HOOKY TREASURE
Sarah-Jane Hicks owes her love of crafting to the older generation, and the adaptability of crochet
When my mum’s patience failed, my nan took over teaching me to crochet. I was very young when I started learning. My nan used to make delicate lace doilies and I still have lots of her old patterns and hooks. She came from a generation of makers and could often be found with needles or hook in hand, knitting, crocheting or sewing. She was an inspiration to me and I’m pleased to have learnt these skills from her – though the one skill that seemingly hasn’t been passed down to me is the ability to cook well!
The first things I used to crochet were granny squares, as I didn’t have much interest in the doilies my nan made. I remember Saturday mornings spent with her making clothes and blankets for my dolls. Back then my tension was always really tight and the yarn used to squeak on my hooks.
While growing up my crochet hook was cast aside, but I’ve always loved crafts and have dabbled in most of them. A few years ago, I decided to pick up my hook again and nowadays I like to make lots of different things, bit of an eclectic mix really, from amigurumi to novelty cushions like cacti or mountains. I also enjoy making blankets and homewares and love looking through vintage patterns for inspiration. I don’t tend to keep much of what I make unless it’s useful around the home or quite small, and often give things away to family, friends or charity – anyone who’ll have it really!
The motif in my favourite blanket comes from a vintage pattern booklet that belonged to my nan. The pattern was originally for a chair back using fine crochet cotton, but I upscaled it by using thicker yarn. Crochet can be really versatile like that, which is one of the reasons I enjoy it so much – that and the fact it keeps me happy and it’s fun. So I now have a modern blanket from a vintage pattern, which reminds me of my nan. And because both of my nans, Florence and Dorothy, were such an inspiration to me and my crafting skills I named my Etsy shop and Instagram page after them – Flo and Dot.
The pattern for this blanket is available at Etsy shop floanddotshop. Find Sarah-Jane on Instagram at @flo_and_dot and www.floanddot.blogspot.com