Pineapple Table Topper

I made this table topper a few years ago. The original pattern called this a table runner, and it was supposed to be made with size 30 crochet thread and a size 10 crochet hook, but I wanted it larger than that so I used size 10 (bedspread weight) crochet thread and a size 8 hook. I still have to work in all the tails, and block it out, but I think when I get it done it will fit the top of my table exactly. The booklet this pattern came from is a very old one, originally printed in 1946 by The Spool Cotton Company.

Brown bagging in style

Everyone is trying to save money these days and taking a lunch from home is one way to do that. This is a lunch bag that I made totally out of scrap upholstery fabric and left over pieces of fabric that I made some curtains out of.
I used the upholstery scraps and made two log cabin blocks set on point for the front and back. The sides and bottom are corduroy. The inside is lined with green plaid, and I used the same fabric to make two matching napkins. I crocheted around the edge of the napkins to make it look nice. I made the bag large enough to hold two Glad sandwich containers and two drinks.
Since it was made with scraps, it didn't cost me anything to make and no one will ever pick up my lunch by mistake.

Pretty dresses for a little Angel

I made these dresses out of quilt scraps. I just went through my scrap bag and picked out colors that went together. On this first dress, I made the skirt by cutting out wedges of fabric that measure 2 1/2 inches across the top, and 7 1/2 inches across the bottom. The diameter of the bottom of the bodice is 20 inches so I used 5 panels for the front and 5 for the back.

I did french fold bindings around the neck and arm holes, and with my tube turner, I made tubes and appliqued them in a design around the neck for added decoration. The belt and bow are attached in the front, and I crocheted loops for belt carriers on both sides. The bottom is the wagon wheel crochet pattern in white with sage green on the outer edge.

Here is my little angel wearing it.

This is another summer play dress done in two colors. I had enough to make the gathered skirt without piecing like the one before. The bodice has french fold bindings on the neck and armholes. The bow I set to one side instead of centering. The edging on the bottom is two rows of single crochet, and two rows of shell with rose colored embroidery floss woven thru the second row of single crochet to add color.

Fancy Crochet Edged Dish Towel

Here is still another crochet edging, it's my last one for a while, I promise. I added blue ribbon because blue is my Mom's favorite color and this will be part of her Mother's Day gift.
The dish towel is made of 100% cotton pique. I hemmed all four sides before starting the crochet because pique has a loose weave and pulls out easily. The hemmed edge gives it more stability.

Sc directly on one edge of the towel, ch 2, turn.
Row 1. hdc in each sc all the way across, ch 5, turn.
Row 2. *sk first hdc, dc in the next hdc, ch 1. Repeat from * all the way across ending with dc in the last hdc, ch 4 , turn.
Row 3. Sc in each dc and in each sp across, ch 1, turn.
Row 4. Sc in first sc, ch 1, sk next sc, sc in next sc, *ch 3, sk net sc, sc in next sc, ch 1, sk next sc, sc in the next sc. Repeat from * across to within last 2 sc, ch 1, sk next sc, sc in last sc. ch 7, turn.
Row 5. Sk first 2 sps, sc in next sp, * (ch 1, turn, in lp just formed make sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, tr in next ch---triangle made, ch 7, turn, sc in same sp on 4th row) twice, ch 1, turn, and complete another triangle (3 triangles made in space), ch 3, turn, sk next sp on 4th row, sc in next sp, ch 7, sk next sp, sc in next sp, repeat from * across, ending with 3 triangles in sp, ch 1, hdc in last sc, ch1, turn.
Row 6. Sc in lp just formed, ch4, * sc in the side of the next tr, (ch 4, sc in next sp, ch 4, sc in the side of next tr) twice, ch1, repeat from * across, ending with sc in the side of the last tr, ch 2, hdc in last sp, ch 1, turn.
Row 7. Sc in lp just formed, (ch 4, sc in next lp) 4 times, *sk next sp, sc in next lp, (ch 4, sc in next lp) 3 times, repeat from * across, ending with ch 4, sc in last lp. Fasten off. Run ribbon thru row 2, attach a small ribbon bow in the center.

Crochet Edging on a Pillowcase

I made this edging with Aunt Lidia's bedspread weight (size 10) crochet thread and a size 8 steel crochet hook. The ribbon is 1/8" Offray spool O ribbon,and matching DMC floss. This edging is approximately 2 inches wide, so keep that in mind when you are making your pillow case (finished size for a standard pillow case is 19 1/2 X 29 inches)
Abbreviations:
ch (chain)
st (stitch)
dc (double crochet)
lp (loop)
sk (skip)
sp (space)
tr (treble)
tr cl (treble cluster)

Sc around the edge of a pillow case evenly spaced. Join, ch 3
Row 1. dc in next sc, ch 1, sk next sc, *dc in each of the next 2 sc, ch 1, sk next sc. Repeat from * all the way around pillow case. Join, chain 3.
Row 2. Dc in each dc and in each ch 1 sp all the way around. Join, ch 3.
Row 3. Repeat row 1.
Row 4. Repeat row 2.
Row 5. Sc in each dc all the way around. Join, ch 6.
Row 6. * sk next 2 sc,dc in each of the next 3 sc, ch 3, sk next 2 sc, dc in next sc, ch 3, Repeat from *all the way around. Join, ch 2.
row 7. *2 tr in first dc and hold last lp of each tr on hook, thread over and work off all lps on hook to form a 2 tr cluster, (ch 4, a 2 tr cl in next dc) twice, ch 2, sc in next (single) dc, ch 2, repeat from * across. Join, finish off.
Run ribbon through rows 1 and 3. Run DMC floss through row 5.
For the blue and white twisted rope look above the crochet, I used a large eyed needle and a length of the crochet thread slightly longer than the width of the pillow case. Do a simple running stitch across about 1/2 inch up from the crochet edge with the stitch length being about 1/8 inch. Then, using the floss (three strands), and embroidery needle, attach to the seam allowance on the inside. come up thru the case right next to the first running stitch. Going from right to left each time, run the needle under the running stitches all the way across. This will give it a twisted rope affect.

These make really nice Christmas, or wedding presents, plus, all little girls love frilly, lacy things like this whether they will admit it out loud or not.