Simple Crochet Square, Free Pattern

I tried to recreate the crochet square pattern for this vintage afghan. Hmm, looks like I made the beginning chain ring too big. I started with chain 8, but chain 5 would probably work better. 

Anyway, I'm sharing my pattern below.

Ch 8 (or better 5), join with sl st in ring.

Round 1: ch 2, dc2-tog in ring (counts as 1st cluster), ch 5, *dc3-tog, ch 2, dc3-tog, ch 5* three times, dc3-tog, ch 2, join with sl st to 1st cluster.

Round 2: sl st in next ch-3 space, ch 2, dc2-tog (counts as 1st cluster), ch 3, dc3-tog in same ch-3 space, *ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2, (dc3-tog, ch 3, dc3-tog) all in next ch-3 space (corner)* three times, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2, join with sl st to 1st cluster.

Round 3: sl st in next ch-3 space, ch 2, dc2-tog, ch 3, dc3-tog in same ch-3 space, *ch 2, 2 dc in next ch-2 space, dc in next 3 dc, 2 dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2, (dc3-tog, ch 3, dc3-tog) all in next ch-3 space (corner)* three times, ch 2, 2 dc in next ch-2 space, dc in next 3 dc, 2 dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2, join with sl st to 1st cluster.

Round 4: sl st in next ch-3 space, ch 2, dc2-tog, ch 3, dc3-tog in same ch-3 space, *ch 2, 2 dc in next ch-2 space, dc in next each dc across, 2 dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2, (dc3-tog, ch 3, dc3-tog) all in next ch-3 space (corner)* three times, ch 2, 2 dc in next ch-2 space, dc in each dc across, 2 dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2, join with sl st to 1st cluster.

Round 5: same as Round 4, but you will have more dc across. 

You can actually add more rounds if you wish. Simply continue crocheting as Round 4, but in each round you'll have more and more dc across. 

A Bit of This and That

Hello Crafty Friends,

Just look at this gorgeous baby blanket!  

One of the readers, whose name is Sharon, sent me these photos. She used my Fancy Shells pattern as the main stitch for this baby afghan. Then she added several rounds of border in three colors (green, white, and pink) and a final round of beautiful shells. Notice the roses and leaves; don’t they make a lovely detail?

When I saw these photos in my mail box, it really made my day. It’s rewarding to know that my patterns are useful to other crocheters. Thank you Sharon for sharing your work with me and for allowing me to share the photos on my blog with others.

Another reader asked me to post a close-up photo for the motif used in this vintage crochet piece, which I gladly do.

And this is a project in progress. I’m working on a pattern for a doily, which I will share soon.

Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful week!

Simple Crochet Motif and Lacy Tray Cloth, Free Vintage Pattern

Here is a simple motif that can be used to make a fancy tray lining or cloth.

Photo Credit: New Ideas in Crochet, Table Topics, Book 123,
The Spool Cotton Company, 1938

The pattern is from The Spool Cotton Company Book #123, New Ideas in Crochet, Table Topics, 1938.

First Strip. First Motif… Starting at center, ch 8. Join with sl st to form ring. 1^st rnd: Ch 3, 4 dc in ring, *ch 5, 5 dc in ring. Repeat from * 2 more times, ch 5. Join with sl st to 3^rd st of ch-3 first made. 2^nd rnd: sl st in each of next 4 dc, sl st in ch-5 loop, ch 3, 2 dc in same loop, ch 3, 3 dc in same loop (corner); *ch 3, skip next 2 dc, sc in next dc, ch 3; in next ch-5 loop make 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc. Repeat from * around, ending with ch 3, sl st in 3^rd st of ch-3 first made. 3^rd rnd: sl st in each of next 2 dc, sl st in ch-3 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp, *ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 3; in corner ch-3 make 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc. Repeat from * around, ending with ch 3. Join with sl st to 3^rd st of ch-3 first made. 4^th rnd: sl st in each of next 2 dc, sl st in corner ch-3 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp, *ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 2, 2 half dc in next ch-3 loop, ch 2, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 3; in corner ch-3 make 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc. Repeat from * around, ending with ch 3. Join with sl st to 3^rd st of ch-3 first made. Fasten and break off. This completes one motif.

Second Motif… Work as for first motif to 3^rd rnd incl. 4^th rnd: sl st in each of next 2 dc, sl st in ch-3 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 1, sc in corner ch-3 of first motif, ch 1, 3 dc back in corner ch-3 of second motif, ch 3, sc in next loop, ch 2, half dc in next loop, sc between 2 half dc of first motif, half dc back in same loop of second motif, ch 2, sc in next loop, ch 3, 3 dc in corner ch-3 sp, ch 1, sc back in corner loop of first motif, ch 1, 3 dc back in corner loop of second motif (thus second motif is joined to first). Complete rnd as for first motif.

Make 7 more motifs, joining to previous one as second was joined to first.

Second Strip. First Motif… Work as for second motif of first strip, joining on last rnd to lower edge of first motif of fist strip.

Second Motif… Join on last rnd to lower edge of second motif of first strip, and to adjacent side of first motif of second strip.

Continue in this manner until there are 14 strips of 9 motifs. Attach thread to outer edge, and work a rnd of sc closely together all around outer edges, keeping work flat.

  

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Small Doily Motif and Crochet Tablecloth Free Vintage Pattern

Today I want to share a free vintage pattern for a gorgeous tablecloth called Star Wheel #744. The pattern comes from The Spool Cotton Company Book #123, New Ideas in Crochet, Table Topics, 1938.

It’s been a long time since 1938, but nonetheless I believe this pattern would be exciting and of great interest to thread crochet masters in our time!

I made the motif using size ten crochet cotton thread and 1.3 mm hook. My motif came out 5.5 inches in diameter. The pattern was easy enough to follow. The only challenge was the 2^nd round; I had to read it very carefully a couple of times before I got it.

My motif turned out very pretty, and I can imagine what a stunning tablecloth can come out of it. I got quite tempted to start this project, but then I reminded myself that I already have one unfinished tablecloth…

I repost the pattern exactly as it appears in the original publication.

Photo Credit: New Ideas in Crochet, Table Topics, Book 123,
The Spool Cotton Company, 1938

Materials: Choose one of the following threads in size 20, White or Ecru:

Clark’s O.N.T. Mercerized Crochet, 74 balls.

J. & P. Coats Mercerized Crochet, 53 balls.

J. & P. Coats Big Ball Best Six Cord Mercerized Crochet, 31 balls.

Milward’s steel crochet hook number 9 or 10.

Gauge: One large motif measures 4.25 inches in diameter and requires about 25 yards of thread. Each fill-in-lace requires about 4 yards of thread. When completed, tablecloth measures about 68 x 85 inches. Make 320 large motifs, then join them together as explained later.

Motif… Ch 10 and join with sl st to form ring. 1^st rnd: Ch 3, 23 dc in ring. Join with sl st to 3^rd st of ch-3 first made. 2^nd rnd: Ch 10, and complete a cross st as follows: Thread over twice, insert hook in 8^th ch from hook, draw thread through (4 loops on hook), thread over once, skip 1 dc and insert hook in next dc, draw thread through (6 loops on hook), thread over, and take off 2 loops at a time, 5 times. *Ch 3, thread over 4 times, insert hook in next dc and draw thread through (6 loops on hook), thread over, and take off 2 loops at a time, then thread over, skip 1 dc, insert hook in next, draw thread through (6 loops on hook), thread over, and take off 2 loops at a time, 5 times. Ch 3, dc in center point of the cross, thus completing the cross. Repeat from * until there are 8 cross sts around the circle. Join last ch-3 with sl st to 7^th st of ch-10 first made. 3^rd rnd: 5 sc in each sp. 4^th to 7^th rnds incl: Sc in each sc of previous rnd. 8^th rnd: Ch 4, dc in 1^st sc, * ch 1, dc in next sc, repeat from * to end of rnd. Then ch 1, and join with sl stto 3^rd st of ch-4 first made. 9^th rnd: Ch 10, and complete cross st as before, skipping 2 dc between each leg of cross st and inserting hook under ch-1 sp. Ch 3 between each cross st. Skip 2 dc between each cross st. Repeat around (20 cross sts) and join last ch-3 with sl st to 7^th st of ch-10 first made. 10^th rnd: Sl st in 1^st 2 sts of first sp, ch 5, *dc in same space, ch 3, sc in next sp, ch 3, dc in next sp, ch 2, repeat from * to end or rnd. Join last ch 3 with sl st to 3^rd st of ch-5 first made. 11^th rnd: Ch 6, dc in same sp, * ch 4, sc in next sc of previous rnd, ch 4, dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 3, dc in same sp, repeat from * to end of rnd, joining with sl st to 3^rd st of ch-6 first made.

To join motifs… Place motifs in position (16 x 20 motifs). With over-and-over stitches, sew 3 points of one motif to corresponding 3 points of the adjacent motif (thus leaving 2 points free on each motif). To make fill-in lace between the motifs, ch 4, join with sl st to form ring. ** Ch 15, sc at joining of two motifs, ch 15, sc in center ring, * ch 9, sc in point of next scallop, ch 9, sc in center ring, repeat from * once more. Then repeat from ** 3 more times. This completes the fill-in lace. Break off thread.

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Crochet Coasters, Free Pattern by Anabelia

Hello crafty friends, what are you up to this week?

We have beautiful summer days here in California and it’s pleasant to sit outside in the late afternoon, when the sun is not as hot, and sip lemonade or iced tea.

I decided to make a bunch of cute coasters to enhance this relaxing pastime.

I have made three so far, and I hope to make the complete set by the end of this week. The free pattern was from Anabelia Craft Accessories blog. It’s a symbol chart that is very easy to follow. Huge thanks to the author for sharing the pattern!

I’m using the same colors as the ones that were used in the original pattern. I just love how my coasters are turning out. I think they have a romantic shabby chic look.

Thank you so much for your kind comments on my previous post. I hope you are enjoying your week!

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Crochet Lace Napkin Rings

Hello friends, no new crochet projects to show yet and I still need to take pictures of my new crochet skirt.

So today I’ll show you something that I received as a gift several years ago. These crochet napkin rings are so darling. I used to use them a lot, but nowadays I don’t set pretty tablescapes that often.

It’s only for the sake of these pictures that I pulled out my fine china and silverware. But once my boys are a bit older, I hope to make our dinner experiences are more refined, and all the pretty things I have will be useful once again.

I searched high and low to find any (free) patterns for similar napkin rings. 

There are some finished ones available for sale on Etsy, but not the patterns.

Brunfelsia Inspired Crochet Throw, My Free Pattern

Every spring a gorgeous shrub blooms in my front yard. It’s called Yesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow or Brunfelsia Pauciflora. The flowers start rich purple, then they turn lilac, and eventually white. This creates a stunning display with three color flowers at the same time. This spring this shrub inspired me to crochet a throw in three colors – purple, lilac, and white.

But before we go to the pattern, there is one more thing I need to tell you about this plant.

This beauty has a sinister side - it’s extremely toxic! If you ever come across this shrub, it’s better not to touch it at all! Make sure that pets or children don’t chew it or put it in their mouths. The berries formed after the blooming is the most poisonous part of this shrub.  

And now to the pattern! It’s nothing fancy really, just rows of dc2tog clusters. I used Red Heart Super Saver yarn. The colors are very rich and pretty, I hope they won’t run after washings.  

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!

Measurements: 45 by 33 inches

Materials:

Crochet Hook US size I/9 (5.5 MM)

Red Heart Super Saver Jumbo Yarn, Amethyst, one skein (14 oz, 744 yards)

Red Heart Super Saver, Orchid, one skein (7 oz, 364 yards)

Red Heart Super Saver Yarn, White, one skein (7 oz, 364 yards)

In this pattern, I refer to turning chains as “last dc”.

Multiple of 4, plus 2

Ch 122 loosely.

Row 1: (dc2 tog, ch 2, dc2tog) all in 5^th ch from hook, *skip 3 ch, (dc2 tog, ch 2, dc2tog) all in next ch* across, dc in last ch. Fasten off. Attach next color yarn.

Row 2: ch 3, *(dc2tog, ch 2, dc2tog) all in next ch-2 space* across, dc in last dc. Fasten off. Attach next color yarn.

Repeat Row 2 until your throw is about 45 inches long (or longer if you wish). End with the same color stripe that you started with.

Trim:

When working into the last row, make 4 dc in each space between clusters.

Make (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) all in the corner space. Repeat same way for all four corners.

When working into the ends of rows, *skip one end of row, make 6 dc in next end of row* across.

When working into the original chain, make 4 dc in each space between clusters.

Join round with sl st and fasten off. 

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Crochet Trim for Kitchen Towels

This week I’m working on decorating my home for the autumn holidays. I already took out the indoor decorations and put them on display in our dining and family rooms. I still need to decorate the front door area and carve jack-o-lanterns. I know my boys will be glued to the window when the jack-o-lanterns are glowing in the dark in our front yard. That’s so much fun to them!

And what is fun for me this time of year is cooking and baking in my cozy kitchen, which needs a bit of decorating and cheering up too.  

I bought a set of two cute, autumn themed kitchen towels, which should bright up my kitchen. But for extra charm I’m adding crochet lace trims. It is an easy and fun project to do. 

I already finished one towel and I’m working on the second one.

Steel hook size 10, size 10 crochet cotton thread.

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

Row 1: sc across working directly into fabric.

Row 2: ch 1, sc in next sc, *ch 1, skip 2 sc, shell in next sc, ch 1, skip 2 sc, sc in next sc* across. Turn.

Row 3: ch 3, dc in same beginning space, ch 1, *shell in next shell, ch 2* across; shell in last shell, ch 1, 2 dc in last sc. Turn.

Row 4: ch 3, dc in same beginning space, ch 1, *shell in next shell, ch 1, sc in next ch-2 space, ch 1* across; shell in last shell, ch 1, 2 dc in last dc. Turn.

Row 5: ch 3, dc in same beginning space, ch 1, *shell in next shell, ch 2* across; shell in last shell, ch 1, 2 dc in last dc. Turn.

Row 6 same as Row 4.

Row 7: ch 3, dc in same beginning space, *ch 1, (2 dc, ch 1, picot, ch 2, 2 dc) all in next shell* across; ch 1, 2 dc in last dc. Fasten off.

Vintage Ukrainian Rushnyks with Crochet Trims

This coming Saturday, August 24, Ukraine will celebrate its independence.  

For many centuries Ukraine was a part of the Russian Empire. Back in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, Ukraine was even referred to as Malorossia (“Little Russia”). In the early 20^th century when the Russian Empire collapsed, Ukraine struggled to gain its independence, but it wasn’t meant to happen. And only after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine finally became an independent country.

I was born and grew up in Ukraine. And even though I have lived in the USA for over a decade now, my Ukrainian heritage is very important to me. What is more, I want to pass it on to my children.  Each year on August 24, we celebrate our Ukrainian heritage and ancestry.

Today I want to show you beautiful Ukrainian rushnyks (handmade towels that are used for ceremonial events or decorating), which I received from my aunt when I left Ukraine.

Isn’t that embroidery gorgeous? The colors faded on the small rushnyk in the middle, but the other two are still quite bright.

Notice the crocheted trims. They shrank with the time and the original snow-white color changed to brownish yellow. And yet I find them very beautiful and special.

I will use these rushnyks to decorate my dining room for the upcoming celebration. Here is a picture that I took a few years ago, when I used one of the rushnyks as a table runner for my Ukrainian tablescape.  

When I was a child, I remember my grandparents’ small hut in the Ukrainian countryside decorated with lots of rushnyks. My grandmother hanged rushnyks on the walls over the icons (religious depictions of Jesus Christ, Mary, or Saints) as well as over collages of old photographs. In a huge old chest she had even more rushnyks, embroidered gowns and linens with crocheted trims. I wonder now what ever happened to all those things.

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Crochet Lace Trim, free pattern

Here is a simple lace trim that can be used for many different projects. You can make it as long or as short as you like.

I crocheted it with pearl cotton thread and size 2 steel hook. Then I wrapped it around a small jar. Isn’t it a lovely vase?

And here are a couple more ideas for this simple trim.

A bookmark!

A napkin ring!

And here is the pattern.

Ch 16.

Row 1: dc in 5^th ch from hook, dc in next ch, ch 3, skip 2 ch, sc in next ch, ch 1, skip 1 ch, sc in next ch, ch 3, skip 2 ch, dc in last 3 ch. Ch 1, turn.

Row 2: sc in same beginning space, ch 2, skip next dc, sc in next dc, ch 3, dc in ch-1 space, ch 3, sc in next dc, ch 2, hdc in last dc. Ch 3, turn.

Row 3: dc in next ch-2 space, dc in next sc, ch 3, sc in 3^rd ch of next ch-3, ch 1, skip next dc, sc in next ch, ch 3, dc in next sc, dc in next ch-2 space, dc in last sc. Ch 1, turn.

Repeat Row 2 – Row 3.

More bookmark/edging patterns from my shop:

Adding Crochet Trim to a Handkerchief Tutorial

I think adding a crochet trim makes a big difference on a hankie. It turns something plain into fancy.

To add a scalloped crochet trim to my handkerchief, I used size 12 Boye steel hook and vintage thread Lily Daisy mercerized crochet cotton number 20. The thread is very fine and it’s similar to tatting thread. 

The first round involves making single crochets into the four sides of the handkerchief. The hook size is very small and the thread is thin, so it’s not an easy task. The stitches come out uneven, but as I continue and my hands get used to this task, they get better.

When I get to the first corner, I make 3 sc in same space.

Then I finish the round making the remaining three corners in the same way. I use a sl st to join the round.

Here is my handkerchief with the round of sc completed.

Next Round: *ch 9, skip 5 sc, sc in next sc* across.

When I get to the first corner, I end up in sc prior to the corner sc. That was pure luck as I didn’t count the amount of stitches along the first side, and I didn’t know if it was divisible by 6 without a remainder.

I make the corner loop in the following way: ch 7, skip 1 sc (that’s the corner sc), sc in next sc.

And again I continue making *ch 9, skip 5 sc, sc in next sc* along the second side of the handkerchief.

When I get to the second corner, I am not as lucky as I was with the previous one. I see that I have two extra sc-spaces.

To fix that problem, I unravel two last loops and make them slightly bigger: *ch 10, skip 6 ch, sc in next sc* twice. It won’t be noticeable at all that those two loops are slightly bigger than the rest.

Then again I make the corner loop:  ch 7, skip 1 sc (that’s the corner sc), sc in next sc.

And I finish the remaining two sides of the handkerchief in the same manner. I have one extra sc on the third side, so I make one loop slightly bigger. And I have two extra sc on the fourth side, so I make two loops slightly bigger.

I use a sl st to join the round.

Finally, the third round is:  *7 sc in next chain loop, sc in space where sc of previous row was made* around.

Slip stitch to join the round and fasten off.

My hankie turned out too lovely to be used for its intended purpose. Instead I placed it on my dresser as a doily. Looks cute.

Hearts and Flowers Table Runner

I made this table runner for my mom-in-law’s birthday. Unfortunately, I underestimated the amount of time and work required to make it and started working on it only about a month prior to her special day. What is more, she lives in Norway, and it takes at least a week for a package to travel from America to Europe. So the present was late, but you know how the saying goes: “Better late…”

The pattern (in a symbol chart format only) was from a UK website Coats Crafts. (Unfortunately the link to the pattern no longer works).

The colors in the original pattern were pink, brown, red, and beige. But I substituted brown and red with lilac and white to create a spring palette. 

And here is a picture that my mother-in-law sent me. I think the runner looks lovely on her dining table.

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Crochet Tealight Candle Holders, Free Pattern

These votive candles in cute holders along with some doilies, small white pumpkins, and dry baby-breath flowers adore the dresser in my bedroom.

I like to decorate with votive candles, as they are quite inexpensive (especially if buying in bulk). However, I felt that my votive candles needed some charm. So I came up with these lovely crocheted holders.

They are extremely easy and quick to make. They require very little thread, so you can use your leftover thread from other projects. I made mine in fawn color. But I can imagine they will look stunning in black for Halloween or in red for Valentine’s Day. 

This is my own pattern. I didn’t have anyone test it, so if you find any errors, please let me know. Also if you have any questions about the pattern, don’t hesitate to ask.

I used size ten thread and size ten hook (1.30 mm)

Shell in this pattern: {(dc, ch 1) 4 times, dc} all in the same space

Ch 8, join with a slip stitch to form a ring.

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 23 dc in ring; join with a slip st in third ch of beginning ch-3.

Round 2: Ch 4, *dc in next dc, ch 1, repeat from * around; join with a slip st in third ch of beginning ch-4.

Round 3: Ch 6, *dc in next dc, ch 3, repeat from * around; join with a slip st in third ch of beginning ch-6.

Round 4: Ch 5, *dc in next dc, ch 2, repeat from *around; join with a slip st in third ch of beginning ch-5.

Round 5: same as round 4.

Round 6: Ch 1, 2 sc in each ch-2 space around; join with a slip st in beginning ch.

Round 7: Ch 4, (dc, ch, dc) all in same st, sc in st above next dc, *shell in st above next dc, sc in st above next dc * 11 times, (dc, ch 1, dc) all in same st as beginning ch-3; join with a slip st in third ch of beginning ch-4.

Fasten off.  

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