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| A window display in Perry's department store in Gilmer, Tx, circa 1956. Photo credit: "Growing Up Gilmer" Facebook Page. |
Back in the 30's, 40's and 50's, there was an annual National Crochet Contest (it was not held for 6 years during WWII, due to shortages of crochet cotton). It was sponsored by a group called the National Crochet Bureau, and thousands of crocheters entered each year. There were special divisions for teenage girls, women over 65, and a division for men. To qualify for entry in the contest, each item had to have already won a blue ribbon at a state or local fair. There were categories for tablecloths, bedspreads, luncheon sets, doilies and scarves, chair sets, household accessories, hats and bags, and edgings or insertions (I believe the categories changed somewhat over the years.)
The winners received cash prizes, and an all-expense paid trip to New York City, where they appeared on a radio program and were given a tour of the city.
I found several newspaper articles about the contest by doing a Google search for 'National Crochet Contest', and I found this article from the Talking Crochet Newsletter about the very first contest:
The picture above was taken in my home town of Gilmer, Texas in 1956, a year before I was born. It shows a display in the window of Perry's department store which features posters advertising the national contest. Don't you wish it was in color so we could get a better look at all of that thread? I miss Perry's, which closed down several years ago; I bought my first balls of crochet thread there back in the 70's!
But, it is Friday, so how about a contest? I will give one person their choice of any PDF pattern on my site, bellacrochet.com.
I will select the winner at random, and send out the patterns in the morning (Saturday.) I will post the name of the winner here, so be sure to check back in the morning to see if you won.
Also, if you post anonymously, please be sure I have a way to identify you (at least give your first name or a nick name in your comment; I have no way of knowing who is posting.)
To enter, just leave a comment answering this question:
Have you ever won a crochet contest?
This contest is now closed.
Please check back next Friday for my weekly contest.
