The Stack is Finished!

I set a goal at the beginning of this month to finish the Floral Set in January. This stack proves I've made it - with one exception. I haven't yet sewed the apron. Choosing apron patterns is hard! I just can't decide which one to make. So, I'll just put it off a little longer...I also haven't made an envelope. This set is simply too big to keep together, so I'm pondering the best way to divide and wrap. Hmmmm.

There are still a number of pictures to show yet and I have several more patterns to share from this set.

A Peek Inside - "Flowers in a Row" Dishcloth

I saw a picture of an afghan made in this pattern on Pinterest and immediately went looking for it. I knew it would make a GREAT dishcloth for the floral set. I found the pattern at http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/flowers-row. The designer is Melissa Leapman and I think she is brilliant! I did have to mess with the pattern to make it work in a small size, and I wanted an edging. So the pattern that follows is written to reflect the changes I made. Be warned - there are A LOT of ends to weave in. It was almost not worth it as this is my least favorite part of crochet. (sigh) I don't think I would do if for anyone other than Miss Abigail! Actually, it was worth it. I love these!

“Flowers in a Row” Dishcloth
Size “G” crochet hook
3 colors of worsted weight cotton yarn (cream, green, flower color)

To make a cluster stitch (cl st): yo, insert hook into stitch, yo pull up loop, draw yarn through 2 loops. Repeat twice more, then draw yarn through all four loops on hook.

Tip: Do your color changes halfway into the last stitch of each row. Crochet over the ends where possible to avoid having to weave them in later. Weave in those that remain before crocheting the edging.

Foundation row: With cream color yarn, chain 35.
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each sc across. Change to green color. Ch 3, turn.
Row 2: Skip first sc [(dc, ch1, dc) in the next sc. Skip next 2 sc.] Repeat between [ ] to last 2 stitches. Skip next sc. Dc in last stitch. Change to flower color. Ch 3, turn.
Row 3: Skip first dc. [Make cluster in next ch-1 space, ch 2.] Repeat between [ ] to last ch-1 space. Cluster in the last ch-1 space, ch 1. Dc in top of ch-3, changing to cream color. Ch 1, turn.
Row 4: Sc in first dc. Skip next stitch. [Sc in top of cluster, 2 sc in ch-2 space] Repeat between [ ] to last 2 stitches. Sc in last cluster, sc between cluster and chain, sc in top of chain. (34 stitches) Ch 1, turn. 
Row 5: Sc in each sc across, changing to green color. (34 stitches) Ch 3, turn. 
Rows 6-9: Repeat rows 2-5.
Rows 10-13: Repeat rows 2-5.
Rows 14-17: Repeat rows 2-5.
Row 18: Repeat row 2.
Row 19: Repeat row 3.
Row 20: Repeat row 4. (34 stitches) Do not finish off. Ch 4 and turn to complete edging.
Edging: *Skip first 3 sc. Sc in next sc, ch 4. [Skip next 2 sc, sc in next sc, ch 4] Repeat between [ ] across to last sc. (Ch 4, sc, ch 4) to turn corner. (Sc, ch 4) evenly down side, placing sc stitches around posts and in ends of rows to corner. Ch 4. Repeat from *. End with a slip stitch in base of starting ch-4.

A Peek Inside - Hod Pads for the Floral Set

These are two sets of hot pads in the Floral set for the hope chest. The mossy green set was purchased on a clearance sale for $1.99 - I love it when I find such a wonderful deal and the color was just right. These are very heavy-duty with terry cloth on the back and hanging loops. Perfect! I crocheted the rosy red set using a "floret" stitch. This stitch is a combination of double crochet and slip stitch. It isn't hard, once you get the hang of it. I wrote out the pattern, in case you want to try it.

Floret Stitch Hot Pads
2 balls of cotton worsted weight yarn, size "G" hook

Chain 25.
Row 1: Dc in 4th chain from hook. (Turning chain 3 counts as first dc throughout.) Dc in next chain and in each chain across. (23 stitches) Ch 1 and turn.
Row 2: Skip first dc. [ Dc in next st, sl st in next st] across, ending in the top of the turning chain. Ch 3 and turn.
Row 3: Skip first stitch. [Dc in next dc, dc in next sl st] across, ending in the top of the turning chain. Ch 1 and turn.
Rows 4-15: Repeat rows 2 and 3. Finish off.

Make 4 panels.

Edging: Hold two pieces together, back to back, with last row worked at top. Working through both pieces, cast on with a ch 3 in the space between the first and second dc at the top right corner. 3 dc in same space. Corner made. Skip next dc. Dc between dc stitches across to last dc (20 stitches). 5 dc in last dc space to turn corner. Skip next dc. Dc evenly down side to next corner (20 stitches). 5 dc in corner space. Skip next dc. Dc evenly down last side to corner (20 stitches) dc in corner; join with slip stitch to beginning ch 3. Sl st in next 3 stitches and finish off. Weave in ends.

A Peek Inside - Cross-Stitch Cotton Dishtowels

Some time ago, I found a set of colorful, plain cotton dishtowels on sale. The fabric is lovely and the colors match the Floral set perfectly. Because I thought they were too plain for the hope chest, I wanted to fancy them up somehow. I finally decided on a simple cross-stitched rose with a length of cotton cluny lace to further embellish the towels. I had to pre-wash them carefully because they were made in India and I know from experience that Indian dyes often bleed. I certainly don't want Miss Abigail to get a horrible surprise some years down the road when she does her laundry. I think they have a definite "vintage" look about them. In case you like them, I've included a similar cross-stitch pattern in this post. Just use a transfer pencil and a sheet of graph paper to copy the pattern.

Just Thinking...

These are some of the hand towels that I've collected for the Floral set. I'm just trying to decide what to do with them. I have lots of ideas and love thinking about all the possibilities for embellishing. Stay tuned.

A Peek Inside - Duck Dishtowels

I just love this cheerful duck! This set of dishtowels was embroidered with colors to match the apron fabric for the Floral Set. The cute pattern is one of Aunt Martha's --"Dottie the Duck."