♥ Friday Flickr Inspirations: Aprons! ♥

I must confess...I love aprons. It has always been this way. Since the first time my grandmother let me wear an apron in her kitchen when I was "helping" her as a very small child, I fell in love with them. It was a gingham-checkered soft blue & white print with ric-rac trim. Wow, they have come a long way since those early days! I still find myself unable to turn away when I see them. I am drawn to their various patterns and styles. I admit I collect them. I cannot apologize. Behold my magical powers....yes, ok, somehow I believe I turn into a domestic goddess when I put one on. ;)

Garielle Messina: Beautiful White Apron

Pretty Ditty: Palooza Apron

PureandNoble: Flowery Apron

One Shabby Chick: Shabby Chic apron

Lululollylegs: Divine Pink Roses apron

Pleasant Home: Cheery Cherry Apron

Punkie Pies: Full Apron Mum/Stripe & Polka Dot

♥ Crochet: Vintage Crocheted Apron ♥

original photo from Star Book Gallery of Crochet and Knitting

This free pattern and photo originally published in Star Book Gallery of Crochet and Knitting, No. 89.

Material:

"PURITAN" CROCHET COTTON, Article 40 (2 balls White, 1 ball Pink, 1 ball Nile Green)

OR "DE LUXE" CROCHET COTTON, Article 346 (2 balls White, 1 ball Pink, 1 ball Light Green)

Size of Needle: steel 7

1 ¼ yds. ⅞" ribbon.


WAIST BAND: With Pink, ch 14, 2 d c in 6th st from hook, ch 2, 2 d c in same space, ch 3, skip 3 sts of ch, s c in next st, ch 3, skip 3 sts of ch and work 2 d c, ch 2, 2 d c in last st of ch, ch 5, turn.

2nd Row. 1 d c, ch 3, 1 d c shell in center of shell, ch 5, 1 d c, ch 3, 1 d c in center of next shell, ch 5, turn.

3rd Row. 2 d c, ch 2, 2 d c shell in ch 3 loop, ch 3, 1 s c over ch 5 loop, ch 3, 2 d c, ch 2, 2 d c shell in next ch 3 loop, ch 5, turn.

Repeat the last 2 rows until there are 67—ch 5 loops across side of band, ending with the 3rd row, cut thread.

Attach White in 23rd loop, ch 3, d c in same loop, ch 2, 2 d c in same loop, * ch 5, 2 d c, ch 2, 2 d c shell in next loop, repeat from * 3 times, ** ch 5, 3 d c, ch 2, 3 d c in next loop, * ch 5, 2 d c shell in next loop, repeat from * 4 times, then repeat from ** twice, ch 5 to turn each row.

2nd Row. * 1 d c, ch 3, 1 d c shell in next shell, ch 3, s c over next loop, ch 3, repeat from * 3 times, 1 d c, ch 3, 1 d c in next shell, ch 5 (lace section), skip 1 d c of next 3 d c shell, 1 d c in each of the next 2 d c, 1 d c in next loop, ch 2, 1 d c in same loop, 1 d c in each of the next 2 d c of same 3 d c shell (solid section), ch 5, repeat from beginning twice and complete row to correspond. There are 4 lace sections and 3 solid sections in row.

3rd Row. Work 2 d c shells with ch 5 between shells in each shell of lace sections and work solid section same as previous row.

4th Row. Repeat 2nd row.

5th Row. Repeat 3rd row for lace sections and increase in solid sections as follows: 2 d c in 2nd d c, 1 d c in next d c, 1 d c in next loop, ch 2, 1 d c in same loop, 1 d c in next d c, 2 d c in next d c.

The 3rd and 4th rows of lace pattern are followed for en-tire apron and will not be referred to again. Following directions given are for the solid sections only.

6th, 7th and 8th Rows. 1 d c in 2nd, 3rd and 4th d c, 1 d c in loop, ch 2, 1 d c in same loop and next 3 d c.

9th Row. 2 d c in 2nd d c, 1 d c in each of the next 2 d c, 1 d c in next loop, ch 2, 1 d c in same loop and 1 d c in each of the next 2 d c, 2 d c in next d c.

10th, 11th and 12th Rows. 1 d c in 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th d c, d c in next loop, ch 2, 1 d c in same loop and next 4 d c.

Repeat the last 4 rows, having 1 more d c on each side of each solid section every 4th row until there are 40 rows made. There should be 12 d c in each side of each solid section. Increasing in same manner, work 18 more rows in the following color scheme: 2 rows each of Green, White, Pink and White, 4 rows Green, 2 rows White, 4 rows Pink and 2 rows White. Press apron and lace ribbon through waist band.

FLICKR FRIDAY: PINK APRON INSPIRATIONS!

Altered Vintage Apron

Domestic Diva Apron

Sparkle Cocktail Apron in Pink

Pretty Pastel Craft Apron

Pink Polka Doll

Pink Birdseed Clothespin Apron

Pink Poppies Reversible Apron

Domestic Diva Apron

CROCHET: Daisy Apron

**this post is courtesy of Country Living Magazine**

Fashionable and functional, this Daisy Apron in easy-care cotton can be crocheted with or without a bib. The apron skirt, waist and ties are crocheted as one piece and soft pleats are incorporated at the waistline. The bib is crocheted separately then sewn to the skirt. Crocheted edging around each piece gives the apron an attractive finished look, as do the crocheted flowers, which are optional.

MATERIALS:
Lily Sugar 'n Cream (70.9 g/2.5 oz)
Main color (MC) (46 Rose Pink) 4 balls
Contrast Color A (01 White) 1 ball
Contrast Color B (10 Yellow) 1 ball

Size 4.5 mm (U.S. 7) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.
Yarn or tapestry needle for finishing

GAUGE:
13 half double crochets and 8 rows = 4 inches [10 cm]

INSTRUCTIONS:
Note: To change color, work to last 3 loops on hook. Draw loop in next color through 3 loops on hook to complete stitch and proceed in next color.
Chain 2 does not count as half double crochet.

ABBREVIATIONS & TERMS
MC - Main Color
WS - Wrong side of fabric
RS - Right side of fabric
in(s) - inch(es)
cm - centimeter
* * -- repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed or repeat from a give set of instructions

STRIPE PATTERN
With MC, work 5 rows.
With Color B, work 1 row.
With MC, work 2 rows.
With Color B, work 2 rows.
With MC, work 2 rows.
With Color B, work 1 row.
With MC, work 5 rows.
These 18 rows form Stripe Pattern.

With MC, chain 87.

Foundation Row: (WS). 1 half double crochet in 3rd chain from hook. 1 half double crochet in each chain to end of ch. 85 half double crochet. Turn.

Next row: Chain 2. 1 half double crochet in 1st half double crochet. 1 half double crochet in next half double crochet through back loop only. *1 half double crochet in next half double crochet through front loop only. 1 half double crochet in next half double crochet through back loop only. Repeat from * to last half double crochet. 1 half double crochet in last half double crochet. Turn.
Repeat last row until work from beginning measures 15 ins [38 cm].

Next row: Chain 2. Working through both loops, 1 half double crochet in each half double crochet to end of row. Fasten off.

Pleats: With RS of Apron facing, place marker along top edge 6 ins [15 cm] from either side. Fold a 1 ins [2.5 cm] pleat and pin in position. The upper edge of Apron is now 22 ins [56 cm] long.

Ties and Waistband: 1st row: With Color B, chain 42. With RS facing, join with slip stitch to upper left corner of Apron. Working through all thicknesses of pleats, work 1 single crochet in each stitch across top of apron to end of row. Chain 43. Turn. 2nd row: 1 single crochet in 2nd chain from hook. 1 single crochet in each of next 41 ch. 1 single crochet in each single crochet across. 1 single crochet in each of next 42 ch. Turn. 3rd row: Chain 1. 1 single crochet in each single crochet to end of row. Repeat last row once. Fasten off.

With RS of work facing, join Color A with slip stitch to any corner of Tie. Work one row single crochet around Tie and outer edge of Apron, having 3 single crochet in each outside corner and single crochet two together in inner corners as follows: (Draw up a loop in next st) twice. Yarn over hook and draw through all 3 loops on hook . You have just single crocheted two stitches together. Join with slip stitch to first single crochet. Next round: Working from left to right instead of from right to left as usual, work 1 reverse single crochet in each single crochet around. Join with slip stitch to first single crochet. Fasten off.

Pocket: With MC, chain 41. 1st row: (WS). 1 half double crochet in 3rd chain from hook. *1 half double crochet in each chain to end of chain 39 half double crochet. Turn. 1st row of Stripe pattern is complete.

Keeping continuity of Stripe pattern, proceed as follows: 1st row: Chain 2. 1 half double crochet in 1st half double crochet. 1 half double crochet in next half double crochet through back loop only. *1 half double crochet in next half double crochet through front loop only. 1 half double crochet in next half double crochet through back loop only. Repeat from * to last half double crochet. 1 half double crochet in last half double crochet. Turn. Repeat last row until 18 rows of Stripe pattern are complete. Fasten off.

With RS facing, join Color A with slip stitch to lower right corner of Pocket. Work 18 single crochet up right side, 3 single crochet in corner, 37 single crochet across top, 3 single crochet in corner, 18 single crochet down left side, 3 single crochet in corner, 37 single crochet across bottom and 3 single crochet in corner. Join with slip stitch to first single crochet. Next round: Working from left to right instead of from right to left as usual, work 1 reverse single crochet in each single crochet around. Join with slip stitch to first single crochet. Fasten off.

Bib: With MC, chain 35. 1st row: (WS). 1 half double crochet in 3rd chain from hook. *1 half double crochet in each chain to end of ch. 33 half double crochet. Turn. 2nd row: Chain 2. 1 half double crochet in 1st half double crochet. 1 half double crochet in next half double crochet through back loop only. *1 half double crochet in next half double crochet through front loop only. 1 half double crochet in next half double crochet through back loop only. Repeat from * to last half double crochet. 1 half double crochet in last half double crochet. Turn. Repeat last row until work from beginning measures 9 ins [23 cm]. Fasten off.

With RS facing and Color A, join with slip stitch to bottom right corner of Bib. Work 18 single crochet up right side, 3 single crochet in corner, 31 single crochet across top, 3 single crochet in corner and 18 single crochet down left side of Bib. Leave bottom edge unworked. Do not turn. Next row: Working from left to right instead of from right to left as usual, work 1 reverse single crochet in each single crochet along 3 sides of Bib. Fasten off.

Sew bottom edge of Bib to Waistband, centering Bib with Apron Skirt.

Ties for Bib: (make 2). With Color B, chain 82. 1 half double crochet in 3rd chain from hook. 1 half double crochet in each chain to end of ch. 80 half double crochet. Fasten off.

Daisy (optional): With Color B, chain 5. Join in round. 1st round: Chain 1. 10 single crochet in round. With Color B, join with slip stitch to first single crochet.. 2nd round: With Color A, chain 1. 1 single crochet in first single crochet. *Chain 5. Slip stitch in 2nd chain from hook. 1 single crochet in next ch. 1 half double crochet in next ch. 1 dc in next ch. Miss next single crochet. 1 single crochet in next single crochet. Repeat from * to end of round. Join with slip stitch to first single crochet. 5 petals. 3rd round: Chain 1. 1 single crochet in missed single crochet in last round. *Chain 5. Slip stitch in 2nd chain from hook. 1 single crochet in next chain. 1 half double crochet in next ch. 1 dc next chain. 1 single crochet in missed single crochet in last round. Repeat from * to end of round. Join with slip stitch to first single crochet. 5 petals. Note: 5 petals from 2nd round should alternate with 5 petals from 3rd round. Fasten off. Sew one Daisy to upper right corner of Bib as illustrated.

Sew Ties and Pocket to Apron as illustrated. Stitch middle of Pocket at center of Apron through all thicknesses.

Pink Saturday

Hello friends!

Here it is another wonderful Pink Saturday! I hope you had a blessed week! I decided today I would share my love of aprons...and pink aprons of course!

Have a great Saturday and join Beverly over at How Sweet the Sound for more Pink Saturday participants!

Hugs to all!

Sew some Apron Ornaments

Oh how adorable!! I have to have this pattern. Wouldn't little aprons be cute on a tree? If you're like me and have a little tree in your kitchen (I guess mine's about 18" tall), wouldn't aprons be adorable?

SIMPLICITY # 2748

The Trend of Thrifting



fabric.com

Is thrifting ending? Sadly, I was just thinking this today as I came from two local thrift shops. I've noticed the prices are up and the nice vintage items are down. I to love to buy clothing for the fabric to use in craft items AND it's reusing/recycling (love to do that!) and cheaper than buying fabric in fabric shops. I did find a vintage apron today that I just couldn't resist for $1. Guess it's back to the yard sales & church rummage sales (love those!) My grandmother and I used to go to all the local church sales all the time and we got great items for giveaway prices. (Besides, churches around here love to do the "all the clothing you can stuff in a wal-mart bag for $1"). Great place to get fabric!

My mother-in-law has to be the Queen of Yard Sales though if there ever was one! I mean this is the woman who bought an almost brand-new car at a yard sale! It's a little hard to beat something like that.

Thrift stores are great places to find items to paint on too. I have found old chargers before that weren't very nice-looking for using at your dinner table BUT made great surfaces to do decorative painting on. There's something that makes me feel good about giving new life to an old item...maybe it makes me feel like it's my part of being "green". lol, even if it's just a small thing.

Confessions of an apron lover

I have a confession: I just love aprons! So you know I am pleased to see that they are the "in" fashion accessory right now. I guess it brings back memories of helping my grandmother in the kitchen when I was a child and spending all my summers, breaks, and vacations with my grandparents. She always wore an apron in the kitchen and had one for me to wear too. What I would do to still have one of those half-aprons!

I bought this adorable apron on eBay...yes, as you know, I am no seamstress and I think my first little project is going to be a basic half-apron. All the ladies on MJF sew them, wear them, love them! So I must get busy! :-) I couldn't resist this one for the fabric...(sorry I am such a horrible photographer! guess I won't be changing careers anytime soon! LOL) The fabric is a Donna Dewberry print with her roses, butterflies,daisies, ladybugs...and I wish you could see the background color! A perfectly pale lemon-ice yellow! Trimmed in such dainty white lace and hunter green trim, complete with a bow. I thought it would be wonderful to wear while I am decorative painting. Maybe it will even inspire me. :-) I am so far behind in everything...

There's just something so wonderful, feminine, creative, warm & homey about wearing an apron. I'm sure some of my (feminist) friends would disagree, but it gives me these fantastic & fabulous fantasies of being a domestic goddess with the sparkling clean house, fresh bread aroma drifting from the kitchen, home-made jams and jellies lining the pantry shelf, and my creativity in a flourish as I masterly paint-sew-crochet-tat-you name it! I probably should be on medication. LOL. Well, it's a wonderful dream and even though the house will never be spotless or sparkling, although I'd settle for "uncluttered" right now, I would love to make loaves of bread & home-made jams. And I haven't given up on the crocheting yet! Maybe there's still hope for me.

On a funny note, my husband saw me in an apron for the first time last Christmas holiday as I was preparing holiday treats and Christmas Day dinner. I have to admit, his look was priceless! I think he thought I truly was a domestic goddess in my apron! :-)