A Crochet Challenge!

Last fall I picked up a crochet hook while on an overnight layover in Anchorage and made these dishcloths.  I used colors to make them into Forget-Me-Nots, Alaska's state flower.  I couldn't bring myself to use them to do dishes ... so have since decided to use them as mug mats instead.

Messed around with a few other dishcloth patterns in the book ... then put my crochet hook away.  I thought ... well, that was that!

Let me be very clear ... I am not very skilled at crochet ... I am very much a beginner.  My grandmother made beautiful lace doilies, tablecloths, and bedspreads.  My mother also loved crochet ... she made lovely and complicated afghans, pillows and other home decor items.  As a child, I was surrounded by crochet titans!  So naturally, I avoided crochet ... too much to live up to!

In January, while on facebook, I came across this photo.  I visit The Patchwork Heart blog and facebook page often!  Such inspiration!  I shared this photo on my fb page with the comment that they were the cutest coasters ever!  I love following Heather and her projects.  We are both full-time teachers, and live on the coast (she in England).  Heather's talent is amazing!  She sells her work and does special orders as well.  At some point, either on facebook or her blog she shared the pattern source for the coasters!  I couldn't resist ... I had to check it out ... you'll find the pattern link here.

My crochet skills?  Chain, single and double crochet stitches are all I am capable of. ;-)  Fortunately, that was enough for this pattern!  Let's just call it ... dumb dillydally luck!

The pattern was originally published in 1893 (I know... love it!) in a publication called Fancy Work Manual.  A designer named Sandi Marshall reworked the pattern into contemporary instructions.  I found the best source for her and her patterns on pinterest.  Here is the link, her work is impressive!

I am very much a visual learner and have always found written patterns difficult ... so naturally written crochet directions were very intimidating!  It took multiple attempts ... but I'm a dillydallier ... and we welcome challenge! ;-)

Once I got it ...

... it's been hard to stop! Hee-hee!

Gosh ... they just make me happy!  On many levels!

OMGosh ... they make me giddy!

Am feeling the urge to host a tea party!  Grandma and Mom have been smiling down from heaven, I could feel them cheering me on!  It has been a great dillydally adventure!

Do what you love.  Accept a challenge.  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Poor Flicka!  Her challenge is learning knitting/crochet manners!  Yarn is just so tempting!  Too fun!