Table Runner with Crocheted Trim

I finished this neutral colored table runner to use for simple everyday meals and it would look great under an easy buffet meal on the kitchen counter. I used my own pattern for the crocheted lace - here is the photo tutorial for the Scalloped Net Edging.

This runner also matches the Granny Round Soup Mats for a fun winter soup party.

Blue Denim Napkins

I love these napkins! DII French Stripe Chambray - set of six. I ordered them online and I'm very pleased that they match the blue and white tablecloth so well. Blue colors can be so variable and I was taking a chance on a match. They will also coordinate with a neutral tan table runner that I am still working on. I'm crocheting a lace trim on both ends, so that may take me another day or two to finish. I ordered these napkins from Zola.com and I am pretty happy with the quality. The weighty fabric has a generous hem and a mitered corner that will hold up well to fancy folds! I washed the napkins and there was very little dye run, so these are now ready for Miss Abigail to use everyday.

Blue Paisley Napkins

This morning I finished these six very simple blue and white paisley cloth napkins. The fabric matches the blue and white tablecloth and the set will look pretty with Miss Abigail's classic white Corel dishes. I just cut the fabric to size (18-inches square) and made a turned hem. The finished size is 15-inches square.

"Granny Round" Soup Mats

Miss Abigail loves a party! She has always loved socializing with people and that often involves food.  I know she will want to host casual get-togethers with friends and have another couple over for dinner occasionally. So I've been thinking about what she might need in her linen closet to plan for a special occasion. I've been thinking about a game night or a movie night or a casual picnic at the trail head - even snacks for finals week.

I mentioned before that I had not created many table linens for the hope chest because we didn't know very early in this process what her dishes would look like. But now we do, so the gap in table linens looms large in the unfinished projects category.

I thought these small place mats might work for an easy winter soup party or a summer pasta party, a mini salad bar potluck or snacks for a game night. They don't take up much room at the table, but they still give a bit of a finished look. I made four, thinking she might be hosting a second couple for dinner or a couple of girlfriends in a study group. A tablecloth would be an easier choice if there is a larger crowd around the table.

I began with my pattern for the simple granny round dishcloth, but changed the pattern to make it larger with an additional row. Here is the new pattern if you want to make these mats for yourself. I will post a photo tutorial tomorrow for those who might need some visual help. I will remind everyone of the copyright notice in the sidebar and ask that you don't sell or steal this pattern. Thanks!

Granny Round Soup Mat

Size: 10-inch diameter

Materials: Worsted weight cotton yarn, Size G crochet hook

Row 1: Make a magic circle to form ring. Ch 2 (counts as first sc). Make 13 sc in ring. Join with sl st to top of chain 2. (14 sc)

Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as first dc + ch 1). Dc in next sc. Ch 1. (Dc, ch 1) in each sc stitch around. Join with sl st in third chain of beginning stitch. 14 dc.

Row 3: Ch 3. Dc in space below. Ch 1. (2 dc, ch 1) in each ch 1 space around. Join with sl st in top of beginning ch 3. Sl st in next stitch and in the ch 1 space. 14 pairs of dc.

Row 4:  Ch 3. 2 dc in space right below and to the right of the chain 3. Ch 1. Put (3 dc, ch 1) in each ch 1 space around. Join with sl st in top of beginning ch 3.

Row 5: Ch 3. Dc in next 2 dc. Ch 1. Dc in ch 1 space. *Dc in next 3 dc. Ch 1. Dc in ch 1 space.* Repeat between ** around. Join with sl st to top of beginning ch 3. 56 dc.

Row 6: Ch 3. Dc in same stitch as joining. Ch 1. Make 2 dc in next ch 1 space. Ch 2. *skip next 2 stitches. 1 dc in next stitch. Ch 2. 2 dc in next space. Ch 2.* Repeat between ** around. Join with sl st in top of beginning ch 3. Sl st in next stitch and in space.

Row 7: Ch 3. 2 dc in space below. Ch 1. *(3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 2 space.* Repeat between ** around. Join with sl st in top of beginning ch 3.

Row 8: Ch 4. 3 dc in next ch 1 space. Ch1. *(3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 space.* Repeat between ** around to the last space. Put 2 dc in last space and join with a sl st in the 3 chain of the beg chain 4.

Row 9: Sl st in next stitch. *5 dc in ch 1 space. Skip next dc. Sl stitch in next dc.* Repeat between ** around. Join with a sl st in beginning sl st. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

A Peek Inside - A Linen Table Runner Gift

When Miss Abigail graduated from homeschool and began college my sweet sister sent her a gift for the hope chest, this pretty embroidered linen table runner. I honestly love that Abby has so many gifts in her hope chest.

While I don't have all her gifts photographed yet, I decided to create a label to organize these "gifts to Abby", so that we both can remember the many women who have contributed lovely things for her future home.

A Peek Inside - A Simple Printed Tablecloth

I haven't made a lot of table linens for the hope chest, but this is a small everyday tablecloth that matches Abby's pretty white dishes. The fabric was purchased in the home decor section of our local fabric store and then just hemmed around the edges. Very simple sewing.

Handwoven Gifts for the Hope Chest

Santa brought Miss Abigail these three gifts for her hope chest this year, along with the ornaments shown in the last post. All three are handwoven locally and just a pretty as can be. This top photo is a beautiful grayish-blue table runner and I thought it would look perfect under Abigail's dishes at the holidays and on other special occasions. It measures 18 inches wide and is 36 inches long. The picture couldn't pick up the silver highlights very well, but the white weft threads have a silver thread incorporated that is understated but very fancy. It sparkles in a very subtle way.

This delightful houndstooth hand towel is also handwoven and very professional looking. It matches the last kitchen set that I'm working on for the hope chest and I couldn't resist it. This is one of those towels that you put out on holidays or when the ladies club is meeting at your house and someone might step into the kitchen to rinse their teacup, haha. Yeah, I can be shallow like that sometimes. I bought it mainly to honor the weaver, as I know what it takes to complete a pattern like this and to do it so well.

I didn't meet the weaver of this charming hot mat because it was on the consignment table at the Holiday Fiber Market that I attended in Santa Fe. I just thought it was darling and something useful for everyday meals at an everyday table.

An update on Miss Abigail. We very much enjoyed having her home for the holidays! She is seriously considering a career in nursing, which I think might be a really good fit for her. Nursing is so flexible and would allow her to work a little here and there or as much as she might need. So I am praying that this semester goes well and that she can make a good decision about her future. We had the most enjoyable time together in the car on the drive back. What a blessing she is! I thoroughly enjoyed her chatter as we drove along. She is hopeful about the future and upbeat and looking forward, even to the hard classes. I feel very happy to have spent that time with her.

I have set some serious goals for the hope chest this year. I need to finish up all the unfinished projects and complete several items that are still on my "want to do" list. I can feel the time drawing close now and I need to get these things completed. Wish me luck and I will try hard to document and post more this year.

A Peek Inside: Pretty Doilies

I've mentioned before that I belong to a ladies club and that Miss Abigail has been an informal member since she was born. In fact, though we don't do formal membership at all anymore, Abby is as much a part of the club now as anyone. Both she and I have been gifted many lovely things over the years and some of these gifts are in her hope chest, in honor of or in memory of these special ladies.

These lovely hand-crocheted doilies were made by Miss Sheila, a wonderfully talented woman who has always been so interested in Abigail. I should have put something alongside them to help you understand the size better. They are both about 7-9 inches in diameter. Just the right size to place under a vase of flowers. It is so nice to have these beautiful accessories in the hope chest.

A Peek Inside - Christmas Cross-Stitch Table Runner

My very talented mother-in-law embroidered this pretty table runner. Our family has received many of these precious gifts from her over the years. I use it when I have a chance to entertain and keep it in Miss Abigail's hope chest. I think she will enjoy using it in her home some day.

A Peek Inside - Woven Wool Coasters

The weather is changing and I'm beginning to think about hot chocolate! These pretty coasters were a gift from some homeschooling friends for milking their dairy goats for a week. What a wonderful surprise and a perfect addition to Abigail's hopechest. All of the girls in the family spin and weave. These were made by the youngest, Nicole. Lovely, aren't they?

Beaded Thanksgiving Napkin Rings

Abigail made these beaded napkin rings to use on our Thanksgiving table last year.


These napkin rings are very easy to make. I simply showed her how to use the round nose pliers to make a stop in the wire and then turned her loose with the beads. We started with a fairly long length of wire, put the beads on, and then wrapped the wire around the napkin to see how long we should make them. Once we decided how long the wire should be, we measured and cut the other lengths of wire to match the first.

A set of six napkin rings makes a nice addition to her hope chest.