The history of crochet…Crochet is a method of working
interlocking loops of thread into a chain by means of a slender
rod hooked at one end. The work is begun by crocheting a single
chain of loops, each new loop being formed by catching the yarn
and drawing it through the previous loop. The chain is made to
the planned width of the finished piece, the yarn is turned at
the end of the chain, and a second chain is crocheted, each new
stitch being looped through a stitch in the previous row. There
is no solid evidence to pinpoint the exact date of when crochet
began. Theories abound as to when and where it came about, but
solid documentation does not show up until the mid 19th century
in Europe. In 1824 the first crochet pattern was published and
by the middle of the century patterns were easily obtainable. As
the cost of manufactured thread dropped crochet began to develop
as a cottage industry. During the Irish Potato Famine nuns
taught children to crochet and the lace they made was shipped
all over Europe. Mo