What is the link between Queen Victoria, potatoes and crochet?
In early Victorian Britain, crochet was often regarded as a cheap substitute for traditional hand made lace and as such was not popular amongst the wealthy. Queen Victoria strove to make crochet more fashionable by buying crocheted lace crafted by Irish women striving to eke out a livelihood during the disastrous potato famine which decimated the population of Ireland in the mid 19th Century. The Queen even learned to crochet herself, making eight crocheted scarves as awards for selected veterans of the South African War. These Royal scarves were worn as sashes with great pride.
This particular crocheted "comforter" or scarf was made by Queen Victoria and given to Lady Wantage who presented it to Wantage Hospital. Its pristine condition suggests that it was never actually used, but framed for posterity.
Queen Victoria's Crochet
Contributed by Vale and Downland Museum
Most of the content on A History of the World is created by the contributors, who are the museums and members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ or the British Museum. The ´óÏó´«Ã½ is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site’s House Rules please Flag This Object.
About this object
Click a button to explore other objects in the timeline
- Location
- Culture
- Period
- Theme
- Size
- Colour
- Material
View more objects from people in Oxford.
Podcast
Highlights from the collection
´óÏó´«Ã½ iD
´óÏó´«Ã½ navigation
´óÏó´«Ã½ links
´óÏó´«Ã½ © 2014 The ´óÏó´«Ã½ is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
Share this link: