And the Winner Is:

Kaylene 

Kaylene, if you will send me an email and let me know which pattern you would like, I will get it right out to you.

Today is the first day of the Threadie  Facebook group's February Crochet Along (CAL.)
We will be making this gorgeous Diamond Points Crochet-A-Long Doily, designed by Cylinda Mathews of Crochet Memories. If you have not already, I hope you will join us! I think it is going to be lots of fun!
Threadies

Thanks to everyone who entered the contest!

Diana's Doily and a Contest

Recently, Diana Dwyer sent me these pictures of the Ruby's Valentine Doily that she had made. I loved her use of colors in the doily! She explained how she came to use this particular combination:

Photos used courtesy of Diana Dwyer.  

Diana says:

 I couldn’t wait to try this pattern, so I went into my "stash" of thread. I thought I’d have enough of the candy pink to do it, but after the flower, I knew better. So I went back to my  stash and found I had little bit left of 2 other pink shades. I didn't want it to look like I ran out of thread so this is what I came up with. 

You did a beautiful job, Diana!

But, it is Friday, so how about a contest? I will give one person their choice of any PDF pattern in my Etsy shop,  bellacrochetEtsy. The pattern will be  in PDF form and will be sent as an attachment to an email. I do not have printed copies of my patterns available; no printed patterns can be mailed. 
I will select the winner at random, and send out the patterns in the morning (Saturday.) I will post the name of the winner here, so be sure to check back in the morning to see if you won. If I do not hear back from the winner within 7 days, I will select a new winner. Failure to contact me within 7 days  will result in the forfeiture of all prizes. 

Also, if you post anonymously, please be sure I have a way to identify you (at least give your first name or a nick name in your comment; I have no way of knowing who is posting.) You can also leave your email address with your comment so I can notify you if you win, but this is optional. 

To enter, just leave a comment here on the blog answering this question:

Do you usually use the colors called for in a pattern, or do you like to change things up and select your own color scheme? 

This contest is now closed, please stop by again soon!

A Tip from Rosina: How to Secure Thread On the Ball

Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we throw 20 balls of crochet thread into a storage tub!
How do you store your balls of crochet thread? I have several big plastic bins that I keep mine in, and even though I try to keep them as orderly as possible, I still get the occasional tangled mess!
Rosina Smith came up with an easy way to keep  thread securely on the ball, preventing the loose ends from  becoming tangled. Here is Rosina's method of preparing a ball of thread for storage.

Here is how I secure my threads on the ball: 
1. Slide the crochet hook under a few strands of thread that are wound on the ball. 

2. Yarn over the loose end of the thread and slide that loose end under the already wound strands. Voila! No loose ends flying around in my storage tub!

What a wonderful idea, Rosina! Now why didn't I think of that?  

Sweet and Simple Scarflette with Rolled Rose: A Free Crochet Pattern For You

Today I have the pattern for a Sweet and Simple Scarflette for you. It is trimmed with a pretty little rolled rose which begins with an Eyelet Foundation. You can wear the scarflette lots of different ways, and it is super easy to make; it is just rows of sc worked in back loops only. 

I hope you will enjoy it!

Size: Scarflette is about 6 1/2 ” x 26” long. Finished Rose is about 3" across. 

Skill Level: Easy —for those thoroughly familiar with the basics of crochet.  

Materials:

Worsted Yarn:

  2 oz. Main Color (I recommend using a soft yarn, such as Caron Simply Soft)

  1 oz. Flower Color

  Small amount Leaf Color

Tapestry needle

Pin back or large safety pin

Fabric Glue (optional)

I (5.5mm) Crochet Hook

Gauge: 4 sc = 1”; 4 back lp sc rows = 1”

Scarflette

Row 1: With Main Color, ch 26, sc in second ch from hook, sc in each ch across, turn. (25 sc made)

Row 2: Ch 2, working in back lps only, sc in each st across, turn. (25 sc made)

Repeat Row 2 until piece measures 26” long. At end of last row, fasten off.

Note: The Rose begins with an Eyelet Foundation. You can find a tutorial on this technique here:

EyeletFoundationTutorial

Rose

With Flower Color, for Eyelet Foundation (see Note above), (ch 4, dc in 4^th ch from hook) 11 times (11 Foundation ch sps made); working in  Foundation ch sps  by inserting hook between ch-4 and dc of each sp, (sl st, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, sl st) in each of first 5 sps, (sl st, ch 2, 5 dc, ch 2, sl st) in each remaining Foundation ch sp. Fasten off. (11 petals made)

Roll petals to form rose. With tapestry needle and one strand of flower color yarn, stitch base of petals together to hold petals in place

Leaves

With Leaf Color, ch 4, (2 dc, ch 3, sl st in 3^rd ch from hook, 2 dc, ch 3, sl st) in 4^th ch from hook (first leaf made), ch 5, (2 dc, ch 3, sl st in 3^rd ch from hook, 2 dc, ch 3, sl st) in 4^th ch from hook (second leaf made), sl st in  the  ch between leaves: ch 5 for stem. Fasten off.

With tapestry needle and one strand of Leaf color yarn, sew stem of  Leaves to back of Rose.

Sew or glue pin back or safety pin to back of Rose.

Special thanks go to Dena Casey, Jewel Fernly,  and Linda Burrows  for testing these patterns! 

Copyright BellaCrochet 2015. 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. 

If you enjoy the Sweet and Simple Scarflette, I hope you will try some of my other free patterns:

Sweetie Hearts Applique or Ornament: A Free Crochet Pattern For You

Sweetie Heart Applique or Ornament

  

By Elizabeth Ann White

For BellaCrochet

 Size: About 2 ½” 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:

About 25  Yards Size 10 Crochet Cotton Thread (Aunt Lydia's Thread in Victory Red, White, French Rose and Shaded Pinks was used for models)

Size 7 (1.65mm) Steel Crochet Hook

Heart

Rnd 1: Ch 4, sl st in first ch to form ring, ch 3, 2 dc in ring, ch 2, (3 dc in ring, ch 2) 3 times, join with sl st in top of ch-3.

Rnd 2: Sl st in each of next 2 dc, (sl st, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 7, sl st in 7^th ch from hook, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 7, sl st in 7^th ch from hook, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in last ch-2 sp, ch 1, join with sl st in top of ch-3.

Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc in each of next 2 dc, sc in next ch-2 sp, ch 1, (tr, ch 1) 9 times in next ch-7 lp, sc in next ch-2 sp, ch 1, (tr, ch 1) 9 times in next ch-7 lp, sc in next ch-2 sp, sc in each of next 3 dc, sc in next ch-1 sp, sc in each of next 3 dc, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next ch-2 sp (this is the point of the heart), sc in each of next 3 dc,   sc in last ch-1 sp, join with sl st in first sc.

Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 3, skip next sc, sc in next sc, ch 3, skip next sc, (sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 3) 9 times, sc in each of next 2 ch-1 sps at center top of heart, (ch 3, sc in next ch-1 sp) 9 times, (ch 3, skip next sc, sc in next sc) 4 times, ch 3, skip next sc, (sc, ch 3, sc) in ch-3 sp at point of heart, (ch 3, skip next sc, sc in next sc) 2 times, ch 3, skip last sc, join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off.

Special thanks to my awesome testers, Rosina Smith, E.J. Miller, and Jolene Ortiz! Thanks so much, Ladies!

I would also like to thank my daughter Amanda, for naming this design.  You are my Sweetie Heart, Manda!

If you would like to purchase an ad-free copy of this pattern for a small fee, please visit my Etsy shop:  Sweetie Hearts

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.

Copyright BellaCrochet 2015. 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. 

If you enjoy the Sweetie Hearts, I hope you will try some of my other free patterns:

http://bellacrochet.blogspot.com/p/bellacrochet-free-patterns.html

Spotlight on a Crocheter: Becky Weidner

Some crocheters stick to making only hats and scarves; some only want to make doilies and items from thread; yet others prefer to make toys or baby items. But, the talented Becky Weidner makes all of these things and more! It was  a picture of her Declaration of Independence filet piece that first caught my eye, and I asked her if she would allow me to share a picture of it. But, when I saw some of her other crocheted pieces I was amazed; she not only does incredible filet pieces in tiny thread, she creates realistic birds, lovely doilies, toys, scarves, and so many other things I had trouble choosing which ones to share in the post today! All of her pieces are so beautifully made- it is no wonder she has won many blue ribbons in her local fair! Here is Becky's story:

I am the wife of the greatest man; he lets me indulge my one "vice", crochet!  We have 5 kids and 6 Granddaughters. I've been crocheting for around 40 years; my mom and Grandma taught me to crochet when I was around 10 or so. I don't usually sell the things I make or even have a web page. I just crochet because I love to! Most things I give away because someone else liked them,  too. I have made countless scarfs and hat sets for the kids in the neighborhood.

This Declaration of Independence wall hanging is from a pattern I purchased from Annie's Attic. I'm not sure if it is still available. Other pieces I've made from my own original patterns. I made this with DMC Cordonnet Special #80 and a size 14 crochet hook. This is the smallest thread I've used to crochet. It took me about a month or so to finish.  

This large angel wall hanging  hangs over our son's bed. It’s the prayer he says every night.

The Marine Corps League and Boy Scout hangings were also made with #80 thread and size 14 hook. The boy Scout one was for a very beloved out-going Cubmaster. All the boys in the pack signed it and we gave it to her at our annual banquet.

I got a Grand Prize on the blue Butterfly shawl, which is a Kathryn White pattern.

At the last county fair I got 7-1st places, 3-2nd place, 4-3rd places, 1 grand prize and Premier Crocheter. 

I am a big fan of BellaCrochet and Kathryn White's designs. I also love to make toys, baby things and afghans.

Thank you for sharing your lovely work with us, Becky! It is truly inspiring!

All pictures used courtesy of  Becky Weidner. 

Ruby's Valentine Doily: A Free Crochet Pattern For You

Ruby’s Valentine Doily

By Elizabeth Ann White

For BellaCrochet

Size: About 9” across 

Materials:

Size 10 Cotton Crochet Thread (models were made with Aunt Lydia's Victory Red, White and Aqua):
 150 yards Red

 100 yards White (or color of your choice)

Size 7 (1.65 mm) steel crochet hook

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 2 tr cluster (2 tr cl):  (yo 2 times, insert hook in st or sp indicated, yo, pull lp through, yo, work off 2 lps, yo, work off next 2 lps) 2 times, yo, pull through  all 3 lps on hook

For 3 tr cluster (3 tr cl):  (yo 2 times, insert hook in st or sp indicated, yo, pull lp through, yo, work off 2 lps, yo, work off next 2 lps) 3 times, yo, pull through  all 4 lps on hook

Doily

Rnd 1: With red, ch 6, sl st in first ch to form ring; ch 1, (sc in ring, ch 2) 8 times, join with sl st in first sc. (8 ch-2 sps made)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, (sc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1, sc) in each ch-2 sp around, join. (8 petals made)

Rnd 3: Working behind petals, ch 3, (sl st between next 2 petals, ch 3) around, join with sl st in first ch of beg ch-3.

Rnd 4: Ch 1, (sc, ch 1, 5 dc, ch 1, sc) in each ch-3 sp around, join with sl st in first sc.

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

Rnd 6: Ch 1, (sc, ch 1, 7 dc, ch 1, sc) in each ch-4 sp around, join with sl st in first sc.

Rnd 7: Working behind petals, ch 5, (sl st between next 2 petals, ch 5) around, join with sl st in first ch of beg ch-5.

Rnd 8: Ch 1, (sc, ch 1, 9 dc, ch 1, sc) in each ch-5 sp around, join with sl st in first sc.

Rnd 9: Working behind petals, ch 6, (sl st between next 2 petals, ch 6) around, join with sl st in first ch 0f beg ch-6.

Rnd 10: Ch 1, (sc, ch 1, 11 dc, ch 1, sc) in each ch-6 sp around, join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off.

Rnd 11: Join white with sl st in 4^th dc of first petal, (ch 3, 2 tr cl—see Special Stitches—ch 3, 3 tr cl—see Special Stitches) in same st as joining, ch 3, skip next 3 dc, (3 tr cl, ch 3, 3 tr cl)  in next dc, ch 3, *(3 tr cl, ch 3, 3 tr cl)  in 4^th dc of next petal, ch 3, skip next 3 dc, (3 tr cl, ch 3, 3 tr cl) in next dc of same petal, ch 3; repeat  from * around, join with sl st in top of 2 tr cl. Fasten off. (1 2-tr cl, 31 3-tr cl, 32 ch-3 sps made)

Rnd 12: Join red with sl st  in first ch-3 sp, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp as joining, sc in next ch-3 sp, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-3 sp, sc in next ch-3 sp; repeat from * around, join with sl st in top of ch-3. Fasten off.

Rnd 13: Join white with sl st in first ch-2 sp, (ch 3, 2 tr cl, ch 3, 3 tr cl, ch 3, 3 tr cl) in same sp as joining, ch 3, *(3 tr cl, ch 3) 3 times in next ch-2 sp; repeat from * around, join with sl st in top of 2 tr cl. Fasten off.

Rnd 14: Join red with sl st in first ch-3 sp, (ch 3, 2 dc) in same sp as joining, ch 1, (3 dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1) around, join with sl st in top of ch-3. Fasten off.

Rnd 15: Join white with sl st in first ch-1 sp, (ch 3, 2 dc) in same sp as joining, ch 1, (3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) around, join with sl st in top of ch-3. Fasten off.

Rnd 16: Join red with sl st in first ch-1 sp, (ch 3, 2 dc) in same sp as joining, ch 1, (3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) around, join with sl st in top of ch-3.  

Rnd 17: Sl st across into first ch-1 sp, (ch 1, sc) in first ch-1 sp, ch 5, (sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 5) around, join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off.

Rnd 18:  Join white with sc in first ch-5 sp, ch 1, (tr, ch 1) 7 times in next ch-5 sp, *sc in next ch-5 sp, ch 1, (tr, ch 1) 7 times in next ch-5 sp; repeat from * around, join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off. (24 scallops made)

Rnd 19: Join red with sc in first ch-1 sp of 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.

Copyright BellaCrochet 2015. 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 E. J. Miller, Rosina Smith and Jolene Ortiz for testing this pattern. I don't know what I would do without my wonderful testers!

 If you would like to purchase an ad-free copy of this pattern for a small fee, please visit my Etsy shop:  Ruby's Valentine

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.

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

And the Winner Is:

Martha Davis

Martha, if you will send me an email and let me know which pattern you would like, I will get it right out to you.

But, there are no losers in this contest!   I will be adding my new "Ruby's Valentine Doily" to the blog later today, so everyone gets a free pattern. It is named for my granddaughter, Ruby Grace, who turns one year old this week. I hope you will like it. 

Thanks to everyone who entered!

Friday Contest and Color in Designs

I was looking through some of my Elizabeth Hiddleson pattern books the other day. There is one thing that always puzzles me about her designs; all of her doilies are  either white or ecru, she never seemed to use any colors (at least not to my knowledge.) I know that colored threads were available during the time she was creating her patterns, so it had to be her personal preference to use only white or ecru. I have heard that some designers think that using colored thread  detracts  from the beauty of the stitch patterns used. And, I will be the first to admit, there is nothing more beautiful and elegant than a pure white doily (especially one of EH's designs!) 

One of Elizabeth Hiddleson's gorgeous doilies from Revised Designs, Volume 9. 

I, on the other hand, can't seem to get enough colors in my designs. 

But, it is Friday, so how about a contest? I will give one person their choice of any PDF pattern on my site, bellacrochet.com or in my Etsy shop bellacrochetEtsy. The pattern will be  in PDF form and will be sent as an attachment to an email. I do not have printed copies of my patterns available; no printed patterns can be mailed. 
I will select the winner at random, and send out the patterns in the morning (Saturday.) I will post the name of the winner here, so be sure to check back in the morning to see if you won. If I do not hear back from the winner within 7 days, I will select a new winner. Failure to contact me within 7 days  will result in the forfeiture of all prizes. 

Also, if you post anonymously, please be sure I have a way to identify you (at least give your first name or a nick name in your comment; I have no way of knowing who is posting.) You can also leave your email address with your comment so I can notify you if you win, but this is optional. 

To enter, just leave a comment here on the blog answering this question:
Do you like to use a lot of different colors in your crochet work, or do you prefer to use only white or ecru ?

This contest is now closed. Please check back again next week for my next contest!

Spotlight on a Crocheter: Pamela Tasny

Several years ago, when I first opened my Etsy shop, I joined a group of other Etsy sellers who specialized in thread crochet. It was through this group I met the talented Pamela Tasny, who has since become a dear friend. Pam was the first to follow my blog, the first to ‘like’ the BellaCrochet page on Facebook and she has also tested several patterns for me. Pamela creates some of the most gorgeous doilies I have ever seen; her color choices are stunning and her stitching is flawless. I asked Pamela if she would share a bit about herself and her crochet work. Here is what she has to say:

I live with my husband and father-in-law in Michigan during the summer and Arizona during the winter. All my family live in Cincinnati, Ohio except for my oldest sister who lives in England. I have 2 sisters - one older and one younger- and my brother is the youngest. I have one daughter, 3 granddaughters and twin grandsons.

I have a 8 year old Chihuahua named Ginger who is the joy of my days.

I like to crochet - mostly doilies - and read and geocache. I studied geology at the University of Cincinnati with a 4.0 grade average.

My ex late mother-in-law taught me to crochet when I was 17 years old (40 years ago) and the first thing I made was a ripple afghan. The second thing I made was a pineapple doily. My favorite doily I've made so far  is this Hairpin Lace Doily.

I make on average 12 doilies a year. I love to make them  using several colors. I haven't made very many using all one color.

My favorite hooks are Susan Bates and my favorite thread is Lizbeth in  sizes 10 and 20. I used to not like symbol patterns but once I got used to them I like them the best. I have all 155 issues of Magic Crochet, and make doilies from them often.

I have a couple of favorite crocheting tips. One is to use rubber knitting needle point protectors for my crochet hooks to protect the hook end.

And sometimes my thread starts twisting real bad while I am crocheting.  I put a safety pin in the stitch I'm on and hold the ball of thread as high off the floor as I can and let the doily hang as close to the floor without it touching. The doily will spin and when it stops spinning the thread from it to the ball will be untwisted. Some thread - especially good quality thread- twists a lot, so I do this periodically when the thread starts twisting again.

I get pretty frustrated when I find I have made a mistake in a doily. My husband

blocks all my doilies for me, and occasionally he will notice a mistake that can’t be fixed without frogging nearly the whole doily.  I'm embarrassed to say I have actually cut up

a few doilies with scissors and have thrown some in the trash!

 Pamela has an Ebay store where she sells craft books, supplies and her gorgeous doilies:

http://stores.ebay.com/tadrickcrafts/

And a blog:

http://crochethuahua.blogspot.com/

And you can find Pamela on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crochet-Creations-By-Pamela/126471237368354?ref=bookmarks

Thank you, Pamela, for sharing your expertise and love of crochet with us today!

All pictures are used  courtesy of  Pamela Tasny.