More Crochet

My neighbor mentioned that she had recently had an oak table refinished and was looking for a tablecloth.  I searched my cupboard and gifted her his one.  I told her my husband didn't like the color so I rarely used it and it would need a quick iron. 

She tried it on the table and was pleased with the fit. She was very grateful and even more so when I told her I made it.  Had to have been 30 years ago but spent more time stored than used.  At the time, I subscribed to a crochet magazine and would make the regular doilies in size 10 cotton thread so they would fit a round table I once had. 

To give you and idea of the size, in the picture the table is 48 inches or 122 cm in diameter, the cloth is not ironed. 

 

Forgotten

 

Many years ago crochet was my go to  craft and I used to create many one of a kind patterns.  Recently I ran across this glove almost finished.  Oh well another project to be done... one day.

I've been knitting

My sister in law mentioned the other day that she wanted some dishcloths. Apparently her daughter in law loves them. I knew I had  cotton yarn waiting to be used and began to knit and knit and knit.  This is an easy pattern and after some trial and error used this technique to create smooth edges,

I started with 4 stitches, then for each increasing row: purl into the front of the stitch, knit one, yarn over, knit to last stitch, slip knitwise.

For each decreasing row, purl into the front of the stitch k2tog, yarn over, k2tog, knit to last stitch, slip knitwise. 

I have heard this called Grandmother's Favorite Dishcloth but for me it is my go to pattern for dishcloths.  I still have quite a stash of cotton thread to use up.

I will get back to tatting soon.

Daniela Mendola

I have completed this small mat by Daniela Mendola.   You can find the free pattern on the blog here.  There are nine rounds and I used two shuttles and climbed to each row using split rings and split chains.
   

I made the first repeat of the last row incorrect so I just continued with the incorrect version for the next 11 repeats.  I thought with 12 points that this would fit a clock face but the clock I had in mind was too small and with my larger clock is not able to come apart so I am back on the hunt for a clock or smaller 12 pointed pattern.

 I used a vintage size 80 thread Star Six Cord shade 144.5. The finished piece measures 8 inches or 20 cm diameter. I had some issues with the thread breaking at a few rings.  Ahh the joys of using vintage thread.

A Fruit Full Day

 We are mid summer and time to harvest some fruit. Early morning I got after the raspberries and added to the stash I had been collecting the past few days, There was now more than enough for jam.   Mashed them and made up 7 and a half pints, plus some skim. It is so good

Before the heat of the day sets in I am off to gather saskatoons and nanking cherries.  I didn't get much of each as these are in a city yard but cleaned and froze them for later use. 

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With all the fresh fruit available our bananas are overripe so they became muffins.