We’re looking for your oldest handmade creation!

Hello, everyone out there,

It’s rainy here today, so I tidied up my computer and came across an old photo.
It shows me at about 11 years old with a handmade creation. Today
I’m 53, so the photo is from 1975. The “creation” consists of
dolls for which I sewed dresses out of “foam rubber
dishwashing pads”. People thought that was nice back then :-) Today, you’d call them dust collectors.






My question—or rather, my request—to you is: Do you have photos of your oldest handmade items? I’d just be curious to know what kinds of things you made back then—which feels like 100 years ago—and whether you can recognize the tastes of the time in those items. I’d really appreciate it if you’d join in! It doesn’t matter whether the item was knitted, crocheted, or crafted—the main thing is that it’s old.

Warm regards from Ina

This is my very first crocheted project, and I was so incredibly proud of it! :-)))))

Dear Ina,

that’s a lovely idea, too.
Leaving aside the little childhood crafts I made in kindergarten:
I embroidered a little house when I was in first grade.
It was set in a “frame” — actually a wooden curtain ring.
I gave it to my grandma back then, and she had it hanging in her dining room until she passed away (that was about 20 years). After that, I took it with me, of course.
Unfortunately, because of a move, it’s in some box somewhere; otherwise, I would have loved to post a photo.

Best regards — Nina

@Haekelweltmitherz, I’d be proud of that too. It looks really good! When is that piece from, and how old were you then? In any case, those plastic eyes must already have been around.

@Nina, oh, I think it’s a shame that I don’t get to admire the little embroidered picture now. But I can imagine it very well. It was something very special for your grandma. It’s lovely that you still have it. Sometimes it’s the little things that stand the test of time and preserve our memories.

@Schnuckelina

This isn't that old yet, about 4 years,
as a child I only crocheted a foundation chain or something similar once,
unfortunately there are no photos of that :-/
I really started crocheting with this owl!
I always thought crocheting was something for grandmas (that outdated prejudice),
but I was quickly taught otherwise, and since then I've been crocheting with heart and passion! <3 

Best, Heike

I quickly went down to the basement and rummaged around: I still have the "ancient" wall hanging that I embroidered in 1977 for our living room (well, for my parents' living room) in
cross-stitch. With a proof signature, so to speak. Some of you surely know the
design. Not especially neat, I admit, but back then I couldn't do any better. It definitely looked better when it was new. My parents dragged it along from one apartment to the next, and it always hung above the couch. That's why I couldn't get rid of it when they no longer needed an earthly home.

Dear Heike,

you see, for some people “old” means 40 years, for others “4 years”—depending on when you start. Yes, many people thought—or still think—that crafts are just for old grannies—but no, every day when I take the subway through Berlin on my way to work, I see women crocheting or knitting. So crafts are in! I really like your pair of owls. I’m glad they sparked your interest. Crocheting with heart and passion—it doesn’t get any better than that!

Warm regards—Ina

[Image removed]
These are my first pieces, which I still have today.
For my Barbie doll, the crocheted dresses on the left in the picture,
a skirt for my doll. And the scarf, knitted. I learned it from my grandma and hadn’t started school yet.

@ Ina

Yes, handicrafts are definitely not old-fashioned or out of style nowadays.
It’s simply fun, and afterward you’re so proud of what you’ve made yourself;
even the best purchase can’t give you that! :-)

I’ve been crocheting nonstop ever since the pair of owls,
I’m still learning all the time, and I’m having great fun with it and putting my whole heart into it!

I just wish that more people would dare to try things
they think they’ll never manage,
because with a good pattern,
even beginners can do it all! :-)

Best wishes, Heike 

@WollwunderPetra, I just got goosebumps. Your old doll clothes look so beautifully old and well-loved. So many memories are attached to handmade things. It’s lovely that you kept them and showed them to us.

@Heike, I can feel your enthusiasm. I can understand that very well, because I feel the same way. Anyone who is passionate about something can inspire others, too. Paired with knowledge, an idea becomes a lovely pattern that brings joy to others as well.

Best regards - Ina

Oh yes, I have something to share too. My very first sewing project was this teddy bear. When I was 14, my grandma gave me my first sewing machine as a gift for my youth initiation ceremony. From then on, I sewed everything I could get my hands on. Sheets, old curtains, and things like that. One of the results was this teddy bear, which I was incredibly proud of—and still am today. After all, he’s 31 years old now, and I still have him. :) By the way, I went on to become a seamstress.

Best wishes, Susann

@Susann, for your very first project, it’s quite impressive. It already looks so professional. And your teddy bear is 31 years old and still lives with you—I can totally understand that. The first things you make yourself are always special; you’re really attached to them.

Your grandma had a real knack for recognizing your talent, and with her gift, she gave you the push you needed in the right direction. It seems to me that grandmas often play a role in our crafting talents.

But I also really like your current crocheted creations, especially Seppl and Birnenmädchen. I think they’re absolutely adorable. That instantly warms the heart.

Best regards - Ina

With such a great topic, I couldn’t help but rummage through the attic right away! Here’s a selection of what are probably my oldest creations, made in the early 1950s. I was especially proud of the backpack, because even the dolls wanted to go to the mountains and hike!

Help—how do I insert the picture???

@Christina 

Click the image next to the underlined U and upload the file from your PC,
then your picture will be inserted! 

I'm looking forward to your creation :-)

Best regards, Heike

That reminds me of my first crocheted christening gown. Unfortunately, back then (1073) there weren’t that many photos yet, so I quickly cropped off my head — and sadly my little sister’s too... I hope you can make it out somewhat.

@ChristinaE, I’m also looking forward to seeing your backpack from the early 1950s. Very much so. Just click on the image icon when you write a new reply.

@dievomdeich ... wow, what a masterpiece! I’m delighted. It’s surely even more beautiful in person. And from 1973 — that’s wonderful! A christening gown is always something special, one of a kind, something to keep forever. Thank you so much for showing it to us.

Warm regards - Ina

Yes, exactly—I know those dolls with the foam rubber skirts, too. I didn’t have one myself, though; instead, I used to sew around those Cama margarine tubs using that foam rubber technique and made myself a little bowl that way. Unfortunately, I no longer have a photo of it.

But what I still have—and which is surely at least 40 years old—is my homemade pincushion. It was made from those yellow dust cloths, sewn together like a little book and embroidered, with the edge trimmed with zigzag scissors and sewn over with wool yarn. I’ll post a photo of it later in the gallery. I don’t know how to do that here. Those were the days.

Thanks for your suggestions. Unfortunately, it’s not working because my image is too large (2.5 MB). How can I resize it?

Another try:

@ChristinaE, that looks wonderfully nostalgic! I see crocheted and sewn items. These are really lovely old handmade things - and so many of them too. It’s great that you kept them. And thank you very much for showing them to us.
Best wishes, Ina

Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures of my ancient handmade items, but I just love admiring yours here.

@Bastelfan ... just the word "Cama cup" brings back memories. You're right, those were the days. I don't know the dressed-up Cama cups, but I can easily imagine them. Back then there was no internet where you could show your creations to the world.

I can also picture your sewn needle case very well. I was once given one like that as a gift, and I still use it today. It's very practical. I'd be happy if you showed it to us. You act as if you wanted to write a comment, then click on the image icon above the empty text field. Then you upload the picture from your PC, and it's already in the post. Why not give it a try? Here in this thread would be the right place for it, and it would feel right at home among all the other old things ;-)

Aaaah, your creations are all so amazing!

Since even as a child I always somehow felt the need to do something nice for others, I gave away all the things I made back then.
My seal, my bag, the headband... everything I made when I was 8 or 9 was given away to friends, so I don’t have any pictures :(

But I’ll show you my “new” first creations from when I started crocheting again:

1. Since you can’t really tell what it is anyway, I might as well show it here.
The workmanship is a disaster—the ends are all knotted, and for the arms, I just stuck the hook in wherever. Still, I absolutely love this little guy because he was the start of my favorite hobby :)


So, number 2 looked a bit better, even though this one was also stuffed with cotton wool and all the ends were knotted and cut off instead of woven in ;) :



What can we learn from this? No one is born a master. 

That must have been about 40 years ago! As a child, I had a chronic shortage of stuffed animals! My grandma was a seamstress and always had various fabric scraps in her sewing cabinet, where I was always allowed to “snag” something, and whenever I spent my holidays with her, we would sew! So, with her help, a sewing pattern, and the fabric scraps from a dress, I sewed myself this flowery pig! I loved it dearly!!! A big hug and kiss to my grandma—wherever you are now, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!!

@Krea_Tina, I think you're encouraging all crochet beginners :-) Even the small, imperfect pieces from the past are important—with every piece, you keep developing. And you put your whole heart and soul and the skills you have at that time into every piece.

I find it amazing and admirable that you were already crocheting things at age 8 that you could give as gifts. Even if you no longer have a picture of them, they are all stored in your memory (and in the memories of the recipients). Everything you make and give with love is not lost, but lives on.

Best wishes - Ina

@fil-art-aue,
Your greeting and thanks to your grandma—wherever she may be now—really touches me. I’m glad she inspired you back then with her love of sewing and DIY. I can vividly picture the two of you rummaging through her cupboards and fabric stash together during the holidays, and then her helping you, step by step, to sew the little pig. You chose brightly coloured floral fabric—just like children do. I completely understand why the little pig is so special to you. It’s a piece of childhood, a sense of comfort with your grandma, time spent together, and the joy of sewing. She passed on her love of sewing and her talent to you. I’m sure everyone would have loved to have a grandma like that. You can count yourself lucky.

Best wishes - Ina

@fil-art-aue

I think your flowered pig and the story behind it are wonderful!

Best regards, Christina

I’ve only been crocheting and knitting properly for about 4 years. Before that, as a child, I once knitted half a sweater for my little brother—unfortunately, it was never finished because the little guy grew faster than I could knit (I was 9 at the time).
After making hats and scarves on the knitting loom, I tried to loom a sweater for my daughter. You can see the result here (from 2013). My daughter loved it, and I wasn’t sad at all when she got it caught on a thick Velcro fastener on her jacket and the sweater was ruined...

@ Ina: The christening gown really was very beautiful. Unfortunately, there are no other photos of it anymore, and the good piece itself is gone too.
There should still be a photo of my daughter's christening gown somewhere. That one is now 40 years old as well and is hanging in her closet.

I also found my needle book from elementary school. That must be from around 1968/69.



I was so glad when that thing was finally finished. It still serves me well today.

Best, Marlies

Dear Marliese “dievomdeich” (I’m always amazed by all the imaginative usernames)

Your needle book is a real antique treasure! Of course, my simple little pouch, made during my first years at school, can’t hold a candle to it!

Best regards, Christina



I think it’s great that you’ve kept your old crochet projects. Unfortunately, I wasn’t that forward-thinking. I don’t have anything left that I made as a child. Neither does my mom, but then again, she’s the world champion at throwing things away…

All the more reason for me to enjoy your pictures. ♥

I just came down from the attic. There’s a box up there with embroidery patterns, yarn (fancy but very thin—really, really thin), booklets, notes, and patterns for filet crochet (they’re from the ’40s). They came from a friend’s great-aunt. My friend thought I might be able to do something with them.
Among other things, there were also a few finished pieces. They were probably crocheted for linens.

By chance, I found this photo of my daughter’s christening gown. It was crocheted in 1977 (just like the other one shown here), so it’s 40 years old

.

I have photos of Barbie clothes here. They were just snapped with a cell phone 
though. Photographed 2009–12

And once again, I’m missing the editing function:

the first christening gown was crocheted in 1973. My daughter’s was made in 1977.

Unfortunately, there are no photos of it from when niece (my daughter) and aunt (my sister) were baptized together.

Wow, everyone, you have such beautiful early pieces! :-)
I’m going to dig out my very first knitting project—I still have it—a doll’s scarf, though it turned out absolutely terrible…

It’s been about 55 years now; I was 8 years old back then. I could barely hold the needles or pull the stitches through. When I was done, I said that this would definitely not be one of my favorite activities.

And look at me now?! Not a day goes by without my beloved knitting needles—or at least my crochet hooks. :-)

I’ll dig out that scarf; it actually looks pretty funny in its simplicity.

Later on, I knitted and crocheted for my dolls and teddy bears, using very simple techniques. And when my son was born 41 years ago, knitting and crocheting became my passion. That’s when I started feeling the drive to create something truly beautiful.

I’ll see what I can find and post the photos here, too. A super-great topic, by the way! It brings back memories… how nostalgic.

Have a lovely evening, everyone. I’ll check in again tomorrow.

Warm evening greetings
Monika

It worked with “insert”. Thanks, Ina

Great! I’m so happy to see your new posts on this topic. I still have an old needle case like that here that I use. Oh, what personal treasures they are :-) And we’ve been keeping them for so long and still enjoy them.

Warm regards—Ina

I’m still searching and am currently turning every closet upside down... ;-)
As soon as I find something, I’ll show it to you.
For now, have a lovely evening, everyone, and happy crafting! :-)

I went looking myself and found some.

I learned to knit and crochet from my mom. But back then, I wasn’t really that interested in it. That changed quickly, though, when my siblings had kids. I started crocheting baby sets because it was faster. By the time my daughter was born, I’d gotten much better at it—I made a
lot of things for her myself.
Since then, I’ve been knitting and crocheting regularly; I think I’ve actually become addicted.

I’d like to show you some of my old projects:
The apron and the pincushions were made in elementary school—it must have been around 1965–1967.
The crocheted hat and the knitted jackets were made in the early ’70s.

I’m still having a bit of trouble with the pictures sometimes, but I’ll give it a try.

I’m always admiring your old handicrafts and thought I couldn’t contribute anything—but lo and behold: the most obvious item isn’t recognized as such. You use it almost every day without giving it a second thought, yet this pincushion dates back to 1975. I embroidered it about a year before my wedding and have been using it ever since.

Wow, you’ve found some beautiful things. Unfortunately, I’ve given away almost everything I knitted, crocheted, and sewed for my son 30–40 years ago. The only thing I’ve found so far is part of the Advent calendar I crocheted almost 40 years ago:


I’m going to start looking for photos now. I can photograph them and show them to you.
Unfortunately, I haven’t found anything at all from my school days. It probably didn’t survive all those moves. ;-)

I started after my son was born and made just about everything by hand. Crocheted curtains, embroidered tablecloths, Norwegian sweaters and other patterned sweaters. That reminds me: I knitted my husband a sweater with a seaplane on it; that really ought to still be in the closet.

It’s really interesting what all comes to mind, and especially what you all still have. Really great!



Your pictures inspired me to dig through some old things myself—and I found the set I crocheted in 1975 for our eldest’s baptism. I had completely forgotten that it still existed!
Unfortunately, I can’t get the text and picture together!