Blocking for Sheila

mini doily crocheted by Susan S.
date unknown
Recently I went over to Sheila's house to pick up some honey to mail to Judy and her Mr. in Wisconsin. Sheila (a non-knitter) and I looked through some of her mom's knitting patterns and hand-written knitting notes and notations to determine what could be discarded. In one box we found four doilies that Susan had crocheted that needed blocking. You may remember that Susan explained her process to me, and I blocked some of her final pieces. It is satisfying to see the doilies starched and stretched into their intended shapes. Big or small, Susan's doilies are works of art.

square doilies crocheted by Susan S.
date unknown
These two square doilies were gorgeous, and blocking them required an "army" of pins to keep the sides straight.

preliminary pinning of Susan S. square, crocheted doily

Some of the "soldiers' had to be moved several times, but before long they were marching in a straight line.

Thank you, Sheila for giving me the opportunity to work with more of your mother's doilies. She was an artist with a crochet hook.

Comments

  1. Really lovely work. The larger of the squares was just gorgeous and looks so delicate. I am lucky enough to have some of my grandmother's knitting and crocheting. Most of it lives in my cedar chest in my sewing room right now.

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  2. Those are beautiful! I do have some of my maternal grandmothers, ones that she had made. I really should pull them out.

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  3. How NICE of you to block those treasures!

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  4. That is superb crochet. Makes me want to try to crochet again. I used to, many years ago.

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  5. They are beautiful. That diamond one is very interesting.

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  6. These are beautiful! I love that you blocked them for a friend. They are truly stunning! g

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  7. I never thought about the need for blocking square doilies. I have a bedspread that my grandmother made that consists of square crocheted doilies like the ones in your picture. I never thought that perhaps my grandmother had to block each square. (Actually, the bedspread is missing a square. I've considered trying to find the pattern and finish it sometime, but I can't decide if I prefer it as it is.)

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  8. Beautiful! You are correct she was an artist! :)

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  9. They are beautiful. And aren't you great to do this for your friend.

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