Lacy Infinity Scarf in Burgundy Color

When I was making my Lacy Infinity Scarf last summer, I had no idea it would become the most popular item on my blog. The stitch was quite simple, and I used the yarn that I had previously tried for other projects, so I really didn’t expect anything that awesome to come out of it. However, once the scarf was finished and I tried it on, I was amazed how beautiful and stylish it looked.

Most of the time I don’t like crocheting the same thing more than once, but this scarf is an exception. I was very flattered when a couple of months ago a lady from the Netherlands contacted me to commission this scarf. I was pleased and proud that someone so far away wanted to have something I made.

It seems to me this might be a good idea to have a few of such scarves on hand in case someone would like to purchase it or for presents. Besides, I really want to see what this scarf will look like in other colors.

The yarn used for this scarf is quite expansive, and so far I only made one more in deep burgundy color. It turned out stunning!

I used Baby Alpaca Plymouth Yarn, Color Fawn (5 balls are required). And my free pattern  is available here.

More scarf and cowl patterns from my shop:

 

Daisy and Dahlia Doilies

Spring is definitely in the air here in California. Flowers are popping out here and there, and I am in the mood for bright and cheerful colors.

When I came across the patterns for these two doilies I thought they would make lovely spring embellishments. They are not big, only about 4.5 inches in diameter, and they are very quick to make.

They would make cute coasters or appliques. I plan a trip to a crafts store to see if they have crochet cotton thread in yellow, light blue, and green. I would like to make more of these doilies in those colors and use them as Easter decorations. 

Click here for Daisy Doily pattern

Click here for Dahlia Doily pattern

Huge thanks to the gal from the Netherlands who designed these lovelies and shared the patterns.  

I'm linking this post to Tweak It Tuesday @ Cozy Little House,

Clever Chicks Blog Hop at The Chicken Chick,

Teach Me Tuesday Link-Up @ Growing Home,

Create It Thursday @ Lamberts Lately

Please Pray with Me for Ukraine

Dear Friends,

This is not a happy crochet post; this is a cry of my soul.

If you follow the international news, you must know about the violent unrest in my native country Ukraine. The death toll now reached over 70 and there are hundreds of wounded.

Those are not just numbers, those are PEOPLE! They are someone's sons and daughters, fathers and brothers, and neighbors, and friends, who will never come back home. 

How could it all have happened?

Please pray with me for the bloodshed in Ukraine to stop.

This is a photo of Ukrainian countryside that I took on my visit several years ago. And this is how I always have perceived my native Ukraine – beautiful and peaceful. 

Fancy Pineapple Stitch

It may not look so from the picture (I realized later this was not the right yarn for this stitch), but this is actually a very beautiful complex pineapple stitch. It can be used for lacy summer tops or other open stitch projects.

Multiple of 15, plus 4

In this pattern, turning ch 3 is referred to as last dc.

Shell: (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) all in same space.

Row 1: 2 dc in 4^th ch from hook, ch 3, skip 4 ch, sc in next ch, ch 5, skip 4 ch, sc in next ch, *ch 3, skip 4 ch, shell in next ch, ch 3, skip 4 ch, sc in next ch, ch 5, skip 4 ch, sc in next ch*, ch 3, skip 4 ch, 3 dc in last ch.

Row 2: ch 3, turn; 2 dc in same beginning space, *11 tr in next ch-5 space, shell over next shell*, 11 tr in next ch-5 space, 3 dc in last dc.

Row 3: ch 3, turn; 2 dc in same beginning space, *ch 2, sc in 1^st tr of tr-11 group, (ch 3, skip next tr, sc in next tr) 5 times, ch 2, shell over next shell*, ch 2, sc in 1^st tr of tr-11 group, (ch 3, skip next tr, sc in next tr) 5 times, ch 2, 3 dc in last dc.

Row 4: ch 3, turn; 2 dc in same beginning space, *(ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop) 5 times, ch 3, shell over next shell*, (ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop) 5 times, ch 3, 3 dc in last dc.

Row 5: ch 3, turn; 2 dc in same beginning space, *ch 4, sc in next ch-3 loop, (ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop) 3 times, ch 4, shell over next shell*, (ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop) 3 times, ch 4, 3 dc in last dc.

Row 6: ch 3, turn; 2 dc in same beginning space, *ch 5, sc in next ch-3 loop, (ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop) 2 times, ch 5, shell over next shell*, ch 5, sc in next ch-3 loop, (ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop) 2 times, ch 5, 3 dc in last dc.

Row 7: ch 3, turn; 2 dc in same beginning space, *ch 7, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 7, shell over next shell*, ch 7, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 7, 3 dc in last dc.

Row 8: ch 5, turn, dc in same beginning space, *ch 2, sc in next ch-7 space, ch 5, skip next ch-3 loop, sc in next ch-7 space, ch 2, (dc, ch 5, dc) all in next shell*, ch 2, sc in next ch-7 space, ch 5, skip next ch-3 loop, sc in next ch-7 space, ch 2, (dc, ch 2, dc) all in last dc.

Row 9: ch 4, turn, 5 tr in same beginning ch-2 space, *shell in 3^rd ch of next ch-5, 11 tr in next ch-5 space*, shell in 3^rd ch of next ch-5, 6 tr in last ch-2 space.

Row 10: ch 3, turn, sc in next tr, (ch 3, skip next tr, sc in next tr) 2 times, ch 2, *shell over next shell, ch 2,  sc in next tr, (ch 3, skip next tr, sc in next tr) 5 times, ch 2*, shell over next shell, ch 2,  sc in next tr, (ch 3, skip next tr, sc in next tr) 2 times, ch 1, sc in last dc.

Row 11: ch 1, turn, sc in same beginning space, (ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop) 2 times,  ch 3, *shell over next shell, (ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop) 5 times, ch 3*, shell over next shell, (ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop) 2 times,  ch 3, sc in last sc.

Row 12: ch 2, turn, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 4, *shell over next shell, ch 4, sc in next ch-3 loop, (ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop) 3 times, ch 4*, shell over next shell, ch 4, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 1, sc in last sc.

Row 13: ch 1, turn, sc in same beginning space, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 5, *shell over next shell, ch 5, sc in next ch-3 loop, (ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop) 2 times, ch 5*, shell over next shell, ch 5, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 3, sc in last sc.

Row 14: ch 3, turn, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 7, *shell over next shell, ch 7, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 7*, hell over next shell, ch 7, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 1, sc in last sc.

Row 15: ch 7, turn, sc in next ch-7 space, ch 2, *(dc, ch 5, dc ) all in next shell, ch 2, sc in next ch-7 space, ch 5, skip next ch-3 loop, sc in next ch-7 space, ch 2*, (dc, ch 5, dc ) all in next shell, ch 2, sc in next ch-7 space, ch 3, tr in last ch-3 space.

Row 16: ch 3, turn; 2 dc in same beginning space, *11 tr in next ch-5 space, shell in 3^rd ch of next ch-5 space*, 11 tr in next ch-5 space, 3 dc in 3^rd ch of turning ch-7.

Repeat Rows 3-16.

Baby Dress with Flowers

Over the last year, I have designed quite a few baby blankets. I also have made tons of doilies. I feel now it’s time to venture into something new. Perhaps crochet baby dresses?

I’ve only made a few of baby dresses in the past using other people’s patterns. But of course I want to learn making my own designs. 

So here is my first attempt.

I am both pleased and disappointed with it. I’m pleased because it looks cute and the pattern is not complicated, but I’m disappointed because my baby dress didn’t come out its intended size. I made a mistake by choosing worsted weight yarn while I should’ve used something lighter. The intended size was 0-3 months, but the finished size is about 12 months. What is more, the dress came out somewhat heavy and bulky.

I’m going to make this same dress with light worsted or DK yarn instead. I’ll share the results with you later.

Diamond Stitch Baby Blanket, Free Pattern

This pattern is my original design. It cannot be posted on other sites or distributed in any other form. If you would like to share this pattern, you can post ONE image on your site with the link to my original post. You can use this pattern to make items for personal use or for sale. If you sell finished items from this pattern, you must give design credit to Lacy Crochet blog (lacycrochet.blogspot.com). Please, respect my work. Thank you!

The symbol chart above was created by Ginger Douglas (@wwginger on Twitter). Thank you Ginger! 

Measurements: 38 by 35 inches

Multiple of 10 plus 7

US hook size G/6 (4.25mm)

Light worsted 100% acrylic yarn, about 1260 yards (I used Snuggly Wuggly Big by Loops and Threads)

Ch 127 loosely (you will have 12 pattern repeats) 

Row 1: dc in 4^th ch from hook, *ch 1, skip next ch, dc in next 9 ch* 12 times, ch 1, skip next ch, dc in next 2 ch.

Row 2: ch 3, turn; dc in next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, *ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next 7 dc, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next ch-1 space* 12 times, dc in next dc, dc in 2^nd ch of turning ch-3.

Row 3: ch 3, turn; dc in next 2 dc, dc in next ch-1 space, *ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next 5 dc, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-1 space* 11 times, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next 5 dc, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, dc in next 2 dc, dc in 2^nd ch of turning ch-3.

Row 4: ch 3, turn; dc in next 3 dc, *dc in next ch-1 space, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next 3 dc, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, dc in next 3 dc* 12 times, dc in 2^nd ch of turning ch-3.

Row 5: ch 3, turn; dc in next 4 dc, *dc in next ch-1 space, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, dc in next 5 dc* 11 times, dc in next ch-1 space, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, dc in next 4 dc, dc in 2^nd ch of turning ch-3.

Row 6: ch 3, turn; dc in next 5 dc, *dc in next ch-1 space, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, dc in next 7 dc* 11 times, dc in next ch-1 space, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, dc in next 5 dc, dc in 2^nd ch of turning ch-3.

Row 7: ch 3, turn; dc in next 5 dc, *ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next 7 dc* 12 times, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next 5 dc, dc in 2^nd ch of turning ch-3.

Row 8: ch 3, turn; dc in next 4 dc, *ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, ch 1, skip next dc,  dc in next 5 dc* 11 times, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, ch 1, skip next dc,  dc in next 4 dc, dc in 2^nd ch of turning ch-3.

Row 9: ch 3, turn; dc in next 3 dc, *ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, dc in next 3 dc, dc in next ch-1 space, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next 3 dc* 12 times, dc in 2^nd ch of turning ch-3.

Row 10: ch 3, turn; dc in next 2 dc, *ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, dc in next 5 dc, dc in next ch-1 space, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next dc* 12 times, dc in next dc, dc in 2^nd ch of turning ch-3.

Row 11: ch 3, turn; dc in next dc, *ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, dc in next 7 dc, dc in next ch-1 space* 12 times, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next dc, dc in 2^nd ch of turning ch-3.

Repeat Rows 2-11 until you have 81 rows in total (ending with Row 11).

Trim

Round 1:

Working in last row: ch 6, turn, dc in base of turning ch-6, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, *{ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next dc} 4 times, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next ch-1 space* 12 times;  ch 1, skip next dc, (dc, ch 3, dc) all in 2^nd ch of turning ch-3.

Working in end of rows: *ch 1, dc in next end of row* across; ch 1, (dc, ch 3, dc) all in corner ch of last end of row.

Working in original chain: ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, *{ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next dc} 4 times, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next ch-1 space* 12 times; ch 1, skip next dc, (dc, ch 3, dc) all in last dc.

Working in end of rows: *ch 1, dc in next end of row* across; ch 1, sl st in 3^rd ch of beginning ch-6.

Round 2: ch 1, 3 hdc in corner space; continue making 2 hdc in each ch-1 space and 3 hdc in each corner space around. Sl st to beginning hdc to join round. Fasten off, weave in end. 

Or you can experiment and come up with your own trim: 

More blanket patterns from my shop:

 

Valentine’s Tea Party for Kids

Last weekend, a friend of mine and her two daughters (age 3 and 2) came over to our home. They joined us for a little Valentine's Day inspired tea party. My boys are five and two years old, so the company was perfect.

I was glad to have a chance to make use of my doilies, which usually are hidden away. I scattered pink and white doilies on the table with the sweet treats. It looked cute.

It wasn’t a big and fancy party, but everyone surely had fun.

The pink lemonade marshmallows were a big hit.

This is a camellia flower from my front yard. The bush only starts to bloom, and there was only one flower that completely opened, which I snapped to decorate the table. There are lots of buds on the camellia bush however, and I’m so much looking forward to seeing them opened up.  

A small pot of daisies. At the end of the party, I gifted them to my friend.

Do you remember the hearts that I crocheted a couple of weeks ago? I used them for handmade valentines. I glued them to note cards, and my boys added some stickers. Two of these cards were already delivered to their recipients, and the rest will be delivered later this week.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

Stash Buster: Emerald Green Scarf (my free pattern)

Several weeks ago when I was cleaning my bedroom closet, I found a lovely surprise in there – five skeins of beautiful emerald green yarn. I totally forgot I had it.

The yarn is by Araucania; it’s 75% baby alpaca, 18% silk, and 7% polyamide. The yarn was made and hand dyed in Chile.

Soon after my discovery, I read about Linda’s Stash Buster Link Party, so I decided to join it by making something out of my newly rediscovered yarn. Do visit Linda’s blog and see what other crafters are creating this month to bust their stash.

Since each skein weights only 50 grams and measures about 80 yards, a scarf seemed like an appropriate project. I don’t really need another crochet scarf since I already have a few, but it turned quite nicely and I’m going to keep it.

Since the yarn was hand-dyed, the color is not uniform, creating a beautiful and distinctive look. In addition to that, the scarf has a fabulous velvety texture.  

I tried to take more close-up pictures of the scarf, but it proved to be a difficult task. Somehow my camera wouldn’t capture its beautiful color. So I’m sharing only one photo of me wearing my new scarf, but you can see this same stitch here.

The pattern is quite simple and should be appropriate for beginners.

My scarf is 58 inches long (not including the fringe), and 10 inches wide. If I had one more skein of yarn, I would make it a bit longer.

Shell in this pattern: (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) all in same space.

Turning ch 3 is referred to as “last dc” at the end of rows. 

Ch 72.

Row 1: shell in 6th ch from hook, *ch 3, skip 6 ch, shell in next ch* across; dc in last ch. Ch 3, turn.

Row 2: *shell in next shell, ch 2, sc in next ch-3 space, ch 2* across, ending with shell in next shell; dc in last dc. Ch 3, turn.

Row 3: *shell in next shell, ch 3* across, ending with shell in next shell; dc in last dc. Ch 3, turn.

Repeat Rows 2-3 until desired length. Fasten off. Add fringe.

More scarf and cowl patterns from my shop: