The "Easy" Doily - finished

I'm not thrilled with it. I think I'm too annoyed with this doily to even give it away.

I'm convinced there are mistakes in the pattern, and that it could be edged better.

Ugh!

It was VERY hard to block. I would have loved to have stretched it better ... the edging overlaps in the grooves; which maybe I'm just too up-tight but it bothers me. :P

This is about as good as I can make it look.

As a bit of a perfectionist, it's not enough to make me happy.

And, I retract my earlier statement about making this pattern again! I can't. I just can't. It's pretty, but knowing what went into it, and how difficult the pattern was to understand ....nope. If I did it again, I'd have to try to re-work the edging to lay better and there are too many patterns I want to try to fiddle with such a thing.

Still, it's an old nemesis conquered.

~Ashley~

Mother's Day doily

This is for my mom! <3 She has decided she loves my work enough to want to take even scraps I'm not happy with (if she sees it before I unravel it!), but this is my very first two-tone doily.

She knows she is getting something for Mother's Day, but not exactly what. :)

Made from this design. I really really like working from charts!

From here: http://www.smart-knit-crocheting.com/crochet-doily-pattern.html

I'm very pleased with how it turned out, despite the fact my count was off on one of the pink fans, it wasn't obvious to me until the final row and it blocked OK anyway. I don't think anyone could tell unless they went looking for it, and I hope my mom enjoys it! :)

~Ashley~

A few bookmarks

Just a few of the other bookmarks I've made. The blue one is a make shift tail - not crazy about that one. ;)

My favorite pattern is:

http://crochetroo.blogspot.com/2006/05/fan-bookmark.html

I have probably made at least a 100 of them!

Spider stitch bookmark

That I made for my brother. 

The pattern is from here: 

http://lacycrochet.blogspot.com/2012/05/spider-stitch-exploration-lets-make.html

Beginner's Doily Pattern? Really?

I must say, I haven't made a whole lot of doilies, but this one is something else:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easy-pineapple-doily



I mean, it's beautiful and all. REALLY. I suspect I will make it again. :)

But the name is: Easy Pineapple Doily

And then further on it says: "Beginners can learn the basics...."

Huh?

To me, it's NOT a beginner doily. Case in point; it's the VERY FIRST DOILY I ever tried to make. Ever.

I started it 4 yrs ago and got discouraged.

Why?

Those petals are added on ONE AT A TIME. Really.

Leaving the "beginner" crochetter to start, stop, start, stop, and with about 18 ends to weave in. O.o

That's just so wrong, IMPO. I stuffed it in the core of the thread spool and gave up for 4yrs.

Then I decided I would "finish" it, except ... the hook called for is a "Number 5". I don't have a 5? Nor do I crochet this loosely after more experience.

So, I saved this little momento and started over:

And this is where I am today. 5 "bumps" - I mean, petals in .... and I hardly think it's a beginner pattern!

My second attempt is going to be made with a No. 2 - or 1.50mm hook. Size 10 thread, and is going to be in the region of about 8" across.


It's very pretty. I even like the pattern; but looking back I'm not suprised I gave up. It's not a starter pattern. A true beginner pattern, IMPO, would go around and around and around - and stop. LOL

To me, this is a beginner doily; or at least easier than this "easy" pineapple.
http://lacycrochet.blogspot.com/2013/06/small-doily-in-cream-color.html
Or this, with the symbol chart (I find those easier to read, personally):
http://lacycrochet.blogspot.com/2011/12/mini-doily-symbol-chart.html
Here is a tiny one, like a coaster!
http://lacycrochet.blogspot.com/2013/05/small-flower-doily-my-first-written.html
Or even these, I'd like to make some of these:
http://crochetartblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/crochet-doilies-free-patterns-beautiful.html

After I finish up this doily I plan to try a different pineapple pattern, which I'll link to if it is as easy as I think it will be. I suspect this "easy pineapple" should be considered more of an intermediate level doily. ;)

~Ashley~

Thread Crochet ....

My very first two doilies!

I found the patterns HERE - 

The small pink one is made from this symbol chart:

 http://lacycrochet.blogspot.com/2011/12/mini-doily-symbol-chart.html

And the larger doily from here: 

http://anabeliahandmade.blogspot.com.es/2013/02/tapete-paso-paso.html

I don't plan to keep any kind of schedule with this blog, but I do want to keep track of my projects because I intend to give some away and the like.

I've made a lot of bookmarks, and will post previously completed projects as I get time.

Thanks for looking.

~Ashley~