Fran’s Creative Corner, Lace, Part IV
Oh my, I have been crocheting so much I had to find the Icy Hot for those stressed arm muscles.
Crocheting is a very repetitive process and one doesn’t realize the stress put on the muscles in the arm and hand … even the shoulder. So, take a break every so often and make sure you’re using Clover’s Soft Touch Crochet Hook.
I finished one of the receiving blankets I mentioned earlier and am well on my way to finishing a second. The picture below shows the blanket made with plisse.
The fashion term plisse comes from the French verb plisser, which means to crease, to fold, or to pleat. It refers to an intentionally wrinkled, pleated, or puckered fabric. The word can either be used to denote the finish of the fabric or the fabric itself. Plisse finish on fabric can be either temporary or permanent.
Plisse was used for summer pj’s when I was a child. It’s hard to find and you want to use a good quality when making these blankets for babies.
Searching through the old needlework magazines I came across the adorable baby bib pictured below. I will be making one of those to go with the little blankets and will post pictures as I go. I’m also including the pattern if anyone would like to make it for someone special.
I was unable to make the print large enough to read so I have typed it out for you.
A Pretty Bib For The Baby
For this bib coarse knitting cotton was used: any soft-twisted, heavy crochet cotton may be substituted. Make a chain of 22 stitches, turn.
1 Skip 1, a double in each of 21 stitches, chain 1, turn.
2. A double in each of 10 stitches, taking up the back vein of stitch to form a rib, 3 doubles in 11th stitch, 1 in each of 10, chain 1, turn.
3. a double in each stitch, taking back vein always, chain 1, turn.
4. a double in each stitch to center, 3 doubles in 2nd of 3 widening doubles, a double in each double, chain 1 turn. Repeat last 2 rows until you have 8 ribs, or until the body of the bib is as large as wanted.
17. Like 3rd row; do not turn at the end , but continue up the side with a double in each stitch to the 1st row, chain 14, turn.
18. Skip 1, a double in each stitch of chain and in each double to corner of bib, widen with 3 doubles in 1 stitch, double in double to center, widen (increase) as usual, double i each double to corner, widen, double in each stitch down the side, chain 14, turn.
19. Skip 1st stitch, a double in each stitch of chain and in each double around to top of neck on other side; if need be, widen by making an extra double at each corner; chain 1, turn.
20. a double in each double, widening at corners and center.
Repeat last 2 rows twice more, in last row continuing across the end of neck strap, a double in each stitch, or end of each row.
25. Chain 5, *skip 2, a treble between next 2 doubles, chain 2, repeat from *, putting 2 trebles in same stitch at corner of nect strap, and skipping no stitch between trebles at corners and center of bib; work across end of the other neck strap as directed, turn.
26. Shell of 2 trebles, 2 chain and 2 trebles in space, a double in next space; repeat.
27. Using mercerized crochet cotton, or crochet silk pink or blue, make a double in each stitch, with 5 doubles under 2 chain at center of shell. Fasten off securely.
Run ribbon matching the crochet silk in and out the spaces of 25th row, and finish with a pretty bow of loops at one corner of the bib.
When making these useful little accessories to a baby’s outfit as gifts I use blue to finish them for a wee daughter and pink for a boy.
(No, I didn’t make a mistake on the pink and blue – that’s the way it is written!)
I hope you have fun with this bib pattern. It is certainly from a bygone era and today we see much more practical bibs on children but it would be a fun fanciful gift for a new mom.
Till next time … happy stitching!
