The crochet terminology used in the early 1900s began to change in the 1920’ and 30s and has continued to go through several mutations since then.
If you follow your vintage pattern’s abbreviations and stitch illustrations, all will be well!
Stitch tension is an individual matter, so it is wise to test which thread will best go with your hook, then make a small sample for yourself.
Except with clothing, any slight variation due to tension will not make much difference.
Here are some tips on how to follow a vintage crochet pattern
1) Be patient, determined and aim for perfection
2) Thoroughly read through the instructions
3) Read the abbreviations and refer to the descriptions of the abbreviations specific to the pattern to avoid using your version of a stitch instead of theirs
4) Make sure that there is good picture image which clearly shows the details of the stitches
5) Test out your thread and hook, using the pattern ( Many vintage patterns don’t give thread size or hook size, and those that do often don’t relate to what is available today)
This means you have to decide for yourself which thread to put with which hook; it depends on your tension and your preference for how fine or delicate you want to make - obviously you would need a different thread and corresponding hook for a wedding veil trim than you would for a towel edging.
Many fine silk, cotton and linen threads are available today, and matching size hooks can be found, but their numbers are different from the old ones so you may need to use a comparison chart to find the right threads and hooks.
It is important to remember that many crocheters of the Victorian and Edwardian era didn't use written patterns at all, they worked either from an original design, or a picture, and some times just from memory!
Because of the expectations that the pattern designers had of the crocheting skills of their readers, please be aware that sometimes the written instructions are there merely as a guide, not as a step by step guide for a beginner. Also the instructions are sometimes very abbreviated, so that you may have to fill in where necessary – which is why you need a good image and a lot of common sense!
Even though you may not be adept enough to work from a picture alone, and the instructions may not give every single detail ( if it assumes that you already know) You do have all the information you need - just use your common sense and while following the written directions, keep a weather eye in the image.
Sometimes, the best approach is to try to copy the picture and use the instructions as a guide instead of the other way around!
Having said that, any new pattern, with different abbreviations and possibly new stitches has its own challenges, be prepared therefore to undo or back step many many times until as if by magic everything falls into place and make sense to you and the design begins to take shape.
And remember, even the most intricate pattern is often only a variation of the basic chain stitch and that practice (even including undoing mistakes) makes perfect!!!
Try to work at your own level but don't be afraid to try something just because it 'looks' difficult - even if it is a challenge, it may be easier than you think!
Heirloom Crochet 
