More Crochet Edgings for Handkerchiefs

A couple weeks ago, I made a post about how I added blue lacy trim to a handkerchief (you can see it here).
I thank you for your sweet comments and compliments on my work.



Today I want to share two more handkerchiefs with added crochet edgings. Again, I experimented and came up with the simple patterns myself.



There are only four rounds of crochet in each pattern. First, using a thin and sharp hook, I made a round of single crochets directly on the trim of the handkerchief. Then it was easy to add three more rounds of double crochets and chains.

I used DMC #8 pearl cotton.





I'm linking this post to these link parties:

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home,
Potpourri Friday @ 2805,
Fibers on Friday @ Visions of Sugar Plums.

Doily of the Week #5: Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! Peace and love on earth!

Last Christmas Ornament of the Year

This little heart is my last crocheted ornament for this year.

I came up with the pattern myself. I used size 10 crochet thread, and the heart came up three inches high. I think it would have looked much better with a red ribbon, but I didn’t have it on hand, so I used a golden one.

Despite the fact that the pattern is quite simple, I had trouble sketching it on paper. Besides, I would need someone to test the pattern before I could post it here. And with Christmas only a few days away, I don’t think anyone would agree to that.

I will try to sketch the pattern after the holidays and find someone to test it. Hopefully, I will be able to share it with my readers before Valentine’s Day when crochet hearts will be relevant again.

As for now, I am putting away my crocheting hooks and threads until after Christmas.

Happy Holidays to all of you! Enjoy this wonderful time of the year!

I am linking to

Home Sweet Home Friday @The Charm of Home,
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home,
Potpourri Friday @ 2805,
Fibers on Friday @ Visions of Sugar Plums.

Doily of the Week #4: Sweet Violets

Here is another doily from my collection. My mom crocheted it for me several years ago.

I can imagine that crocheting tiny violets and green leaves was a tedious job. But the final result was well worth it. The doily is lovely and even more special to me because it was made by my mom.

The pattern is from the book Doilies in Bloom by Diane T. Stone.

Ladies’ Handkerchief with Lace

Nowadays, handkerchiefs are considered obsolescent, and no one really uses them anymore. But I don’t think they deserve to be rejected entirely. Won’t you agree that there is something very romantic about delicate ladies’ handkerchiefs?

Some time ago, I bought a whole bunch of simple yet pretty handkerchiefs. And now I adorn them with crochet lace. It’s actually very simple to do.

First, I made a round of single crochet stitches at the perimeter of the handkerchief. I used a very thin and sharp hook (I don't know its size, my dad made that hook for my mom many decades ago). Then I added two more rounds of double crochets and chains.

I came up with this simple pattern myself. I sketched it in case you would like to try it too.

I used Daisy mercerized crochet cotton number 20 (which I found at a yard sale a while back).



I'm linking this post to these link parties:
Home Sweet Home Friday @The Charm of Home,
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home.

Doily of the Week #3: For Auntie

I made this big doily for my aunt as a house warming gift. I really like the spider stitches in this doily. I hope my auntie will like them too :-)

Mini Doily Symbol Chart

This is the chart for the mini doily in the previous post. I apologize for its poor quality. I tried my best to sketch it, but I am not exactly an artist! I do hope to buy a symbol-chart making software one day.

I tried the pattern today with pink thread number 10. The doily turned out 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter.

Doily of the Week #2: Simple Mini Doily

I crocheted this white mini doily several months ago without any clear idea about how I am going to use it. But not long ago I saw some very cute cross-stitched jam jar covers, and I thought that a mini doily can serve the same purpose.





I added a red ribbon to my doily and tried it on a jar of raspberry preserve. It looked quite charming!



Even though the Holiday Season has begun, I still might find time to crochet a few such doilies and make jam presents.

Doily of the Week #1: Small and Charming

Of all crochet projects, doilies are my favorite. During the past couple of years, I’ve built quite a collection of them. The majority of them are white, but I have several colored ones too. I love pulling out my pink doilies and decorating with them during spring. I like to use my blue doilies for small outdoor tea settings in summer. And I even have a couple of red heart doilies for Valentine’s Day.

In other words, I have dozens of lovely doilies, and I am bursting with a desire to share them with the world!

Every Sunday, I will feature one doily from my collection. I’m starting today with a small round doily that I crocheted in only a couple of evenings. Isn’t it charming?





I'm linking this post to Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home.

Crochet Angels

The pattern (written instructions) for these angels is by Mary Thomas (you can see it here). I tried to follow it precisely, but since I’m not very good with written patterns (I prefer symbol charts), my angles turned out a bit different than the one in the pattern. Yet, I think they are quite lovely.

I used crochet thread number ten, and the angels came out five inches tall.

Now I contemplate what to do with them. Should I turn them into Christmas tree ornaments? Or maybe use them for Christmas package decorating? Or should I just leave them on the coffee table as winter décor?

I'm linking this post to Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home.

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Snowflakes

A sleepless night of experimenting with hook and thread produced these snowflakes. They are not extremely pretty, but at least they are my own.

I used crochet thread number ten as well as size ten crochet hook. The snowflakes came out four and a half inches in diameter.



The symbol chart is below, I sketched it and my mom has tested it.



Note: Slip stitches are not shown on the chart, but you will need to use them:

• joining chain 5 into a ring

• at the end of each round (for joining the round)

• starting with round 2, at the beginning of each round (so you can start each new round from the space of chain 2)

• in the last round for making picots

I hope this makes sense and the chart will be of use to you.
Happy crocheting!

I am linking this post to Fibers on Friday @ Visions of Sugar Plums.

Crocodile Stitch

Just a few days ago, I learned to crochet the crocodile stitch. I was surprised to find out that it’s actually easier than it seems!
These two videos helped me to pick it up:

Crocodile Stitch
Crocodile Stitch Triangle

It’s not lacy but certainly pretty. Now I’m contemplating what to make using this stitch. A scarf maybe? Or perhaps a shawl!

Off-White Round Doily

Of all the doilies I’ve crocheted, this doily is one of my favorites.

Unlike most of my doilies, it is not snow-white. It has a bit warmer, off-white color. I love using it this time of the year as it goes well with the autumn colors – orange, red, and brown. Also, its design reminds me of pinecones.

Elegant and Chic Crochet Shawl

This post is just to show off! I want to share a beautiful shawl my mom crocheted!

She often uses patterns from old crocheting magazines; sometimes she combines two patterns, or even crochets not following any patterns at all.

All I know about crocheting I learned from her. Teaching me to crochet was one of the most wonderful and valuable gifts she has given me.