crocheted scarf. Crocheted in 100% machine-washable wool from Bendigo Woollen Mills (colour: silver) this scarf will be posted to one of our readers.
All you need to do is promote this giveaway in some fashion – via your blog, twitter or email to friends (don't forget to link to this page!) – then come back to leave a comment that you have done this, preferably with a link to your promotion because we’d love to visit your blog and/or twitter site too!
We will draw the lucky winner out of a hat. This giveaway is open worldwide and will be open until a week from today.
Good luck!
An example of intricate 19th century Irish (crocheted) Lace.
This was until financial disaster struck. Crochet was revived as a widespread pastime during the Irish potato famines of the 1840s and 1850s when it became a major cottage industry for farming families looking to make money any way they could. Now well to do ladies could have their delicate crocheted collars, cuffs and shawls made for them to order. Irish Crochet is extremely delicate lace-work unrecognisable from the crochet we know from the 1970s. By the 1870s it is estimated that there were between 12,000 and 20,000 women in Ireland producing crocheted items for sale.
Fast forward to 2009 and I wonder are we seeing a new resurgence in home-based craft businesses? If evidence coming out of newly bankrupt Iceland is anything to go by then the answer is yes. Reports are that sales of thread, yarn and fabric are high in the tiny nation as its inhabitants are turning to crafting to make money.
And we need only look to the online world to see that home-based crafting businesses are alive and well regardless of the economic climate.
A beautiful child's beanie made by Stacey
Stacy Murray of http://www.sheepsclothing.com.au/ has a love of knitting. She started her home-based knitting business when she found it difficult to find high quality knitted clothes and accessories in contemporary styles and colours for her children. Seeing a gap in the market she launched Sheeps Clothing with both children's and adults styles and now sells her range online and direct to children’s stores here and internationally.
Tracey's Philip is an Astronaut Quilt. Imagine your child's face on this fabulous piece!
Tracey Petersen of http://www.imaginethatquilts.com/ is a passionate sewer and is motivated to create beautiful and unique quilts by order. Her home-based quilting business started when she found herself sitting down to sew for pleasure after midnight each night after finishing work and then putting her children to bed. Exhausted from her sewing in the wee hours she realised that with the sewing skills she had developed she could make sewing and creativity her main job. Tracey now works less, creates more and has achieved an enviable work-life balance.
The common element with these women is their love of their craft and their commitment to the skills, processes and creativity of their products. This weekend seek out a local craft market and you will see many highly skilled craftspeople selling their knitting, beading, crocheting, quilting, photography and sewing. Home-based businesses such as these not only contribute to family income but to the survival of crafting skills generally.
A craft-led economic recovery? A damn fine idea I think.
And now, A GIVEAWAY!
On the theme of crochet and home-based crafting we’d like to giveaway this beautiful hand-crocheted scarf. Crocheted in 100% machine-washable wool from Bendigo Woollen Mills (colour: silver) this scarf will be posted to one of our readers.
All you need to do is promote this giveaway in some fashion – via your blog, twitter or email to friends (don't forget to link to this page!) – then come back to leave a comment that you have done this, preferably with a link to your promotion because we’d love to visit your blog and/or twitter site too!
We will draw the lucky winner out of a hat. This giveaway is open worldwide and will be open until a week from today.
Good luck!
* please note: Before Our Time does not get paid to promote any items. Any reviews positive or otherwise come direct from the heart.
