Merry Christmas!

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

Let nothing you dismay

Remember, Christ, our Saviour 

Was born on Christmas day

To save us all from Satan's power

When we were gone astray

O Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Comfort and Joy

O Tidings of Comfort and Joy!

Merry Christmas!

Country Rose Decorative Potholder: A Free Crochet Pattern For You

Instead of a Friday contest, I am giving everyone a pattern again today!

This is my Country Rose Decorative Potholder. Please notice that it is a 'decorative' potholder, it is not thick enough to protect you from hot pans or items. Some people line them so that they can actually be used as potholders. But, I just  think of them as a kind of  little doily for the kitchen.
I hope you will enjoy the pattern!

Country Rose Decorative Potholder

By  Elizabeth Ann White

For BellaCrochet

Important notice: Please note, that while this type of  design is  traditionally called a“pot holder”  it is intended to be used as a decorative item only. The size 10 thread from which it is made is not thick enough to protect you from burns. Please do not use it  to handle hot items, or to protect surfaces from hot pots or pans.

Size: About 7” across

Skill Level: Intermediate- for those who are familiar with working with size 10 thread and steel hooks, and who have a thorough understanding of the basics of crochet

Special Stitches:
For Eyelet Space (eyelet sp), (ch 4, tr in 4^th ch from hook) To work into eyelet sp, insert hook between the ch-4 and the tr of each sp

For Shell, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in st or sp indicated

Materials:

Size 10 Crochet Cotton Thread:
  100 yards each Red and Cream

   50 yards Green

   25 yards Yellow

1” Plastic ring for Hanging Ring

Heavy Spray Starch

Tapestry needle

Size 7 (1.65mm) steel Crochet Hook

Front

Rnd 1: With yellow, ch 6, sl st in first ch to form ring, ch 3 for first dc, 15 dc in ring, join with sl st in top of ch-3. (First ch-3 counts as first dc; 16 dc made. Right side of Rnd 1 is right side of work)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 5, skip next dc, (sc in next dc, ch 5, skip next dc) around, join iwht sl st in first sc. Fasten off. (8 ch-5 sps made)

Rnd 3: Join red with sc in first ch-5 sp, (ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1, sc) in same sp as joining, (sc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1, sc) in each ch-5 sp around, join with sl st in first sc. (8 petals made)

Rnd 4: Ch 5, (sl st between next 2 petals, ch 5) around, join with sl st in first ch of first ch-5.

Rnd 5: Ch 1, (sc, ch 1, 6 dc, ch 1, sc) in each ch-5 sp around, join with sl st in first sc.

Rnd 6: Ch 6, (sl st between next 2 petals, ch 6) around, join with sl st in first ch of first ch-6.

Rnd 7: Ch 1, (sc, ch 1, 8 dc, ch 1, sc) in each ch-6 sp around, join with sl st in first sc.

Rnd 8: Ch 7, (sl st between next 2 petals, ch 7) around, join with sl st in first ch of first ch-7.

Rnd 9: Ch 1,* (sc, ch 1, 10 dc, ch 1, sc) in next petal, ch 1; repeat from * around, join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off.

Leaves

For first Leaf Group, join green with sc in ch-1 sp between first and second petals, (ch 11, hdc in 3^rd ch from hook, dc in each of next 8 chs, sc in same ch-1 sp as joining) 3 times. Fasten off.

For second Leaf Group, join green with sc in ch-1 sp between 3^rd and 4^th petals, (ch 11, hdc in 3^rd ch from hook, dc in each of next 8 chs, sc in same ch-1 sp as joining) 3 times. Fasten off.

For third Leaf Group, join green with sc in ch-1 sp between 5^th and 6^th petals, (ch 11, hdc in 3^rd ch from hook, dc in each of next 8 chs, sc in same ch-1 sp as joining) 3 times. Fasten off.

For fourth Leaf Group, join green with sc in ch-1 sp between 7^th and 8^th petals, (ch 11, hdc in 3^rd ch from hook, dc in each of next 8 chs, sc in same ch-1 sp as joining) 3 times. Fasten off.

Rnd 10: Join red with sc in tip of first leaf on first Leaf Group, work 2 eyelet sps (see Special Stitches), sc in tip of center leaf on first Leaf Group, work 2 eyelet sps, sc in tip of last leaf on first Leaf Group, work 4 eyelet sps, *sc in tip of first leaf on next Leaf Group, work 2 eyelet sps, sc in tip of center leaf on same Leaf Group, work 2 eyelet sps, sc in last leaf on same Leaf Group, work 4 eyelet sps; repeat from * around, join with sl st in first sc. (32 eyelet sps made)

Rnd 11: Sl st into first eyelet sp (insert hook between the ch-4 and the tr), (ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in first eyelet sp, shell (see Special Stitches) in each remaining eyelet sp around, join with sl st in top of ch-3. Fasten off.

Back

Rnd 1: With cream, ch 6, sl st in first ch to form ring, ch 3 for first dc, 15 dc in ring, join with sl st in top of ch-3. (Ch-3 counts as first dc; 16 dc made. Right side of Rnd 1 is right side of work)

Rnd 2: (Ch 3, dc) in first st, 2 dc in each st around, join with sl st in top of ch-3. (32 dc)

Rnd 3: (Ch 3, dc) in first st, dc in next st, (2 dc in next st, dc in next st) around, join. (48 dc)

Rnd 4: (Ch 3, dc) in first st, dc in each of next 2 dc, (2 dc in next st, dc in each of next 2 dc) around, join. (64 dc)

Rnd 5: (Ch 3, dc) in first st, dc in each of next 3 dc, (2 dc in next st, dc in each of next 3 dc) around, join. (80 dc)

Rnd 6: (Ch 3, dc) in first st, dc in each of next 4 dc, (2 dc in next st, dc in each of next 4 dc) around, join. (96 dc)

Rnd 7: (Ch 3, dc) in first st, dc in each of next 5 dc, (2 dc in next st, dc in each of next 5 dc) around, join. (112 dc)

Rnd 8: (Ch 3, dc) in first st, dc in each of next 6 dc, (2 dc in next st, dc in each of next 6 dc) around, join. (128 dc)

Rnd 9: Ch 3 for first dc, dc in each dc around, join. Fasten off. (128 dc)

Rnd 10: Join red with sl st in first st, (ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same st as joining, skip next 3 dc, (shell in next dc, skip next 3 dc) around, join with sl st in top of ch-3. Fasten off.

Joining

Rnd 11: Place Front on top of Back with right sides of both facing;  matching stitches and working through both thicknesses as one, join cream with sc in ch-2 sp of first shell, ch 1, (tr, ch 1) 7 times in ch-2 sp of next shell, *sc in ch-2 sp of next shell, ch 1, (tr, ch 1) 7 times in ch-2 sp of next shell; repeat from * around, join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off. (16 scallops made)

Rnd 12: Join red with sc in first ch-1 sp on first scallop, (ch 3, sc in next ch-1 sp) 7 times, *sc in first ch-1 sp on next scallop, (ch 3, sc in next ch-1 sp) 7 times; repeat from * around, join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off.

Hanging Ring

Join red with a sl st around plastic ring, ch 1, work 40 sc in ring, join with sl st in first sc. Leaving a 12” end of thread, fasten off.

Here is a video from AA showing how to sc around a ring:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V3QR7L5Ds4

Finishing:
1: Place Potholder on blocking surface, spray with heavy starch. Shape and allow to dry.

2: Using 12” end of thread and tapestry needle, sew Ring to back of Potholder. 

Copyright BellaCrochet 2014. All rights reserved.  Please do not distribute or post this pattern on any website, group or page; please share the Link to this page only. 

Special thanks go to Jewel Fernley and E. J. Miller for testing this pattern. I don't know what I would do without my awesome testers!

You may like some of my other free patterns:

  

Precious Memories of Crochet: Rosina's Story

Today Rosina Smith shares a beautiful story about her mother's legacy of love and crochet. Here is Rosina's Story:

May I take up a little space here to talk about my mother? 

After Mother passed away, one of my brothers visited me with what little remained of Mother's crochet and knitting supplies. Wadded up in a small box were eleven snowflakes Mother had crocheted, all in different designs, never blocked and finished; apparently she had something in mind, but I had no idea what it was. Since she had exactly eleven granddaughters and grandsons, I decided to wash, starch, and sprinkle with Twinkle Bead each snowflake, add a hanger, and tuck each one into a Christmas card for each of her grandchildren. The card also contained a letter from me, explaining the story of the snowflakes. My hope was that the snowflake would bring them a little comfort at the recent loss of their beloved Grandma.

Would you believe ALL eleven of Mother's grandchildren – even the grandsons – either called me or emailed me to tearfully tell me what it meant to them to have one of their Grandma's snowflakes? My mother was so loved by everyone. A simple gesture of love on my part, to forward their Grandma's love, meant the world to all of them.

Please don't ever think that some small act on your part will not mean the world to someone else! Treasure your opportunities to be of service to others. The love and gratitude you receive in return will be so much more than what you gave. Although it might take years for you to receive the blessings of your act, those blessings will come.

Rosina's mother's needle gauge

Thank you, Rosina for sharing your story!

All photos used courtesy of  Rosina Smith. 

Country Cottage and Tree Ornaments; A Free Crochet Pattern for You

 Are you ready for Christmas yet? I am working hard towards my goal of releasing a new free pattern every week during the month of December. Here is this weeks pattern, the little Country Cottage and Tree Ornaments. I hope you will enjoy them!

Country Cottage and Tree Ornaments

By Elizabeth Ann White

For BellaCrochet

Size: Cottage is about 3”; Tree is about 3 ½”

Gauge: 4 dc rows = 1”; Rnds 1-4 of Cottage = 2” across

Skill Level: Intermediate   For those who are familiar with working with size 10 thread and steel hooks, and who have a thorough understanding of the basics of crochet

Country Cottage

Materials for Cottage:
Size 10 Crochet Cotton Thread:  

   75  yards each Cream and Red

   50 yards   Brown  

   20 yards Blue

   Small amount Yellow

Small amount of fiberfill (to stuff Cottage)

2 yards scrap red yarn,  cut into 6” lengths (to stuff Roof)

About 5”x 9” piece of light weight cardboard or  poster board

Small amount transparent adhesive tape

Fabric Glue

Heavy spray starch

Size 7 (1.65mm) Steel Crochet Hook

Cottage

Bottom and Walls

Rnd 1: With brown, ch 4, 11 dc in 4^th ch from hook, join with sl st in top of ch-4. (First 3 chs count as first dc; 12 dc made)

Rnd 2: (Ch 3, dc) in first st, 2 dc in each st around, join. (24 dc)

Rnd 3: (Ch 3, dc) in first st, dc in next st, (2 dc in next st, dc in next st) around, join. (36 dc)

Rnd 4: (Ch 3, dc) in first st, dc in each of next 2 sts, (2 dc in next st, dc in next st) around, join. Fasten off. (48 dc)

Place crocheted piece on cardboard and trace around it (circle should be 2”.) Cut a circle from cardboard, cutting slightly on the inside of the line (you want the circle to be just a bit smaller than the crocheted piece.)

Rnd 5: Working this round in back lps only, join cream with sl st in first, ch 3,  dc in each st around, join. (48 dc)

Rnds 6-10: Ch 3, dc in each dc around, join. At end of last round, fasten off.

Roof

Rnd 1: With red, ch 4, 9 dc in 4^th ch from hook, join with sl st in top of ch-4. (First 3 chs count as  first dc; 10 dc made)

Rnd 2: (Ch 3, dc) in first st, 2 dc in each st around, join with sl st in top of ch-3. (20 dc)

Rnd 3: (Ch 3, dc) in first st, dc in next st, (2 dc in next st, dc in next st) around, join with sl st in top of ch-3. (30 dc)

Rnd 4: (Ch 3, dc) in first st, dc in each of next 2 dc, (2 dc in next st, dc in each of next 2 dc) around, join. (40 dc)

Rnd 5: (Ch 3, dc) in first st, dc in each of next 3 dc, (2 dc in next st, dc in each of next 3 dc) around, join. (50 dc)

Rnds 6 & 7: Ch 3, dc in each dc around, join. (50 dc)

Rnd 8: (Ch 1, sc, ch 2, dc) in first st, skip next st, *(sc, ch 2, dc) in next st, skip next st; repeat from * around, join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off.

Door

Row 1: With blue, ch 9, dc in 4^th ch from hook, dc in each of next 4 chs, 7 dc in ch at end; working in remaining lps on opposite side of starting ch, dc in each of next 5 chs, 2 dc in last ch. Fasten off. (First 3 chs count as first dc; 19 dc made)

Window (make 2)

Row 1: With yellow, ch 5, sc in second ch from hook, sc in each of next 2 chs, 5 sc in ch at end; working in remaining lps on opposite side of starting ch, sc in each ch across. Fasten off. (11 sc made)

Row 2: Working in back lps only, join blue with sc in first sc, sc in each sc around, join with tr in base of first sc. Fasten off.

 

Joining with a tr in base of first sc.

Finishing

1: Place Door and Windows on a blocking surface. Spray with starch, shape and allow to dry.

2: Cut a  1 ½” by 8” strip  from poster board. Place the 2” circle of poster board that you cut earlier inside the Cottage. Place 1 ½” strip of poster board inside Cottage, overlapping short ends to fit. Tape the strip so that it fits snuggly against the sides of the Cottage.

3: Glue Door and Windows to Cottage as shown in photos. Allow to dry.

4: Place a small amount of fiberfill inside Cottage. Place red yarn inside Roof.

5: Run a bead of glue around top edge of Cottage. Keeping red yarn inside Roof, carefully place Roof on Cottage so that the glue touches the inside of the Roof. Allow glue to dry.

6: For hanging loop (optional) cut a 8” strand of red thread. Insert one end of strand under and around ch-3 on Rnd 2 of Roof, pull end of strand through. Tie both ends together to form a loop.

Trees

Tree With Cream Edging

Materials:
Size 10 Crochet Cotton Thread:  

   75  yards Green

   25 yards Cream

2 yards scrap green yarn, cut into 6” lengths (to stuff Tree)

Size 7 (1.65mm) Steel Crochet Hook

Tree with Cream Edging

Rnd 1: With green, ch 4, 7 dc in 4^th ch from hook, join with sl st in top of ch-4. (First 3 chs count as first dc; 8 dc made)

Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc in each dc around, join. (8 dc)

Rnd 3: (Ch 3, dc) in first st, 2 dc in each dc around, join. (16 dc)

Rnd 4: Ch 3, dc in each dc around, join. (16 dc)

Rnd 5: (Ch 3, dc) in first st, dc in next dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc) around, join. (24 dc)

Rnd 6: Ch 3, dc in each dc around, join. (24 dc)

Rnd 7: (Ch 3, dc) in first st, dc in each of next 2 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in each of next 2 dc) around, join. (32 dc)

Rnd 8: Ch 3, dc in each dc around, join. (32 dc)

Rnd 9: (Ch 3,dc) in first st, dc in each of next 3 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in each of next 3 dc) around, join. (40 dc)

Rnd 10: Ch 3, dc in each dc around, join. (40 dc)

Rnd 11: (Ch 3, dc) in first st, dc in each of next 4 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in each of next 4 dc) around, join. (48 dc)

Rnd 12: Ch 3, dc in each dc around, join. Fasten off. (48 dc)

Rnd 13: Working this round in front lps only, join cream with sc in first st, ch 3, skip next dc, (sc in next dc, ch 3, skip next dc) around; do not join or fasten off, continue on with Edging.

Note: To sc around post of dc, insert hook from front to back and to front again around post of dc  indicated, yo, pull through, yo, work off 2 lps on hook.

For First Round of  Edging, working around posts of dc sts on Rnds 12-1 (see Note above),   ch 3, sc around post of first st on Rnd 12 (this is actually the ch-3 at the beginning of the round), ch 3, skip next dc, (sc around post of next dc, ch 3, skip next dc) around, ;

For Next Round of Edging, *sc around post of first st on next round, ch 3, skip next dc, (sc around post of next dc, ch 3, skip next dc) around*;

For Remaining Rounds of Edging, repeat between* and  * until all rounds have been worked. At end of last round, join with sl st in first sc of round. Fasten off.

Solid Green Tree

Materials:
Size 10 Crochet Cotton Thread:  

   100  yards Green

2 yards scrap green yarn,  cut into 6” lengths (to stuff Tree)

Size 7 (1.65mm) Steel Crochet Hook

Solid Green Tree

Rnds 1-12: Work the same as for Tree with Cream Edging through Rnd 12, but at end of Rnd 12, do not fasten off. 

Rnd 13: Working this round in front lps only,  sc in first st, ch 3, skip next dc, (sc in next dc, ch 3, skip next dc) around; do not join or fasten off, continue on with Green to work Edging the same as for Tree with Cream Edging.  

Bottom for Tree (make one for each Tree)

Rnd 1: With green, ch 4, 11 dc in 4^th ch from hook, join with sl st in top of ch-4. (First 3 chs count as first dc; 12 dc made)

Rnd 2: (Ch 3, dc) in first st, 2 dc in each st around, join with sl st in top of ch-3. (24 dc)

Rnd 3: (Ch 3, dc) in first st, dc in next st, (2 dc in next st, dc in next st) around, join. (36 dc)

Rnd 4: (Ch 3, dc) in first st, dc in each of next 2 sts, (2 dc in next st, dc in next st) around, join. Fasten off. (48 dc)

 Finishing

1: Stuff Tree with scraps of green yarn.

2: Hold  Tree and Bottom together;  matching  remaining back lps of stitches on Rnd 13 of Tree and stitches of Rnd 4 on Bottom and working through both thickness, join green thread  with sl st in first st, sl st in each st around, join with sl st in first sl st. Fasten off.

3: For hanging loop (optional) cut a 8” strand of green thread. Insert one end of strand under and around the  ch-3 on Rnd 2 of Tree, pull the end of the strand through. Tie both ends together to form a loop. Trim ends.

Merry Christmas!

 Special thanks go to E.J. Miller, Jolene Ortiz and  Jewel Fernly for testing these patterns. They have been real troupers, helping me to get out a pattern every week during the busiest time of year!

If you enjoy this pattern, I hope you will check out some of my other free patterns:

 Copyright BellaCrochet 2014. All rights reserved. Please do not distribute or post this pattern on any website, group or page; please share the Link to this page only. 

Spotlight on a Crocheter: Jolene’s Name Doilies

 Jolene Ortiz is a very talented crocheter, who has found a way to make some extra money doing what she loves. Jolene makes customized name doilies, as well as many other intricate and beautiful doilies, to sell. I am fortunate to have Jolene as a tester for my patterns, and I greatly appreciate her amazing crochet  skills and eye for detail!
I asked Jolene if she would share  her expertise  in crocheting and selling  crochet work, and she kindly agreed. 
Here is what she has to say:

Jolene, will you tell us a bit about yourself? 

I have been a public employee for 26 years, doing all different types of office work. I started the year I graduated from high school and have moved around to several different types of jobs.   I have been married for 21 years to my husband Jim.  I have a 19 year old daughter named Samantha, a 31 year old stepson named Joe and a 25 year old stepdaughter named Heidi.  I like to crochet and I also like to scrapbook (but haven’t done it in years – I have lots of pictures to catch up on!)  I love going to the casino and vacationing in Las Vegas!  I was married in Las Vegas at the drive through wedding chapel, that shows how much I like Las Vegas.

How (and when) did you learn to crochet? What are some of your favorite things to crochet?

I learned to crochet as a child.  I used to watch my mom crochet mittens, hats and slippers and couldn’t wait to try it out. I learned how to crochet but didn’t really do too much of it.  When I was in my 20’s I picked up a thread crochet book and some thread and have been going strong ever since.  I prefer to crochet with thread and love making doilies. I find it amazing what you can create with thread!

When did you start making the name doilies? How did you get started?

I started make name doilies about 10 years ago, I was in need of extra cash for Christmas.  I was in a crochet group and a woman in the group had so many orders at Christmas time.  I asked her about it and I bought a book and made a listing on Ebay.  I got my first order pretty quickly and was still making my “sample” name doily.  Over the years I have made hundreds of name doilies and have sold to people all over the world.  I get a kick out of the fact that items I have made are as far away as Australia!

What size thread and hook do you use for your name doilies?

I always use size 10 thread and B1 – 2.25 mm Susan Bates hook.

How many doilies do you make on average each year?

I would say on average I complete at least a few doilies per month, time permitting I would do a few a week.  My job cuts into my crochet time.   

What is the longest or most difficult doily you have ever made?

The longest doily I ever crocheted was a beautiful runner I made for my mother in laws sofa table.  I would guess it was about 4 feet long.

How do you set your prices on the items you sell?

I really have no set way of pricing items , normally I see what else is out there and price my similar to sold items.

Where do you get most of your orders from?

Most of my orders come from Ebay.

How long does it take you to make a name doily?  

Generally I can finish a name doily pretty quickly if I have time to focus on it.  But because I work it is normally a few days to complete a name doily.  If I receive multiple orders, I do them on a first come first serve basis.  I also find out if there is a particular time that the doily is needed for.  I try to accommodate special time requests as best I can.

Do you do any finishing on them (blocking or framing?)

When I finish the name doily I wash and lay out flat to dry.  I don’t normally pin my doilies, I gauge it by eye and usually will measure to make sure that things are even.  I don’t spray starch or anything on my doilies before I send them out, I figure I don’t like them starched and I will leave it up to the person purchasing it whether they want to starch it or not.

Do you make your name doilies year round or just at Christmas time? 

I make regular and name doilies all year round, but my focus on name doilies is usually from October through December.  Last year I had a name doily request the week before Christmas and I was able to get it finished and out to the buyer so they could deliver it for Christmas.

Have you ever made a mistake on a doily or had any kind of funny or interesting incident you would like to share?

I have done LOTS of frogging but nothing too interesting.

Well, I think all of Jolene's work is interesting, and lovely, too! Thank you for sharing your story with us, Jolene!
You can follow Jolene on Facebook here: Crochet By Jo

All photos used courtesy of Jolene Ortiz.