Victorian Lattice Lace

I've been working on a table runner and a lace edged pillow case in various patterns of Victorian Lattice Lace and decided to design and work up my own pattern.  As Halloween is coming I took my inspiration from there.  One word, I can't draw.  My pattern designs never end up looking like what they are to other people, but I always know what I mean.

Lattice lace is a design made up of open and closed squares that are crocheted using single, double and/or treble crochet and chain stitch.  The shaded areas are double or treble crochet and the open areas are the corresponding number of chain stitch.  Given this I printed out graph paper (as it is nearly impossible to find it in stores now) and drew the design on the graph paper then colored in the lines.

You see what I mean about drawing

I decided to use double crochet.  The material is size 10 cotton crochet thread and a size 7 hook.  If you don't do a lot of crocheting you don't know that as the number gets larger the hook and thread get smaller.  Here is the hook.

I first did the Jack-o-lantern then the words as this piece is worked from the bottom up.

Looks OK, but I wanted a smoother edge and a more halloweenish color.  So, I added a border.  The v shaped stitch is called a lacet stitch and it is worked over two blocks.

Into a dye bath of yellow onion skin and, voila...

I'm very happy with the way it came out.  Stay tuned for more designs.

Victorian inspired Lace and Linens

I know, it's been a long time since you have heard from me.  Well, it's been a rather rotten year so far.  Since last September I have been through a host of medical and personal stupidity.  Thankfully, the personal stupidity is winding down and the medical, well, let's just say I'm not letting it sideline me the way it has previously.

I haven't been idle even though I have had to cancel most of my vending appearances.  I have created a new line of Victorian inspired Lace and Linen items.  I absolutely adore the Victorian era for their lace and their almost manic need to embellish everything from handkerchiefs to pillowcases and towels.  I hope you all feel the same way, especially when you see what I have to offer.

Here is the first of the line.  It is a Lattice Lace table runner done in a Hearts and Roses motif.  The runner is 29 inches long and 12 inches wide.  I used an Ecru cotton thread.

I am so very pleased with the way it came out.  Please let me know what you think.

My next project is an embellished pillow case.  I chose a Spider Web Lattice Lace pattern.  It's not finished yet, but below are two repeats of the lace.  I'm using a white cotton thread and a very small crochet hook (size 9).  If any of you are crocheters you know as the numbers go up the size goes down.  I like the way this is coming out.  Stay tuned for the finished version.

I had forgotten how much I enjoy crocheting lace.  It's challenging and the results are just beautiful.