Holiday Clam Shell Cases

By Fran Ortmeyer

Make these traditional or contemporary with your color choice and embellishing techniques.  Fran chose red and green fabrics for the clam shells; then dipped into her sequins, bead and crochet thread for embellishments.  This is a great opportunity to try many embroidery techniques, hand-painting, or felting to create beautiful and unusual ornaments.

Clam Shell Templates are available in small, medium & large.

For more information on assembling The Clam Shell Cases

Hagalos tradicional o contemporáneo con tus colores favoritos y técnica para embellecer. Fran escojio telas verdes y rojas y busco entre lentejuelas, abolorios, y hilo para crochet. Esta es una gran oportunidad para practicar tecnicas para pintar a mano, o fieltrar para crear disenos hermosos y exoticos.

 Estuches de Concha son disponibles en Pequeno, Mediano, y Grande

Para más información sobre como ensamblar el Estuche de Concha

Fran’s Creative Corner, Lace, Part IV

Completed receiving blanket

Oh my, I have been crocheting so much I had to find the Icy Hot for those stressed arm muscles.

Crocheting is a very repetitive process and one doesn’t realize the stress put on the muscles in the arm and hand … even the shoulder. So, take a break every so often and make sure you’re using Clover’s Soft Touch Crochet Hook.

I finished one of the receiving blankets I mentioned earlier and am well on my way to finishing a second. The picture below shows the blanket made with plisse.

I used a vintage lace pattern from the early 1900s for the crochet edge.

The fashion term plisse comes from the French verb plisser, which means to crease, to fold, or to pleat. It refers to an intentionally wrinkled, pleated, or puckered fabric. The word can either be used to denote the finish of the fabric or the fabric itself. Plisse finish on fabric can be either temporary or permanent.

Plisse was used for summer pj’s when I was a child. It’s hard to find and you want to use a good quality when making these blankets for babies.

Searching through the old needlework magazines I came across the adorable baby bib pictured below. I will be making one of those to go with the little blankets and will post pictures as I go. I’m also including the pattern if anyone would like to make it for someone special.

Baby Bib circa 1910

I was unable to make the print large enough to read so I have typed it out for you.

A Pretty Bib For The Baby

For this bib coarse knitting cotton was used: any soft-twisted, heavy crochet cotton may be substituted.  Make a chain of 22 stitches, turn.

1  Skip 1, a double in each of 21 stitches, chain 1, turn.

2.  A double in each of 10 stitches, taking up the back vein of stitch to form a rib, 3 doubles in 11th stitch, 1 in each of 10, chain 1, turn.

3.  a double in each stitch, taking back vein always, chain 1, turn.

4.  a double in each stitch to center, 3 doubles in 2nd of 3 widening doubles, a double in each double, chain 1 turn.  Repeat  last 2 rows until you have 8 ribs, or until the body of the bib is as large as wanted.

17.  Like 3rd row; do not turn at the end , but continue up the side with a double in each stitch to the 1st row, chain 14, turn.

18.  Skip 1, a double in each stitch of chain and in each double to corner of bib, widen with 3 doubles in 1 stitch, double in double to center, widen (increase) as usual, double i each double to corner, widen, double in each stitch down the side, chain 14, turn.

19.  Skip 1st stitch, a double in each stitch of chain and in each double around to top of neck on other side; if need be, widen by making an extra double at each corner; chain 1, turn.

20.  a double in each double, widening at corners and center.

Repeat last 2 rows twice more, in last row continuing across the end of neck strap, a double in  each stitch, or end of each row.

25.  Chain 5, *skip 2, a treble between next 2 doubles, chain 2, repeat from *, putting 2 trebles in same stitch at corner of nect strap, and skipping no stitch between trebles at corners and center of bib; work across end of the other neck strap as directed, turn.

26.  Shell of 2 trebles, 2 chain and 2 trebles in space, a  double in next space; repeat.

27.  Using mercerized crochet cotton, or crochet silk pink or blue, make a double in each stitch, with 5 doubles under 2 chain at center of shell.  Fasten off securely.

Run ribbon matching the crochet silk in and out the spaces of 25th row, and finish with a pretty bow of loops at one corner of the bib.

When making these useful little accessories to a baby’s outfit as gifts I use blue to finish them for a wee daughter and pink for a boy.

(No, I didn’t make a mistake on the pink and blue – that’s the way it is written!)

I hope you have fun with this bib pattern. It is certainly from a bygone era and today we see much more practical bibs on children but it would be a fun fanciful gift for a new mom.

Till next time … happy stitching!

Fran’s Creative Corner, Lace, Part III

Trefoil Lace, circa 1915

Oh my gosh did I have fun working with the Hairpin lace from the early 1900s and will continue to work on patterns. I’ll share my progress as they come together.

This week I’m working on crocheted lace from the old magazines. Lace trimmings were very important and popular during the early 1900s If women wanted lace trimmings they had to make them. I’m constantly amazed at the creativity of these women in creating their own designs.

One of my favorite projects to make for new babies is a receiving blanket with crocheted edgings. After hemming with a single crochet stitch I work a delicate lace design around the blanket. They are elegant little coverings for the new baby. I’m working on a couple now for Clover’s graphic designer, Leslie, and her new baby. Crocheted lace is not a fast project so I advise anyone wanting to do this to start early … or make several and keep for future gifts.

One of the crocheted lace designs I have been working with is the  Trefoil Lace.  I will put it on pillow cases and if time allows me to make enough lace, a top sheet.

Try working this pattern and show us the results.

This sweet little bit of lace was fun to work with and will find it’s way onto several of my future projects

I would love to hear from any of you that work this pattern and share how you use it.  Send me a picture and I will post it in Show and Tell.

The lace in the photo below is my first attempt to work this design. Who can see my mistake? I get ahead of myself and think I have a new pattern imprinted in my brain and go off on my own, but that doesn’t always work. I started this on a road trip with my hubby and when I returned home and looked at the picture I realized my ego had gotten the better of me. I’m reworking it.  The design works up quickly and gives a lot of “punch” for your effort so it is worth my time to redo it correctly.

Can you find my mistake?

I have found that crocheted lace was very popular in the magazines from the early 1900s and will spend several blogs showing some of the beautiful designs.

If any of you have vintage lace patterns you would like to share I will be over the moon with excitement.

I have shared before that I have arthritis in my hands and crochet work puts a lot of repeat motion on the fingers and thumbs. Crocheting for hours on end as I was able to do in my youth are over but I share with joy that using the Soft Touch Crochet Hook from Clover allows me to work much longer than the straight tube design of my “other” hooks.

During the research through the magazines I came upon a “helpful hints” from readers and would like to share some with you.

WHAT OTHER NEEDLEWORKERS HAVE FOUND OUT

Needlecraft Magazine

1916

“I have greatly enjoyed learning ‘what other needleworkers have found out,’ and should like to add something. A short time ago a friend told me of a nice easy way to start filet-crochet, and I will pass the idea on: Instead of making a chain of a great number of stitches, and working the spaces back on the chain, if a pattern calls for, say four rows of spaces make a chain for four spaces and work back and forth until you have the requisite number wanted for the length then turn and work along the side.” … Mrs. E.W.W., Wisconsin

“Before putting a new band on your sewing-machine, wet it in castor oil and see how flexible it will be; I coiled mine in the bottom of a teacup and poured on just enough oil to moisten it well, perhaps a teaspoonful. After the oil has been absorbed wipe the band with a cloth, and it is ready for service.” … Mrs. C.A., Pennsylvania

Till next time …  

Fran’s Creative Corner, Lace, Part II

Oh boy! Reading through the needlecraft magazines from the 1900s I found one from 1908 … wow! There is so much history in these magazines I feel very fortunate to have them and be able to look through these treasures whenever I wish. I do fear I may have permanent damage to the eyes, though! Maybe with a few days rest the vision will return to normal.

The lace work throughout the magazines captured my heart as crocheted lace is my favorite to make. Hairpin lace, referred to as Maltese Lace in the magazines, was very popular. I remember making this lace in the 1960s and ’7os, mostly for afghans and baby things.

I gathered all the articles on Hairpin (Maltese) lace and started reading the instructions for each pattern. I found, as I have felt all along, that the lace strip ( referred to as a “gimp”) is easy to make. It’s interesting in and of itself but the beauty of this lace form comes when you start to work the “gimp”. This is where the delicate beauty starts to come out.

Clover's Patchwork Scissors are a must-have for needleworkers.

My first attempts to follow the directions. I used a #10 crochet thread by Handy Hands (Lizbeth) along with a size 4 Clover Soft Touch Crochet Hook and, of course, the Clover Hairpin Lace Tool.

I have tried several of the patterns and have to admit that the woman working this lace during the ’20s MUST have been able to read instructions much better than I. There are different ways to crochet the loops and make medallions and  all produce lace with a delicate beauty of times past … times when women took the time and effort involved in caring for these handmade items since they couldn’t run down to the store and buy some ready-made lace.

Not having a great deal of time to spend on projects I made a book mark.  It was quick and I think turned out nicely.  I would love to master some lace edgings for pillowcases and sheets when I have more time.

HAIRPIN LACE BOOKMARK

Bookmark

MATERIALS:

Hairpin Lace Tool

# 4 Soft Touch Crochet Hook

# 10 crochet cotton, Brown ( Lizbeth by Handy Hands)

# 10 Crochet cotton, Cream ( Lizbeth by Handy Hands)

SET BARS  WITH 2 SPACES BETWEEN

Working hairpin lace, following the directions with the Hairpin Lace Maker, work 120 loops on each side of bars. Once made, work as follows:

1.   Holding strip with loops facing up, insert hook into 4 loops, make 8 single crochet (sc) in the center.

Step 2

a.   Repeat to end of row.

2.   Place hook in center of hairpin lace braid and work 10 double crochet (dc). See photo.

3.   Pick up 4 loops and work 8 sc in center.

a.   Repeat to end of row working 10 dc in center of braid, slip stitch in beginning of first 8 sc.  Tie off.

4.   Pin and lightly steam.

Fran’s Creative Corner, Lace, Part I

Needlecraft magazine, 1915

I was blessed several years ago with a gift of 20 Needlework “magazines” from the 1920s. I lovingly take them down from time to time and look through them,providing me a respite from the fast pace of my daily life. Can you see the date on this magazine?  December 1915 !  Wow … talk about a trip through the past. Each edition is a real adventure.

Clover's Lace Making Tool

While recently spending some time with my treasured magazines I came across several articles about hairpin lace and how to join them for different projects. Two articles caught my attention and made me race to my stash of Clover lace-making products and my collection of crochet thread from Handy Hands to gather what I would need to make some lace for pillow cases and sheets.

Hairping lace instructions circa 1915

Like I would allow anyone to actually sleep on a pillow case or sheet I had made lace for!! It’s kind of like the tablecloths some family member made and we put away to “preserve.” But they’re really meant to be used so I suppose I will take my treasures out and use them.

In case any of you were searching for crocheted nylon attachments to your garter belt I would gladly share a pattern with you from one of my magazines!  Those of you that don’t know what I’m talking about are known as the pantyhose generation.

But not all the projects in the old magazies are outdated. I fell in love with a little pillow and purse so they might just end up as one of my April lace projects.

Once you’ve made a lace project, cleaning them is very important and this month I will focus on making different kinds of lace and the care and cleaning of those precious pieces.

Clover's Soft Touch Crochet Hooks are great for lace making.

I may love my old magazines, but I can’t wait to receive Piecework Magazine’s 4th annual lace issue. I love the description of it … “LACE, connecting the past with the present.”

So, all my faithful followers, check back this month and follow along on my adventure with lace and the great lace making products Clover has to offer. I can’t wait to share with you! I’m already working on it.

Check back and see what I decided to make!

Happy Stitching!