Pattern: Round Doily, from Japanese Crocheted lace (Kyuuto series, english translation.)

Thread: DMC Cebelia size 10, about 1/4-1/3 ball

Hook: 1.5 mm from the Hamanaka set (bought from Saucy Louise.)

Notes: A finished doily – yay! This was so much fun to make that I couldn’t put it down. There is something very soothing about crocheting in endless circles. This was my first charted crochet pattern, and I think I did pretty well – certainly it was easier for me to get through some of the stranger directions, although I did have some issues with how to start the last few rounds (it must have worked out, because I can’t tell.) The picot edge was annoying, as picots tend to be, but that’s ok… the nice effect is worth it. I love these hooks – they have a roundish grip that gives you something to hold onto without being obtrusive. The Clover soft touch hooks, which are similar, are more flat and tend to dig into my palm. I blocked this, sort of… at least I pinned it out, sprayed it with water, and then applied some spray starch. It isn’t absolutely even, but I don’t care about that. It looks so nice on the side table my dad refinished for me.

I will certainly be making more doilies in the future!

I have started two new projects to keep me busy. The first is the Diane Cardigan, from Louisa Hardings’ Knitting Little Luxuries.

I’m trying to make up a 32″ size, which shouldn’t be too hard. Impressions is a nice yarn – soft and very pretty when knitted up. After a few rows I got the hang of how to knit with it, and I haven’t been catching the thread it’s wrapped in. The most amazing thing to me is that I am using the recommended needle size – this hasn’t happened in at least a year! Maybe Ms. Harding is a fellow loose knitter?

I’ve started another crochet project as well.

This is Chanson en Crochet from Wrap Style, crocheted in Moda Dea Silk’n’wool. It’s very nice so far, although I can already see where some people have said the directions are vague. Will I wear a capelet? I sure hope so, but time will tell!