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Here is one of my favorite crochet tools:
I bought this "Doily Stretcher" years ago at a yard sale. It came in the original box, but right now I just have it leaning against the wall in my bedroom.
It is marked with circles, as well as rectangles to guide me when blocking a doily of either shape. So far, I have only used this for crocheted thread pieces, but I may find something in the future that I've knitted that can be blocked on this board.
I can use wooden toothpicks to block pieces on the board. It is just a piece of peg board with the shapes marked on it. You may even be able to make one of your own!
When I've made a doilee I wash it, or wet it, and then I put it on the board. Stretching it to the suggested size, or just stretching it to the size I desire, I put toothpicks in the holes to hold the doilee in place. Then I let the doilee dry on the board for at least 24 hours. It is usually completely dry before I remove the toothpicks and take the doilee off the board.
I recently made a thread strip from an old pattern book. I was planning to use the strip as a necklace band holding a large ornate wooden disc. (I'll post pic's of that on another blog) I used an insert pattern I found in book on my shelf and made a strip of lace for this project. I used a little liquid starch diluted with water and dampened the piece before putting it on the doily stretcher to dry. The next day, I had a lovely strip of lace ready to attach to a pendant for a cute necklace. My doilee stretcher came in handy!
So, maybe you can find one for yourself, or make one. Even if you don't, isn't it kind of fun to see a bit of history? I have no idea how old the stretcher is, but I know it's not new! |
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