rescued crocheted piece
 

On Saturday, I stopped by the thrift store to drop off donations. Right as I walked in, there was a large crocheted thing all tossed in a section where it didn't belong. It smelled and was yellowed but it called my name. I don't have a rectangular table but it is super large and I am planning on using it as a bed coverlet. After giving it a soaking, washing and finally a bleaching (yes, I admit that I finally had to bleach it to get two stubborn and unrelenting stains out) and now it is hanging outside in the sun on drying rack. I wanted to show you and ask in the second picture -how would you fix that gaping hole or all 6 of these holes? Thanks for your help.

I would pull the yarn back in place and tie it.its beautiful.

Its beautiful. Just think of the time and love that went into crocheting with this cotton. My Gram used to make crocheted bedspreads. I still have three of her spreads.

Absolutely stunning!

I've used a crochet piece like this for a bed cover, too, and also as a draped head board, a canopy over the bed, and a window drape/swag. Yours is really lovely!

Jan in VA

I'd either hand stitch as close to the original pattern as possible or if there is enough loose cotton, pull into shape and tie off. Beautiful piece.

It's a beautiful piece of handiwork, can see why it called to you. If you find something like that in the future, and are queazy at using bleach, fill the washer with water, and pour in a cup of 20 Mule Team Borax. Swish it to get it somewhat dissolved and do it a number of times over a few hours. Then put soap in and wash it. I've saved many an article with the borax, not hard on your hands or damaging to the 'old' crochet cotton. Our son has a Tshirt made of, all things, 100% polyester, white with blue motif. Every year when he comes home, I 'whiten' it for him, with Borax and he is tickled he can wear it again. Men sometime toss everything together, this picks up the water being pulled through the washer holes, and has circles all over it. Plus it yellows terribly. He just took it home, white again.

What a wonderful 'find'!

Have no idea how to fix but it is beautiful. Great find.

I have rescued several of these too. I use a good size needle and good white cotton bedspread yarn and I sew it neatly closed. If need be, you can embellish the spread with ribbons, beads, flowers etc to cover the holes.

Oh! Reminds me of the crocheted table cloth my Grandmother and my cousins and I worked on. She would get the table cloth out when we visited. She of course worked on it when we weren't there also. It was very large for table that set 8 with a 12" drop. Pineapple and cathedral design. This was all with thread. She passed 6 weeks before my wedding. I was the first granddaughter to marry who worked on the table cloth with her. I looked all over her house for that table cloth. Wanted it on my bridal party table. My father happened to go out to the garage. A member of the family did body work on cars. He used it for a lacy paint job. You cannot imagine how upset everyone was. He very nearly met his maker that night. My cousins and I cried so hard because we knew how much love and memories went in to it. Few nights later that car was totaled and no one knew who did it. He complained how much time he spent on that car. Months. We spent years and decades. Grandma used to "dress the table" when her granddaughters came to dinner. We were all so proud and then very hurt. There was not one section that could be salvaged. It's beautiful and don't forget to "dress it your way". Enjoy!

Lovely piece! I bought a tablecloth at a garage sale for $3.00. I thought it was a small one and when I got home it was very large and beautiful. I looked at the tag again thinking it should have been at least 30.00. The man who sold it to me probably had an unhappy wife, when she found out he had sold for the tag price of $3.00! But I was really happy!

Beautiful. Like some said I would pull the crochet thread and tie it off. Lucky you to buy it. Troubles me to think all or ant of my quilts may meet a bad end. If they are donated I hope someone will rescue them and care for them.

It always amazes me that someone would get rid of such a thing of beauty. All the work that goes into it too. My Grandma Ruth used to crochet table cloths and used tiny crochet hook. I was totally amazed.

Everyone, thanks for your help! Will post all laid when repaired and pressed.