Motif Monday 2 - Tea Time Doilies

And right on the dot of midnight, I am posting this lovely motif  number 2.  Happy Monday! 

Tea Time Doily - motif no. 2

Nothing graces a table more beautifully than a  tea time doily and what better than one to match your teapot!   This free doily pattern is just for you.  Yes, I mean you. Y

FACTS: 

Diameter of cup doily – 15cm (5 3/4”)

Diameter of tea pot doily - 22cm (8 3/4 “)

Yarn – small amounts of four colours to match your teapot.

Lu’s choices:  Yarn 1 – blue, Yarn 2 – white, Yarn 3 – green, Yarn 4 – pink

TIP for beginners: Print out the pattern below and tick the small circle after the number when you have completed the row. J

Yarn: 4ply

Hook: 4mm

Notions: scissors, tapestry needle, row counter (optional)

Yarn 1, blue, magic ring, ch 1, 12 dc into the ring, join with sl st in the 1^st dc.  (12 dc)

 1. m Sl st into the next dc, 3ch (this is not counted as a stitch) *1 Htr into the next dc,  1ch * rep  * to * into every dc all around (12htr, 12ch spaces). Slst into top ch of the beginning 3ch. (24 sts)

2. m Blue  Slst into the next chain space, ch3, 2tr in same space, *3tr in each ch space all round, sl st into top of ch3.    (36sts)

3.m Join Yarn 2, white, into next stitch (˜See tutorial for joining new yarn.)  Ch4 (stands for 1tr, 1ch) , 1tr, 1ch  in  between all tr from previous row. Slst into top of beg 3^rd ch. Fasten off colour. (36tr, 36ch )  

4.m Join Yarn 3, green   Ch3, 1tr in the same st, *1tr in next stitch, 2tr in next stitch**  rep all round. Slst into beg 3^rd ch.  (sts)  Fasten off yarn.  (54sts)

5. m Join Yarn 2, white   Ch2, 1htr into every tr of previous row.  (54 sts) Fasten off yarn.

6. m  Join Yarn 4, pink    Ch3, 1tr in same place as the ch3, ch2,  *miss 1 st, 2tr into next st, ch 2* rep all round  (54tr, 27 x 2ch spaces) Fasten off yarn.

7. m   Join Yarn 1   Blue   Ch3, 2tr into same place,  *3tr, 1ch**  in every ch space.  Fasten off yarn. (27 x 3tr, 27 ch spaces  = 108sts)

8. m   Join Yarn 2 White    Ch 3, 1dc in next stitch, 1dc in every stitch all round.  Fasten off yarn.  (108sts)

 9. m    Join yarn 1 & 4 – pink and white -  in the space  to the right of the dc that sits  to the right of the 3tr  from row 7.     Ch 2 ( stands for the first dc) , htr in next, 1 tr in next, 1dtr in next 2 sts,  1tr in next, htr in next, dc in next st,   *dc  in next st, htr in next, 1 tr in next, 1dtr in next 2 sts,  tr in next, htr in next, dc in next st , in every stitch all round.  Fasten off yarn.

Repeat  Pattern looks like this –  dc, htr, tr, dtr, dtr, tr, htr, dc

10. m   Dc in between ALL stitches however…in between the DTRs of previous row, do *dc, 3ch dc** to create the peak and continue dc until the next set of dtrs.   

Fasten off yarn, block and put out for morning tea tomorrow! 

TEA CUP doily

Complete rows 1-6 of teapot doily, then: 

Row 7 -   dc into the 2nd tr of the two tr, (dc, htr, dc) in the 2ch space, 1dc in next tr, *dc, (dc, htr, dc) in the 2ch space, 1dc in next tr**,   repeat * to **,  slip stitch into first dc. Fasten off.  Block.  Go and make a cup of tea. 

I have to say I loved photographing this project.  Just the light that came in through the window as I set up the shot was so clear and so Sunny Queensland, Australia!   

Tea pot doily

Tea cup doily -  a miniature version of the teapot doily

So easy to use up left over yarn for this gorgeous doily. 

The teapot doily is 22cm.

The tea cup doily is 15cm. 

Happy Crocheting.

Lu x  

Citrus Twist Motif 1

            

           

Some days, I just want an easy project that I can finish quickly, something that makes me feel I’ve achieved something.  Motif Monday is going to be just that kind of day!  Every Monday I will post a motif.  These can be made up into small pincushions for friends as gifts, little purses…potpourri bags or be joined into a larger project.   In fact, many of my  most recent motifs  have ended up in a basket.  I’ve renamed them ‘yarn therapy’ and they’ve earned their place.  I hope you collect a basket of them this year too!  You deserve it!   

                                               Let me know if you are joining me on Mondays!  J  

                                      CITRUS TWIST  - MOTIF 1.   Feb  2014

When my dear friend, Maree, sent me the most gorgeous handmade necklace (find Maree's beautiful beads here - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Firefly-Beads/269987889687959) the fresh colours were the motivation to make Citrus Twist. 

Firefly  Beads...Maree Galligan...love this combo! 

FACTS

YARN – 8 ply  - Small quantities in four colours – Sunshine yellow, Blanc, Smokey, Lime

 Hook- 4mm
Finished size with 8ply - 15cm (5 3/4")

Usual notions – scissors, tapestry needle, stitch marker (optional)

Abbreviations: UK terms, ch – chain, tr – treble, 3trcl –  3treble cluster, slst – slip stitch, dc – double crochet

3tr cluster: yarn over hook (YO) ,  insert hook into required stitch, YO,  pull through the stitch,                                     YO,  pull through two loops on your hook, YO, insert into stitch,  YO,  pull through the stitch, 
                  YO,  pull through two loops on your hook, (you'll now have 3 loops on your hook), YO, insert into stitch, yo, pull through two loops, (you have  4 loops  on your hook), 
                  YO and pull through all loops . Done. 

(2trcl is less one yo and pull through routine)

METHOD

Using Sunshine yellow, make a magic ring,  4ch (serves as the first  treble and the first ch) * 1tr, 1ch (repeat * 14 more times) into the ring.  (16 tr, 16ch)

1.  3ch, 2tr cluster into the ch space of previous row, 1ch,  *3trcl, 1ch**  repeat all round # slst into

    3^rd ch of beg 3ch.    # Change colour to blanc on the last pull through of the slip stitch.

                                                         (16 -3tr clusters, 16ch)

Beg, round 1 trebles and blanc round 2.  

2. 3ch. 2tr in same place as 3ch, 1ch, *3tr, 1ch** in the chain space of previous row, rep all round.

   Sl st into the 3^rd ch of the beg 3ch.  Change to Smokey on the last pull through of the slip stitch. 

                                                           (48tr, 16ch spaces)   

3.  In the same space as the slip stitch, ** 1dc, 5ch**, repeat ** in the ch spaces all round.  Sl st into the first dc.  Change to Blanc on this last slip stitch as before.

4.  1dc in same space as slst, *(1htr, 2tr, 1ht) in 5-ch space, dc in dc of previous row*,   repeat all round, slst into first dc.  Change to Lime on the last pull through of the slip stitch.

5. Ch 4,(this is the first dc and the 2ch),  3trcl in between the two tr of the previous row,  2ch, * dc in dc of previous row, 2ch, 3trcl in between the two tr of the previous row,  2ch**,   rep * to **  around, slst into the 2^nd ch of the beg 4ch.
Fasten off.  Block by holding your steaming iron OVER the top of the motif.  Do not allow the iron to touch the motif.  Melting can occur!!!!  :-(((

Please share your motifs by linking your comments to your website or IG account. 

Happy hooking!  

Lu x
P.S. I'm loving grey at the moment! 

Citrus Twist Motif 1, Feb, 2014

Valentine's Day Heart

Welcome on this sunny summer Day here in Australia!  I hope your Valentine's day has some surprises, some memorable times and some chocolate and coffee!!  

Hearts are a universal symbol recognised no matter what culture or  country and Valentine's day is an excuse...an excuse to eat chocolates without guilt, an excuse to tell all those dear to you how much you care, an excuse to  make as many heart projects as possible! :-) 

This  heart wreath, if it is indeed a wreath, has brought me great joy over the last few weeks. I've watched with such pleasure as it's come together. ( Why not copy and paste the image into a document and make your own card!)  I like all the processes in making projects, especially the photographing and writing.  

      

The butterflies are from Ravelry ButterflyGrace  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/butterfly-grace and can be made smaller or larger depending on your yarn ply and hook. This is a free pattern. The flowers can be found all over the web and are also free. 


 Please feel free to link to wildaboutyarn.blogspot.com or use an image from the post with a link back on your social media or  to Pinterest.  (Republishing entire posts is prohibited.  Thank you for your consideration.)

I've had so much fun making the mosaic for this special day,every little picture a story.  

I wanted to make bunting but there  are so many sites with bunting, I would have been repeating the ideas.  I decided on this easy to make luggage label so I could get my heart fix out!!! :-)  

My daughter has travelled overseas many times now. Next time, her luggage will be easily identifiable with this sweet handmade heart luggage label made from thick book board, decorative paper and yarn.  

Tell me how you spent your valentine's day. It's not just about lovers but an opportunity to tell all our friends what they  mean to us. 

Happy V Day to you all,

Lu x

    

2013 with coffee, the landscape and my family

2013 

It's only when we stop and take a look at the photos we took during the year that we realise just what  has been achieved.  The landscape informs  my work so a camera  is an important piece of equipment.  When I go for coffee, I like to plan new projects so a journal isn't far from my side either...


Welcome friends!  Here are some of  my capers from last year.   Crochet, magazines and coffee always go well together! 

 

A coffee a day...

 

There are some very creative baristas here in Brisbane!!!!

  I love that they try to make it artistic because I create! 

Indulging now and then is okay...a coffee can't sit alone on the table...

 Some of my favourite magazines

Nature informs much of my work. I never tire of flowers...

     or sunsets!!  These from our house on the hill are awesome. 

 Meet my children...Leo, Phoebe and  of course, the furry one, Hunni  :-)

 

 Throughout the year, I make prints and handmade books and use yarn/thread to stitch them together. 

This is a project I do each year - a meander pocket calendar of photos from the year. 

it's another way of  putting in one place, memories of  what's been achieved and treasured throughout the busy year.

 These were the sweetest little origami knitted purses

from Frankie -  you can find them here:  http://www.ravelry.com/stores/frankies-knitted-stuff

And who could stop at one???   this is 8ply.

The Christmas fabric is 10 ply and was a bit chunky.

This window sits above my bed.  It's images like this that make me love this place.

For more images of sunsets, go to my Instagram account, @ludouglas

Thanks for dropping by. And when I learn some more about how to post blogs properly :-), I'll be back here and hope you will too.

Lu x