Oh No!

What a disappointment! I ran out of yarn for this baby blanket. I wanted to make a square one, but even a rectangular one would do if only the pattern was running along the length, not the width (if you know what I mean).

I used Pound of Love yarn by Lion Brand. I could probably buy another skein of yarn, but it wouldn’t be from the same lot, so the color could be slightly different. Besides, I wanted to create a baby blanket pattern that would require only one skein (one pound).

I’ll have to rip it all out and start again using another stitch. This stitch is pretty, but for my blanket I will need something lacier!

I am sharing the pattern for this puffy stitch as some of you might want to use it. Just keep in mind that it requires more yarn.

Puff in this pattern: (yo, insert hook, draw up a loop) 4 times in same ch, yo, draw through 9 loops

Multiple of 6 ch plus 4

Row 1: sk 3 ch, *(1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in next ch, sk 2 ch, 1 puff, ch 1, sk 2 ch*, (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in last ch. Ch 3, turn.

Row 2: *1 puff in 2-ch sp between 2 dc of previous row, ch 1, (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) under loop that closes the puff in previous row*, 1 puff, 1 dc in 3-ch sp at beg of previous row. Ch 3, turn.

Row 3: (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in top of puff, *1 puff in 2-ch space, ch 1, (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in top of puff*, 1 dc in 3-ch sp at beg of previous row. Ch 3, turn.

Repeat from Row 2.

I'm linking to Teach Me Tuesday Link-Up at Growing Home. 

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.  

I'm linking to

Make It Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House,
Home Sweet Home Friday @The Charm of Home,
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home,

Thread Appliques, Symbol Charts

Thread appliques can be used in many ways. They can adore pillow cases, cushion covers, little girls’ dresses, tote bags, etc. They can also be used for card making. The possibilities are endless.

I came up with these five designs, though I don’t know yet what I’m going to use them for.

In the November issue of Country Living (on page 97) I saw a pretty linen cushion with a white fern design on it. I might attempt making something similar using #4 and/or #5 designs.

I made symbol charts as it was much easier than writing instructions. I don’t have a special symbol chart making software, so I just drew them by hand. I know not everyone can use/understand symbol charts, but I hope they will be useful to those who can.

I'm linking to  Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home,
Link Your Stuff at Annamarie's Haakblog

Doilies and Tea

If you follow my blog, you must know how much I love to crochet doilies. But I love using my doilies just as much as I love to crochet them. 

One of the ways I use my doilies is for tea settings. Sometimes when my youngsters take their naps, I treat myself to a cup of tea. I love to make a small occasion out of it. I brew a cup of tea, allow myself a small (and sometimes not so small) sweet treat, and use one of my doilies to make a pretty setting. Occasionally I would add a good book as well!
That’s my idea of relaxing half an hour. 

I want to share some of the pictures of my tea festivities.

A beige doily on snow white tablecloth looks very dainty. 

A small pineapple doily that my mom made for me.

 

The same doily as above. 

  

These are not really doilies. They look more like lacy placemats. I have two of them; made by my mom.

 

A medium-sized blue doily on white tablecloth.

And a small violet doily.

I'm linking this post to 

Link Your Stuff at Annamarie's Haakblog

Doily of the Week #35

Here is a very simple doily. It only took me a couple of evenings to crochet it.  

The pattern (symbol chart) was from the French crochet magazine 1000 Mailles Crochet Givre Le Crochet Facile #52.

I'm joining Saturday Show Off link party at The Rosegarden in Malevik.  

October Project

My main crochet project for this month is a baby blanket. Crocheting for babies is always so enjoyable. I don’t know yet who this blanket will be for. Obviously, it’s going to be for a little princess.

My sister-in-law is expecting, but we don’t know the gender yet. I hope she’ll have a little girl.

I’m not following any patterns but trying to come up with my own. I make notes along crocheting and if this blanket turns out pretty enough, I will gladly share the pattern with everyone.