Doily Designs

Doily Designs' History

Doggie Lovies & Doily Designs

A little history about my crochet adventures.

A happy customer.

With my talented Mother always making something beautiful and my Grandmother always crocheting lovely gifts, it was inevitable that at age 3, I would pick up a crochet hook. At age 9, I started selling Christmas ornaments at craft fairs with my Mom, and knitted my first completed sweater at age 11.

Similar example of easy crochet ornaments my Mother taught me, in the 80's, as a child.

Through out the years I did many other crafts and what-not, mostly sewing. Inspired by my Mother. Sewing is one of her specialties, and yes, she has many. Sewing is not so much mine. But it never stopped me from trying. It seemed I could never find things I wanted in stores, so I would make my own.

In 2003, I picked up a crocheting again, for the first time since I was a child. I would make my own patterns for chunky scarves, chunky hats and bikini's.

Here is one of my favorite scarves from 2003, that I still wear. Large and chunky, with beads on the fringe.
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For a few years I lost interest in fiber arts and tried spray paint art.

In 2006, I met my wonderful, inspiring husband, and while carrying my 3rd child, I picked up crochet and knitting again to make baby blankets and baby wear.

Bamboo baby poncho.

This knitted baby blanket took 4 years of working on and off, to finally finish. It was then I uncovered the truth.... beyond a doubt, I am a crocheter more than a knitter.

In 2010, once again, I decided to give selling a try. Mostly, I had crocheted for myself, children or as gifts. This was before I had even heard of Etsy. At the time, I joined up with my Mother and her company, Universal Stitching Designs, to raise awareness about animal cruelty and I began selling dog clothes in her booth at dog fairs. Things like dog scarves, dog sweaters, puppy toys and some jewelry for their humans. I called them DOGGIE LOVIES. It went alright, but not great.

Quickly thrown together display to test "Doggie Lovies" in my Mom's booth at dog fairs.

Floral dog scarves~

More scarves~

The Dog-gone Dog Bone pattern by Ginny Blankenship.

Though other crafts and things interest me, it seems I always end up spending most my time crocheting stuff, and it is were I have been the most productive.

In 2011, I began crocheting in the round and was hooked! Crocheting itself is very therapeutic and meditative and in the round was the cherry on top. Round and round, row after row, coming full circle. It is so very satisfying. In the round offered so much inspiration, there was endless possibilities of things to make!

My husband suggested in 2012 that if I enjoyed this so much, I should start selling to a larger audience and suggested that I sell on Etsy. So in 2012, I opened my Etsy shop, Doily Designs.

I was making doilies, and doily like things at the time and the name Doily Designs stuck. Honestly it is not even by choice, some times things are just meant to be. So Doily Designs it was, with some of my Doily Designs.....

Doily Designs earrings from 2011

One of my Doily Designs Blankets from 2012, sold on Etsy.

My Doily Designs tree skirt creation, 2012. This is my first published pattern for purchase in 2018.

2012, my Doily Designs Shells & Lace Doily Rug. Lovingly, inspired by wanting to make my Mother-in-Law a special and unique gift.

My first Doily Designs Shells n Lace Rug, for MIL, to match her decor. With left over yarn I made a little something extra with the floral covered garden rock in same colors.

Doily Designs Shirt, inspired design, 2015

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I'll finish up with my latest creation.... the new large tree skirt pattern. The Large Cranberry Pineapple Crochet Christmas Tree Skirt Pattern now available on Etsy.

Ravelry, & Lovecrafts.

2018-2021

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Always aspiring to find new concepts and create new joy.....

Keeping the tradition going and growing!

Thank you for stopping by!

Crochet Shawls & Ponchos

Going through pictures I've come across some of the ponchos and shawls that I have made over the years. Some are my own design, while others are from a pattern.

I will try and list a pattern link where I can.

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The first poncho that I ever made was for my youngest daughter when she was a baby. She had already almost outgrown it here. This poncho is made with the softest ivory bamboo yarn, it is a simple square, Dc poncho. The bamboo makes it heavenly to the touch and was a pleasure to work with. Too bad that she out grew it, it was very warm and cosy, I would totally wear this! Sorry, no pattern to list for this one. (Made 2008, picture 2011)

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Next...

Free Snowflake Hooded Cape by Lillian Rather, for babies. Sported by "Tickle me Elmo". 😆

2007

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Blue half circle shawl. Made with size 3 sequined wool. (2013)

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Inspired, but different from this wonderful Boho Tuniek by Haak Trends (pattern not available). (2015)

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Cowl neck poncho, inspired, but my own
pattern. (2015)

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This convertible Skirt/Poncho pattern, can be worn two different ways. Free pattern on Yarnspiration. (2012)

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My own design for a circular poncho. Made with Caron Simply Soft yarn and "I Love This Yarn", along with other yarn scraps. Inspired and for my youngest daughter. My own pattern.

This was one of my first mixed yarn patterns and I totally enjoy the way the different yarn combinations feel together. (2012)

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Youngest daughter's Spring Poncho, inspired by Fiesta Poncho designed by Crystal Bear Designs, visit her shop or Ravelry, for her pattern. (2018)

Joined with Celtic Lace Join. Added detachable flower embellishment.

These are so versatile and great for Texas weather!

My own design for a Bohemian style poncho. (2014)

My "extended version" of Lacy Pineapple Shawl. (2012)

Free, Aphrodite Shawl pattern, similar to above.

(Psst.... I think they are the same pattern...lol!) (2012)

Warm comfy Sierra Poncho. (2013)

This crochet Half Moon Shawl pattern can be found free on Ravelry. (2012)

This poncho was my size and didn't fit her, but what a cute model :)
It has been a while, but I am guessing that this is the Martha Stuart Home Coming Poncho with more simple scalloped edge, and made with Caron Simply Soft yarn. (2012)

2012

My own design that I sold on Etsy, in my shop for a few years. It also works as a skirt. (2014)

Mother and daughter size ponchos.

More shawls and ponchos to come as I run across them......

Thank you for stopping by!

Cotton Crochet Christmas Tree Skirt Pattern

Cranberry Pineapple Crochet Christmas Tree Skirt

Crocheted with Cotton

Loving the tree skirt made with Lily Sugar'n Cream Cotton Yarn!

In the Cranberry Pineapple Crochet Christmas tree skirt pattern, it calls for size 4 worsted weight yarn. In the past, I have always used Hobby Lobby "I Love This Yarn" because of the great colors. Another suggested yarn is Lily's Sugar'n Cream, size 4. It works up close to the same size with a great cotton feel.

I would like to note that in the past, I did not recommend this cotton due to the extra hand strength necessary to crochet with this yarn and hook size. If you suffer from arthritis, it can make it a difficult project. But it can also be very therapeutic to get this workout, and with really great results. If you are up to the challenge, I would recommend you give it a try. With its substantial weight and it's great texture and feel, the size 4 cotton is a great yarn for the Cranberry Pineapple Crochet Christmas Tree Skirt.

If you have not purchased the Cranberry Pineapple tree skirt pattern, you may do so on Etsy. If you would like a tree skirt made just for you in cotton and do not see it listed, please make a request on Etsy.

The picture above of a work in progress is the new LARGE Cranberry Pineapple Christmas tree skirt pattern. Large and original patterns are now available separate or as a bundle on Etsy.

Cranberry Pineapple Large Crochet Christmas Tree Pattern