Cat Mad Crochet

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

This week’s inspiration book post is The Secret Lives of Princesses by Philippe Lechermeier and illustrated by Rebecca Dautremer. My daughters found this at the library when they were much younger, and I purchased a copy for myself because I particularly liked the illustrations. They are not lifelike or especially detailed, yet they are simply charming and beautiful, and I find them quite inspiring. 

I love this princess’s hat. It makes me wonder how I might go about constructing a crocheted hat cage. Would I put a little crocheted or stitched animal of some sort in it? Would I add flowers and butterflies? How long in my making process would it be before the quality of the habitat for whatever I created to live in the crocheted hat cage took over its function as a hat?

More reasonably, I like her choker. I can imagine a crocheted choker done in a fine lace weight yarn that can be worn long or as a choker wrapped several times around one’s neck. Perhaps there would be the occasional flower. Perhaps a little butterfly. Maybe just an intricate line of lace. Whatever it is, I want to try. 

Or this princess! I need to make a hat or a sweater with a bit of lace at the edge instead of something boring and functional like ribbing. Maybe if I worked the lace off of an edge of foundation double crochet then it would have the stretch needed for a good fit but also incorporate a little touch of lacy whimsy. We need whimsy right now. Or a Door. I would give teeth for a genuine Door or fully functioning Wardrobe complete with Lamp Post right now. If my blog suddenly stops, please assume I have found one and I might be back someday or not. 

There’s a lot of love about this princess, too, but what catches my eye right now is her petticoat. I could make a petticoat. Something in a very thin but sturdy lace weight yarn, perhaps silk? It could be beautiful and made of very intricate lace patterns, or it could be even better. Perhaps, harkening to another book my daughters had about a woman who sewed stunning pockets meant to bring joy and solace just to the person putting their hand in, the petticoat could be amazing and alive with dancing colors but worn under a somber dress. The wearer alone would know that their outfit was really a singular expression of their rich inner life, worn openly in public, but hidden so no one can judge it, yet it is there making the wearer feel safe and special. 

Perhaps we all need that right now. A handmade something created either by ourselves as an expression of hope or for our loved ones as a reminder that they are loved, seen, and appreciated in a world that is coming apart at the seams. The more added whimsy and originality, the better.

This book is, I think obviously by now, out of print. However, I did check my local library, and there are two copies available, so I am assuming there are other copies hidden away in libraries around the world just waiting to be found and read. Go find one.