Merry Christmas To You!

 "But in this season it is well to reassert that the hope of mankind rests in faith. As a man thinketh, so he is. Nothing much happens unless you believe in it and believing there is hope for the world is a way to move toward it."     
                                     Gladys Taber
                                          (from 'Stillmeadow Road')

"And suddenly there was with the angels a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Wishing you all the blessings of this holy season.

                        Love,

                           Ann

Images courtesy http://vintageholidaycrafts.com/

Look What I Got For Christmas!

I must have been really good this year, because look what I got:

 This is my newest grandson, Paul, Jr., who will be called Buddy (as well as Little Paul, Peanut, and several other nick names; my daughter Bethany insists she is going to call him P.J.)

 He was born Dec. 3rd, and weighed 7 lbs. 13 oz and was 21" long. He has already gained a pound!

I was able to go and spend some time getting acquainted with him last week. He seems to like the Monkey Hat I made for him.

Okay, so maybe it was really his Mama and Daddy who got Buddy for Christmas. I just feel blessed to have him in our family.

Welcome, Little Buddy. Grandmama loves you!

The Kitty Cap: A Free Crochet Pattern For You

Autumn, age 6, wearing her Kitty Cap

I love making gifts for my grandchildren, but when you have as many as I do, you need items that can be made in a hurry. So I designed this little cap for my granddaughters; it is very quick and easy to make. It makes a great gift or item to sell (yes, you can sell items made from any of my patterns!)

The corners stand up like little cat ears, so we decided to call it the "Kitty Cap." It fits a little girl between the ages of 3-10, but I used a smaller hook (5 mm) and made one that fit my 18 month old granddaugter, Lilly. I haven't tried it, but you could probably use a larger hook and make one that would fit an adult.

KITTY CAP

by Elizabeth Ann White

for BellaCrochet

Skill Level: Easy

Size: 3-10 years (19”-21” head)

Gauge: 3 dc = 1” and 2 dc rows =1 1/4”

Materials:
3 ozs. Worsted Weight Yarn
Size I (5.50mm) Crochet Hook

Rnd 1: Ch 29, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each of next 24 chs, 3 dc in next ch (ch at end); working in remaining lps on opposite side of chain, dc in each of next 25 chs; join with sl st in top of ch-3. (First 3 chs count as first dc; 54 dc made)

Rnds 2-9: Ch 3 for first dc, dc in each st around, join with sl st in top of ch-3. (54 dc)

Rnd 10: Ch 1, (sc, ch 2, 2 dc) in first st, skip next 2 sts, *(sc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, skip next 2 sts; repeat from * around, join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off.

The first round completed.

The finished cap.

Kyleigh, who just turned three. She has the edging of her hat folded up to form a brim.

Lilly, 18 months, and her Uncle Josh. Sorry Josh, I will make you a pink Kitty Cap for your birthday!

Abby, age 4. I wonder who got into the  chocolate cookies?

Ana, age 10. She is growing up much too fast to suit her Grandmama!

Jasee, age 5, in her pretty pink Kitty Cap

Special thanks go to E. J. Miller and Jewel Fernley for testing this pattern.

Copyright BellaCrochet 2011. All rights reserved. This pattern may not be copied (except for personal use in making the item), sold or shared in any form.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I love Thanksgiving! And I have so much to be thankful for; my family, my health, and more blessings than I can count. But one thing I am especially grateful for is YOU.  You make it possible for me to do what I love; design full time. I thank you all with all my heart, and I want you to know how much I appreciate you.
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Love,
Ann

Image courtesy VintageHolidayCrafts.com

Christmas Crochet

I can't believe that Christmas is right around the corner! Are you crocheting anything special this year? I didn't get any new designs ready in time for Christmas this year. I am actually working on Spring/Summer items right now, and plan to have some new holiday patterns ready for release next August. But here are a few of my designs from years past, just in case you are looking for ideas:

The Candle Light and Holly Doily and Mini Doilies Set. One of the first designs I self published, and still one of my favorites! Available as a single pattern on Ravelry:
candlelight

Tidings of Joy Doily. Available through both BellaCrochet.com and my Etsy shop. The Candle Light Doilies pattern is a gift with purchase of this doily:
tidingsofjoy

'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' doily. Available on bellacrochet.com and on Etsy:
godrestye

'Christmas in Gingerbread Land" Decorative Potholders/Wall Art. Available on BellaCrochet.com and in my Etsy shop:
gingerbread

"The Littlest Angels." This pattern is a gift with the purchase of either 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' or "Christmas in Gingerbread Land." Right now it is not available as a single pattern.

Then of course, there are my Little Gingerbread Boy and Girl, available free, right here on the blog:
gbbg

And my Tiny Christmas Angel, also available for free right here on the blog:
tinyangel

Happy Christmas Crocheting, everyone!

Happy Halloween!

As you might know, I love seeing pictures of what folks have made from my patterns! Here are a couple of Pineapple Pumpkin Lace pictures that were shared with me:

Deborah placed her pumpkin on a lovely doily.

Sweet little Molly Anna models with Mary's Pineapple Pumpkin Lace.

And here are a few pictures of some of my family. I love seeing them all dressed up!

Princess Lilly

Bumble Bee Kyleigh

Wolf Man Darren

Autumn with her face painted at her school's Harvest Carnival.

Cowboy William

Jasee and Autumn as pumpkin-headed princesses.

Sammy and his evil twin; we are not sure which is which!

Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Friday FaceBook Contest

I try to have a contest on my FaceBook page every Friday. You can enter here:

facebook

I usually give one person their choice of any of my pfd patterns available on bellacrochet.com.

It is easy to enter, you just have to leave a comment on the post.

I hope you will drop by and enter!

Pineapple Pumpkin Lace: A Free Crochet Pattern For You

Lace covered pumpkins seem to be very popular this year. I have seen them on several blogs, so being the lover of all things crocheted that I am, I decided to design some crocheted lace to decorate my own pumpkins. I used a pineapple design, which is one of my favorites.

The nice thing about this design is that it doesn't scream "Halloween" (although it would certainly be a great decoration for Halloween), so it is good for those who don't decorate for Halloween, but still want to add a touch of Harvest or Autumn to their decor. It would be really pretty made in rust or burgundy thread for one of the white pumpkins, and would make a beautiful Thanksgiving decoration. It can also be used as a candle-mat doily, or stiffened and used as a wreath.

The pattern is the same for both the small and large sizes; you just use a larger hook and thread to make the larger size. The pattern calls for size 3 thread, but if you cannot find it, you can use 2 strands of size 10 thread held together as one, and you will get the same results.

The pattern starts with an Eyelet Foundation. If you are not familiar with this foundation, you can learn more about it here:
http://bellacrochet.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-make-crocheted-eyelet-foundation.html
I hope you will enjoy the pattern. Happy Fall, Y'all!

Pineapple Pumpkin Lace

By Elizabeth Ann White

for BellaCrochet

Skill Level: Intermediate

Materials:

For Small (about 10” across):
Size 10 Cotton thread
  150 yards black
1 yard 1/8” ribbon
Size 7 (1.65 mm) steel crochet hook
For Large (about 17” across):
Size 3 Cotton thread
  150 yards black
1 yard 1/8” ribbon
Size 00(3.50 mm) steel crochet hook

Special Stitches

For beginning shell (beg shell), (ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in sp indicated
For shell, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in sp indicated
For beginning double shell, (ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in sp indicated
For double shell, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in sp indicated
For 3 dc cluster, Yo, insert hook in st or ch sp indicated, yo, pull lp through, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook, (yo, insert hook in same st or ch sp, yo, pull through, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook) 2 times, yo, pull through all 4 lps on hook

Pineapple Pumpkin Lace

Rnd 1: For Eyelet Foundation, (ch 3, dc in 3^rd ch from hook) 32 times, join with sl st in first ch of first ch-3 to form a circle of 32 spaces; working into spaces by inserting hook between the dc and the ch-3 of each sp, sl st into first sp, beg shell (see Special Stitches) in first sp, ch 2, sc in next sp, ch 2, *shell (see Special Stitches) in next sp, ch 2, sc in next sp, ch 2; repeat from * around, join with sl st in top of ch-3 of beg shell. (16 shells, 16 sc, 32 ch-2 sps made)

Rnd 2: Sl st in next dc, (sl st, beg shell) in ch-2 sp of first shell, ch 3, skip  ch-2, skip sc, skip ch-2,  7 dc in ch-2 sp of next shell, ch 3, skip ch-2, skip sc, skip ch-2, *shell in ch-2 sp of next shell, ch 3, skip ch-2, skip sc, skip ch-2, 7 dc in ch-2 sp of next shell, ch 3, skip ch-2, skip sc, skip ch-2; repeat from * around, join.

Rnd 3: Sl st in next dc, (sl st, beg shell) in ch-2 sp of first shell, ch 3, skip next ch-3 sp, dc in next dc, (ch 1, dc in next dc) 6 times, ch 3, skip next ch-3 sp, *shell in ch-2 sp of next shell, ch 3, skip next ch-3 sp, dc in next dc, (ch 1, dc in next dc) 6 times, ch 3, skip next ch-3 sp; repeat from * around, join.

Rnd 4: Sl st in next dc, (sl st, beg shell) in ch-2 sp of first shell, ch 3, skip next ch-3 sp, skip next dc, (sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 3) 6 times, *shell in ch-2 sp of next shell, ch 3, skip next ch-3 sp, skip next dc, (sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 3) 6 times; repeat from * around, join.

Rnd 5: Sl st in next dc, beg double shell (see Special Stitches) in ch-2 sp of first shell, ch 3, skip next ch-3 sp, (sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3) 5 times, skip next ch-3 sp, *double shell (see Special Stitches) in ch-2 sp of next shell, ch 3, skip next ch-3 sp, (sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3) 5 times, skip next ch-3 sp; repeat from * around, join.

Row 6: Now working in Rows, for first Pineapple, sl st across to second ch-2 sp of first double shell, (sl st, beginning shell) in second ch-2 sp, ch 3, skip next ch-3 sp, (sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3) 4 times, skip next ch-3 sp, shell in first ch-2 sp of next double shell; leaving remaining stitches unworked, turn.

Row 7: Ch 3, shell in ch-2 sp of first shell, ch 3, skip next ch-3 sp, (sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3) 3 times, skip next ch-3 sp, shell in last shell, turn.

Row 8: Ch 3, shell in ch-2 sp of first shell, ch 3, skip next ch-3 sp, (sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3) 2 times, skip next ch-3 sp, shell in last shell, turn.

Row 9: Ch 3, shell in ch-2 sp of first shell, ch 3, skip next ch-3 sp, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, skip next ch-3 sp, shell in last shell, turn.

Row 10: Ch 3, shell in ch-2 sp of first shell, skip next ch-3 sp, skip next sc, skip next ch-3 sp, shell in last shell, turn.

Row 11: Ch 3, 3 dc cluster (see Special Stitches) in ch-2 sp of first shell, ch 6, sl st in 6^th ch from hook, ch 7, sl st in same ch last sl st was worked in, ch 5, sl st in same ch last sl st was worked in, 3 dc cluster in ch-2 sp of last shell, ch 3, sl st in top of last st on last shell. Fasten off.

Row 6: For Next Pineapple, join with sl st in next unworked ch-2 sp of last double  shell worked in, beg shell in same sp as joining, ch 3, skip next ch-3 sp, (sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3) 4 times, skip next ch-3 sp, shell in first ch-2 sp of next double shell; leaving any remaining stitches unworked, turn.

Rows 7-11: Work Rows 7-11 of First Pineapple.

Repeat Next Pineapple around for a total of 8 Pineapples.

Weave ribbon through spaces of Eyelet Foundation, tie ends in a bow. Trim ends of ribbon.

Special thanks go to E. J. Miller, Jolene Ortiz and Jewel Fernley for testing this pattern.

Copyright BellaCrochet 2011. All rights reserved. This pattern may not be copied (except for personal use in making the item), sold or shared in any form.

Update: If you would like to purchase an ad-free copy of this pattern for a small fee, please visit my Etsy shop:  Pumpkin Lace
I am offering a paid version of this pattern for the convenience of  my customers who prefer an easy to read, printable and ad-free PDF. You will be able to easily save the pattern to your Etsy account as well as your computer or other device.

My Love/Hate Affair With Red Thread

It is the time of year again that I start thinking about Christmas designs, and that always brings me back to one of my pet peeves of crocheting; the fact that red thread almost always bleeds onto other colors.

I love using red in my designs; to me there is nothing prettier than a red Irish rose.

The red Irish roses really make the Hummingbirds and Roses Doily

And honestly, I wouldn't know how to do a Christmas design without using red.

"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"

The cottage from "Christmas in Gingerbread Land"

But, through the years, I have learned through sad experience, that if I use red thread next to a lighter color in a design, the red will run onto it if the item ever gets wet.
I have been told by some that DMC thread is colorfast, but I have also heard stories that it will run, too. I have been told to soak the thread in salt water or vinegar; but I cannot figure out how to wind 350 yards of size 10 thread off of it's cardboard center and wash it, without ending up with a tangled mess. And honestly, who really wants to go to all that trouble just to be able to use a product that should be colorfast anyway?
So now, I just include a warning on my patterns that red thread tends to bleed, so be careful not to get it wet. Since most of my items do not get a lot of use (I use them for decoration, so they don't get dirty) this works for me.

Vintage potholders from the 40's

A few rust stains, but no bleeding of the colors!

But here is the odd thing; I have in my collection several old doilies and potholders made in the 30's, 40's and 50's. Some of them have red roses on white backgrounds; some are red with white trim, some are white with red edging. All of them have obviously been washed, but none of them have the bleeding that happens on my new designs.
So, my question is this; if it was possible to  make colorfast red thread in the past, why can't it be made now?
I hope some smart thread company will come out with a red thread that is truly colorfast; when they do, I know  they will make many crocheters happy.

Stella Luna and Trick or Treat Patterns Are Now Available

The 'Stella Luna Doily' pattern is now available on BellaCrochet.com:

stellaluna

 I love her stockings and boots!

 The pattern for the 'Trick or Treat Doily' is a gift with the purchase of Stella Luna.

I have had a few people ask if they could buy just the Trick or Treat pattern. If you would like to purchase it separately, I have listed it on Ravelry as a single pattern. You do not have to be a member of Ravelry to purchase patterns from them, although it is free and a wonderful site.

trickortreat

I have started a new doily that will be an Angel of Thanksgiving. I hope to have her available next month.