1389 patterns

Vintage Crochet Patterns from 1847–1970, Rewritten for Today

Vintage crochet patterns here are 1389 designs transcribed from 69 original pattern books and leaflets published between 1847 and 1970. Each keeps the original design and photograph, names its source publication, and adds modern thread or yarn equivalents, a starting hook size tied to the printed gauge, and a note of every change.

By the crochetpatterns.io editorial team · Updated · Editorial policy

Finished crochet in the styles covered by the vintage collections: a lace doily, an edging, an afghan corner, a baby bonnet and hooks

Where do these vintage crochet patterns come from?

Most are transcribed from pattern books and leaflets issued by American thread and yarn companies, such as The Spool Cotton Company and The American Thread Company; the rest are British and Australian needlework books of the same era. Every one of these publications is recorded as public domain in the United States. Copyright rules differ between countries, so check your local rules before reusing the original texts yourself.

Source publications and how many patterns come from each
PublicationPublisherYearPatterns
My Crochet Sampler (Miss Lambert)D. M. Peyser184749
The Lady's Album of Fancy Work for 1850Not printed (the Address names only "the Publishers of the Lady's Album of Fancy-Work")185023
The Ladies' Complete Guide to Crochet, Fancy Knitting, and Needlework (Mrs. Ann S. Stephens)Dick & Fitzgerald185428
Instructions for Crochet WorkWestern Lace Manufacturing Company, 218 State Street, Chicago, Ill.188845
The Book of Hats and CapsFaudel, Phillips & Sons18906
Home Work: a choice collection of useful designs for the crochet and knitting needleRose Publishing Co. (Ltd.), Toronto189167
The Art of CrochetingThe Butterick Publishing Co. (Limited), London and New York189127
The Priscilla Crochet Book (ed. Lola Burks Hettich)The Priscilla Publishing Company, Boston19084
Designs and Instructions for Irish Crochet LaceT. Buettner & Co., Inc., Chicago and New York191027
Priscilla Wool Crochet Book (ed. Lola Burks Hettich)The Priscilla Publishing Company, Boston191259
The Glossilla Book of Crochet NoveltiesBernhard Ulmann & Co., New York City191228
The Priscilla Crochet Book: Edgings and InsertionsThe Priscilla Publishing Company, Boston191357
Priscilla Juniors' Crochet Book (Belle Robinson)The Priscilla Publishing Co., Boston191429
The Priscilla Crochet Book: Centerpieces and Doilies (edited by Belle Robinson)The Priscilla Publishing Company, Boston191571
Clark's Crochet BookMiller-Clark Designing Company, St. Joseph, Missouri191567
The Sunlight Book of Knitting and CrochetingW. G. Perry, Chicago191538
The Priscilla Baby Book No. 1: A Collection of Babies' Garments in Knitting and Crochet with Directions for Making (by Elsa Barsaloux)The Priscilla Publishing Company, 85 Broad Street, Boston, Mass.191528
Richardson's Crochet Book No. 2 (Complete Crochet Book No. 2)Richardson Silk Company, Chicago and New York191522
Richardson's Crochet Book No. 1 (Complete Instruction Book for Crocheting, Tatting and Smocking)Richardson Silk Company, Chicago and New York191516
The New Maltese Crochet Designs, Complete With InstructionsThe Riley-Francis Co., Covington, Kentucky191515
The Rundall Book of Edgings, Medallions, Insertions and TattingThe Needlework Co., Marion, Iowa191514
Center Pieces and Lunch Sets in Crochet WorkAnne Orr191512
Jewel Crochet Book: A Collection of Unique and Useful Designs with Full Working InstructionsMiller-Clark Designing Company, St. Joseph, Missouri191511
The Eagle's Call to CrochetPratt and Farmer Co., Notion Specialists, New York City19154
The Priscilla Crochet Book: Edgings and Insertions, No. 2 (Edited by Belle Robinson)The Priscilla Publishing Company, Boston191689
The Artamo Crochet Book No. 1Bentley-Franklin Company, New York191635
Clark's O. N. T. Book of NeedleworkThe Clark Thread Company, Newark, New Jersey191621
The Columbia Book of Yarns, containing a Manual of Knitting and Crocheting (Seventeenth Edition), by Anna SchumackerWm. H. Horstmann Company, Philadelphia — the manufacturers of Columbia Yarns191616
Edgings in Crochet, Book No. FourValley Supply Co., St. Louis, Mo.191616
The Elite Instruction BookPierre C. Brin, Chicago, Ill.191616
Royal Society Crochet Lessons, Vol. 1, No. 7H. E. Verran Company, Inc., New York191612
Richardsons' Book on Crocheted Edgings and Insertions (Richardson's Crochet Book No. 3)Richardson Silk Company, Chicago and New York191610
J. & P. Coats Crochet Book No. 2: A Book on General Crochet Work (designed by Anne Orr)J. & P. Coats, Pawtucket, R.I.19176
Handbook of Wool Knitting and CrochetNeedlecraft Publishing Company, Augusta, Maine191816
Knitted and Crocheted Bed Spreads, Book No. 11Anne Orr, Nashville, Tennessee19186
Utopia Yarn Book: Being a Practical Treatise on Knitting and Crocheting (Fourteenth Edition)Henry E. Frankenberg Co., New York191920
J. & P. Coats Crochet Book No. 3: Yokes and Gifts (designed by Anne Orr)J. & P. Coats (R. I.) Incorporated, Pawtucket, R.I.191919
J. & P. Coats Crochet Book No. 5: Edgings, Insertions, Medallions (designed by Anne Orr)J. & P. Coats (R. I.) Incorporated, Pawtucket, R.I.192030
Lion Yarn Book: Describing Latest Creations in Worsted WorkThe Lion Yarn Co.192014
J. & P. Coats Crochet Book No. 7: Sweaters, Yokes, and Boudoir Caps (designed by Anne Orr)J. & P. Coats, Pawtucket, R.I.192114
Clark's O. N. T. Designs for 100 Edges and Insertions, Book No. 19The Clark Thread Co., Newark, N. J.192326
Variety: Italian Cut Work and Filet Lace, Book No. 2Carmela Testa & Co., Inc., Boston, Mass.192610
Old and New Favorites: Crochet Designs (Book No. 173)The Spool Cotton Company194124
Chair BacksAmerican Thread Company19477
New Tablecloths (Star Book No. 57)American Thread Company194810
Fine Crochet and TattingThe Spool Cotton Company19494
Doily Bouquet (Star Book No. 71)American Thread Company19508
Edgings: crocheted, tatted, hair pin lace (Star Book No. 81)American Thread Company195118
Beautiful, Beautiful Afghans (Star Book No. 82)American Thread Company195110
Stoles and Shawls: Hairpin Lace, Knitted, Crocheted (Star Book No. 86)American Thread Company19517
Afghans (Afghan Book No. 289)The Spool Cotton Company19529
Bernat Handicrafter Book No. 161: StolesEmile Bernat & Sons Company19533
Stoles: Knitted; Crocheted; Hairpin Lace (Star Stole Book No. 133)American Thread Co.19604
Fashion Parade: Knit and Crochet for Him and Her (Star Book No. 189)American Thread Company19693
Designs for Crazy Daisy Winder: Crochet Time Cut in HalfHero Manufacturing Company197028
What to Make for Baby, Part One (Ella Allan)Mrs Ella Allan's Publications; printed by The Specialty Press Pty. Ltd., MelbourneNot printed23
Crocheted Rugs (Star Rug Book No. 106)The American Thread CompanyNot printed15
The Home Art Crochet Book (edited by Flora Klickmann)The Office of "The Girl's Own Paper & Woman's Magazine", 4 Bouverie Street E.C., & 65 St. Paul's Churchyard, London; printed by Curtis & Beamish, Ltd., Coventry, EnglandNot printed15
The Ladies' Work-BookJohn Cassell, La Belle Sauvage Yard, Ludgate Hill, London (no year printed)Not printed12
Beautiful Crochet on Household Linen (The Home Art Series, edited by Flora Klickmann)The Office of "The Girl's Own Paper & Woman's Magazine", 4 Bouverie Street E.C., & 65 St. Paul's Churchyard, LondonNot printed11
In Fashions: for Him, for Her, in Knits, in Crochets (Star Book No. 230)American Thread CompanyNot printed10
Ruffled Doilies (Star Doily Book No. 143)American Thread CompanyNot printed9
Your All-time Favorite Afghans to Knit or Crochet in Bear Brand and Fleisher Yarns (Vol. 44, Revised Edition)Bear Brand and Fleisher Yarns (the yarn brands named on the cover; no separate publisher is printed)Not printed8
Knitted and Crocheted Boutique (Star Book No. 226)American Thread CompanyNot printed8
Kentucky Rug Yarns Vol. 5: RugsJanuary & Wood Company, Maysville, KentuckyNot printed7
Juvenile Styles: Original Designs for Infants and Juveniles, Volume 4Juvenile Styles Publishing Company (Mary Hoyer, editor and designer)Not printed5
"Crazy Daisy" Boutique, Vol. No. 5Scovill Manufacturing Company (Dritz Division)Not printed3
Babies Are Such Fun to Dress: Sizes 6 Months to 4 Years, Knit & Crochet (Star Book No. 220)American Thread CompanyNot printed3
Bulkies: Sweaters to Knit and Crochet (Book No. 006)American Thread CompanyNot printed2

What types of vintage crochet patterns are there, and how hard are they?

Most patterns of this era assume an experienced crocheter: only 290 of the 1389 are rated easy or beginner, and 871 are worked in fine crochet thread with a steel hook. Afghans, rugs and stoles in yarn are the most approachable place to start.

Vintage patterns by project type and skill level
Project typePatternsBeginnerEasyIntermediateAdvanced
Afghans & bedspreads730123526
Doilies, tablecloths & chair backs2360988139
Edgings & trims61847135236200
Rugs & mats2529140
Stoles & shawls3106187
Garments & accessories71093428
Baby and children's sets1332118337
Hats, scarves & accessories20212368668

How do you substitute vintage thread and yarn with modern materials?

Vintage patterns name brand-specific threads and yarns, many no longer made, and steel hook numbers that varied between makers. Match the thread size or yarn weight first, then swatch: the printed gauge matters more than the hook number. The examples below are taken from patterns in this library.

Materials as printed and the modern equivalents we give
PatternAs printedModern equivalentStarting hook
Persian PrintCHADWICK'S RED HEART KNITTING WORSTED, 4 Ply, Art. E.232: 21 skeins (1 oz. "Tangle-Proof"…Worsted (#4) yarn. Chadwick's Red Heart Knitting Worsted, 4 ply, was a worsted-weight yarn; substitute any…Start with 4 mm (US G-6) and change size to match the gauge.
Child's Chair Back"DE LUXE" MERCERIZED CROCHET AND KNITTING COTTON, Article 346De Luxe Mercerized Crochet and Knitting CottonStart with a 1.65 mm (US 7) steel hook — the printed size is #7 — and…
Flower EdgingAMERICAN THREAD COMPANY "STAR" TATTING CROCHET, Article 25Fine tatting crochet cotton (size not printed; about size 70–80)Start with a 0.85 mm steel hook (the original No. 13) and change size…
Home Sweet HomeAMERICAN THREAD COMPANY "AUNT LYDIA'S" HEAVY RUG YARN, Article 235Aunt Lydia's Heavy Rug Yarn (Coats & Clark) is still sold. It is a bulky (#5)-class rug yarn; substitute any…Start with 5 mm (US H-8) and change size to match the gauge.
ConcertoAMERICAN THREAD COMPANY "DAWN" NYLON or NYLON POMPADOUR or "DAWN" SWEATER & SOCK YARN…Fine (CYC #2) sock/sport-type yarn — the original sweater & sock yarn and nylon were fine yarns: about 13 oz…Start with 3.5 mm (US E-4) and change size to match the gauge
Two Shells — Crocheted Pink Shell with TasselsAMERICAN THREAD COMPANY "DAWN" KNITTING WORSTEDMedium (CYC #4) worsted-weight yarn — the original was knitting worsted: 3 (4) skeins Pink. Assumption: the…Start with 6 mm (US J-10) and change size to match the gauge
Child's Sleeveless Filet Slip-on and Cap3 Skeins LION BRAND Shetland Floss; 1 Hook, No. 3 or No. 2.Fine (CYC #2) wool yarn — the original was Lion Brand Shetland Floss, 3 skeins for the slip-on and 1 skein of…Start with 3.5 mm (US E-4) — approximate; the book itself offers a…
Mesh Crochet Socks and StockingsAMERICAN THREAD "DAWN" KNITTING WORSTED or DAWN "SAYELLE"Medium (CYC #4) worsted-weight yarn — the original was knitting worsted or Sayelle (a worsted-weight…Start with 5 mm (US H-8) and change size to match the gauge

What is the difference between vintage, antique and retro crochet patterns?

The terms overlap, but "antique" usually means patterns about a century old or more, such as Victorian and Edwardian needlework books, while "vintage" and "retro" usually mean the 1930s to 1970s. This library spans both: the oldest designs date from 1847, and most come from books published between the 1940s and 1970.

Frequently asked questions

Are these vintage crochet patterns free?

A few are free in full, and every other pattern page shows the first section of the instructions free, with the original photograph and materials. The complete patterns are in the printable PDF collections.

Have the vintage patterns been changed?

The designs are unchanged. Instructions are rewritten in current US abbreviations and split into numbered rows or rounds, and every change is listed in the pattern's modernisation notes.

Have they been test-crocheted?

They are first editions: each transcription is checked against the original text and test-crocheting is in progress. Anything the original leaves unclear is marked rather than guessed.

Can I sell items made from vintage patterns?

Yes. You can sell finished items you make from these patterns; the PDF files themselves may not be shared or resold.