Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Fancy Handkerchiefs


How about dressing up a simple cotton handkerchief? We found a package of cotton handkerchiefs at our local Walmart store and decided to add a fancy feminine border. You can use a border from some crochet patterns you have on hand or use our simple pattern as follows.

Using a very fine crochet hook (size 10 or 1.3mm) and cotton crochet thread stick the hook firmly into the fabric and work around the handkerchief in single crochet stitches. This will be your foundation row. The next time around we made a shell stitch- skip stitch, slip stitch, *3 dc in the same stitch, skip stitch, skip stitch, repeat from * until the corner sc . On the corner single crochet we worked 3 double crochet, chain 3, 3 double crochet in the same stitch.

Don't worry you can't mess it up and this project is a wonderful opportunity for beginners to practice easy stitches. You can place the handkerchief, ball of thread, and needle in a zip lock bag and its perfect for time in the car or waits in the doctor's office.

If you have trouble getting your crochet needle to poke through the cotton fabric machine baste in large stitches around the handkerchief and then pull the thread out. The machine needle will have made the hole for you. Start your single crochets about 1/4 inch inside the edge of your handkerchief. It'll be pretty!!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful idea!!! I love it! This is perfect. My oldest is six and sometimes we just need some projects that are quick from start-to-finish.

Thank you for sharing.

Mrs. Klause
www.clothedwithscarlet.typepad.com

:o) Rachel said...

Those are just beautiful. I really need to learn how to crochet!!
:o) Rachel

Kathy, Jeff's Wife said...

Beautiful! I have done the same thing with cotton fabric to make pretty and easy receiving blankets for baby gifts!

Jane said...

Ohhhh we love the baby blanket idea. Thanks!

A happy heart at home said...

Very nice! The crochet hooks I use have letters on them. Is there a letter on the size 10 crochet hook you use?

~Susan

Jane said...

Susan-
I have checked the needle and there wasn't a letter size on it. I too was accustomed to the letter sizing. The needle is really small, and it reads 10/1.30mm. Hope this is helpful.

Blessings, Jane