Vera's Crafty Blog

A Passion for Pineapples

Doily Debrief

Thanks so much for all of your comments on my last post. 

This weekend, I sent Ms. Stoller an e-mail about the "No Doilies" tag line (debbie@bust.com).

I know there are those out there who think doilies are old and tacky, and I don't have a problem with that at all.  We all have our preferences, and that's fine.

I just wanted to make Ms. Stoller aware that there are many crocheters--and knitters (check out Toni's fabulous knitted doily) who love doilies as works of art as well their connection to the past.  Also, there are many discovering doilimaking and thread crochet for the first time, and I find that exciting.

So if she keeps the "No Doilies" tag (my guess is that she will), at least she knows that there are many throughly modern people who think that doilies are simply divine.

It's great to learn/'Cause Knowledge is power.

A Passion for Pineapples

My first doily was a pineapple doily, and although I like  most kinds of doilies, pineapple ones are my favorite.  Here are a couple of doilies that I made this weekend from the book Simple Pineapple Crochet.

All of the designs in the book use symbol crochet, which takes up less space, and tends to be more accurate, and it's a good thing to learn because language doesn't matter. 

Most likely, one of these will go to my Crochetville Doily Swap partner.  I got her name today.  I may make another one before I make a decision.

Back to Business--and reading too!

I have a few more motifs (five or six!) before I finish the Mauve skirt, and I still need to finish the sleeve on the Penina bolero before I can guess how much more yarn I still need for the trim.

I just started the David McCullough book 1776, and already, I'm learning things about the Revolutionary War that I wasn't aware of in high school.   In fact, I haven't read about this subject since high school, but I loved all Truman and John Adams (which did have some Revolutionary War history in it, of course), so I brought this one without reading a review.  I did see him on Book-TV a couple a weeks ago, and he gave a fascinating talk on George Washington.  Washington really is so much more than the face on the dollar bill.

McCullough is a wonderful writer who brings history to life.  This is a good read for anyone who wants to learn more about the war as well as the personalities and events surrounding it.

Does Debbie Diss Doilies?

Warning: Rant Follows

While on Crochetville yesterday, I spotted a post from Jess that had a mock up of the SNB Crochet book that will come out soon.  I have SNB Nation, and I love it (maybe, I'll even finish Poster Boy someday) so I'm looking forward to what the crocheting book will have--especially since some of the patterns will be from people I know in Blogland.

However, the statement "40 totally cool original patterns (no doilies!)"  just annoys me. 

I don't mind if there are no doily patterns in the book. I don't like the "no doilies" statement.

Don't get me wrong.  I'm not deeply offended or anything like that, just bugged. It's totally Ms. Stoller's right to think doilies are uncool, and of most of all, it's her book too.  I'm also sure that there are many who agree with her and think that doilies belong in some musty ancient home on big musty ancient chairs in a bygone era made by little old ladies.

But I love doilies, and I think they are way cool!

Started with "The Wrong Doily"

I've been crocheting for over 30 years, but only making doilies two and a half years.  Like many "yarnies", thread and little needles intimidated as well as fascinated me. 

I took a chance, and crocheted a doily using Lustersheen which is sport weight yarn.  The doily was called "White Rose Doily", but I noticed the instructions were wrong, and it turned out to be a pineapple doily, so I called it The Wrong Doily. 

I moved to size 10 thread and a size 6 hook, and Doilimania was born.  I really need to update the site.

I "Heart" Doilies Because...

• I love the small thread.  The smallest I've used has been a size 30.  Maybe one day, I'll drop to an 80.
• I love the small needles. I've used an 11 hook before, but for most purpose a 6 or 5 will do.
• I love the work of doilies.  The stitches are no different than using yarn, but for thread, the tension is different.
• I love that they are so pretty.
• Patti Kristoffersen was the first doily designer I heard of.  Her designs with the post stitches and rolls are outstanding! Elizabeth Hiddleson, Ferosa Harold, Denise Augostine, and James Davis are just some of the designers whose work I admire..
• I love the lacy look.
• I love when I have a pattern that I'm totally into, and I'm in the groove, just going around and around.  I almost hate to finish.
• I adore pineapple doilies.  The pineapple is also the symbol of Southern hospitality too.
• I'm a show off.  Yes, I confess.  This is my favorite doily.
• I love the connection to the past.  Really, just because our Grandmothers did it doesn't make it bad.
• I love that more and more crocheters a getting into thread crochet and dolies too.  Check out Julie's doily page. Chie also does some beautiful work, and there are many, many others.
• Okay okay. Maybe I love doilies because others consider them old and uncool, and I'm striking one for doily geeks like me.

So there you have it--a little bit of "doilirage." 

I'm Really Ready to Swap!

I'm also really looking forward to Crochetville's Doily Swap.  What encourages me is that many of the participants are just getting into thread crochet. 

BTW, you can still sign up through June 25th.  I'm so ready to rock out with something cute!

I Wish...

I wish Ms. Stoller would drop the statement about doilies from the cover. I suppose it's a marketing thing, and that people smarter than I think it's a good thing to diss doilies on the cover of a crocheting book. 

I understand that they are not marketing the book to people like me (for goodness sakes, I just watched Ladies in Lavender), and I'm okay with that. 

I'm not young, hip, urban, or affluent, but I do love knitting and crocheting and I do buy books, accessories, and yarn.

I also wish that she would realize that there are many crocheters and knitters in 2005 A.D. who love doilies, and if she visited Crochetville and other places she'd see that.  Even the ubercool Rowan mags have doilies.

Here are some things from Rowan #37

All of these are gorgeous!

Maybe I should send her a vintage doily.  Maybe not--I'll make one for myself or swap partner.

Still, I'll probably buy SNB Crochet when it comes out anyway.

Vissi d'arte!

A Change of Plans

Dopey Me

Yesterday, I picked up some more Berroco Suede to finish Penina, but I think that I'll need yet another skein since I didn't take the three rows of single crochet trim into account--dopey me.

Anyway, I'll think I have enough to finish the sleeve this weekend, and I'll go from there.  I also plan to resume the moifts on Mauve. 

I did finish a project.

It's the lace scarf from the Spring/Summer 2005 issue of Vogue Knitting.  I made one for my Summer Scarf Swap partner, so this one is for me.  I really love the sheen of the Opera 5 thread.

A Change Did Me Good

After I left the LYS yesterday, I planned to see Ladies in Lavender , but when I stopped by the library, I found out that Sue Monk Kidd, the author of The Secret Life of Bees, and a Charleston area resident, was doing a lecture and book signing, so I went to see her instead.

I worked on the lace scarf during most of the lecture, and got lots of compliments and questions from the ladies there, and I don't think Ms. Monk minded.

I enjoyed the lecture, got to ask her some questions, and had her sign a copy of her new book, The Mermaid Chair.  It's now on my "to read" list after I finish Lambs of God, which I purchased after reading about it on Sharon's blog.  Both books seems like they will be intriguing reads.

I'll try to catch Ladies in Lavender this weekend.

Hot Knits

Just as I like Cool Crochet, I like Hot Knits by Melissa Leapman very much too. The book was published last year, and I received in a yarn/book swap with Pam. 

The book is similar is Cool Crochet in layout and design and is meant to be set--well, I see it that way at least.

There are lots of cute things in it. Here are items things I like most...

Diana...

Marla.  Leapman wore this sweater when she appeared on DIY's Knitty Gritty...

Gayle...

and Marnie, the sweater I'd like to knit first.

In fact, I brought eight skeins of Cotton Ease for it.

I had to go to two different Hancock Fabric locations to get the yarn since neither had enough yarn in the correct dye lot in a single store.  I'm glad I didn't have the unpleasant Hancock experience that Lynette had.  The employees were very helpful and let me call the other store, searched around for dye lots, and even offered to hold the yarn for me until I drove over to the other store where I called the first store and checked the dye lots again..

Oh, I still didn't get all eight in the same dye lots--four are one lot and four are another, but I  took them out in the sun, and they look very close, so I'll go for it.

Will I regret this later?

Dopey Me?

Doin' the Charleston

Tourist in My Own City

My sister came down from Maryland last week for a weekend visit.  It was also the last week of the Spoleto Festival, so we took in the Farmer's Market, a carriage ride, a performace by the Second City comedy troupe, and the Piccolo Spoleto Finale.

Here are a few sites...

The new Cooper River Bridge, which will open next month.  The current old one is beside it.

Some lovely Charleston houses...

A steeple...

And a painting that I found very interesting...

Look closely, the man is made of hats!

I had a nice time, and it's fun to be a tourist in your own city.

I didn't get any knitting or crocheting done last weekend of this week.  I am taking a few days off work this week to relax, and I'm almost finished with the Sir Ranulph Fiennes book, Race to the Pole.  I also plan to see the Dench/Smith film Ladies in Lavender this evening.

Back to Hooks and Needles Soon

The Berocco Suede came in so I can finish my Penina Bolero, and I still have 20 more motifs for the Mauve skirt.  I've just signed on for the Doily Swap on Crochetville, and I have got to knit something very soon.

Thanks Pam!

A couple of posts ago, I mentioned the Leapman book Hot Knits, and I was able to trade with Pam for the book.  She was also sweet enough to send some Soy Chenille and a pattern too. 

There are some really cute sweaters in the book, and one I especially want to make. 

Stay tuned!  I'm off to the LYS!

Penina Progress

She's Coming Along but...

I worked on my Penina Bolero from Cool Crochet last weekend.  It's a well written pattern that I found easy to follow.  Leapman rates this pattern advanced, but I'd give it an intermediate.  It's very nice working with the Berroco Suede.  The yarn is so soft and cushy.

Here's the back...

and the fronts...

and the first sleeve.

I Ran Out of Yarn

I'm currently on my second sleeve, but I'm going to run out of yarn about a third of the way through.  My LYS didn't have it in stock, but ordered some more, so I hope to have it soon.

BTW, check out Bron's Penina.  I'm looking forward to finishing mine--well, it's the LYS's, but I think I'm going to have trouble giving this up.  Perhaps, I can make a deal.

Summer Scarves Received

I sent off the scarves I made for the Crochetville Summer Scarf Swap last week, and my partner, Dani, received them.  She took the blue one on vacation with her.

I received my scarves from my other swap partner, Carmen, on Friday. 

Very cute and lacy!  Thanks so much Carmen.  I had a lot of fun making and receivng the scarves.

A big shout out goes to Julie for coordinating the swap.  I know it was a lot of work.

While I Wait

While I wait for the yarn to finish Penina,  I'll finish my Vogue Crochet Lace Scarf, and of course, make more motifs for Mauve.  I still have my 20 to go.

It's Way Cool

Cool Crochet In Review

I'm taking a break from making motifs on Mauve (I have 20 more to go) to work on a lace scarf for me with the Opera thread I got yesterday..

I really like Cool Crochet by Melissa Leapman.  It's fresh and modern.  The photography is good, and there are schematics for each pattern as well as useful tips along the way.

Most of the projects rate intermediate to advanced although I would need to make most of the tops a bit longer to cover my belly :-0.

I like many of Leapman's projects but here are my favorites.

Here's Valentina.  I have some Red Heart Symphony that may work for her.

and Cassie...

 

I really like IIene.

Too cute. Patrick would call it a "Vera Sweater".

However, I want to work on Penina first.

I had gotten some Berroco Suede from my LYS to make a bolero as a store sample, but I hated the pattern.  I'm able to crochet to gauge with the Suede with a 3.5mm (E) hook.

Bron is currently working on this project should be done soon.  I'm looking forward to seeing how hers turns out.

Of couse, I love the sweater on the front cover too.

I'll need to order Hot Knits next.

The First Step is to Admit You're an Addict

I decided to give in for a while to my yarn addiction and join the Yarn Addicts Unite Webring which is hosted by Kimberly.

I know that I probably need to cut down, but right now, I just don't feel like it.

Come on, join in!