Fairy of Roses Baby Dress Pattern by Preetha Jeyaram Mohan

This adorable baby dress was designed by Preetha Jeyaram Mohan, and I had the pleasure of testing it. 

I used Caron Simply Soft Light yarn and a hook size E/4 (3.5 mm). 

The pattern is well written and easy to follow. The instructions for the headband are also included in the pattern. 

The pattern is written for size 0-3 months. I was delighted to see that it fit my dolly Lucy (Marie Osmond Baby Ashley collectible doll) perfectly. 

As a little girl, I loved it so much playing with my dolls, making them outfits, dressing them up, making their hair. 

And with the crochet work that I do now, I still sort of get to do that! It was such a delight to dress up my doll in this adorable dress and take these photos!

Fairy of Roses Baby Dress Pattern is available for purchase on Ravelry for only $2.00

Simple Lace Bookmark Free Crochet Pattern

I have a big collection of crochet bookmarks. And there used to be time when I actually used them! 

Unfortunately, no more! 

No matter how many times I've promised myself that I'll get back to reading, somehow I just can't. I start a book to read, and never finish it. 

But I continue making crochet bookmarks! It's just fun! 

I use the leftover thread from the doilies I make. 

This bookmark is super easy. No fancy stitches here. But still cute. 

I hope you'll enjoy this pattern! 

Simple Lace Bookmark, Free Crochet Pattern

Olga Poltava © August, 2018

Skill Level: Beginner

Measurements: about 8 inches long, 2 inches wide


Materials:
Steel hook 1.25 mm

Crochet cotton thread size 10, such as Aunt Lydia's, small amount


Gauge: not very important, but the tighter you crochet, the better your bookmark will look.


Abbreviations:
ch: chain

sc: single crochet
dc: double crochet

Ch 24.

Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in next ch, ch 2, skip next 2 ch, sc in next ch, ch 2, skip next 2 ch, dc in next 2 ch, ch 2, skip next 2 ch, dc in next 2 ch, ch 2, skip next 2 ch, sc in next ch, ch 2, skip next 2 ch, dc in last 3 ch.

Row 2: ch 3, turn, dc in 2nd and 3rd dc, ch 5, dc in next 2 dc, ch 2, dc in next 2 dc, ch 5, dc in next 2 dc, dc in top of turning ch.

Row 3: ch 3, turn, dc in 2nd and 3rd dc, ch 2, sc in 3rd ch of next ch-5, ch 2, dc in next 2 dc, ch 2, dc in next 2 dc, ch 2, sc in 3rd ch of next ch-5, ch 2, dc in next 2 dc, dc in top of turning ch.

Repeat Rows 2-3 until the bookmark measures about 8 inches long (or your desired lengths), ending with Row 3.

Fasten off. 

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Thank you so much for all of your support, prayers and good wishes for my dad and my family. 

I'm happy to share that my dad is doing much better now. He is in a rehabilitation center right now. He's going to stay there until the end of the month, which is a long time, but the good thing is he is getting 24/7 medical care that he needs there. 

Again, thank you so much! Your comments meant a lot to me. I read and re-read them many times! 

Ziva Doily by Preetha Jeyaram Mohan

Textured doilies have become quite popular in the last few/several years. I've made probably over a hundred doilies, but I had never made a textured one until now!

This is my first textured doily! 

The pattern is Ziva by Preetha Jeyaram Mohan.

Preetha has tested a lot of my crochet patterns, and I was glad and excited to test a pattern for her. 

This was a challenging project and I learned a couple of new interesting stitches along the way. 

I absolutely love the way my Ziva doily turned out! I used aunt Lydia's classic thread in size ten and a 1.75 mm steel hook. My doily turned out 10 inches.

I was worried that when I block my Ziva doily, the dark blue color might bleed. And it did!

But I actually like the way it looks! 

Preetha's pattern for Ziva Doily is available for sale on Ravelry for only $1.00

You can also follow Preetha and see more of her crochet work on Facebook! 

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In my previous posts I've shared some personal struggles that my family and I are going through. A lot of you have been very supportive. I greatly appreciate that! 

This summer has been very difficult for me. I live in constant state of stress and anxiety. And now there is also so much worry and sadness in my heart. 

About a month ago, my father had an open heart surgery. The doctors said it went well, but his recovery has been very difficult. He was admitted to the hospital twice after the surgery. He had fever for many days and was very weak and fatigued, yet the doctors were saying it's just a part of the recovery process. 

Finally, when he was back at the hospital for the third time, they discovered there was an infection and they had to perform another urgent surgery. 

It's been a few days now, and my dad is still in the hospital in a critical condition. 

I'm really scared and worried. And I just don't know how to deal with all these feelings and emotions! 

Crocheting doesn't help at the moment as I can't focus and keep making stitching mistakes. 

I did a lot of gardening today. That seemed to help a little. 

Tomorrow I'm going to drive two hours to visit my dad. 

Please, keep my dad, my family, and me in your prayers and positive thoughts. Just knowing you are there for me helps. Thank you! 

Watermelon Toddler Summer Dress

I designed this toddler dress a year ago, but I've made some slight changes/improvements to the pattern and had a great team of crocheters to test my pattern! 

I made the dress shown below with Cotton Fair yarn by Premier Yarns, which is 52% cotton and 48% acrylic. 

And this one I made with Dreambaby DK yarn by Plymouth Yarn, which is 50% acrylic and 50% nylon. 

Both dresses turned out lovely! 

When one of my testing team members sent me photos of her dress, I was absolutely stunned at her creativity. 

She turned this dress into a true watermelon one! Isn't it just gorgeous? 

Ravelry (c) Preetha Jeyaram Mohan of Pretty Expressions 

And here are some other variations of this dress pattern. 

Ravelry (c) jovetted

Ravelry (c) Ashita-Husbana 

Ravelry (c) Jonash2004

A huge thank you to all of my wonderful crochet testers! You gals are amazing!

The pattern for my Watermelon Toddler Dress is available in my shops: Etsy, Craftsy, and Ravelry!