Vintage Floral motif 4

Motif 4 - Vintage Floral 

I just love the centre!  My only lament about motifs/doilies is that often, the most beautiful design is in the middle and gets covered up.  Now and then I just sit an arrangement of doilies on a table to show them off!  I might have to do that with this one. :-) 

FACTS

Yarn – 4ply

3.5mm hook
Finished diameter - 20cm (7 3/4") 

Abbreviations -  UK terms

Ch – chain                  tr - treble

Dc – double crochet    2 stitch dtrcl -  2 stitch double treble cluster
3 stitch dtrcl - 3 double treble cluster - made over three stitches **

**   2-stitch dtrcl -  2-stitch double treble cluster

Omit the last step of each double tr – to begin: go into the first stitch and do a double treble to the last step, go into the next stitch and do a double treble to the last step, then yo and pull through the  three loops on the hook.

3-stitch dtrcl : 

Omit the last step of each double tr, go into the first stitch and do a double treble to the last step, go into the next stitch and do a double treble to the last step, go into the third stitch and do a double treble to the last step,  then yo and pull through  two loops, yo and pull through the three loops on the hook.. 

 4dtrcl: 

Omit the last step of each double tr and instead of going into the stitch, go into the chain space of the row before.  Repeat  in the same manner as for 3stdtrcl  but do one more repeat before pulling through all the 5 loops on the hook. 

Magic circle  

1. Ch1, 24dc into ring.  Join with a slst into the first dc.

2. Ch4 (counts as 1tr), 2dtrcl, (the ch4 and the 2dtrcl is equal to a 3treble cluster)  *ch7, make a 3dtr cluster over the next 3 dc  . Repeat from * around joining the last ch7 with a slst in the top of the 1^st cluster. 

3.  Slst into each of the next 3ch, ch1, dc in the same loop, *ch8, dc in next loop.  Repeat from * around, joining the last ch8 with a slst in the 1^st dc.  

4. Slst into the loop, ch4, make three 4dtr clusters with a ch5 in between, *ch5, three 4dtr clusters  with 5ch in between in the next loop. Repeat from * around.  

5.  Slst into  1^st 2 ch of the 5ch space,  dc in the same loop, *ch5, dc in next loop.  Repeat from * around. Join with a slst to the dc. 

6.  Dc in same place as the slst, 7dc in 5ch space, *dc in dc of previous row, 7dc in 5ch space. Repeat * around.   Fasten off.

 Block using your preferred method.

This reminded me of a handkerchief from the old days...

There...a fresh bright Spring  floral motif.  (It's Autumn here in Australia.  The nights are a bit cooler but the days are divine!)

Look...already Vintage Floral has been made by Imagine Knits, Alicia. (Follow her on IG @knits_with_husky)   Thank you, Alicia!  I love it! 

FLYING NORTH -  a little trip away from home for a change

I had a trip recently to an artist friend's place in the hinterland of Rockhampton, Queensland.  I love flying over this landscape, the meandering river, the patchwork designs on the ground and the ever changing palette depending on the weather changes.

The Fitzroy River, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia

So green after the recent rain...the area has been in drought for a long while.

Coming in to land over a tributary of the river

Now I'm working on a special  crochet project for Easter . ;-) Of course working on a project means I need fuel by way of a muffin and a coffee!  

I bought a new mug. I don't like the plastic or styrofoam kind so I generally take my own.  Today I forgot so I bought this one on the way...lovely, isn't it?

Happy crocheting,

Lu x

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