Happy Independance Day!

Ad for Spinnerin, from McCall's Needlework & Crafts, Spring-Summer, 1972

Ah, the Cuarto de Julio. Traditionally celebrated by my southern neighbours with pie-eating contests, illegal fireworks, and chasing greased pigs, it is also a time of sober reflection on the idealistic if ultimately misguided Great American Crafts Revolution of 1972. Who can forget the small band of exceptionally well-groomed hippies, armed with little more than red, white and blue afghans and eagle design hook rugs, who courageously petitioned the International Olympics Committee to allow speed crocheting at the Summer Games.

For even more snark:

Alas, Waldi the first Olympic mascot mistook their crochet hooks for chew toys, and in the ensuing melee, granny square vests proved to be little protection against a dachshund scorned. It is said that shredded remains of red, white and blue Spinnerin Kaleidoscope yarn can still be found in Germany to this day.

The exploits of these early crochet freedom fighters are all but forgotten now. But thanks to this ad, we are reminded that the Great American Crafts Revolution of 1972 wasn’t just about the innocence of a time when people could say “shag bag” without sniggering. It was also a time when knitters, crocheters, and hookers (of rugs, jeez!) came together (stop snickering!) to share needles... er, I mean “needle-up history-making ideas”.

What does that mean? Um, well... hey, look, muppets!

Happy 4th of July!