Happy Sunshine with Smiles Mandala

I made this mandala the other day, and have named it "Happy Sunshine with Smiles". It is a mandala for Marinke, aka Wink. I don't think I'll be able to manage to post it off to America, but I thought I could add the image to the interwebs to contribute in some way. Happy thoughts of Peace to everyone. This is one of Marinke's free patterns on her blog, I chose it because I didn't know how to do the spokes and wondered how to do it. I learnt how to do it, found it to be very difficult, but I persisted and it worked out in the end.

I made this in memory of Wink

Heather's Hexagon, free pattern

This hexagon starts off as Heather's flower, which I have named after my mum who was my first crochet teacher. It could make a doily, or join several together to make a rug. Please let me know if you like it!

this hexagon motif starts off as a flower

Heather's Hexagon by T. S. Murphy
1. 4 ch (counts as 1st dc and 1st ch), (into 1st ch, dc 1 ch) repeat 4 more times, sl st into 3rd ch (wheel of 6 spokes)
2. (sl st into next spoke space 3 ch 2 trb 2 ch 2 trb 3 ch sl st into same), repeat 5 times (6 large petals)
3. sl st into next spoke, sl st up side of petal to peak, sl st into ch sp, sc into ch sp, 8 ch, (sc into next petal ch sp, 8 ch) repeat to end, sl st into 1st sc
4. sl st into next ch sp, 4 sl st to centre of ch sp, sc into ch sp, 10 ch, (sc into next ch sp, 10 ch) repeat to end, sl st into 1st sc
5. sl st into next ch sp, 3 ch (counts as 1st dc) 5 dc into same ch sp, 3 ch, 6 dc into same ch sp (6 dc 3 ch 6 dc into next ch sp) repeat to end, sl st into 3rd ch
6. 3 ch (dc into every st to next ch sp, dc 3 ch dc into ch sp) repeat to end, sl st into 3rd ch
7 ... repeat round 6 untild esired width achieved, fasten off and weave in ends

Heart Mandala

Here is a doily from Crochetmillan, there it is referred to as the second heart mandala. There is a diagram to follow if you wish to make it yourself. I don't know what will become of this doily as I have so many already that I have made, but I just felt like making it!

the crochet diagram for this pattern is at Crochetmillan

this doily starts off as a 5 heart coaster

Swedish Love Heart Doily

Oh! It's been so long since I've posted on my blog! I haven't been doing any crochet, but today I saw a picture of this doily on facebook and decided to give it a go. The facebook linked to this Swedish blog, there is no written pattern in English, but there is a diagram I could follow. There is also a photo tutorial of the rounds. I found the first few rounds difficult because my hand kept cramping up from holding a small piece tightly, my hand has only been cramping like this since my operation over 12 months ago. I guess this is just what I have to get used to, as the surgeon has said nothing more about it. I certainly don't need any more doilies or coasters, but this one was so pretty I had to make it. I don't know what I will do with it, just another to add to the growing pile of unused crochet stuff!

there is a diagram on a Swedish blog for this doily pattern

isn't this doily pretty?

Pink Hearts Desire Doily

I found the link to this free pattern on Ravelry, its by Red Heart and is called a hearts desire doily. I used 4 ply cotton and a 2mm hook. I was spurred on to try some crochet after an appointment with a surgeon informed me that I might not regain full use of my left hand. So if this is what I've got, I want to try and use it, I can't accept that I can never crochet ever again! I will just have to adapt what I can make, won't I?

the pattern for this hearts desire doily is available for free

White Teapot Coaster Doily

This teapot coaster doily was one of the last things I made before the tension in my left hand became to weak to crochet anymore. Sadly, I've misplaced the pattern! I found it for free on Ravelry and now I can't find it again. I took a photo of this today because I've decided to reopen my online shop, but stating clearly that I can't do custom orders. I'm just selling what I have already made and is ready to ship from my stock.

the pattern for this was free on Ravelry

Pale Pink Doily

I made another doily this time in pale pink, I'm hoping to order more cotton in different colours so I can do more. I used the pattern by Maggie Weldon which is available for free at Best Free Crochet. I used 4 ply cotton and a 2mm hook.

the pattern for this doily is available for free at Best Free Crochet

Bright Pink Doily

I made this doily using 4 ply cotton from Bendigo Woollen Mill and a 2mm hook. I used the same pattern I used to make a pair of green doilies for my sister in law, which is by Maggie Weldon and is available for free on bestfreecrochet.com I'm not sure what will become of this doily, I'm thinking I might make a set of them to put in my online shop which is currently empty. It's been a real challenge to know what to make for my shop, and especially taking the adequate photographs, but maybe I've conjured enough steam in my sails to try again!

bright pink doily on an angle

the pattern for this doily is available for free

Blocking the Red Doily

Talking of doilies that needed blocking, I was horrified to realise I had put up this red doily for sale without blocking it first! When it dawned on me, I set to the task of getting that done quick smark. LOL!

red doily after blocking

blocking the red doily onto a piece of white foam using sewing pins

Pink & Green Doily

I found making this doily very relaxing, so I think I should have more things like this for sale in my little online shop. Pinning it out to be blocked was also relaxing, and it needed quite a bit of that!

a pretty pink and green doily I've put up for sale in my online shop at madeit.com

When I was pinning this I noticed something about my design that I think I oculd improve, so the next doily will be 11 rounds instead of 10 rounds like this one.

blocking the doily

I completed it within an afternoon so that's not too bad, time wise. I used some of my beautiful 4 ply cotton from Bendigo and a 3mm hook.

When I'm happier with the pattern I hope to share it on Ravelry as a download in a set of doilies. My friend Hazel has offered to pattern test so I'm very excited!

Red 10 Round Doily

I sat up one night and quickly scribed the diagram for this design. I was inspired by the 4 round doily, which in turn was inspired by a picture of a doily from 1893, but I extended the 4 round doily to 10 rounds, I drew the diagram first, and then when I made it, I was almost surprised that it actually worked!

my 10 round doily design

I used a 2mm hook and red 4 ply mercerised cotton. I hope to share the pattern with you one day, I am looking at some software that I will hopefully be able to use to draw the crochet chart diagram!

the doily is the perfect size to go under a vase

Four Round Doily, free pattern

Here is my version of a simple 4 round doily. Its so similar to what you see around on google search, its hardly a new idea, but I couldn't find a pattern quite like this so I will attempt to write it out. I was inspired by a picture I saw on pinterest of a doily from 1893. Please leave me a comment if you find this useful or if you think I should fix something. for this doily, I used a 2mm hook and 4 ply cotton. There is no gauge for this pattern, as the yarn and hook you use will determine the size of the finished doily.


a simple 4 round doily made with natural cotton

Round 1
4 ch (2nd and 3rd ch count as first dc), dc into 1st ch (ch 1 dc into 1st ch) repeated 6 more times, ch 1 sl st into 3rd ch (wheel of 8 spokes)
Round 2
sl st into next ch sp, sc into same, ch 4, dc into same ch sp (dc into next ch sp, ch 2, dc into same) repeat 7 times, sl st into 2nd ch (8 clusters)
Round 3
sl st into next ch sp, sc into same, ch 2, dc into same, ch 2, 2 dc into same (2 dc into next ch sp, ch 2, 2 dc into same) repeated 7 times, sl st into 2nd ch (8 clusters)
Round 4
sl st to next ch sp, sc into same, ch 2, 7 dc into same (8 dc into next ch sp) repeated 7 times, sl st into 2nd ch (8 scallops)

Please let me know if you found that helpful or if it was all gibberish! I am practising writing in US crochet, even though my mother and my crochet teacher both use UK crochet. I wish there was just one crochet language, that would make things a bit simpler, don't you think?

Natural Cotton Doily

I made this doily on a whim, using what looks to be naturally coloured pure cotton thread. This doily is not made for any purpose or for any one in mind, I just made it to see how the cotton would make up.

a simple doily made with naturally coloured cotton and a 2mm crochet hook

I followed the same pattern I used for a pair of small green doilies, as it is easy to memorise. My 2mm hook seemed the perfect size for this yarn. I'm now thinking I could do a small rug in the same pattern with some large cord I have here, I wonder if that would work?

reclaimed natural coloured cotton

My mum gave me this natural cotton, she says she found it at a garage sale and it still has its labels on, which says it was made in China. I think this yarn will make a great string bag ...

A Pair of Small Green Doilies

I made these two small doilies for my sister-in-law Lynelle, who asked me to make some to match the large green doily I gave to her last year. These ones are intended to sit on a dresser as doilies for small objects, but they are the same size as drink coasters. You can use them as coasters but I wouldn't recommend that because they will need to be washed more often.

pair of coaster sized doilies with tea cup

I was going to make up my own pattern, but decided to follow one I saw on pinterest. This easy doily pattern was easy to make up, the pattern is by Maggie Weldon and is available for free on bestfreecrochet.com.

Although I do prefer working with less fine cotton and larger hooks, tiny work like this really hurts my eyes. For these doilies, I used fine cotton and a 1.5mm hook. To help me memorise the pattern I simplified it, its basically a round of 24, then a round of 24 (dc 1 ch), then a round of 3 chs, a round of 4 chs, then 3 rounds of 6 chs, the last is 7 dc into every 2nd ch sp, (1 ch sc 1 ch) into the other ch sps.

The doilies needed blocking because they were slightly different sizes, after blocking they came out fine. To wash these doilies you need to wash in cool water and squeeze gently. Then lay flat onto white foam or thick white cardboard and pin out, starting with a pin in the centre. This will make the doilies sit nicely, don't remove them from the pins until the doilies are dry.

blocking a matching pair of doilies on top of each other

I'm going to post these to Lynelle for her birthday, I hope she likes them!

Vintage Doily from 1969

This is a gorgeous crochet doily made by one of my great-aunts and given to my parents as part of a wedding present in 1969. I believe it was given with a vase, perhaps my mum still has it? That's highly likely, my mum has a huge hoarded stash which I'm sure she doesn't fully comprehend the extent of it. When I get the chance, I'd love to try and copy this pattern, perhaps I could even write it down. I just love the simplicity of this symmetrical design. It would be nice if I washed and blocked this doily, I will when I get the chance ...

doily made by my great-aunt and given as a wedding present in 1969

Filet Dolies made by my Great-grandmother

This filet crochet doily set was made by my great-grandmother, Mary Margaretta Davis. I apologise for the quality of these photographs, but as I have stated before, these treasures are stashed away at my mother's house, and these are the photos I managed to get at my last visit. One day I hope to share better photographs. The purpose of these posts now, is to record the identity of these heirloom crafted pieces, as I get the chance to do it.

small filet doily made by my great-grandmother Mary Margaretta

matching large filet doily made by my great-grandmother, Mary Margaretta

Pink Edge Crochet Doily

Here is a lovely crochet doily with a pink edge made by my mum, I think this was also made between 1969 and 1971, like the two embroidered linen doilies I blogged about yesterday. I'm very sorry, but she doesn't remember where she got the pattern. It was, afterall, a very long time ago!

40 year old crochet doily with pink edge made by my mum between 1969 and 1971

Simple Spiral White Doily

I really like this simple swirling doily design, it's very easy to memorise so I can dot it front of the tv.

a simple white swirling doily after blocking

I've been working on this doily for quite a while, and simply stopped when I got to the end of the roll of fine cotton. I think this was one of the many rolls of fine cotton my mum has given me. I used my 1.75mm steel hook which was nice to work with and not too small for my eyes when I wear my glasses. I didn't follow a pattern, it's just the same as my blue baby rug, which I'm still working on. I guessed what that pattern was by looking at a picture on crochetspot, although mine is a bit different. It really isn't hard, you just increase a stitch once every gap of which there is about a dozen per round.

this doily used one ball of crochet cotton

When I finished this it was round and the edges were curled up, so it needed blocking. I simply wet it under warm running water and pat dry with a towel. Then I lay it on my piece of white cardboard that I use for blocking and pinned it out, stretching it into a star shape.

blocking a crochet doily

I think I'll just use this as a doily somewhere? Or maybe I'll add some beads to the edge and use it as a jug cover - I'm not sure yet!

Small Aqua Doily

This was going to be a drink coaster, but I wasn't quite happy with it and it's now a doily on David's bedside table! The pattern for this doily came from a book I got from a second hand store at Toowong for $11. This pattern is on page 56 and the book is called 'Beautiful Lace', published by Nihon Vogue in 1982. When I finished it, it was very wonky, so I gently ironed it and it came out ok. I do want to have another go at making cotton coasters, or I might end up making some out of plarn.

Today, I was very naughty and bought some new baby wool! I know I should use up the wool I have first. I already have some baby wool in lilac, white, pink and a greeny orange variation. But I was very keen to get some stronger shades of purple and some green to match so checked out Lincraft today as some of the nicer baby wool is on special. It's very naughty of me, but I got some expensive pure Australian wool machine washable baby yarn in bright shades of green, blue and orange.  I was after some brighter colours in really nice baby wool so I can make a colourful and cheery jacket, hat and bootie set, I can't wait to start on that one!

I also bought some cheaper 100g balls of purple and green which I might make a baby rug with, and some alpaca to make another pair of fingerless gloves for David as he has asked for some.

At the rate I'm going, I don't think I shall ever use up all my wool!!!

Easy Yellow Doily

When I got my regular message from Crochetspot this pattern was highlighted so I decided to give it a go. It was called a beginners doily and I whipped it up one Sunday morning, finishing it before lunch.The pattern for this easy doily is at Crochetspot. http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-pattern-hipster-doily/

I don't know what I'll do with this doily, I just made it because I was bored! I like how the clusters in this one look more like triangular sun rays rather than rounded flower petals.

<3 <3