Vintage crochet Friday #72
These bags are made from Turabast Swiss Straw. Does anyone know what this stuff is? I think it’s some sort of nylon raffia.
They’re terrific patterns. The texture is superb. I don’t know how pleasurable it would be to actually crochet with “Swiss Straw” though! What would I use as a substitute nowadays? I fancy the green hat and bag ensemble in the top photo.
Ooooh I LOVE these!! I can’t wait to see you whip one up. I think maybe cotton or I have crocheted in string before.
Yep, it’s plastic raffia for want of a better way to describe it. I had some years ago… it’s in the stash somewhere in the depths. I, too, love these patterns and have this very book. Would love to see you do something in a substitute yarn….
Yep! Nylon raffia! http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingand/438261812/
My nana had a pillbox hat made from it, and I recall mum having a handbag!
I don’t know what it is called either, but the pale blue bag in the centre right looks very like one my mum or nana had in the 70’s. The same stuff that the toilet roll dolls dresses were also made from,Nana had one of those too!
Having just seen the amazing crochet coral reef
“Satellite reef” at the Made’n’Thourbury market – the closest equivalent to plastic raffia I can think of is baling twine (there were some corals made from it).
You could probably use nylon cord–Coats makes one and Omega has a couple different sizes. I don’t like working with it because it is hard on the hands and slippery. Maybe a sturdy cotton? Or perhaps ribbon yarn? I too would love to see a modern version. Go for it!
seeing this brought back so many memories, my nana had a pink one like the one in the middle, I inherited it and kept my plastic tea set in it for many years…. it was so of crunchy…but oh so chic 😉
There are several yarn companies that make paper and/or rafia yarns: “Paper” by Katia and “Rafia” by Adriafil are two such. If you are on Ravelry, here are some links:
http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/katia-paper
http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/adriafil-rafia
That green hat and bag caught my eye, too. Lovely! Hope the links help and you are able to make the ensemble.