Doilies Can Be Delightful

I love making crochet doilies but I prefer using worsted weight yarn instead of traditional lace weight crochet cotton. 

Last weekend, I made a doily using a free pattern posted by Crochet Galore called November Doily of the Month. If you would like to make one too, you can find it here. 

This doily was made using Peaches and Creme worsted weight cotton yarn in Panorama (off-white with coloured flecks). I think it's perfect for displaying my special stones collected on various coastal hikes, crystals and candles. I love this doily in my meditation and crochet corner. It looks amazing from every angle.

My doily done in worsted weight yarn looks delightful. Don't you agree?

The orange crochet flowers adorning the rocks add a nice touch as well. 

I also made one using Bernat Handicrafter cotton in off-white. I wanted to cover a stool that doubles as a side table when I ride my trainer. I think it looks delightful draped over a stool beside my bike. 

I plan to be spending a lot more time on the bike this winter as we have signed up for a two-week bike tour in Cuba with Canbicuba called A Tribute to Celia Sanchez. We did this tour 5 years ago and loved it. You can read all about it in this post. We are very excited to be going again. With just three months to get in shape, wish us luck with our training.

I'm hoping it helps to be surrounded by pretty things to take my mind off the boredom of riding indoors. TV definitely helps so the stool will be put to good use holding the remote control and maybe an extra water bottle or two.

I should also mention I'm currently working on a crochet Christmas Tree Skirt using the same Peaches and Creme yarn in Panorama. Not traditional Christmas colours, but then I like to do things a little differently and I think it will look perfect with our tree. Once I finish I will be sure to share pictures and a pattern. 

I'm very excited about this project because I've come up with the pattern on my own. My very first original pattern. I can't wait to share it with you. 

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Baby News & Photo Props

Since I got back from Boulder over a week ago, I've been busy making baby photo props for my daughter's photography business. My main motivation is to get cute photos of our grandchildren but also provide items that might work for clients. 

I decided to start with a doily. The pattern is free and can be found here. Doilies like the one shown below can be draped over a baby posing bean bag and layered with coloured blankets for a cute photo. I made this one with Bernat Handicrafter Cotton yarn in off-white using a 5 mm hook. It measures 22" across so should work well for babies. 

Baby Prop 'Doily'

I've also made some cute hats and a diaper cover. The hat pattern can be found here from blogger Repeat Crafter Me. I used the base of her puppy hat pattern with ear flaps and braids but did not add the face or puppy ears. The teal hat with orange trim was made using Bernat Satin in "light sage" and "goldenrod". I used a 5 mm hook and the pattern instructions for size 0-3 months. The grey hat was made using Bernat Softee Baby yarn in "flannel" and a 4.5 mm hook. Bernat Softee Baby is a lighter yarn, so I followed the pattern instructions for size 3-6 months and the hats ended up about the same size. 

Baby Hats (side view)

The larger orange hat shown below was made using Bernat Satin in "goldenrod" and using the pattern instructions for size Toddler/Preschool. I'm hoping my daughter can use these hats in a Little Sister/Big Brother photo. I chose these colours to match the logo on her website Sweet Maple Photography.

Little Sister and Big Brother Hats

Baby Hat and Diaper Cover

To match the grey and white hat, I made a cute diaper cover following a free pattern provided by blogger Annoo's Crochet World here. I altered the pattern slightly by omitting the ruffle and adding a white trim with a grey tie. 

Instructions for the white trim
Row 1: chain 1, single crochet (sc) in each sc and each chain space around, join with a slip stitch
Row 2: chain 3 (counts as first half double crochet (hdc) and chain 1), skip 1 sc, *hdc + chain 1, skip 1 sc **, repeat * to ** around and join with a slip stitch to second chain
Row 3: chain 1, sc around and join with invisible join

Instructions for grey tie
Chain 108
Row 1: sc in back bump of each chain stitch (see here for explanation)
Weave grey tie through holes created by row 2 of the white trim
Add a white/grey fringe to each end of the grey tie to match the fringe on the hat braids

I made these items while waiting for news of our grandchild's birth which took patience as the baby was overdue by a week. I am happy to say she arrived Tuesday, February 18 at 5:04 p.m. Boulder time weighing 8 lbs 11 oz and 21.5" long. My daughter sent me a cell phone snapshot showing her new baby wearing the little owl hat I made last summer. My daughter will be posting proper photos on her website soon so I won't share any baby pics. Although I will tell you, I think she is beautiful and looks just like her Mom.

My 50th Birthday in July - showing off a little hat for our 'granddaughter'

I remember I made this hat (pattern by Repeat Crafter Me found here) and announced to our family I thought our daughter was pregnant and having a girl. I think they all thought I was joking. Turns out I was right about the pregnancy AND right about her having a girl. I'm so looking forward to visiting again in March and finally meeting this little one.

I can hardly wait to see my daughter's first photo shoot with this baby. I better get busy and make some more "props". I think a headband with flowers should be next on the list.