Doily-Along Part 1

Let the "doiling" begin! Are you guys as excited as I am? I'm going to make mine with red and teal thread. I thought for photo purposes, the colors would be easier for you guys to see what I'm doing!

"Baroque" No. 7814 from Star Book No. 78, Television and Radio Scarfs

(with slight re-writes here and there)

Written in US crochet terms

Crochet Abbreviations:

ch- chain

sc- single crochet

dc- double crochet

tr- treble crochet

sl st- slip stitch

-Size 10 thread in two colors (we'll call them "Color A" [which would be the yellow in the doily I made] and "Color B")

-1.65 mm hook

Today we will be making the first motif, which will be the center motif in our doily. Have your hook in hand? Let's doily!

Center Motif:

With Color A, ch 8, sl st in first ch to make ring.

(I suggest crocheting over your beginning tail as you crochet into the ring. Just hold the tail against the ring as you go.)

Rnd 1- ch 4, tr in ring, *ch 3, 2 tr in ring, repeat from * 10 times, ch 3, sl st to top of ch 4, fasten off.

You should have 12 groups of 2 treble crochets, with 3 chains in between each group. (Your first ch 4 counts as a treble crochet.)

For the next round, the pattern says to "attach the next color in any loop, sc in same space." I think that creates an unnecessary slip stitch, so I like to join the new color with just the single crochet: insert your hook into any loop, and make your sc as normal.

Here is what your first single crochet, or "standing single crochet," will look like. No messy join, just a single crochet.

Rnd 2- Join Color B, in any loop, with a sc, *ch 3, sc in same space, ch 5, sc in next loop, repeat from * 10 times, ch 3, sc in same space, ch 2, dc in 1st sc (this brings thread in position for next row). Don't fasten off!

In each loop you should have a (sc, ch 3, sc) group, with 5 chain stitches in between each group, with the last "ch 5" being (ch 2, dc in 1st sc). Can you see how the ch 2 and dc puts the thread and hook in the middle of the "ch 5?"

Rnd 3- Ch 7, sc in next ch 5 loop, repeat from beginning all around ending row with ch 7, sl st in dc, fasten off.

Rnd 4- Join Color A, in any loop, with a sc, *ch 3, sc in same loop (picot made), ch 3, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next loop, ch 3, sc in next loop, repeat from * all around ending row to correspond, sl st to 1st sc, fasten off.

(The [sc, ch 3, sc] is referred to a "picot" in this round, just to reference the correct ch 3 loop for the next round...)

The pattern says to attach the next color in any picot and ch 3. This is to create the first dc. I however like to avoid the sl st and ch 3, and just start the round with a standing double crochet.

To join Color B with a standing stitch: yarn over, insert hook in any picot, and complete your double crochet as normal. It helps to place the index finger of the hand holding the hook, over the loops on your hook as you begin the stitch, to avoid them slipping around.

Here is what your standing double crochet will look like. If you feel uncomfortable starting this way, just sl st in any picot and ch 3, which will count as your first dc.

Rnd 5- Join Color B, in any picot, with a dc, (2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in same space, *ch 1, skip 1 loop, (3 dc, ch 9, 3 dc) in next loop, ch 1, skip 1 loop, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next picot, repeat from * 4 times, ch 1, skip 1 loop, (3 dc, ch 9, 3 dc) in next loop, ch 1, sl st to 1st dc, fasten off.

Make sense? So in each picot you (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc, ch 1), and in each loop between groups of dc's you (3 dc, ch 9, 3 dc, ch1).

Now you can sew in all the ends on your motif! You can wait until the whole doily is finished of course, but trust me, you'll thank me later for having you do it as we go!! When I sew in ends I like to weave them under stitches of the next round, and change directions (for example: sew up, over, and down with the same end) when possible to make sure they are nice and secure!

And your first motif is complete!! In Part 2 we'll make the 2nd motif which we join to the 1st motif as we crochet. If you want to get a head start you can start another motif exactly like the first but crochet Rounds 1-4 ONLY. Don't start Round 5 as it will be different; it is the joining round.

How did we do? If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask!!

I made a flickr group where you can add photos of your progress and finished pieces HERE!

We'll start Part 2 of the Doily-Along on Saturday if you are ready! See you then!