Long before the advent of TV in South Africa I joined in and started crocheting granny squares with double knitting wool. That was in the 60's. My knowledge of the craft was useful in the early 70's when I was a mature student at UPE. In order to earn extra money, I crocheted handbags using parcel string. Unfortuneately I don't have an example any more but my friend Miriam Terblanche who lives in Stellenbosch stil uses hers after nearly 40 years.
On Sunday I went to a art lecture with Louise Eksteen, a PE photographer. She was wearing a jersey she made in the 90's. Louise told me that she took a long time to finish the garment as she only worked on it when travelling from PE to Pretoria by train to visit her late mother. It took three trips to finish! Here you can see detail of the pattern.
My colleague Sharon Moolman is "famous" for making doilies. She gave me one for my birthday and I still have many left to me by my late mother. I use mine on a daily basis as a cover for my old glass sugar basin that lives in the kitchen.
Bongiwe Magongo is well-known in Port Elizabeth for her stylishy crafted accessories. She attends the SA Fashion Week meeting and has had dealings with Stone Cherry. Her crocheting story starts in 2006. She has a PR diploma under her belt but was beading at that time.
Friends told her to switch to crocheting if she wants to make it in fashion. By that time she had already given all her late granny and mother's patterns away. It was off to the Linton Grange library to get a book so that she could learn how to crochet.
Bongiwe stayed positive and persevered. In the photograph she shows the very first bag she made. She is wearing a matching necklace and bracelet. Since then she has displayed her work at various bridal fairs.
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