HodgePodge CrochetThe Crochet Projects Nobody Makes Anymore (And Maybe We Should)
There was a time when every crocheter had a mission.
Not a vague goal like “use up my yarn stash” or “finish that cardigan before next winter.”
No, these crocheters had purpose.
Somewhere in America, a grandmother was furiously crocheting a toilet paper doll to protect the family bathroom from… something. Dust? Shame? Nobody really knows.
Another was creating a doily large enough to cover every flat surface in the house.
And someone, somewhere, looked at a perfectly functional tissue box and thought:
“This needs a crocheted cover shaped like a Victorian cottage.”
Crochet trends come and go, but some projects have quietly faded away. Today we’re taking a trip down memory lane to revisit some of the crochet projects that used to be everywhere—and asking whether they deserve a comeback.
1. The Toilet Paper Doll
If you’re under 40, you might think I’m making this up.
I assure you, I am not.
For decades, bathrooms across North America featured elaborately dressed crochet dolls sitting proudly on top of spare toilet paper rolls.
These ladies wore magnificent gowns.
They had hats.
They had lace.
Some looked like they were attending a royal wedding.
And underneath all that elegance?
Toilet paper.
Looking back, it seems ridiculous.
Looking back, I kind of love them.
2. Doilies on Literally Everything
There was a time when a bare table was simply unacceptable.
Coffee table?
Doily.
End table?
Doily.
Dresser?
Doily.
Television?
Believe it or not…
Doily.
If a flat surface existed, a crocheter somewhere felt compelled to decorate it.
Today’s minimalist design trends may have pushed doilies out of the spotlight, but there is something beautiful about knowing someone spent hours creating intricate lace simply to make a home feel special.
3. The Television Cover
Younger readers may need a moment here.
Televisions used to be giant wooden boxes.
And apparently, giant wooden boxes needed sweaters.
Crocheted TV covers were surprisingly common.
When guests weren’t watching television, the set could be covered with a decorative crochet piece, making it blend into the room.
Imagine explaining that to a teenager today.
“Back in my day, we crocheted clothing for the television.”
4. Tissue Box Covers
Crocheters once looked at ordinary household objects and declared war on boredom.
The humble tissue box was transformed into:
- Cottages
- Barns
- Flower baskets
- Churches
- Teapots
No object was safe.
Honestly, modern crochet could use a little more of this energy.
5. Bed Jackets
This one always fascinates me.
A bed jacket was exactly what it sounds like: a short sweater worn while sitting up in bed.
People wore them while reading, knitting, crocheting, writing letters, or recovering from illness.
They were practical.
They were cozy.
And somehow they’ve almost disappeared.
Considering how many of us spend evenings curled up on the couch with yarn, maybe it’s time for bed jackets to make a comeback.
6. Crocheted Pot Holders Hanging in Every Kitchen
Not just one.
A dozen.
Usually hanging from a hook somewhere near the stove.
Every color imaginable.
Some shaped like flowers.
Some shaped like fruit.
Some shaped like things no one could identify anymore.
They weren’t just kitchen tools.
They were little pieces of everyday art.
Why We Miss These Projects
The funny thing is that none of these projects were really about the project itself.
The toilet paper doll wasn’t about toilet paper.
The doily wasn’t about protecting furniture.
The tissue box cover wasn’t about tissues.
They were about making a home feel loved.
Every stitch represented time, patience, and care.
In a world increasingly filled with disposable things, there is something comforting about remembering the handmade touches that used to fill our homes.
Final Thoughts
Will toilet paper dolls ever return to mainstream crochet?
Probably not.
Although I’ve learned never to underestimate crocheters.
After all, we’ve recently brought back granny squares, bucket hats, and crochet hacky sacks.
Anything is possible.
And if I suddenly find myself designing a toilet paper doll pattern next week…
Please pretend this article had nothing to do with it.
What crochet project do you remember seeing at your grandmother’s house that you never see anymore? Leave me a comment and let me know!
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Roksana Tales
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Cara Sutra
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Wild Sown 
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