Autumn Doily Tutorial

Inspired by the colors of the autumn leaves and the intricate patterns of vintage doilies, I decided to make an attempt to design my #autumndoily.

I made this doily using Scheepjes Cotton 8 4-ply yarn and a 3mm hook. This doily has a diameter of approximately 34cm. At the end of this tutorial, I would suggest blocking your doily though not necessarily.

Notes:

For this tutorial, I have excluded the details on how to begin with the new round. It is up to you decide on whether you would like to start the new round with chain stitches or standing stitches.

Special Stitches:

Dc2tog:

• *Yarn over, insert hook into space, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops.*
• Repeat *to* one more time.
• Yarn over, draw through all 3 loops on hook.

Dc3tog:

• *Yarn over, insert hook into space, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops.*
• Repeat *to* two more times.
• Yarn over, draw through all 4 loops on hook.

Abbreviations:

The steps are written in US terms:

ch = chain
dc = double crochet
sc = single crochet
sl = slip stitch
sp = space
st = stitch
tr = treble crochet
dc2tog = double crochet 2 together
dc3tog = double crochet 3 together

For crochet terms conversion, please click here.

Steps:

Round 1:

• Start with a magic ring. Work 16 dc into the ring.
• Sl into the 1st dc of this round.

Round 2:

• Start the round in any st.
• Work (1 dc, ch4, skip 1 st) all the way round.
• Sl into the 1st dc of this round.

Round 3:

• Start the round in any ch sp of round 2. 
• Work *(3dc, ch1, 3dc) in ch space. Ch2.* Repeat *to* all the way round.
• Sl into the 1st dc of this round.

Round 4:

• Start the round in any ch1 sp of round 3.
• Work *(3dc, ch1, 3dc) in ch1 space. Ch5.* Repeat *to* all the way round.
• Sl into the 1st dc of this round.

Round 5:

• Start the round in any ch1 space of round 4. 
• Work *(3dc, ch3, 3dc) in ch1 space. Ch3. Long sc in ch2 space of round 3. Ch3.* Repeat *to* all the way round.
• Sl into the 1st dc of this round.

Round 6:

• Start the round in any ch3 space(i.e. the tip of any petals) of round 5.
• Work *1sc in tip of petal. Ch5. 1 v-stitch (i.e. 1tr, ch1, 1tr) in the long sc st. Ch5.* Repeat *to* all the way round.
• Sl into the 1st sc of this round.

Round 7:

• Start the round in the ch5 sp on the left of any sc.
• Work *(4dc, dc2tog) in next ch5 space. Ch2. 1dc in ch1 space of v-stitch. Ch2. (dc2tog, 4dc) in next ch5 space. Ch1.* Repeat *to* all the way round.
• Sl into the 1st dc of this round.

Round 8:

• Start the round in the 2nd stitch of round 7.
• Work 1dc in the same st. 1dc in next 3 stitches.
• Work *Ch3. 1sc in ch2 sp. 1sc in next stitch, 1sc in ch2 sp. Ch3. 1dc in next 4 st. Ch2. (Skip 2dc st. 1dc in next 4 st).* Repeat *to* all the way round, omitting () on the last repeat.
• Sl into the 1st dc of this round.

Round 9:

• Start the round in the 2nd st of round 8. 
• Work 1dc in the same st. 1dc in the next 2 st. 
• Work *1 dc in ch3 sp. Ch2. Dc3tog in next 3sc st. Ch3. 1dc in ch3 sp. 1 dc in next 3 st. Ch2. 1dc in ch2 sp. Ch2. (Skip 1 st. 1dc in next 3 st.)*
• Repeat *to* all the way round, omitting () on the last repeat.
• Sl into the 1st dc of this round.

Round 10:

• Start the round in the 3rd st of round 9.
• Work 1dc in the same st. 1dc in the next st.
• Work *2dc in ch2 sp. Ch2. 1sc in top of dc3tog. Ch3. 2dc in ch3 sp. 1 dc in next 2 st. Ch3. 1sc in ch2 sp. 1sc in next st. 1sc in ch2 sp. Ch3. (Skip 2 st. 1dc in next 2 st.)*
• Repeat *to* all the way round, omitting () on the last repeat.
• Sl into the 1st dc of this round.

Round 11:

• Start the round in the 3rd st of round 10.
• Work 1dc in the same st. 1dc in the next  st.
• Work *3dc in ch2 sp. Ch1. 3dc in ch3 sp. 1dc in next 2 st. Ch4. Dc3tog in next 3 st. Ch4. (Skip 2 st. 1dc in next 2 st.)*
• Repeat *to* all the way round, omitting () on the last repeat.
• Sl into the 1st dc of this round.

Round 12:

• Start the round in the 2nd st of round 11.
• Work 1dc in the same st. 1dc in the next 3 st.
• Work *1dc in ch1 sp. 1dc in next 4 st. Ch2. 1dc in ch4 sp. Ch3. 1sc in top of dc3tog. Ch3. 1dc in ch4 space. Ch2. (Skip 1 st. 1dc in next 4 st.)*
• Repeat *to* all the way round, omitting () on the last repeat.
• Sl into the 1st dc of this round.

Round 13:

• Start the round in the 3rd st of round 12.
• Work 1dc in the same st. 1dc in the next 4 st.
• Work *Ch4. 1sc in ch2 sp. 1sc in next st. 1sc in ch3 sp. Ch5. 1sc in ch3 sp. 1sc in next st. 1sc in ch2 sp. Ch4. (Skip 2 st. 1dc in next 5 st.)*
• Repeat *to* all the way round, omitting () on the last repeat.
• Sl into the 1st dc of this round.

Round 14:

• Start the round in the 2nd st of round 13.
• Work dc3tog in current and next 2 st.
• Work *Skip the next dc st. Ch8. Dc3tog in next 3sc st. Ch3. 1sc in ch5 space. Ch3. Dc3tog in next 3 st. Ch8. (Skip 1 st. Dc3tog in next 3 st).*
• Repeat *to* all the way round, omitting () on the last repeat.
• Sl into the top of dc3tog of this round.

Round 15:

• Start the round in the 1st dc3tog of round 14.
• Work 1 dc in the same stitch.
• Work *Ch4. 1dc in ch8 sp. Ch4. 1dc in top of dc3tog. Ch3. 1dc in ch3 sp. Ch3. 1dc in next ch3 sp. Ch3. 1dc in top of dc3tog. Ch4. 1dc in ch8 sp. Ch4. (1dc in top of dc3tog.)*
• Repeat *to* all the way round, omitting () on the last repeat.
• Sl into the 1st dc of this round.

Round 16 and 17:

• Start the round in any ch sp of round 15.
• Work (1dc in ch sp, ch4) all the way round.
• Sl into the 1st dc of this round.

Round 18:

• Start the round in any ch sp of round 17.
• Work (4dc in ch sp, ch1) all the way round.
• Sl into the 1st dc of this round.

Round 19:

• Start the round in any ch sp of round 18.
• Work (1sc in ch sp, ch4) all the way round.
• Sl into the 1st sc of this round.

Round 20:

• Start the round in any ch sp of round 19.
• Work (sc, hdc, dc, tr, dc, hdc, sc) in each ch space all the way round.
• Sl into the 1st sc of this round.

PS: It has taken me the longest time so far to finalize a pattern. I spent several late nights creating many versions of this pattern as I was very determined to make it work. Even though it might be far from a perfect design in the eyes of some, I'm glad that I didn't give up on trying.

"To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong." - Joseph Chilton Pearce

Jo's Popcorn Flower Mandala Tutorial

Writing my #wallflowermandala pattern tutorial has been a challenging and enjoyable experience to me. In addition, I have also received quite positive response from both google+ communities and Instagrammers. Thank you so much for your kind comments. It means alot to me.

Today I would like to share with you my latest mandala pattern. I call it Jo's Popcorn Flower Mandala (#jopcfmandala). I made this mandala using cotton yarn (scheepjes cotton 8 and hema fine cotton) and a 3mm hook. The finished mandala has a diameter of approximately 19cm. I would rate the level of difficulty as 'intermediate'. Before we begin, please take a moment to go through the special notes below.

Special Notes:

• For popcorn stitch, I'm making 4 double crochet instead of the standard 5dc in a group. 
• For both popcorn stitch and tr3tog, chain 1 to close the group.  This is not to be confused with the chain stitches mentioned under Steps section.

Abbreviations:

The steps are written in US terms:

beg = beginning
dc = double crochet
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
sl = slip stitch
tr = treble crochet
tr3tog = treble crochet 3 together

For crochet terms conversion, please click here.

Special stitches:

Beg popcorn stitch:

• Ch3 (counts as 1dc)
• Work 3 dc in the same stitch. 
• Remove your hook from your last stitch. 
• Insert your hook into the 3rd chain of initial ch3.
• Grab the dropped loop with your hook and pull it through the first dc. (photo 1)
• Ch1 to close the popcorn. (photo 2)

Popcorn stitch:

• Work 4 dc in the stitch. 
• Remove your hook from your last stitch. 
• Insert your hook into the top of the first dc. 
• Grab the dropped loop with your hook and pull it through the first dc.
• Ch1 to close the popcorn.

Beg Tr3tog:

• Ch3. *YO twice, insert hook into same space, yo, pull up a loop, (yo, draw through 2 loops) twice*. 
• Repeat * to * once more. 
• YO, draw through all 3 loops on hook. 
• Ch 1 to close the group.

Tr3tog:

• *YO twice, insert hook into space, yo, pull up a loop, (yo, draw through 2 loops) twice*.
• Repeat * to * two more times. 
• YO, draw through all 4 loops on hook. 
• Ch 1 to close the group.

Picot dc:

• Work 1dc, ch3 (photo 1)
• Insert your hook into the top loops of the dc and make one sc. (photo2)

I'm working each round with a new color. I hope you will enjoy making this mandala. Let's begin!

Steps:

Round 1:

• Start with a magic ring. Work 8 sc into the ring.
• Sl into the top of the first sc. Fasten off. 
• Total: 8sc

Round 2:

• Join new color in any stitch. Work a beg popcorn stitch in same stitch. (Please refer to special notes above if you have not done so). Mark your closing chain if you are going to have problem identifying it later.
• Chain 1.
• Work (1 popcorn stitch, ch 1) in each stitch all the way around.
• Sl into the closing chain of the first popcorn (see small image above). Fasten off.
• Total: 8 popcorn stitches, 8 ch1 spaces.

Round 3:

• Join new color in any ch1 space. Work a beg popcorn stitch in same chain space. Ch 1.
• Work another popcorn stitch in same space. Ch 1. 
• Work (1 popcorn stitch, ch 1) twice in each chain space all the way around.
• Sl into the closing chain of the first popcorn. Fasten off.
• Total: 16 popcorn stitches, 16 ch1 spaces.

Round 4:

• Join new color in any ch1 space. Ch3 (counts as 1dc).
• Work 2 dc in same space. Ch1.
• Repeat (3dc, ch1) in each chain space all the way around.
• Sl into the 3rd ch of initial ch3. Fasten off.
• Total: 16 groups of 3dc, 16 ch1 spaces.

Round 5:

• Join new color in any ch1 space. Ch4 (counts as 1dc and ch1 space). 
• Skip one stitch. Work 1dc into the next stitch.  Ch1. Skip 1 stitch.
• Repeat  (1dc in ch space, ch1, skip 1, 1dc in the next stitch, ch1, skip 1) all the way around.
• Sl into the 3rd chain of initial ch4. Fasten off.
• Total: 32 dc, 32 ch1 spaces.

Round 6:

• Join new color in any ch1, space. Work beg tr3tog in same space. Ch2.
• Repeat (tr3tog, ch2) in each space all the way around.
• Sl into the closing chain of beg tr3tog. Fasten off.
• Total: 32 tr3tog, 32 ch2 spaces.  

Round 7:

• Join new color in any ch2 space. Work beg tr3tog in same space. Ch1.
• Work 1 tr3tog in next chain space. Ch3.
• Repeat (1 tr3tog in next space, ch1, 1 tr3tog in next space, ch3) all the way around.
• Sl into the closing chain of beg tr3tog.
• Total: 32 tr3tog, 16 ch3 spaces, 16 ch1 spaces.

Round 8:

• Join new color in any ch1 space. Ch2 in same space (counts as 1sc).
• In the next ch3 space, work (1dc, 5 picot dc, 1dc).
• Repeat (1sc in next ch1 space, (1dc, 5 picot dc, 1dc) in next ch3 space) all the way around.
• Sl into the 2nd chain of initial ch2.
• Total: 16 sc, 16 groups of (2 dc, 5 picot dc)

Ta-dah! Done with 8 rounds. Are you satisfied with your mandala?

Wallflower Mandala (Coaster) Tutorial

I have designed and crocheted for myself a few mandalas before, but it has always been through rough sketching or experimenting on the spot.

This time round, I have decided to try writing down pattern and sharing it with the community. This humble little mandala is actually a mini version of my other mandala which I have posted on Instagram few weeks ago. I hope that the written steps are clear and easy to understand for you. If you've any questions of found any errors, please let me know :)

Btw, if you're keen to try this pattern, I would love to see your finished mandalas. :) Please tag your photos with #wallflowermandala on Instagram or leave a comment below with a link to your blog. A link back to my Instagram account (@joakhui80) or my blog (http://ohmilly.blogspot.com) would be much appreciated. Thank you very much!

I made this mandala using cotton yarn(scheepjes cotton 8 and hema fine cotton) and a 3mm hook. The finished mandala has a diameter of approximately 14cm. The steps are written in US terms:

sl = slip stitch
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
tr = treble crochet

For crochet terms conversion, please click here.

Each round is worked with a new color (except for the last 2 rounds). Let's begin!

Round 1 :

• Start with a magic ring, ch4 (counts as 1dc and ch1 space).
• Work (1dc, ch1) 11 times into the ring. 
• Sl into the 3rd ch of initial ch4 to join the round. Fasten off. (total 12 dc, 12 ch1 spaces)

Round 2 :

• Join new color in any ch1 space. Ch3 (counts as 1 partial tr), work 3 more partial tr in same space and pull through 4 loops on hook (tr4tog). Ch2. 
• Repeat (tr4tog in next ch1 space, ch2) all the way around. 
• Sl into the top of the first tr4tog. Fasten off. (total 12 groups of tr4tog, 12 ch2 spaces)

{To make tr4tog (made up of 4 partial tr) ::

• yo twice, insert hook into space, yo, pull up a loop (4 loops on hook), *yo, pull  through 2 loops on your hook*, repeat *to* once more (2 loops left on hook)
• yo twice, insert hook into space, yo, pull up a loop (5 loops on hook), *yo, pull  through 2 loops on your hook*, repeat *to* once more (3 loops left on hook)
• yo twice, insert hook into space, yo, pull up a loop (6 loops on hook), *yo, pull  through 2 loops on your hook*, repeat *to* once more (4 loops left on hook)
• yo twice, insert hook into space, yo, pull up a loop (7 loops on hook), *yo, pull  through 2 loops on your hook*, repeat *to* once more(5 loops left on hook)
• yo, pull through 5 loops on hook.

}

Round 3 :

• Join new color in any ch2 space. Ch2 (counts as 1 sc). Work 2sc in the same space. Ch1. 
• Repeat (3sc in next ch2 space, ch1) all the way around. 
• Sl into the 2nd ch of initial ch2. Fasten off. (total 36sc, 12 ch1)

Round 4 :

• Join new color into the top of any tr4tog of round 2 (see above image).  Ch2 (counts as a long sc). Work 1sc in each of next 3 stitches.
• Repeat (one long sc in next tr4tog, 1sc in next 3 stitches) all the way around.  
• Sl into the 2nd ch of initial ch2. Fasten off. (total 36sc, 12 long sc)

Round 5 :

• Join new color in any stitch. Ch2 (counts as 1 sc). 
• Work one sc in each stitch all the way around. 
• Sl into the 2nd ch of initial ch2. Fasten off. (total 48sc)

Round 6 :

• Join new color in any long sc of round 4. Ch2 (counts as a long sc). 
• Skip one stitch. Work (1hdc, 1dc, 1tr, 1dc, 1hdc) in next stitch. Skip one stitch.
• Repeat (a long sc in the next stitch, skip one stitch, (1hdc, 1dc, 1tr, 1dc, 1hdc) in next, skip one) all the way around.
• Sl into the 2nd ch of initial ch2. Fasten off. (total 12 shell stitch clusters, 12 long sc)

Round 7 :

• Join new color in any long sc. Chain 3 (counts as one dc). Work 1dc in the same stitch, 1dc in each of next 5 stitches.
• Work (2dc in next long sc, 1dc in next 5 stitches) all the way around. 
• Sl into the 3rd ch of initial ch3. Fasten off. (total 84dc)

Round 8 :

• Join new color in space between any 2dc (see above image). Ch4 (counts as 1tr). 
• In the next stitch (after the 2dc in same stitch of round 7), work 1dc. 
• Work (1hdc, 1sc, 1hdc, 1dc) in next 4 stitches.
• Work (1tr in space between next 2dc, then 1dc, 1hdc, 1sc, 1hdc, 1dc in next 5 stitches) all the way around. 
• Sl into the 4th ch of initial ch4. Fasten off. (total 12 groups of 1tr, 1dc, 1hdc, 1sc, 1hdc, 1dc)

Round 9 :

• Join new color in any tr. Ch2 (counts as 1sc). Ch4. Skip 2 stitches.
• Repeat (1sc in next stitch, ch4, skip 2 stitches) all the way around. 
• Sl into the 2nd ch of initial ch2. (total 24 sc, 24 groups of ch4). 

Round 10 :

• Continue with the same color from previous round, sl into ch4 space next to current ch2. Work 3sc, ch3 (counts as a picot), 3sc in ch4 space.
• Repeat (3sc, ch3, 3sc in each ch4 space) all the way around.
• Sl into the 1st sc at the beginning of the round. Fasten off.

I hope you enjoy making this mini #wallflowermandala.

P.S. : I named this mandala 'wallflower' according to my personality.

Crochet hook case

I received a set of clover amour crochet hook set with no casing for my birthday this year. These ergonomic hooks are extremely comfortable to hold and use. I decided to make my own crochet hook case to give them a 'home'. I wanted my case to be bright and colorful with a few pocket slots to hold the hooks. Recently, I've fallen in love with spike stitch as you can make wonderful patterns out of it. So, this will be a good chance for me to play around with spike stitch.

Using cotton yarn in 10 different colors, I created a piece measuring approximately 23 x 18 cm with diamond shape patterns.

As you can see from the close-up view below, I made 5 rows of single crochet (sc) with each color. For every first row of color change, repeat spike stitch pattern.

I made a inner lining of the same measurement as the front piece using the color beige...

 and a separate pocket piece, measuring approximately 23 x 10 cm. 

For this piece, I made 2 rows of sc with each color and spike stitch pattern upon color change.

 After I was done with the all the 3 pieces (front, back and pocket), I lined them up together, joining them along the edges using sc.

 Here is the result.

Here comes the part where I had to sew individual pocket slots. As I wanted to create a seamless look for my pocket piece, therefore, I had to sew through the back of pocket piece together with the inner lining.

The seams are now hidden behind the pocket piece.

I also inserted two pieces of cardboard measuring 10 x 17 cm each in between the front and back pieces to give it a 'backbone'.

I crocheted a flower to serve as a 'button' for my case…

 and made a chain of 20 (ch20) to serve as a loop for my button.

Here it is, my home-made crochet hook case.

 I'm happy with my crochet hook case. Happy weekend!