Monday, April 18, 2016

Clusters, Chains and Picots Doily, My Free Crochet Pattern



Today I'd like to share my free pattern for this medium size doily. It's very simple and I believe it would be a suitable project for beginner crocheters. 


I used some leftover Aunt Lydia's crochet thread size ten in off-white color. 


I do have a lot of doilies that I've made in the past, but I don't really have them on display. Though I do use them for tea parties with my girlfriends or my kids. 

I think I'll leave this new doily on display in my living room for a little while. I like this old-fashioned look. 


Olga Poltava © April, 2016
This pattern may not be redistributed in any form. You are very welcome to sell the finished items that you make using this pattern.

This pattern is written using US crochet terminology.

Measurements: about 14 inches in diameter

Skill Level: Beginner

Materials:

1.75 mm steel hook

Crochet cotton thread size ten, such as Aunt Lydia’s

Gauge: not important

Abbreviations:

ch: chain

sl st: slip stitch

sc: single crochet

dc: double crochet

tr: treble crochet

dtr: double treble crochet

dc2-tog: two double crochets finished together (cluster)

dc3-tog: three double crochets finished together (cluster)

* * Instructions between asterisks should be repeated as many times as there are stitches to accommodate them or as many times as stated.

{ } Instructions within these brackets should be repeated as many times as stated.

Ch 10, join in ring with sl st.

Round 1: ch 4 (counts as 1st dc and ch 1), *dc in ring, ch 1* 13 times; join with sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-4. (14 dc)

Round 2:  ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), dc in same space as joining, ch 1, *2 dc in next dc, ch 1* around; join with sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-3.

Round 3: ch 2, dc2-tog in same stich as joining (counts as 1st dc3-tog cluster), ch 3, dc3-tog in next dc, ch 3, skip next 2 dc, *dc3-tog in next dc, ch 3, dc3-tog in next dc, ch 3, skip next 2 dc* around; join with sl st to top of 1st cluster.

Round 4: sl st to next ch-3 space, ch 7, sc in next ch-3 space, ch 3, sl st in sc just made (picot made), ch 7, *sc in next ch-3 space, ch 7, sc in next ch-3 space, ch 3, sl st in sc just made (picot made), ch 7* around; end with ch 3 (instead of ch 7) and tr in space where beginning ch 7 was made (this brings thread and hook in position for the next round).

Round 5:  *ch 9, sc in next ch-7 space* around; end with ch 4 (instead of ch 9) and tr in space where beginning ch 9 was made (this brings thread and hook in position for the next round).

Round 6: *ch 11, sc in next ch-9 space, picot, ch 11, sc in next ch-9 space* around; end with ch 6 (instead of ch 11) and dtr in space where beginning ch 11 was made (this brings thread and hook in position for the next round).

Round 7: ch 3, dc in same space, ch 11, *2 dc in 6th ch of next ch-11, ch 11* around; join with sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-3.

Round 8: ch 2, dc2-tog in same stich as joining (counts as 1st dc3-tog cluster), ch 3, dc3-tog in next dc, ch 5, sc in next ch-11 space, ch 5, *dc3-tog in next dc, ch 3, dc3-tog in next dc, ch 5, sc in next ch-1 space, ch 5* around; join with sl st to top of 1st cluster.

Round 9: sl st to next ch-3 space, {ch 7, sc in next ch-5 space} twice, ch 7, *sc in next ch-3 space, {ch 7, sc in next ch-5 space} twice, ch 7* around; end with ch 3 (instead of ch 7) and dc in space where beginning ch 7 was made.

Round 10: {ch 7, sc in next ch-7 space} twice, picot, *{ch 7, sc in next ch-7 space} three times, picot* around; end with ch 3 and dc in space where beginning ch 7 was made.

Round 11: ch 7, sc in next ch-7 space, picot, *{ch 7, sc in next ch-7 space} three times, picot* around; end with ch 7, sc in next ch-7 space, ch 3 and dc in space where beginning ch 7 was made.

Round 12: picot, *{ch 7, sc in next ch-7 space} three times, picot* around; end with ch 3 and dc in space where picot was made.
Round 13: same as Round 10.

Round 14: ch 9, sc in next ch-7 space, picot, *{ch 9, sc in next ch-7 space} three times, picot* around; end with ch 9, sc in next ch-7 space, ch 4 and tr in space where beginning ch 9 was made.

Round 15: picot, *{ch 9, sc in next ch-9 space} three times, picot* around; end with ch 4 and tr in space where picot was made.

Round 16: {ch 9, sc in next ch-9 space} twice, picot, *{ch 9, sc in next ch-9 space} three times, picot* around; end with ch 4 and tr in space where beginning ch 9 was made.

Round 17: ch 11, sc in next ch-9 space, picot, *{ch 11, sc in next ch-9 space} three times, picot* around; end with ch 11, sc in next ch-11 space, ch 5 and dtr in space where beginning ch 11 was made.

Round 18: same as Round 7.

Round 19: ch 2, dc2-tog in same stich as joining (counts as 1st dc3-tog cluster), ch 3, dc3-tog in next dc, ch 5, sc in 6th ch of next ch-11, picot, ch 5, *dc3-tog in next dc, ch 3, dc3-tog in next dc, ch 5, sc in 6th ch of next ch-11, picot, ch 5* around; join with sl st to top of 1st cluster.

Fasten off. Block and starch if needed.

I'm linking this post to
Link Your Stuff @ Annamarie's Haakblog
Crafting Along @ Be a Crafter

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Butterflies Crochet Bookmark or Lace Edging


Just a week ago I made my Pink Fans Lace Bookmark, and now I have a new one to show off. 

This one features cute butterflies. 


This pattern is a bit more advanced. In addition to the basic stitches, treble and double treble crochets are used here, as well as double treble clusters (that's how tiny butterfly wings are made). It also has one very specific stitch, but I took close-up photos and explained it in great detail. 

So I believe even a beginner or advanced beginner crocheter can make this lovely bookmark. 



These butterflies are so lovely and unique. I am thinking I could adjust this pattern and make myself a cute butterfly summer top. But that would be so much work!



This patten is available in my Etsy and Craftsy Shops. 

I'm linking this post to

Link Your Stuff @ Annamarie's Haakblog

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Pink Roses and Lace Bookmark



This is the second lace bookmark I've made this year. It turned out so delicate and beautiful. And I thought the tiny Cecile Brunner roses that now begin to bloom in my back yard would compliment it very well. 


This bookmark can make a simple but lovely present for Mother's Day, or maybe as a small thank-you gift to my son's preschool teacher. 

Several years ago, I was very much into snail mail pen-paling and I had mail friends all over the world. I used to send them similar crochet bookmarks because they can easily fit into a regular mail envelope and it's always fun to surprise your friend with a little something that you've created yourself.


For this bookmark I used leftover crochet thread size ten (such as Aunt Lydia's) and a steel hook 1.25 mm. My bookmark turned out 8 inches long and 2.5 inches wide. But this pattern can also be used to make a beautiful lace edging or trim. 

The pattern is available in my Etsy and Craftsy shops. 

I'm linking this post to
Link Your Stuff @ Annamarie's Haakblog
Crafting Along @ Be a Crafter