Are We Walking to Alaska

Are We Walking to Alaska
Are We Walking to Alaska - A True Story

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Let's Crochet a Little - or Not

I am making a round tablecloth - pineapple design, for our new round dining room table.  We got the table last spring when our SIL found it at Ben's school yard sale.  I have wanted a round table for years, seems like centuries - and finally I have one.  I love crocheted tablecloths and looked and looked for this pattern.  I had made a tablecloth like this for the museum raffle when we lived in Blue Lake, CA - but couldn't find the pattern.  There are many pineapple design crocheted tablecloth patterns out there - but this one seemed to have disappeared. 




First I started crocheting this pattern - but I never really liked that center - with the swirling sticks


I got this far and ripped it out - and continued looking for the pattern I wanted.

I thought about this pattern - but I don't like the wavy look to it - I seem to be very particular about my pineapple tablecloths.

Then I found it - on ebay - and not a a buy-it-now  -  so I had to wait for the auction to end - and it ended in the middle of the night so I put in my bid - went to bed - got up early and I had won it!  It is from a vintage magazine and this was the only copy the seller had.  If I hadn't won it I had hoped to convince her to copy it and sell me a copy - but she wasn't interested in that, even though the copyright had expired long ago - so I was lucky that I won the pattern.



So I started again to crochet this last spring.


This is the one I love - the one I won on ebay - and I crocheted all spring and all summer.  I spent delightful hours on the deck, the sunshine on my back, crocheting and enjoying being outdoors.

I've had so many requests for this pattern - it is now available on etsy - HERE 

So today I wanted to spread the tablecloth out on the round table and see how far I had gotten.  I felt that it was about as big as the table top and all I would have to do is finish crocheting until it was big enough to hang down 12 inches.

It is just about to the edge of the table

OH NO!!!

What do I see?


Ruffles on the edge - where it should be flat



A big mistake in my increases - nothing to do but pull it all out, back to where it would lie flat again - see how close it is to the edge of the table.

Over half an hour later, 16 rows - about 7 inches - have been pulled out  and it lies flat again


But look how small it is - most of the summer's work - undone - but it has to be.  Unwanted ruffles in the tablecloth and it would never lie flat and I'd not like it.





This is what the ball of thread looked like before I started pulling out the crocheting



The one on the left shows how much thread I pulled out.  It is going to take me most of the winter to re-crochet all that thread.  If each row took about 2 hours to crochet and I pulled out 16 rows - that is 32 hours of crocheting.  I guess I'll have something to keep me busy on these blustery winter days.  

But it must be done - and I'm happy, not that I had to pull some out - but that I discovered the mistake before I got even farther.  I will be spreading the tablecloth out on the table more often now - you can count on that.

Have you had to take out a project and redo it?  Not fun I know - but necessary.  When you think of me this winter, think of me crocheting and crocheting - to catch up - and maybe even get ahead again.


28 comments:

Lorrie said...

I'm clapping in admiration of your dedication to doing an excellent job. I love crocheted tablecloths but do not have the skill or patience to complete one myself. Yours is going to be absolutely stunning when you're done.

Anonymous said...

Oh, it is so pretty! We have a couple of crocheted tablecloths - a round pineapple one made by my mom, and a rectangular one made by her mother as a wedding gift for hubby and me, 30+ years ago.

Sorry that you had to rip out all your hard work. I don't crochet, but I used to do counted cross-stitch before my close-up vision went fuzzy. I have done my share of ripping out with those projects!

Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my drive-by signs. :-)

~Lindy

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Yes, there's no point doing all that work and then not be happy with the end result. Heartbreaking to redo all that work, but good for you for being strong!

Carletta said...

I'm so sorry you had to take so much out. I know you have way more patience than I do.
You do beautiful work. It is a lovely piece of work.

Nonnie said...

Crocheting takes nimble fingers AND patience. I do not have the nimble fingers. My mom made a gorgeous pineapple pattern tablecloth, but it got lost in our move in 1975. So disappointing and sad! I remember doilies Mom made; she would starch them so the would NOT lay down!

Lynn said...

holy crow pulling any project out is painful, I applaud you your tenacity toward perfection, I couldn't have done it! This is absolutely gorgeous. I grew up surrounded by crocheters, maybe why I didn't really learn, tablecloths, bedspreads, doll dresses hardened up in sugar etc. I love all things crocheted. Can't wait to see your finished project, oh like how you won the auction too.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Beautiful!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Oh no all that time wasted or lost but of course you want it to be perfect. It is so lovely...put it on top of a colored tablecloth as a topper and enjoy it as is for a day or so then back to work perhaps ? This has been something, huh...but so glad that you did end up with the pattern that you wanted :)

The Weaver of Grass said...

I am just absolutely staggered at your patience and fortitude JoAnn. I love the cloth and look forward to seeing it finished in the Spring!

Peggy said...

I would be thankful that it's crochet you're pulling out and not knitting. That's beautiful! Are you going just to the edge of the table, or going to hang over?

Jeanne said...

Think of it this way. When you are done you will have a priceless tablecloth. I love love love crochet tablecloths and bedspreads, and though I crochet well I have never tried a project that big.

Kay said...

I can almost feel your sinking heart. But at least you caught it before it crept over the edge of the table and multiplied your work further. It's gorgeous and only going to get better. I have a cable neck scarf that I was working on. I had insomnia one night, got up, and went to work on it. I did one cable - eight rows - before I realized I was doing it all backwards. I'm not a great knitter but want this done right. So I've got eight rows to pull out and I can't bring myself to take it up for fear I may get in a pickle with dropped stitches or further goof-ups. It's waiting for me, patiently.

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Oh, what a hard thing to do - pulling out all those rows must have broken your heart! It is so beautiful and I can understand that you want to get it right. It is going to make a lovely, lovely treasure to enjoy for many years. I love the pattern - it is one of the prettiest I've seen. I have only made one thing using the pineapple pattern - years ago I made a drawstring purse that had two large pineapples. I commend you for your patience to create such a work of art. Hugs xoxo Karen

greenthumb said...

You are amazing, such wonderful work you do. We alway had a round dining table growing up.

eileeninmd said...

Oh no, all your hard work. It is a pretty pattern! You are very patient. Have a happy weekend!

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Wow, JoAnn, that is so pretty and a lot of work and love is going into it. I'm sorry you had to take some out but, like you said, better now than later. It is beautiful and I am in awe of anyone who is that talented..Happy Weekend..Judy

Anonymous said...

Way to go for perservering with the table cloth, it would of ended up in my craft closet as a UFO. It sure is a gorgeous pattern. I'll look forward to seeing the finished item.

Sanderella said...

No kidding!! Your very much so a perfectionist and your work is stunning!! Good work, and a great post!! Sandy

Unknown said...

Hi, I'm actually looking for a/the pattern for the third photo you posted. Thank you.
AND your table cloth is FABULOUS!!! Beautiful work. Just love it!!!!!

justme said...

Hi, that tablecloth is beautiful! I have been looking for a pineapple tablecloth as well for a long time for a client, to make for them.
Would you please be willing to share this pattern with me? I would so appreciate it if you would. I cannot believe how frustrating it is to not be able to find much when I search for such a pattern.
Thank you in advance.... my email is 1sleepygranny@gmail.com.
Betty

Sarah said...

Was wondering if you could point me in the right direction to the pattern as out of all the patterns I've searched this is the only one that I have fallen in love with. Such awesome work and great outcome! Thank you x
Sarah

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Sarah - I have the pattern but can't send it to you because you don't let me see your email in your reply. If you change that - or send me your email I can email the copy I have. I had a computer melt down recently and had to restore all my files so I'll have to look for the pattern, but it should be in there someplace.

Paula Crandall said...

I have been looking for this pattern for years! My email is paula79928@gmail.com. Would love it if you could send me info in how to get it. I am going to make an attempt to work off your picture.

Shannon said...

I have been searching for this pattern for ever now. And i finally found it after months and months of searching. Is there anyway you could share it with me? Your work is BEAUTIFUL!!!!! Neeneesknots@gmail.com thank you so very much.

Shannon said...

I have been looking for this pattern for years. Could you share it with me please. Or is there a way i can purchase it? My email is neeneesknots@gmail.com look forward to hearing from you.

Unknown said...

Please contact me with regards to purchasing the pineapple tablecloth pattern. I clicked on the Etsy link and is displayed as sold out. This is the pattern I have been looking for and have had others looking for it,too. I can be reached via email, khastings2006@gmail.com. Thank you so much

Czagáné Mariann said...

Gyönyörű terítő! Már nagyon régen keresem ezt a mintát. Hogyan szerezhetném vagy vásárolhatnám meg? Elérhetőségem: dovakmazsi@gmail.com. Előre is köszönöm!

Anna said...

I would love to get this pattern, I think it is the one that my aunt made into a bay when I missed an increase . She used it for years. Would like to see pictures of your finished tablecloth. Thank-you