Pineapple crochet for summer and circle vest pattern

I love this circle vest from Caron. Don't you think it would cute over a summer dress?

Originally posted on 07/19/2012

Caron has a great free pattern for a beach coverup or jumper. It is crocheted featuring pretty crocheted pineapple motifs.

Click here: pineapple crochet jumper or beach coverup.

Have a happy Sunday!
Debby

Guipure Netting...directions on Google Books.

If you remember, I found this lovely doily mentioned in my post a few days ago.

I haven't made anything like this before so I did some research. It appears to be guipure netting.

Here is a resource on Google Books that give detailed instructions on how to make lace like this from 1885.

There is an illustration for a project that has many similar features as my doily.

I am not sure that I am up to this but it looks like an interesting process. Has anyone seen this or tried it?

Enjoy, Debby

Progress on hot weather projects, a free pattern and an interview

Well, I have been making progress on my hot weather projects. It has been very hot and humid here in Virginia this week. So here is what I have been working on. With 1(US) needles and No. 10 cotton thread, I have made some simple lace. It will be attached to vintage linen dinner napkins to make fancy tea towels.

Washed lace laying out to dry!

Here is the pattern, if you would like to make some too.

I also found some lovely finger tip towels, embroidered huck toweling and doilies. Here is a sneak peek. 

And check out this lace doily!

More about them in the coming days. They will be posted on EBAY this weekend.

Next topic:
Here is a great interview of a fellow ETSY Knitter, Susan Schutz.

Her shop on ETSY is called Susan's Knitting Socks. She has some great hand knit socks and lovely clothing for American Girl dolls.

Tell her I sent you!

Enjoy, Debby

Featured on Facebook and a Tatting pattern

Jodee Marie has featured some of my ETSY patterns on her FACEBOOK page. She highlights items for sale on ETSY, free patterns available online and cute fiber related cartoons. Check it out and LIKE her page.

Next subject- Old patterns in newspapers. 

I have been going through some old newspapers, mostly online and have come across some pretty patterns that I will be sharing with you. Today, I have a pretty tatted doily to be used under a tumbler or drinking glass. The pattern is from 1895. How elegant! 

Enjoy, Debby

Bread tray doilies and cheese doilies too! Free Patterns

I do love doilies. One of my favorite designs to find in thrift stores are the bread tray doilies. Practice your filet crochet skills with this vintage crochet pattern. I have a free copy for you here!

For even more fun, here are some more designs from KnitHeaven.

Lastly, I found that doilies were also used to cover cheese. Here is a pattern for a filet design from 1861 with instructions on serving cheeses from Mrs. Beeton 1861!

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Historic Tatting Resources

Originally published on 6/13/11

Historic Tatting Resources

Doing some research on tatting resources, I came across some nice booklets.

Here are the links:

Priscilla Tatting Book No. 3 from 1924

DMC Library Th de Dillmont TATTING

From KNIT HEAVEN- Tatting resources

Katharin L. Hoare, The Art of Tatting 1910 Part 1: File size 6.5 MB PDF. Part 2: File size 12.1 MB PDF. Part 3: File size 8.2 MB PDF.

GOLDEN STARS in TATTING AND CROCHET 1861 MLLE. RIEGO DE LA BRANCHARDIÈRE

Greek and Roman Lace 1859 MLLE. RIEGO DE LA BRANCHARDIÈRE

Free Patterns and Recipes on Craftsy!

• Free Embroidery Patterns at Craftsy!
• Free Knitting Patterns at Craftsy!
• Free Sewing Pattern at Craftsy 
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You can't have too many d'oyleys - free Australian pattern from 1937

What a great title for an article...and I agree! That is the title of this pattern from an Australian newspaper clipping dating from 1937.

The pattern has been darkened and sharpened so hopefully you can read it well enough to be able to crochet his pretty doily that echos Irish crochet techniques. You can download your free copy here!

Send over some photos if you make this d'oyley to add to your collection.

Enjoy, Debby

Try a new method-Moebius cast on

I am always researching new ways to cast on and bind off. This one just landed in my INBOX from Knitting Daily. They provide very clear instructions on how to do a moebius cast on from Cat Bordhi. 

There is a video from Cat on YouTube

I need to practice this one!

Once you have that on the needles, you can knit a moebius scarf or shawl in one piece without grafting. 

Here is a pretty free shawl pattern from DROPS. You can use the moebius cast on this one. Send over your photos if you make this!

Enjoy, Debby

Free Patterns and Recipes!

• Free Embroidery Patterns at Craftsy!
• Free Knitting Patterns at Craftsy!
• Free Sewing Pattern at Craftsy 
• Free Quilting Patterns at Craftsy
• Free Cake Decorating Recipes at Craftsy!

Free Vintage crochet pattern: Irish crochet butterfly motifs

These crocheted butterfly motifs from 1916 are beautiful.

They will make a great small summer project to practice your Irish Crochet techniques.

As the pattern states, the possibilities are endless for the items they can be used to adorn.

Download your free PDF here

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Enjoy, Debby

Look who I found at the Goodwill store...

I love looking around at our local Goodwill thrift stores. You never know what you will find. I have some great vintage knitting books, yarn, needles and other goodies from my visits. It does mean searching and digging sometimes. Yesterday, I was digging through some "stuff" in the bin and found a dear old friend: Soapy Washcloth Turtle.

He was dirty and grimy but after a good wash and soak in soapy water then oxy clean, he looks a bit better now. I am always on the lookout for a item made from one of the vintage patterns that I sell but I didn't expect to find Soapy. He is a survivor! 

The turtle is a charming member of a trio of soap covers. The directions were in Workbasket magazines over the 1940's and 1950's. The other covers were a fish and an alligator. You can find their easy crochet patterns here.

I have received notes from customers who have purchased these patterns saying that their mom or granny had made one of these for them; they brought back memories. They are easy to make so try one or all three for your family. You can use the ILUVBLOG15 coupon code for 15% off.

Please share your stories if you have one too!

Enjoy, Debby

Check out these Free Patterns and Recipes!

• Free Embroidery Patterns at Craftsy!
• Free Knitting Patterns at Craftsy!
• Free Sewing Pattern at Craftsy 
• Free Quilting Patterns at Craftsy
• Free Cake Decorating Recipes at Craftsy!

Ideas for hot weather crochet

Searching for some "new" vintage project to work on despite the heat? Try looking through the wealth of materials at antiquepatternlibrary.org. There is something here for everyone. 

I was going through this Corticelli book from 1916 and saw a simple and pretty crochet edging that would be very pretty on the edge of a tea towel. I found some beautiful linen dinner napkins that are about 30 inches wide. This edging would be nice on them to repurpose into a tea towel for a friend.

On page 7 of the PDF

For a more challenging pattern, check out page 11 for the Princess Louise crocheted bag. Wouldn't that be perfect for a wedding? Wow!

I love this picture hat but I don't think I could pull off this look!

Please share any projects you would like to try.

Enjoy, Debby

Check out these Free Patterns and Recipes!

• Free Embroidery Patterns at Craftsy!
• Free Knitting Patterns at Craftsy!
• Free Sewing Pattern at Craftsy 
• Free Quilting Patterns at Craftsy
• Free Cake Decorating Recipes at Craftsy!

Off topic cleaning discovery!

Like many other knitters, crocheters and other vintage crafters, I also collect vintage textiles. At times, I use an oxyclean type product to soak and clean stained or discolored fabrics. Well, today, I used an vintage crazed plate to hold an old piece of linen down in the solution and the plate came out much brighter! There was still a little crazing visible but most of it was now CLEAN! I am so thrilled. I have tried all sorts of recipes and potions but this worked easily and without fumes (I have asthma). Now I am pulling out other pieces of vintage china that need brightening up. Nothing too valuable...just pretty Goodwill finds. How exciting to breathe new life into my vintage china!

I buy the oxygen cleaner at Dollar Tree as it works as well as the brand name, has less fumes and only costs $1.

Thought I would share my excitement, Debby

More hot weather knitting, free patterns and antique online resource

To continue the topic of hot weather knitting and crocheting, here is an idea from the past: knitted counterpanes. Okay, we don't need to make an entire bedspread but you can do alot with the little pieces that are so easy to knit; pincushions, pillows, baby blankets, dishcloths...you get the idea.

I love the little pillow that Wendy at Vintage Pattern Files made with 8 squares.

She provides the pattern for the Apricot Leaf with Feather Pattern Border here.

This block is a bit more complicated and knit in the round. I could see this in a sport weight yarn as a pretty pillow as well.

The pattern can be found here at knitting-and.com.

If you really want to overdose, check out this online copy of Mrs. George Cupples' A Knitting-Book of Counterpanes from 1871. Download HERE

Love this cable square!

Enjoy, Debby

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Free Knitting Patterns at Craftsy!

Hot weather crafting-free patterns using cotton yarn!

I love to knit and crochet, even in the heat of summer so I switch gears from wool to cotton. I also tend to stick with smaller projects. How about you?

Here are four patterns to keep you going during the heat. They all feature Lily Sugar 'n Cream cotton yarn. If you don't already have a membership with Lily, it takes just a moment set it up. Then you can download or bookmark the patterns on their site.

Sugar 'n Cream - Flower Hotpad (knit)

Sugar 'n Cream - Flower Dishcloth (crochet)

Road Trip Car Caddy (knit)

Baby's Room Sign (crochet)

Enjoy, Debby

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Free Knitting Patterns at Craftsy!

Free Tea Cosy patterns!

I have so many tea cosies but I am always looking for another cute one! You never can have too many cosies.

Here are some great free patterns for knit and crocheted cosies.

Flower Pot Tea Cosy

Flower Garden Tea Cosy

Rosebuds Tea Cosy

DAYLILY TEA COSY - CROCHET

Check out Jen's blog for more great patterns.

Enjoy, Debby

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter

Don't forget to try a free class at Craftsy. 

The free mini-courses have the same great content that you've come to expect from Craftsy.com, but feature student-led discussions and are shorter in length than regular courses.

• Know Your Wool: Do you wonder where your yarn comes from? Learn about different types of wool and the individual characteristics of each.
• The Hand-Painted Cake: Elevate your cake with Erin Schaefgen's freehand painting techniques. Create beautiful and edible works of art with Erin's tips and tricks.
• Creative Quilt Backs: Make the back of your quilt just as interesting as the front! Oh, Fransson! blog author Elizabeth Hartman walks you through everything you need to know to make beautiful quilt backs.
• Modern Buttercream: Learn to use buttercream like a pro! Discover the tricks and tips to construct and create a beautifully finished buttercream cake.
• Micro Torch Basics: Go ahead, play with fire. Using a butane micro-torch, learn the basics of creating beautiful and unique metal jewelry in your own house.

Waiting for a Royal baby-Contest and Free baby patterns at Red Heart

From the Red Heart website:

We are anticipating the birth of Prince William and Princess Kate's baby and we have selected items that would look darling on both a boy and a girl.

Create a Nursery Fit for a Royal Baby.

Enter to Win!

Enter now through July 3rd to win all the yarn to create the projects in this nursery.  Value of $150

15 Free patterns-Find all the amazing knit and crochet patterns you see in the Nursery for free on RedHeart.com.

Check out this darling bib with a crown on it!

These patterns look like a lot of fun. 

I hope you enjoy them. 

Debby

Don't forget to try a free class at Craftsy. 

The free mini-courses have the same great content that you've come to expect from Craftsy.com, but feature student-led discussions and are shorter in length than regular courses.

• Know Your Wool: Do you wonder where your yarn comes from? Learn about different types of wool and the individual characteristics of each.
• The Hand-Painted Cake: Elevate your cake with Erin Schaefgen's freehand painting techniques. Create beautiful and edible works of art with Erin's tips and tricks.
• Creative Quilt Backs: Make the back of your quilt just as interesting as the front! Oh, Fransson! blog author Elizabeth Hartman walks you through everything you need to know to make beautiful quilt backs.
• Modern Buttercream: Learn to use buttercream like a pro! Discover the tricks and tips to construct and create a beautifully finished buttercream cake.
• Micro Torch Basics: Go ahead, play with fire. Using a butane micro-torch, learn the basics of creating beautiful and unique metal jewelry in your own house.

Have you heard of baby soakers or pilchers?

Here is a blast from the past...knit soakers or pilchers. This is not something many people in America know about but it is a great idea to use with real cloth diapers. They also help prevent diaper rash. 

Here is a vintage pattern at Sarah Bradberry's Website

A modern pattern is available on Spud and Chloe.

More photos here!

Happy knitting, Debby

How to knit the garter stitch tab cast on

Have you tried starting a triangular shawl and the starting stitches look anemic? Try using the Garter Stitch tab cast on. It makes a huge difference in the strength and appearance of the top of your shawl.

There is a great video and explanation of all the steps on the New Stitch a Day website.

This site features knit and crochet stitch instructions with videos to demonstrate the techniques used. I love this site for its simple and clear directions and layout.

Happy Knitting, Debby

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We will also explore vintage and historic needlecraft techniques and patterns.

Sign up here and let me know what your crafting interests are.

All the best, Debby

My Knitty Nanny!

Knit In Public Week 2013!

World Wide Knit in Public Day was founded in 2005 by Danielle Landes and takes place on the second Saturday of June each year. What began as a way for knitters to come together and enjoy each other's company has now expanded in to a full week of Knit in Public festivities!

This year, Knit in Public Week starts June 8th and knits through June 16th. We're encouraging knitters everywhere to spread the word via social media, blogs, and word-of-mouth. Since this kicks off this Saturday, now is a great time for spreading the word and helping your friends and fellow knitters prepare for Knit in Public Week!

Below are some pointers and cool resources you can use to prepare:

Organize a Knit In Public Meetup
• This is a Meetup page where people can create, join or organize a Meetup in their area to participate in KIPW. Pick a local park, coffee shop, library, or any other space open to the public, invite your knitting friends, grab your knitting needles, yarn, and go! 
• You can schedule your Meetup for any day between June 8th-16th. 
• Be sure to take photos to share on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #KIPW, or post photos to the Knitting Club on Facebook: www.facebook.com/knittingclub.
• Need some extra motivation to organize a #KIPW Meetup in your home town? Craftsy will be sending care packages to 10 Meetups, including free yarn, t-shirts, and other Craftsy swag!
• Participate in the largest knitter-run event in the world and organize a #KIPW Meetup in your town, or find one nearby you can join.

Knit In Public Week iPhone Patterns App from Craftsy
• Take your knitting pattern with you on the go!
• iPhone/iPad users can download the Knitting and Crochet Patterns app to save paper and access patterns on their devices
• Those without a mobile device can print it off from their computer

Enjoy and Happy Knitting!

Knit In Public Week 2013

FREE CLASS: Online Knitting Class: Ins and Outs of Grafting

Great online crochet and knitted lace resource

Here is a great booklet with a variety of crocheted and knitted lace patterns. Lace-making with crochet hook and knitting needles. The entire book is available online. There are edgings, insertions, doilies and a shawl/mantilla.

Enjoy!

Check out these new classes at Craftsy!
Sandra Betzina - Sewing on the Bias (Sewing) 
Janet Pray - Sew Better, Sew Faster: Garment Industry Secrets (Sewing) 
Frieda Anderson - Machine Quilting the Home Sweet Home Quilt (Quilting) 
Maggie Austin - Sugar Berries, Leaves, and Blossoms (Cake Decorating)