Easy Crocheted Dish Cloth

I love homemade dishcloths and hot pads. I am in the process of crocheting at least a dozen in different patterns. These work up so easily! Below is the instructions for the one I just finished. If you need help to learn the crochet stitches go to click here

http://www.learntocrochet.com/instructions_cr.php3

Enjoy!

Finished Size: Approximately 13 x 13
Materials
100% cotton Worsted Weight Yarn, approximately:
2 1/2 ounces
Crochet hook size H
Gauge: 16dc and 6 rows = 4"

Ch 53
Row 1 ( Right side): Dc in fourth ch from hook and in next 3 chs, (skip next 2 chs, dc in next 4 chs, ch 2, dc in next 4 chs) across to last 6 chs, skip next 2 chs, dc in next 3 chs, 2 dc in last ch:
50 sts.

note: Loop a short piece of yarn around any stitch to mark last row as right side.

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc) turn; dc in same dc and in next 3 dc, *skip next 2 dc, dc in next 3 dc, (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 3 dc; repeat from * across to last 6 sts, skip next 2 dc, dc in next 3 dc, 2 dc in last st.

Repeat Row 2 until dishcloth measures approximately 13" from beginning ch, ending by working a right side row

Edging: Ch 1, do not turn; sc evenly around entire dishcloth, working 3 sc in each corner; join with slip st to first sc, finish off.

Before and After........again

Well, I am still working on the vintage tablecloth that I have talked about in my previous posts. I have removed all of the half stitched stitching and now have a complete canvas for my own work.

The purple stitching on this was really pretty....however....I thought of Wisteria when I saw the design......so I removed this stitching .......
and embroidered it this way. I just love the way it turned out.

And now the cloth is starting to "come to life" . I am keeping this for my dining room table(if I ever get it finished)....however, I have traced the pattern and will make another tablecloth for sale at a much later date. I am just so glad that I went into the junk store and found this! How about you.......what kind of treasure have you found in a store you would never have thought it would be in??? I would love to hear!

Vintage Linens From Australia

With my last posts being about preserving vintage patterns and re-doing vintage linens, Gina, from Patra's Place of Stitching and Vintage Linens http://patrasplace.blogspot.com/ and Patra's Embroidered Aprons http://patrasembroideredaprons.blogspot.com/ contacted me about some vintage linens she no longer wanted and would like to send my way. My arms were wide open

and how thrilled I was to get such a wonderful bunch! Thank you , so much, Gina, I am just delighted!

there was a tablecloth...
toaster cover,



sweet little tray pieces,

this precious little doily...

with the prettiest lace edging.

Some pieces still had labels on them and someone from somewhere in time had started stitching on some....

For me, it was like being in a candy store....so much to choose from. I finally decided on this little tray piece. First of all I traced the design to preserve for later....

I chose these colors and stitches......

and crocheted an edge around it.

Isn't this sweet? Since I preserved the pattern, I can make more of these in different colors later on, and I can make sets of them. I decided to keep the original...

and will stash it in my very old trunk. This was given to me when I turned 16(my hope chest) and I placed linens and dishes in it for a later time when I would start my own life and family. I was going to hand it down to my daughter when she was 16, but she showed no interest in it at that time. She is busy making a life for herself in the Navy right now, so I think I will stash these linens and things for her to have when she slows down. Do any of you have a trunk or special box that you put all of your things in to get ready for your marriage? I would love to hear! Please stop by to say hello to Gina who is from Australia, by the way. She has some beautiful things for you to see at her blogs.

Preserving A Vintage Design

I am always on the search for beautiful designs to embroider.I have found it to be difficult to find lovely and intricate designs. Some of the best embroidery designs can be found on vintage linens. If the linen has been completely stitched, the design can still be traced over with little difficulty.

This table cloth is perfect for preserving the design. It has been only partially stitched, with much of the design still waiting to be embroidered. I fell in love with this whole piece and removed the previous stitching to do my own hand embroidery on it instead. This design is so lovely and can be used for many different linens in many different ways if I trace the design and store it away for later use.
To preserve a design that you like, purchase a tablet of tracing paper. This can be found in most stores.

Prepare your design by laying it flat and on a good surface.

Pin the paper over the design, making sure it is smooth and evenly in place.

I use an ordinary ink pen that has a good sharp writing point.

Carefully and gently trace the design onto the paper. If the design is large as in this tablecloth, trace the design in sections, labeling each page to keep the design in order. Store your traced design in large yellow envelopes and label what design is inside. Someday, you might need a pretty design to stitch and you will have some of the loveliest at hand!

As you can see, it is so well worth the effort to save these vintage designs. New linens can be embroidered and still have vintage charm!