Candle Light and Holly Doily and Mini Doily: A Free Crochet Pattern

NOTE: The Candle Light and Holly Doily and Mini Doily pattern set was the very first Christmas design that I self-published, almost 10 years ago. At the time, I was asked to use a product called Liquid Beadz on the leaves. This product just added a beaded effect to the leaves, but I think they are just as lovely without it. If you cannot find it, don't worry, it is completely optional.
There are two patterns in this set, a Doily and Mini Doily. The photo below shows the Doily surrounded by several Mini Doilies. It is a very versatile design, as you can make as many of each size as you need to create your own candle light display.
I am pleased to be able to offer this design to you as a free pattern. It has always been one of my favorites, and I hope you will enjoy it. Merry Christmas!!! 

Candle Light and Holly Doily

designed by Elizabeth Ann White

Size: About 13” 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

Materials for Doily: 
Size 10 Crochet Cotton Thread: 
  150 yards Cream 
  75 yards Cardinal (dk red) 
  75 yards Myrtle Green 
36 - 8mm. red faceted beads 
1 container green Liquid Beadz (optional) 
Plastic Knife for spreading beads 
Fabric Starch Plastic Wrap (for shaping) 
Fabric Glue or low temp glue gun 
Glass Ivy Bowl 
1 yard 1” red satin ribbon 
Size 7 (1.65mm)  Steel Hook

Special Stitches:
For Beg Small Shell (beg sm shell):  (sl st, ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in st or ch sp indicated
For Small Shell (sm shell): (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in st or ch sp indicated
For Beg Large Shell (beg lrg shell): (sl st, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in st or ch sp indicated
For Large Shell (lrg shell): (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in st or ch sp indicated

                                                                           
Candle Light and Holly Doily 
Rnd 1:  For Eyelet Foundation (see tutorial here: Eyelet Foundation),  with cream, (ch 3, dc in 3rd ch from hook) 24 times, join with sl st in first ch to form a circle; working in ch sps on one side of Eyelet Foundation by inserting hook between the ch-3 and dc of each space, (sl st, beg sm shell-see Special Stitches- ch 1) in first ch sp, (sm shell-see Special Stitches-ch 1) in each ch sp around, join with sl st in top of ch-3. (24 sm shells made)
Rnd 2: Sl st into ch sp of first shell, beg sm shell in first shell, ch 1, (sm shell, ch 1) in each shell around, join.
Rnds 3 -4:  Sl st to center of first shell, beg sm shell in first shell, ch 2, (sm shell in next shell, ch 2) around, join.
Rnds 5-6: Sl st to center of first shell, beg lrg shell (see Special Stitches) in first shell, ch 2, (lrg shell-see Special Stitches- in next shell, ch 2) around, join.
Rnds 7-8: Sl st to center of first shell, beg lrg shell in first shell, ch 3, (lrg shell in next shell, ch 3) around, join. 
Rnds 9-10: Sl st to center of first shell, beg lrg shell in first shell, ch 4, (lrg shell in next shell, ch 4) around, join.                                                                        
Rnd 11: Sl st to center of first shell, (sl st, ch 3, 3 dc, ch 2, 4 dc, ch 4) in first shell, (4 dc, ch 2, 4 dc, ch 4) in each shell around, join. 
Rnd 12: Sl st across into first ch-2 sp, ch 5 (counts as first tr & ch 1), (tr, ch 1) 8 times in first ch-2 sp, sc in next ch-4 sp, ch 1, *(tr, ch 1) 9 times in next ch-2 sp, sc in next ch4 sp, ch 1; repeat from * around, join with sl st in 4th ch of ch-5. Fasten off. (24 scallops made)
Rnd 13: Join dk red with sc in first ch-1 sp of first scallop, (ch 3, sc in next ch sp) 9 times, *sc in first ch sp of next scallop, (ch 3, sc in next ch sp) 9 times; repeat from * around, join. Fasten off. 
Center Ruffle 
Rnd 1: Working in ch sps on opposite side of Foundation, join cream with sl st in first ch sp, beg sm shell in first ch sp, ch 1, (sm shell, ch 1) in each ch sp around, join.
Rnd 2: Sl st into ch sp of first shell, (beg sm shell, ch 1) in first shell, (sm shell, ch 1) in each shell around, join.
Rnd 3: Sl st into ch sp of first shell, (beg lrg shell, ch 2) in first shell, (lrg shell, ch 2) in each shell around, join. Fasten off.
Rnd 4: Join dk red with sc in ch sp of first shell, (ch 3, sc) in same shell, ch 3, sc in next ch sp, ch 3, *(sc, ch 3, sc) in ch sp of next shell, ch 3, sc in next ch sp, ch 3; repeat from * around, join. Fasten off. 

Holly Leaf (make 18) 
With green, (ch 3, dc in 3rd ch from hook) 4 times (Foundation made); working in ch sps of Foundation, ch 1, 3 sc in first ch sp, [2 dc, 2 tr, ch 3, sl st in top of last tr made, tr, 2 dc] in next ch sp, repeat between [ ] in next ch sp, (3 sc, ch 3, sl st in top of last sc made, 2 sc) in ch sp at end of Foundation; working on opposite side of Foundation, repeat between [ ] in each of next 2 ch sps, 3 sc in last ch sp, join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off. 
See Finishing instructions at end of pattern.

The completed Doily.
This style is often called a "candle mat doily" because the opening in the center is perfect for placing candles. 

Candle Light and Holly Mini Doily

Size: About 6 1/2” across. 

Materials for One Mini Doily:
 Size 10 Crochet Cotton Thread: 
  75 yards Cream 
  25 yards Cardinal (dk red) 
  25 yards Myrtle Green 
9 - 8mm. red faceted beads 
1/3 container green Liquid Beadz (optional) 
Plastic Knife for spreading beads 
Fabric Starch 
Plastic Wrap (for shaping) 
Glass Votive Candle Holder 
Size 7 (1.65mm) Steel Hook

Special Stitches: 
For Beg Small Shell (beg sm shell): (sl st, ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in st or ch sp indicated 
For Small Shell (sm shell): (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in st or ch sp indicated 
For Beg Large Shell (beg lrg shell): (sl st, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in st or ch sp indicated 
For Large Shell (lrg shell):  (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in st or ch sp indicated

Candle Light and Holly Mini Doily
Rnd 1: For Eyelet Foundation (see tutorial here: Eyelet Foundation), with cream, (ch 3, dc in 3rd ch from hook) 15 times,  join with sl st in first ch to form a circle; working in ch sps on one side of Eyelet Foundation by inserting hook between ch-3 and dc of each space, (sl st, beg sm shell-see Special Stitches- ch 1) in first ch sp, (sm shell-see Special Stitches- ch 1) in each ch sp around, join with sl st in top of ch-3. (15 sm shells made)
Rnd 2:  Sl st to center of first shell, beg sm shell in first shell, ch 2, (sm shell in next shell, ch 2) around, join.
Rnd 3: Sl st to center of first shell, beg lrg shell (see Special Stitches) in first shell, ch 2, (lrg shell- see Special Stitches- in next shell, ch 2) around, join.
Rnd 4: Sl st to center of first shell, beg lrg shell in first shell, ch 3, (lrg shell in next shell, ch 3) around, join.
Rnd 5: Sl st across into ch sp of first shell, ch 5 (counts as first tr & ch 1), (tr, ch 1) 6 times in first shell, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, *(tr, ch 1) 7 times in ch sp of next shell, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1; repeat from * around, join. Fasten off. (15 scallops made)
Rnd 6: Join dk red with sc in first ch-1 sp of first scallop, (ch 3, sc in next ch sp) 7 times, *sc in first ch sp of next scallop, (ch 3, sc in next ch sp) 7 times; repeat from * around, join. Fasten off. 

Center Ruffle 
Rnd 1: Working in unworked  ch sps on opposite side of Eyelet Foundation, join cream with sl st in first ch sp, beg sm shell in first ch sp, ch 1, (sm shell, ch 1) in each ch sp around, join.
Rnd 2: Sl st into ch sp of first shell, (beg sm shell, ch 1) in first shell, (sm shell, ch 1) in each shell around, join.
Rnd 3: Sl st into ch sp of first shell, (beg lrg shell, ch 2) in first shell, (lrg shell, ch 2) in each shell around, join. Fasten off.
Rnd 4: Join red with sc in ch sp of first shell, (ch 3, sc) in same shell, ch 3, sc in next ch sp, ch 3, *(sc, ch 3, sc) in ch sp of next shell, ch 3, sc in next ch sp, ch 3; repeat from * around, join. Fasten off.

Holly Leaf (make 6) 

With green, (ch 3, dc in 3rd ch from hook) 4 times (Foundation made); working in ch sps of Foundation, ch 1, 3 sc in first ch sp, [2 dc, 2 tr, ch 3, sl st in top of last tr made, tr, 2 dc] in next ch sp, repeat between [ ] in next ch sp, (3 sc, ch 3, sl st in top of last sc made, 2 sc) in ch sp at end of Foundation; working on opposite side of Foundation, repeat between [ ] in each of next 2 ch sps, 3 sc in last ch sp, join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off. 

Finishing For Doily and Mini Doily 

1: If using Liquid Beads, spread beads thinly over each Leaf and allow to dry thoroughly. 

2: Place Doily and Mini Doily on padded surface and spray with fabric starch, using wads of plastic wrap to shape ruffles. Allow to dry. 

3: Glue 16 Leaves evenly spaced around Doily (remaining 2 leaves will be used on bow) and 6 Leaves to each Mini Doily. Glue red beads to Leaves.

4: Place glass ivy bowl in center opening of Doily. Tie ribbon around ivy bowl and glue remaining leaves to ribbon. Glue red beads to leaves.

5: Place glass votive candle holder in center of Mini Doily.

Candle Light and Holly Doily surrounded by 6 Mini Doilies

 Vikki Hooks created this beautiful Doily and Mini Doilies set, and has graciously allowed me to use her photo. 

If you would like to purchase an ad-free copy of this pattern for a small fee, please visit my Etsy shop:  Candle Light and Holly
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 save the pattern to your Etsy account as well as your computer or other device.

Copyright BellaCrochet 2008. All rights reserved. Please do not redistribute or share this pattern; do not post it (or any portion of it) on any website. DO NOT make videos or tutorials of it for distribution on YouTube or any other site. You may share the link to the pattern only (and link shares are greatly appreciated, please tell your crocheting friends who might enjoy this pattern!) 

This pattern has been tested for accuracy and clarity, and I can offer no additional information, photos or help with it.

If you have enjoyed this design, I hope you will check out all my other free patterns: