Christmas Crochet

Mantilla Doily on Mom's organ

Contrary to the evidence, when I decided to learn to crochet, the goal was not to make dozens of crooked wash cloths.  While the wash cloths were good for practice and, once I could get them square, decent Christmas gifts, what I really wanted to make was cotton lace.

When I was in the 8th grade, my Mama Leah made me a purple sleeveless shift with a Peter Pan collar and added a piece of cotton lace right down the front.  I was surprised at what a difference the trim made to the garment and how much I loved the look of that lace.

Mama Leah's shift

Years later, my wedding dress would be a strapless J Crew gown in guipure lace: 

I wanted to recreate that look in a more casual dress, but sadly, nice cotton lace fabric is hard to find and very expensive.  So I decided that 'one day' I would try making crochet lace myself and moved on to a different project.

This past summer my mom gave me my great-grandmother's tiny steel hooks and, since pregnancy had me mostly confined to the couch, I decided to give it a try.  I lucked out and found a great set of tutorials on YouTube by Jeego Crochet that walks you through each stitch and round of his beautiful doilies.

After several months of naptime crochet, here is my Mantilla Doily, which became a Christmas present for my mom.

Blocking and Starching

Swollen Pregnancy Hand for Size Reference

Finally Done

I also made some little Christmas stars and attached them to a long chain as a garland for my Mama Leah.  That tutorial can be found here.

Now that I know how long it takes to make crochet lace, I may not be making dresses any time soon, but I do love the delicate look of the doilies.  I plan to follow additional tutorials by Jeego Crochet as soon as I have two hands available again.