Lacy Choker For Easter or Bridesmaid

 

Here's a pattern for anyone who has a bit of experience with crochet thread to make someone special for Easter or to make and give to her bridesmaids as a nice gift.  Of course it can be made in any color, with or without beads.  The pattern includes bead placement.   If desired, a larger glass tear drop bead would be pretty in place of the crocheted flower that the photo shows.

See where I screwed up on the right?  I didn't follow my own pattern!  And I'm too lazy to fix it so (derrr) I started another choker for two reasons - to test pattern, and to have one to sell (hopefully).  I'll post photos of the new on here asap.

Lacy Beaded Choker 
(For Easter or bridesmaids, etc)

Pattern is free and can be distributed at will by using the link to this page only, and of course you may do anything you like with the project you create using this pattern.

Materials:

•  size 10 crochet thread, in color of your choice
• steel crochet hook, size 7
• 30 small pearl beads or small glass beads that thread fits inside, (you'll be using less than thirty beads but stringing a few extra is always a good idea just in case)
• Jewelry clasp ,
• or hook & eye from your sewing notions,
• or  1/4" or 1/8" ribbon long enough to tie in a bow with a little left over

Abbreviations:
ch = chain stitch
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
sk = skip
rem = remaining
beg = beginning

Special stitches:  (Updated 3/31/14 to better explain beaded stitches)

bead ch = For a beaded chain stitch: begin to make your chain stitch. Before you pull the thread through the loop to complete the chain, slide a bead up to the hook and then complete your stitch.






If your beads appear on the wrong side of your work, no worries, just pop them through the stitch to the other side.

 (For future reference:)
For a beaded single crochet it's pretty much the same except you slide the bead up during the process of the yarn over and then you complete the stitch as normal.
For a beaded double crochet, you would slide the bead up in the last movement of the stitch (unless otherwise indicated) which places the bead at the top of the dc. (Same goes for a triple crochet and so on)
 (End of update, thank  you Barb for asking a great question)

picot = ch 3, sl st in third ch from hook


Beaded Lace Choker / Necklace For Easter

(If you need this to be longer for a larger neck, you may add ch to beg in sets of five - for instance, if you need the choker to be one inch longer, add five ch to the starting chains)



Before starting work, string 30 small pearl beads onto size 10 crochet thread, color of your choice.  I used Aunt Lydia's orchid pink (photo doesn't do the colors justice, sorry) and for the blues and greens variegated I used Aunt Lydia's color Ocean.
Work loosely as to give the choker some elasticity for snug fit.

After stringing beads, ch 98 plus 4 (total 102 ch)  The last four ch count as the first dc plus one ch

Row 1:  dc in fifth ch from hook,  *1 bead ch, sk 1 ch, dc in next ch, ch 1, sk 1 ch, dc in next ch; repeat from * across
until 2 ch rem then ch 1, dc in last ch.  ch 1, turn.

Row 2:  sc in first dc, ch 3, sc in next dc, sc in ch 1 space, sc in next dc, ch 3, *sc in next dc, sc in next ch 1 space, sc in next dc, ch 3, sc in next dc; repeat from * across to end then fasten off, weave in ends.

Flower:
make bead ch, ch 1  (2 ch total including beaded ch)
sc around bead in first ch 6 times, join with sl st to beg sc   (6 sc around)
ch 1, (sc, dc, sc, sl st) all in first sc
(sl st, sc, dc, sc, sl st) all in next sc and in rem sc around  (6 petals made)
do not fasten off

Atach Flower, Make "Stem"
ch 2, bead ch, ch 2, bead ch
attach to middle of choker between two ch 3 spaces from row 2 (use sl st to attach)
sl st once more to one side of the last bead ch you made
ch 3, sl st in bead ch nearest flower (on "stem")
ch 3, sl st in first ch made following last stitch of flower
on back of work, sl st to opposite side of flower to finish 'stem' side
ch 3, sl st in bead ch, ch 3, sl st in last bead ch st; fasten off, weave in ends

Finishing touches
Attach with sl st to one side of "stem" to main choker  between the two ch 3 loops of row 2
ch 3, sl st into the first bead ch of "stem", ch 3 sl st into next bead ch of "stem"
sl st in back of work to other side, sl st into bead ch (closet to flower) ch 3, sl st into next bead ch (closest to choker)
ch 3, sl st into base of "stem"

sl st one side or the other into the middle st between two ch 3 loops to the side of the stem piece (see photo)
ch 6, sl st into base of stem at row 2,
sl st behind work to other side of stem piece, ch 6, sl st into st between next ch 3 loops on other side of stem piece.

ch 3, sl st into middle of ch 6 just made, ch 3, sl st into end of ch 6 just made (closest to stem) ch 3, sl st into second  bead ch of stem (closest to flower)
sl st behind work to other side, ch 3, sl st into base of ch 6 on same side, ch 3, sl st into middle of ch 6, ch 3, sl st into base of ch 6 (farthest from stem)

Fasten off, weave in ends.  If you want you can use the ends from row 1 (beginning) and row 2 (end fasten off) as a tie to close at nape of neck.  Or you can attach a hook and eye (sewing notions) or a jewelry clasp and ring on either end of choker.


If you have comments or questions, please write them in Comments below.  Thank you, have fun!  This took about an hour for me to make, with interruptions.  I am the only tester for this pattern so please let me know if you find errors.  Thank you!  Happy Easter!

copyright 2010 anitalite ;-)_

Mini Thread Crocheted Easter Bonnets; Pattern

I almost broke my toe and was basically bed-ridden for a couple days until I could walk on it again so, out of sheer boredom, I started making these.  They're cute and I suppose they would fit a doll (Barbie for the ones made with size 10 thread) of some sort.  They fit eggs too, and since my daughter is too old to play with dolls, I dressed up a few Easter eggs with them.

The purple and blue bonnets are made with size 7 hook and size 10 crochet thread, pattern is below.  They can be used for regular sized eggs or Barbie-sized dolls.

The orange and green bonnets are made with size 7 hook and size 3 crochet thread; they can be used for larger eggs (if you're into dressing your eggs when your toe is busted) I wrote the changes I made using size 3 thread under pattern for size 10 thread.

C

Pattern for Mini Bonnets using size 7 hook and crochet thread size 10:



Round 1:
ch 7.  In first ch, (tr, ch 2) 9 times (beg chs count as 1 tr and 2 ch)  Join w/ sl st to beg 5th ch. Total 10 tr counting beg ch 5


Round 2:
 (ch 4, sc in tr) 9 times.  ch 4, sl st in base of first ch 4 to join.

Round 3:
sl st into first ch 4 loop.
ch 3, (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc all in same loop, ch 2
(dc in next loop, ch 2, 3 dc in next loop, ch 2) around,
sl st to top of beg ch 3 to join.


Round 4:
ch 3, (dc in next two dc, ch 2, (dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2) around and dc in last dc, ch 2, sl st to top of beg ch 3.

Round 5:
 working in back loop only: sc in each st around inc 6 sc evenly (about every six or seven st), sl st to beg sc to join

Round 6:
ch 1,  *(sc, dc, sc) all in next sc, sl st in next sc ; repeat from * around. (total 22 each clusters and sl st)

Round 7:
working in back loop only: sl st to first dc, ch 1, sc in same dc, *ch 3, 2 sc in next dc - repeat from * around and sl st into starting sl st

Round 8:
sl st to inside first loop; (sc, ch 3, sc) all in same loop, ch 3, *sc, ch 3, sc all in next loop; repeat from * around. 

Fasten off, weave in ends.
Decorate bonnets with satin roses, tiny flowers, ribbons or beads. 
(For the blue bonnet I strung beads on before I started it and added the beads to the single dc in round 4.)

If you want to use size 3 crochet thread, make the bonnet the same with the following changes:

Mini Bonnet Pattern Changes for size 3 crochet thread:

(Uses size 7 hook)

Round 1
Omit 2 sets of stitches (total 8 tr instead of 10)

Round 2
Repeat stitch set 7 times, (instead of 9)


Round 3
stitch set will total 4 instead of 5


Round 4
work as in pattern for size 10 (there'll be 1 less set of stitches)

Round 5
inc 4 sc evenly around (instead of inc 6 sc)

Round 6
 work the same way, there'll be less stitch groups than in pattern for size 10 thread

Round 7
work same as in pattern for size 10 thread

Round 8 optional
omit round 8 if you want, it may make the brim too wide unless you want it to be wider.

Washcloth Crazy; An Entire Slew Of The Dang Things by Anitalite

I don't know what's come over me or when it all started.  I never gave a thought to crocheting anything but doilies until I joined Ravelry and Crochet me.  Well, doilies and collars.  Okay, and scarves.  I forgot about the scarf phase I went through.

Thanks to the internet I've discovered a whole world of crocheting.  Pattern browsing, bookmarking, and downloading inspired me and motivated me to branch out from my cocoon of doilies (and collars and scarves, don't forget).  I found it fun and actually kind of creative to make jewelry and dishcloths or washcloths from cotton thread and yarn.

There are so many new and wonderful colors to choose from, the possibilities of making dish washing more pleasurable and washing one's face feel feminine with a lacy cloth instead of the stained, grimy things my boyfriend used for rags while working on his lawnmower.   I just purchased five kitchen towels - all look alikes - all very feminine looking, hoping my boyfriend would not want to use them for his macho, hard core work in the garage and yard.  Yea, R-I-G-H-T! 

So... I made these and will make kitchen towels I think, as soon as I restock my Lily's Sugar (or Peaches) and Cream cotton crochet yarn....  Take a looksie at the fun I had:

This is the latest washcloth.  I like to put a flower in the middle of these so we can use that part for a bit more scrubbing action if we want.

Side view,







Top view

Okay, Next please!

(This is one of my favorites)

I can't decide if this is pink or purple or some other pinky-purple color I don't know the name of yet.  The flowers and pattern of this reminded me of sweet peas.

Here's that pinky-purplish color again.  I like how I made the center of this one, it makes a great scrubber and the lacy part is soft and gentle washing and still gets the job done.

This one reminds me of that cute as a button flower that grows everywhere, impatients.  Again, a nice little scrubber flower in the middle, lace for gentle washing.  The outside ruffle is just for looks, lol.







And now for something  completely different...

Zebra guts??  The Lily's color is "licorice" but I think it looks more like zebra guts.  My daughter loves zebra stripe and this washcloth was an experiment to see how Lily's Ombre would turn out with this stitch.  Yep.  Zebra guts. ha.

And finally, for now, yet another experiment in zebra,

Looks like this zebra got drunk and then threw up.  I tried a tiny chevron stitch and well, you can see how that turned out.  (where did I go wrong???)  ha.  Both the zebra cloths still function as well as the others, they're just a bit much to face in the morning for an A.M. face wash.


That's all for now!

Flowers N Lace Crocheted Earrings; Pattern by Anitalite ;-)_

I was making a doily from a book I ordered and received today, and put it down suddenly so I could make these earrings.  They kind of popped into my head, I believe the doily did it to me this time.   Thanks Patricia for the inspiration motivation.  I'll never be the designer that Patricia is, I don't consider myself a designer at all, just out to have fun and "hook"...  

Materials:

1 partial ball white size 10 crochet thread
1 partial ball rose (or any other color) size 10 crochet thread (color 2)
1 steel crochet hook, size 7
1 pair hoop earrings 1.5" diameter
3 small white beads for middle of flowers (optional)
   or
1 yarn needle for making french knot <--- click for tutorial on youtube.com - for flower centers (optional)

Row 1:

Attach white with sl st, keeping hoop inside stitches, 6   (sc, ch 3) 5 times, 6 sc, sl st,   ch 3, turn.

Row 2:

sk 1 sc, sc in next, (ch 3, sk 1 sc, sc in next) two times; (ch 3, sc in top of ch 3 loop) 5 times, (sc in next sc, ch 3, sk 1 sc, sc in next sc) 3 times, sl st to hoop

Row 3:

sc in first ch 3 loop, sl st to 5th ch 3 loop; (ch 3, sc in next loop) 3 times; ch 3 sl st in next loop and to end of row.
ch 1, tyrn.

Row 4:

sl st to middle of first ch 3 loop, (ch 3, sc in next loop) twice, ch 3, sl st in next loop, sl st to end; fasten off, weave in ends.

Row 5:

Attach color 2 to first loop of row 3 with sl st.   (ch 4, sl st in 1st ch of ch 4 four times, join all four picots with sl st in same sc)- one quad picot flower made.  ch 3, sc in middle ch 3 loop, ch 3 sc in last loop, make quad picot flower., sl st once more inside same loop.  fasten off, weave in ends.

Row 6:

attach white (main color) to ch 3 loop of last row with sc.  sc in middle sc (between two color 2 loops) and sc in next ch 3 loop, ch 1, turn

Row 7:

sl st in first sc, (hdc, dc, hdc) in middle sc, sl st in last sc.


Row 8:


sl st into first hdc st, make picot (ch 4, sl st in same st) ch 3 sc in dc, ch 3, sl st in next hdc, make picot, sl st in ch 3 loop (color 2) of row 5 (to anchor picot and end row) fasten off, weave in ends.

Middle flower:


attach color 2 (rose) to both posts of dc from row 7.  (ch 4, sl st in first ch, sl st tog in both posts of same dc) 4 times, sl st once more into same dc.  fasten off.

Row 9:
with front side of work facing,
attach main color (white) directly to hoop, just right of first stitch of first row.  sl st in next three stitches, ch 3, sk 1 st, sl st in next.  ch 3, skip 1 st, sl st in next st.  working behind flowers, sc in next loop, ch 1, sc in next space right of first color 2 flower, ch 1, sc in next space to left of same flower, ch 1, sc into closest available space on same row, behind middle cluster (hdc, dc, hdc cluster), ch 1, sc into next available space of same row behind st cluster, ch 1, sc into space just before 2nd color 2 flower, ch 1, sc into space just after same flower (both of the last two sc will be inside the ch 3 loop of  row 5 (color 2) and will be covering the color 2 st so it will show white instead of color 2 (rose).   ch 3, (you should now be where the sl st started (or ended) from row 4 - sl st in first sl st, (ch 3, skip 1 st, sl st in next)  3 times, sl st hoop inside sl st at end and finish off.

Add small beads or french knots into middle of all three color 2 (rose) picots, if desired.

This pattern has not been tested, please record any errors corrections in comments below or you can email corrections to me here  thank you and have fun!

copyright 2010 anitalite ;-)_

Beaded Crown Crochet Earrings

I had so much fun making the first pair of earrings (free pattern for Lacy Earrings by Anitalite here) I couldn't wait to come up with another, different pair of earrings.

  

  

Materials:

1 partial ball variegated size 10 crochet thread

1 pair 1" diameter hoop earrings (silvertone)

steel crochet hook size 7

60 clear glass beads  60 gm, 12/0 (or any size you prefer as these were pretty time consuming to string on this thread)

 

Special Instructions :

1. String beads onto crochet thread before begining work.
2. Keep stitch tension evenly tight so that beads stay in place and don't travel.
3. This pattern is not tested, use at your own risk.  =)
4. The word "bead" preceding any stitch means to add a bead to the first yo of that stitch.
5. Special stitches listed below
6. Photos of sc onto hoop are here towards bottom of page if you need a bit of help.

Special Stitches:

Bead Picot  3 bead ch, sl st in first bead ch
Bead Triple Picot  3 bead picot in a row, sl st to very first bead ch of first picot (makes three picots together)



Row 1:    After stringing beads onto thread, attach thread to hoop with sc, 19 sc onto hoop (keep stitches tight)
ch1, turn (20 sc)

Row 2:  (working in front loop only of sc row): skip 4 sc, bead dc in 5th sc, ch 1, *bead dc, ch 1.  Repeat from * across until four sc remaining from row 1. ch 2 more, sl st to last st on row 1.  (11 bead dc)

Row 3:   ch 3, turn.   sc in first ch 3 loop, *ch 3, skip dc, sc in ch 1, .  Repeat from * until there are 7 ch 3 loops. ch 3, sc in ch 3 loop from row 1; ch 3,  turn.

Row 4:   bead sc in first ch 3 loop,  * ch 3, 3 bead dc in next loop, ch 3, bead sc in next loop.  Repeat from * one more time, ch 3, 3 bead dc in next loop, ch 1, bead sc in last.  ch 3, turn.

Row 5:    sc in ch 3 loop, ch 1,  skip first dc, sc in next dc.  *ch 3, sc in top of next ch 3 loop; repeat from * once.  ch 1, bead triple picot; ch 1, sc in next ch 3 loop, ch 3, sc in next ch 3 loop,  ch 3 sc in middle dc of beaded dc cluster, ch 1, sc in ch 3 loop, ch 1, sc in last ch 3 loop.  Ch 3, turn.

Row 6:   skip 1st ch 3 loop, bead sc in sc, ch 3 bead tr in next loop, bead picot, ch 3, bead sc in next loop.
ch 2, bead ch, ch 2, bead ch, ch 2, bead picot, ch 2, bead ch, ch 2, bead ch, ch 2.
skip triple picot, bead sc in next ch 3 loop.
ch 5, bead tr in next ch 3 loop, bead picot, sl st in top of same bead tr.
ch 5, bead sc in next ch 3 loop, ch 3, fasten off and weave in ends.

For sec0nd earring, be sure to hold hoop in hand the opposite way the first one was held to make sure the beading will be on the correct side.  If there are any beads (in ch st or picot) that are on the wrong side, just poke them through to the other side.  That worked for me.

I'm really not sure this pattern is 100 % bullet proof so if you come across any errors please let me know in the comment section below.

Thank you and have a good time.  These earrings were fun to make - the pattern was not.  lol.  Hopefully I  didn't screw it up too much.

copyright 2010 anitalite ;-)_

WIP, Free Vintage Pattern Link, Purple Butterfly Doily

Here's one of the items I'm working on for my eshop.  The vintage pattern is free and can be found here:  Delicate Butterfly Doily.  by Anne Haliday 

I did my best to adjust my son's digital camera so you could see the deep dark purple of this thread but still the picture  doesn't do the depth of color much justice.

This pattern is for someone who has some experience crocheting, there are a few parts that could be confusing and it is easy to get disoriented if there is any distraction that draws your attention from your work.  Marking the pattern as you go along would be very helpful, of course.  Me?  I'm too lazy to print the pattern out from the 'puter so I spend a lot of time backtracking my work to find my place in the instructions.  Dumb, huh?  Oh well, at least I don't have to get up, walk across the house, plug in the 'puter and press a button!  That would really take a lot out of me.  Straining my already tired eyes trying to figure out what is what and which is which and where is where is SO much better!  (yea, R-I-G-H-T!)  That's what I get for being a lazy butt.

Preliminary photos, showing the body, lower left wing, and partial upper left wing.  I would like to make the next one work out so the wings are outlined in black and there are more colors in the wings but for the first one, this'll do.

New Free Pattern: Lacy, Beaded Hoop Earrings

This is my first attempt working with crochet for jewelry.  I hope you like them, I can't wait to design more.

I purchased the hoops (a set of five or six pairs on a card) at a 99 cent store.  If they bother my ears (because I'm allergic to some metals) I can paint the posts with clear nail polish.


I know I need some practice at this and I need to figure out what blocking and fabric stiffener does but this was a fun project and like I said, I'm looking forward to practicing on making new ones.  I am still getting the hang of things so don't give up on me yet, okay?

Here's the pattern, if there are any discrepancies let me know in the comments below this post.



Beaded Hoop Dangly Earrings
copyright 2010

This pattern is free.  You may not sell this pattern but you can sell the item you crafted using this pattern.
Here is where you can go to download the PDF file (without tutorial at bottom of page)
PDF

Materials

small amount of bedspread-weight cotton crochet thread purple

12 small pearl beads that will string onto the crochet thread

two hoop earrings, 1 1/2" diameter; 

steel crochet hook size 7

Special stitches:

Triple Picot:  ch 3, sl st in third ch from hook three times, join altogether with sl st in beginning ch of first picot, pull tight to close together.

Beaded picot:  ch 1, slide 1 bead into work for next ch, ch 1, join with sl st in third ch from hook (incl beaded ch)

Beaded triple picot:  ch 3, sl st in third ch from hook, ch 1, add bead to next ch, ch 1, sl st to ch preceding beaded ch, ch 1; ch 3, sl st in third ch from hook, sl st in first chain of first picot

--------

Important:

before beginning Row 1, thread all 12 beads onto the thread you have chosen to use (any color is fine, even two different colors)



Row 1:

Attach thread to one end of hoop  with a sl st and keeping the hoop inside your stitches,

sc 42 around  (if you need help with this, see photos at bottom of this post)

turn your work without a ch st.

Row 2:

sk first sc, sl st in next 8

sc in next, hdc in next, dc in next

Make beaded picot
(ch 1, add bead into ch st, ch 1, sl st in third ch from hook - including beaded ch -  )

sk next st, hdc in next, sc in next, and then sl st in the following 3 sc of previous row.

sk sc, in next sc: hdc, then make a beaded picot, hdc in next sc,  sk next sc, sl st in next

ch 4,
add bead in 5th ch, (keep stitches tight),
ch 4 more,  sl st in st at base of ch 4 preceding the last beaded ch
(beaded loop made)

sl st in next sc, make beaded picot, hdc in next sc

sl st in following 3 sc of previous row

ch 1, make beaded picot, then hdc in next sc.

sk 1 sc. sl st in eight remaining sc

Fasten off row 2,  and then proceed as follows:

Row 3  :
attach with a sc the same color or contrast color if you prefer of your choice for final round at ch st base (on side closest to middle of hoop) of first (hdc, beaded picot, hdc) cluster  (Photo at bottom of this post points to the exact attachment point)

hdc in next sl st of previous row,

dc in next  sl st, ch 3,

triple picot

dc into back loop of beaded ch st of the beaded picot of previous row

ch 2,

 triple picot adding bead to middle ch of middle picot...


sk next beaded picot of previous row (middle one),


dc in a loop of the beaded ch st  of next beaded picot in previous row

triple picot,

ch 3

1 dc in first of the three sl st from previous row, (preceding the last beaded picot in row 2 )
hdc in next,
sc in last sl st that precedes the last beaded picot of row 2

Finish off, weave in ends

Block and use fabric stiffener if necessary, to keep the frilly parts in place,

Note:  I, of course, being the lazy butt that I am, did not block or starch my earrings.  heh, heh.




Here are some photos showing positions of hook while sc onto the hoop (Row 1)

Photos showing sc onto hoop (Row 1)

How the hook is placed in sc onto hoop, the beginning of the sc

Yarning over to complete the sc onto hoop

This is what it looks like after Row 2 and fasten off.

Hook and finger pointing to stitch where Row 3 is attached and begins with sc

Heart Ornament - Free Pattern

I started out using the granny heart pattern by decafgreentea on Ravelry** which can be found for free, here

With a size 7 steel crochet hook and some red bedspread-weight cotton crochet thread, I made the first two rounds as the pattern goes. 
when the pattern calls to change color, I attached white, did the next round...

Wanting the heart to be more lacy to go with my other ornaments, I chose not to do the fourth round in that original pattern.

Here's what I did instead:

(Instead of changing color, stay with white and)
 
 sl st to the ch 3 space at top and left of heart. 

*(ch 3, sc in space) twice. 

 (ch 3, sc in next sc) 8 times
(you'll be about midway to point of heart)

(ch 3 sk 1 sc, sc in next sc) 4 times

ch 3, dc in point of heart, picot (ch 3, sl st in first chain), sl st in same dc, dc in same sc as first dc,

(ch 3 sk 1 sc) 4 times

(ch 3 sc in next sc) 8 times

ch 3 sl st in V of heart (top) and then sl st to join to last sl st in beg of this round.

fasten off and weave in all ends.

After this round the heart will measure approximately 2" X 2".


I looped red satin ribbon (1/8") through the space in the dip in top of the heart, tied a tiny bow, and instead of letting the ends hang down (which took away from the heart itself) I tied the ends in one slip knot above the heart for a loop to hang on my tree this year.
(I can't wait for Christmas.  Our tree is going to be even more beautiful than it was last year!)

I may try adding one more round (or two?) to make it a bit bigger but it's very cute as it stands at 2".

Note:  If I need to make corrections to this let me know, I'm not very experienced with writing patterns and I'm horrible telling people how to do something.  lol.

** Ravelry is a wonderful site that unites knitters and crocheters (some call us "hookers" - tools of the trade, lol) in a close knit (trying to be punny) community that offers solutions to your yarn obsessions (knit it! crochet it!) and a multitude of awesome free patterns, groups that cater to a specific interest or need, designers, tipsters, forums, and a way for you to easily (I MEAN EASILY!) post your own yarn creations, keep track of your progress in a project, save favorites to your own file so you can get back to them after you've gotten through the fifty projects you already have going, interaction with a lot of really cool people (NOT just ladies, men too.)  There are female, male, teenage kids, elderly, middle age, you get the idea.  There are over 2500 members online at any one given time and there are over 10, 000 members in all!    That makes for a lot of people to meet, patterns to download and try, projects to discuss, designers to get to know, and friends to make who share the same intersts as you do. 
If you haven't checked it out already I strongly suggest you do.  Someone spent a lot of time making sure this site is extremely user friendly! 
There's so much at Ravelry that is awesome, helpful and beautiful, I can't get it all down here so you'll just have to see for yourself.  (smile)  Go Here

FOUND: Beautiful Irish Lace Pin Cushion to Crochet; Free Pattern

I found the most beautiful pin cushion to crochet on KnittingDaily.com, of all places.
I can't wait to start this but I think I'll use the free pattern to make a sachet rather than replacing my good old little Babe stuffed piggie that I've been using for a pin cushion for so many years. (Poor piggie, all stuck with pins and needles!)

This is a free pattern for crochet, called "Irish Lace Pin Cushion".  It uses crochet thread and a small hook and is very intricate in design.  This link is to the page where you can find the PDF download button.  Make sure you have Adobe Reader for the PDF file (it's free for Mac and Windows too)

As soon as I get started on this lovely project I'll post my own photo but for now you'll have to visit the pattern link to see what this beauty looks like and appreciate why I'm so excited about it.

Let me know if you make one of these.  If you don't have your own blog or site you can send me the photo and I'll post it on this page with your internet handle, etc., if you like.  

Happy Hooking! (Would that make us Happy Hookers?) ack.

Blue Scallops and Shells Crocheted Doily

I need your help! If you recognize this doily pattern and have the information for it, please let me know what the name of the pattern is, who the designer is, and if possible, what book it is in! (Just add a link or the book info to the comment section on this page)
My boyfriend's mother wants me to make her one after she saw this one and I can't for the life of me find the book it is in!

Thank you thank you thank you!

Lacy Neck Wrap With Heart Button

I had one skein of soft pink yarn (for which I no longer have the information about) and decided to make this for my mother. She's always cold and we found that wrapping her neck keeps her entire body warmer.

The design for this neck warmer was inspired by a pattern I can't find right now, probably by Vogue's Knitting in a book called Crocheted Scarves On The Go

I improvised the heart button for a closure in order to keep the warmer in place - not that Mom is very active or anything, but once in a while one of the kittens will climb up onto her shoulder and wrap itself around her neck and underneath her hair. Too bad they don't stay there long, I wouldn't have had to make this for Mom, the kittens would keep her warm like that. lol.

Mom loves this one but only uses it for special occasions, thinking it's too fancy to wear to the store or hair salon. lol.

Here's a photo of Mom, she's 83 and absolutely lovely, isn't she?

Dainty Daisies Lacey Crocheted Collar

I made this collar for my mother and one for my sister too. It went along easily, the pattern was easy to follow and I finished it in a very short amount of time. I don't take time to block my work (which is dumb, all of it would look much better if I did) so it's not as neat looking as it could be.

The collar can be worn on the diagonal so the points are at mid breast and mid back or square so there is a point at each shoulder, front and back and a straight edge across front and back. If I can get my mother to model the collar I'll try to post photos to show it's versatility.

I would like to make this collar again and add beading to it sometime soon. I would also like to try weaving a ribbon through the inner-square stitches and adding tiny rosettes to the outer perimeter. What do you think?

Pineapple Swirl Crocheted Collar

Collars are fast and fun to do. I don't get bored, crocheting the same stitch over and over again as I usually do when making a blanket or scarf. They are a challenge sometimes, especially if there are a lot of distractions that make me lose my place in the directions. Keeping a pencil nearby to mark my spot in case of such a distraction is most helpful.

If I find the pattern for this collar I will post the link and / or information for it asap.

Grapevine Runner; First Filet Project

Fillet crocheting was brand new to me when I decided to take on this Grapevine Runner by Rita Weiss in her pattern book "Crocheting Doilies". (I wasn't able to find a pattern link on line but the book on that link starts at around 8.00 for a used book. It has many beautiful placemats, doilies, and runners in it including filet butterfly placemats).

When I started this project I had no idea what I was doing and it looked as though it would be very difficult. Not! I found as long as I kept track of my progress by marking off rows with a pencil, the project ran along smoothly and swiftly.

I think it turned out pretty darn good and my mother loves it. But she's my Mom, what else would she think about something her daughter made? lol

I would like to try another filet project, there are so many beautiful patterns out there, I just can't make up my mind which one to delve into. Any suggestions???

Crocheted Double Pineapple Doily

This is from the same pattern book as the "Roses" doily, in the Leisure Arts Pattern Leaflet # 702 by Margaret Rost.

As was the Roses doily, this one went along quickly and the instructions were easy to follow. This was one of the first doilies I attempted and the one that got me hooked on crocheting something other than scarfs and blankets.

Crocheted Elegant Open Fan Lacey Scarf

This was something I made with a very expensive yarn left over from a sweater my mother knitted for me. I wish I had more of this yarn, it crochets into a very elegant work and is easy to use. I am certain Mom got this yarn from a yarn store that has since closed down years ago. In fact, Joanne's aside, there are no stores to purchase quality yarn anymore. We drive quite a distance to get to Joanne's (in the Fashion Square Mall Torrance Ca).

I found the Open Fan stitch in a sampler booklet I have and just started crocheting this on a whim. It turned out so beautiful I had to give it to Mom for Christmas one year. I liked this one so much I made another with the same yarn for my boyfriend's mother and used several different stitches from the sampler book... Neither scarf took very long to make. They aren't very long due to the amount of yarn I had left to work with.

(photo of sampler scarf coming soon)

Crocheted Doily "Roses"

I loved making this doily for my mother. I used a rose pink for the flowers and light green for the little leafs around the flowers. This pattern was easy to follow quick to complete. It is very beautiful in photo and more beautiful in real life. Our cat Bella loves it too (as you can see). She loves to lay on it, I wonder if she can feel the love that went into when I made this for Mom and that's why she lays there? Hmmm.

This pattern is from the Leisure Arts Leaflet Number 702 by Margaret Rost.