I love the resurgence of doilies in home decorating. I made a doily pillow a few months ago and it still sits proudly on my little loveseat. You can actually see it in a few photos of mine, such as the one here, here, and here. I really adore it.
A few weeks ago I decided I wanted a bigger doily. Like, big-big. At first I was a little intimidated at trying to make a big doily the old-fashioned way. I mean, come on! Tiny thread + tiny hook = sore hands, fingers, and elbows. I didn’t want to put myself through that right before the rush of Christmas crafting. So, I barged into my closet and through my vintage leaflet books and found one with doily patterns that were medium-sized and decided I’d crochet a normal doily, but with a heavier weight yarn.
My husband’s grandmother is an amazing crafter. She’s made my babies quilts and crocheted them a few blankets. She recently sent over a huge bag of yarn she didn’t want anymore. Most of it was acrylic stuff, some vintage balls thrown in as well. Amongst them was a HUGE 1-lb skein of Red Heart in ‘antique white’ or something like that. I grabbed it and a K-hook (6.5mm) and started at it.
I ended up with a semi-nice blanket, but it was kind of stiff, even with such a big hook. I was feeling pretty bummed, as I had spent…like….soooo much time on it (a few episodes of Criminal Minds). I tossed it in the wash without even feeling that “what if it dissolves?!?” anxiety that I usually feel when I machine-wash handknits. It came out even stiffer! I shoved that baby in the dryer with a load of laundry and what came out was….oh, it was like a cloud!
All that to say–it worked! I got a huge-ass doily to call a lap blanket, now. I couldn’t be happier with it!
Ok, maybe I could be. Anyone want to donate to a bulky-yarn fund so I can crochet this baby with a Q-hook?? It would be as big as my bed, I bet!
I made another to give away as a baby shower gift along with some other little handmade goodies. I can’t wait to get them to the expectant mama!
Lady that is so pretty!! How big does it measure? It looks like the perfect doily to go on the dresser top – my mind is having a hard time imagining it as a blanket. You’re a genius girl!
that would be a perfect place for it!
It’s about 36″ from point to point. it’s not THAT big, but it does its job as a lap blanket!
omg, that is AWESOME! I want to try this! What a great idea!!!
Doooo it! It’s so pretty and it’s really nice to drape over my legs when it gets chilly in the living room.
I too am a fan of the doily! Doilies are marvelous things. And I absolutely adore this blanket you made.
Everything you do, I find myself saying “I wish I’d thought of that!” But I’m glad that you did because you’re better at the blogging thing. :)
how adorable! i love the resurgence of doilies, too. i love that you blew it up. i want one!
thank you!
I think the pretty just increases with size. I could say the same when things are miniaturized!
This is SO GORGEOUS! I love it.
I love this! I’m new to crocheting (I’ve been doing it about two or three weeks), But so far I’ve made some very nice crochet scarves and I’m working on my third puff stitch hat. I think that i’m learning pretty fast, so I was wondering if this would be something that I could accomplish soon. I know that doilies are considered pretty difficult, but I was wondering if it’s something I could do.
Welcome to the crochet club! :)
Doilies usually employ basic stitches in fancy ways. Most of this pattern was double crochets and shell stitches (groups of DC).
If you can read a pattern and are able to follow directions, you should have no problem making them!
Thank you! I’m learning to read the patterns. Unfortunately I’m the type of person who likes to see something being done and then do it. But I just can’t seem to find any good videos!
Wow, that is absolutely beautiful!! I’m always terrified to wash hand-knits; maybe I should try it with some cheap acrylics?
I’m sure the mom-to-be is going to be thrilled with the gift!
I have this weird anxiety that my hard work will just disintegrate in the washing machine! I’ve learned that it really softens up the acrylics. I hand-wash my woollies, though!