My friend from the States, a true enthusiast of all things beautifully crafted, possesses a talent for crochet that I deeply admire, especially as my own crafting inclinations lean towards the less delicate side, like sashiko. While I find beauty in the rustic and sometimes even the unconventional, she is drawn to elegance and refinement, wielding her crochet hook to create delicate masterpieces. During her visit to Tokyo, our shared passion for unique finds led us to a charming craft book that perfectly encapsulated her aesthetic.
I was instantly captivated by this book and urged her to buy it. It wasn’t because of a newfound love for doilies – truth be told, they weren’t really my thing back then – but because it was such a quintessential example of Japanese craft artistry. I knew I had to share its beauty and intricate designs. More than that, the book itself, with its floral motifs, soft peachy-pink hues, and suggestions of cashmere yarn projects, seemed to mirror my friend’s very essence. It felt like destiny that we stumbled upon it.
My initial hesitation towards doilies stemmed from my personal crafting philosophy: creations should ideally serve a purpose, either functional or enhancing the beauty of a functional item. I struggled to see the utility of a doily. What exactly does one do with a doily?
As it turns out, the possibilities are more diverse than I imagined, as beautifully illustrated in the book:
The book cover itself is a work of art, isn’t it? Psst – friend, if you’re reading this, a little hint, hint – I adore that book cover!
Inspired by the book and perhaps a bit by my own challenge, my friend impressively crocheted not one, but two doilies before her departure. Talk about exceeding expectations!
Generously, she offered to make one for me, and I chose a triangle doily design. To my surprise, I absolutely loved it. This marked the beginning of my journey to learn to love again, specifically to appreciate the charm of doilies, especially those with a touch of pink elegance, reminiscent of the book’s aesthetic.
Initially, my new doily seemed to adopt a rather relaxed lifestyle. For about a week, it simply lounged on the couch, a true couch potato doily. Perhaps it was missing my friend, or maybe, as an inanimate object, it was just… there. Perhaps I was the one projecting emotions onto a piece of crochet and needed some fresh air!
However, after stumbling upon inspiring images online, showcasing doilies in modern and stylish home decor, particularly this image from Apartment Therapy, a new purpose for my doily became clear.
Image from Apartment Therapy
Doily, your place in my home is now defined. You are welcome to stay, and I might just need to find a way to stylishly incorporate you and perhaps even learn to crochet a few more, maybe even in shades of pink, to truly embrace this newfound appreciation. This experience has taught me to learn to love again, to open my eyes to beauty in unexpected forms, even in the delicate and sometimes overlooked world of doilies.
