So I'm still loving vintage! My current project is hooking up some lovely vintage placemats and I thought I'd share it with you! I learnt to do these motifs quite a while ago and also ammended it a bit - unfortunately I have no idea where I originally got the motif pattern from so in this case I can't give credit to the original designer! :( This motif can just as easily be made into a table runner or a lovely throw! I might even try do a bigger project like that soon as they are gorgeous to work with!

I made these with 100% natural cotton I had in my stash. They were handspun and in different sized skeins - more of a double knit thickness than anything else! This pattern will work just as well with crochet yarn - you will just have to adjust the amount of blocks per row to obtain the right size for you. 

So here goes:

INSTRUCTIONS

Abbreviations:
ch                 chain stitch
ss                  slip stitch
dc                 double crochet
sc                  single crochet
beg cl           begin cluster; (ch 3,yarn over, insert hook into the same st, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook, yarn over, insert hook into same st and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on hook.
cl                  cluster; yarn over, insert hook into the st, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook, yarn over, insert hook into same st and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook, insert hook into same st and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on hook.

First Motive:

Make 7 ch; join with a ss into 1st ch to form a loop.

Round 1:  4ch (counts as dc and 1ch); *dc into loop, ch 1*, Repeat from * to *another 14 times (so that together there will be 16 dc in the loop including ch3 that formed the 1st dc), ss into the 3rd ch of the 1st ch4 stitch. 

Round 2:  Beg cl (refer to abbreviations above), ch 3, *skip the next ch 1 space from 1st row, into the top of the next dc of previous row make a cl (refer to abbreviations above), ch 3,* repeat from * to * till there is a cluster in each dc from the previous row (16 clusters in total with ch3 spaces in between), join with a ss into top of 1st cluster.





Round 3:  ss to the ch3 space to the left, make 5 dc into the same ch3 space, ch 5, 5 dc into the same space (corner made), *sc into the next ch 3 space, ch 3, sc into the next ch 3 space, in the next ch 3 space make 5 dc, ch 5, 5dc into the same space (corner)*, repeat from * to * until 4 corners have been made, join with a ss to the top of the first dc.

1st Motif Completed.

The rest of the motifs are joined in the "join as you go" method. 

Motif 2 and the rest of the motifs

Ouch!!..haven't posted in such a long time.. mind you..if I look back I think every post of mine should begin with "I haven't posted in such a long time!!" hahahha.... BUT! I have a good excuse, moving, work....uhm...work! lol...

Wow...  I haven't posted in forever. So I thought a good way to start off again was to post another pattern haha....  A while ago I posted the granny blanket that was such a hit (Granny blanket post)- it sold so quickly and I really miss the happy, vibrant colours. Decided I will just have to hook another one - and basically stick to similar colours. I thougth I'd share the pattern with you so you can create your own little happy blanket!! :)

Skill Level: Easy

Materials:  

Any yarn, scraps etc. As long you choose the same thickness throughout the blanket. This specific (new) blanket is being done in double knit and I used a 3mm crochet hook.

Instructions:

I've been crocheting serviette rings in different shapes and forms for a while now.. I just love the way they look on a beautifully decorated table.. they just add something real and rustic. I love combining the texture of crochet with something like pure linen serviettes..  juxtaposed against a crisp white dinner plate and et viola!! They are soft and flexible which means you can fold and pose those serviettes in any number of ways lol.... I always find the wooden or metallic rings so.... rigid..lol.... you can basically roll the serviettes up and thats it! Boring!! Recently I found these most amazing handmade fabric roses.. the lady that makes them spends so much time in  making them "just perfect!"... and the different fabrics she uses makes my creative mind just trip on all the different natural fibres I can combine them with haha!! If I just had the time to make everything I think about!!

This was a collaberation with a friend and I am sooo excited with the result!! I am just in love with the colours and the overall effect it reached. This was made for the shop, but after seeing the finished product I am so reluctant to sell it hahahha...... It's one of those things you just fall in love with instantly. That said, I put it in the shop this morning for display... (hoping it would bring in orders - not necessarily sell it)..and the first customer that walked in bought it :( ...... I finally convinced her to let me keep it in the shop for another week.... (the reason is more selfish than functional lol..I just want to spend some more time with it lol)...

Anyway..here it is:

I came across this beautiful pattern for a potstand/holder on a Dutch lady's blog - Lindevrouw's Web. She has some awesome work on her blog and it's definitely worth a visit! :)- albeit all in Dutch lol. I took the liberty of translating her pattern into English as well as crocheting one up as I went along - The English pattern is as follows: (the original pattern in Dutch is here: http://lindevrouwsweb.blogspot.com)

Skill Level:   Easy-Intermediate

Materials:  

Instructions:

Work Round 1 - 10 again for second motif.


When you have finished both motifs, work in all loose ends. Place the 2 motifs against each other, right sides facing outward. Join yarn at the centre of two groupings (working through both pieces), make 20ch, ss into same stitch as joining. Work over the 20ch with sc until there are enough sc to make a strong loop. ss again into the same stitch as joining.


Now crochet though both pieces using only ss, going down to the centre using the gaps/holes on the motif. Make sure not to make the ss too tight as this will make the motif scrunch and warp. Once you reach the outer edge of the centre piece, turn around and go back up using the same spaces as you did going down. (Tip: I found it easier to work with the yarn at the bottom of the work, pushing the hook through and just pulling the yarn up through the pieces.)




Once at the top, work around the scallop using each of the 12 stitches. Repeat this all around the motifs until you are back at your hanging loop. Join with a ss and fasten off. Work in loose ends. (Tip: Continuously turn your work around and make sure you place your stitches in the right gap at the back - if your motifs shift on top of one another you might hook the needle through the wrong space at the back making it look untidy at the back).

The other day I took my gran to the mall to do some shopping and all the store displays had changed to christmassy stuff - I realized it was November - but somehow the sight of all the christmas lights and decorations and music brought it home ...hard! Where had the time gone!!?? And worst of all - this year it has caught me quite unaware - I have nothing planned yet - no colour combinations, no gifts planned (or made mind you), no sparkly ideas in mind - nothing...nadda...ziltch!

So in an effort to avoid a panic attack, I grabbed my hook and started doing something...ANYTHING christmassy. It didnt work - I realized how long it takes to do these handmade things. But...after a while..the worst of the panic had gone and I realized I can only do what I can do...not sure how long this mindset will prevail - but I'm going to enjoy sanity while it lasts ;)

I've come to a gradual realization that my youth is now a distant memory... lol... Things I thought were absolutely horrendous as a young adult..has now become..uhhmm.... charming. Things I ABSOLUTELY INSISTED I'd NEVER have in my house... now features centre stage as you enter the door. Colours I thought the bane of any home has found a place in many of my creations. Isn't it strange and amazing how we find appreciation in things as we grow older. Growing older has never been a bad or scary thing in my own mind - instead I've always thought it quite exciting! I often laugh at myself when I find myself rolling my eyes at teenagers or young adults thinking "ooooooo you've still got a lot to learn"..hahahah... and I immediately chastise myself thinking..."honey!! you were ten times worse!!"... lol...

So... bearing this new-found-love-of-the-charming in mind - my newest obession... wait for it..... tea cosies! Yep!!..Tea pots in different shapes and sizes have become a passion of mine... I just think they are so darn cute!!! So just as my grandmother...and hundreds of grandmothers before her, had cupboards filled with different teapots with beautifully handmade tea cosies - I now have the same love of the little pots......

Confessions are always so liberating! This is currently my favourite little pot - unfortunately I made it for the shop - but I'm considering just keeping it (evil grin)!