Black Widow

This is the gift doily that will come with the purchase of 'Double, Double, Toil and Trouble.'  I love the 'spider web' design, but have not used it much in the past. It reminds me of Elizabeth Hiddleson, who used it a lot in her designs.

I realized when writing the pattern that spider webs are actually harder to write than pineapple patterns; or maybe I am just used to writing pineapple patterns.

Anyway, I like how it turned out, and I hope you do, too.

Double, Double, Toil and Trouble!

Here is the 7th of my Lovely Ladies Doilies. It is called "Double, Double, Toil and Trouble."

It should be available in about a month. It has been really fun to work on. I hope you like it!

BellaCrochet Newsletter

The first issue of the BellaCrochet Newsletter will be sent out later this week. If you have not already signed up to receive it, you can do so here:
Newsletter sign up
It will contain tips to make crocheting easier, articles about people who have crochet-related careers and the pattern for the Sunflower Dish Cloth pictured here.
I am not sure how often the newsletter will come out right now. I will send one out to announce the addition of new designs, which should be at least once a month.
I hope you will enjoy it!

My Favorite Crochet Threads

I have been asked several times this weekend what brand of thread I use for my designs. I have to admit, I usually use whatever brand comes in the color I need for a particular design. But I do have a couple of favorites that I use whenever possible. Since I live in a rural area, it can be difficult to find thread locally, so I usually must order what I need.

I love America's Best, Art. 74p, from Pisgah Yarn and Dyeing Company, which I order here:  America's Best

They have a beautiful range of colors, and I love working with it. Check out #50, Plum! And I never let myself run out of #55 Light Green or #323 Mint Green Ombre. In fact, all of their ombre colors are gorgeous!

I also love Royale Classic Crochet Cotton, which I can often find in basic colors locally. For a greater color selection, I order from this site: Royale

They carry my all time favorites, #15 Shaded Pinks and #493 - French Rose and #401  Orchid Pink (can you tell I love pink?)

I have ordered from both of these companies numerous times (in fact I will be placing an order later today.) I  have always been pleased with their service and  received my orders promptly.

 I want to mention that I am not affiliated with these companies in any way, and do not receive any compensation for mentioning them on my blog. I know that color is an important element in all of my designs, and I want you to be able to find the colors you need!

Ripples, Ruffles and Roses is Now Available

 The Ripples, Ruffles and Roses Doilies set is now available on bellacrochet.com. Here is the link:

Ripples, Ruffles and Roses Doilies

 

The set includes Rippling Waters,

Angel Face Ruffles,

Rose Petal Ruffles,

Sunshine and Blue Skies,

And Ripples 'Round the Rosie.

The gift pattern with this set is the Flutter-bys Doily, which I am beginning to think is more popular than all the other ones.

My friend Jewel asked me "why is there one yellow butterfly?"

I am not sure, I just thought it would be cute to have one that was just a little bit different from the others. I like it.

And I hope you will like this set of doilies.

Jewel's Cro-tat Crinoline Lady

My friend Jewel sent me this picture today of a sweet little cro-tatted Crinoline Lady she made in lovely colors of burgundy and pink. Jewel is so talented, and I never know what she will come up with next. Sometimes she sends me a picture of something and I have to ask her if it is one of my designs or not; I really can't remember some of the things I designed. But I did recognize this little lady; she was in a set of Cro-tat patterns that I did several years ago.
Thanks for sharing, Jewel. You did a beautiful job!

My African Violet

My African Violet is blooming; what a sweet sight on a Monday morning!

At one time, I had over a dozen different varieties of violets. Now, I have just this one, which is over 6 years old now, but still blooms regularly for me.  All I ever do is give it water once and a while.

I hope your week is filled with pretty things!