Tag Archives: Christmas

Two Christmas Placemats

The second of a two place-mat set is on the right, and the one photographed before is on the left.

DSC08538 Each placemat took about 10 hours to make, and I enjoyed crocheting them while I watched (listened) to TV, or listened to music.  I used the same pattern, varying the location of some of the color blocks.  Both were done with three strands  with three strands of size 10 crochet cotton and a Boye size 00, 3.5 mm steel needle.The only downside to this activity, is that one sits while doing it.

They are about 15 inches by twenty inches by 20 inches. The one on the left is a little larger, and I attribute this to the fact that one of the strands in the border was a Herrschner’s size 10 cotton.  It is very slightly thicker than the other size 10 cotton, which could have been one of several other brands.  I needed to use the cotton of which I had enough to finish the color blocks, because if you use a different yarn, the color will vary, and the effect will be a bit different.

The gauge of a four inch by four inch square is about 19 double crochets by close to 10 or 11 rows

Not only are the dark green borders different here, but the one on the left is a bit more even, probably due to the slightly heavier cotton.  Not only is Herrschner’s size 10 cotton a little thicker, it has a little less of a shine.

One of the joys of working with this size 10 mercerized cotton is the slight shine and drape of the products.

In contrast, kitchen cotton has a rather matte outcome, and is often stiffer.

Both of these cottons are machine washable, cool, gentle cycle, with flat pieces best dried flat.

January 6, 2016 update.  Feedback was that somebody would have liked them better if there were four.  I’ll make two more.

 

 

 

 

The Crochet Hook Size Matters (Coasters) Combination Trials

DSC08480After I finished these smaller coaster (3 1/4 inches in diameter) with an F hook, I remembered that the larger diameter coasters (4 inches) with the same pattern were made with a three size larger hook, an I hook.  The tighter stitch makes for a less smooth a trim circle.

DSC08477 Here I tried a set in marl,  trimmed

DSC08478 with with solid green, the best looking solid color, and made into a set with one of each of the solid colors trimmed with the Christmas marl.  Of these the white with marl looks best when viewed live.

DSC08471 These 4 1/4 inch marls are done with three inner circle of double crochet, followed by a row of single crochet, and ended with a row of double crochet.

Placemat for Christmas

DSC08152  This Christmas placemat was in response to a request for a placemat  that is solid (not lacy), done in #10 crochet cotton, and for the season.  I used the start of a free log cabin afghan design , only instead of #4 yarn, I used three strands of #10 Crochet cotton, with a size) steel hook.   I added a dark green border in the same style using one half the width of the blocks.   The design, measuring 21 inches wide, and 15 inches tall, is completely  done in double crochet.  This placemat weighs 200 grams, the amount of yarn in four, 175 yard packs of #10 cotton.