In this installment, I'll share the first 8 rounds of the Table Cover from the 1916 publication Centerpieces and Doilies from the Home Needlework series. It includes an interesting round of Tunisian crochet pyramids that I’ll detail below.
 |
| Rounds 1-8 (3.75 inch / 9.5 cm diameter) |
Original Pattern (Rounds 1–8)
Terminology Note
The original pattern was written in UK terminology, and my rewritten version is in US terminology.
Mini Stitch Key
Vintage / UK-style abbreviations (as shown in the original):
- d = US single crochet (sc)
- t = US double crochet (dc)
- dt = US treble crochet (tr) (very tall stitch; naming varies in vintage sources)
- sl = slip stitch (sl st)
Tunisian terms used in Round 8:
- TSS = Tunisian simple stitch
- FwdP = Forward Pass
- RetP = Return Pass
- vb = vertical bar (the front post of a Tunisian stitch)
Rounds 1–7 (Rewritten in US Terms)
Rounds 1 through 7 follows the original, with clearer wording and US terms:
Round 1: Ch 4, join to form a ring or make a magic ring. Ch 1, 8 sc in ring, join. (8)
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st, join. (16)
Round 3: Ch 7 (counts as the 1st dc + ch-4 sp), sk 1, dc, (ch 4, sk 1, dc) 6 times, ch 4, join to 3rd ch of ch 7. (8 dc, 8 ch-4 sp)
Round 4: Ch 1, 6 sc in each ch sp, join. (48 sc)
Round 5: Ch 5 (counts as the 1st dc + ch-2 sp), sk 1, dc, (ch 2, sk 1, dc) rep around, ch 2, join to 3rd ch of ch 5. (24 dc, 24 ch-2 sp)
Round 6: Ch 1, (3 sc in next ch-2 sp) twice, * ch 4, anchor the ch-4 loop in the 3rd sc back (see Note), 8 sc in ch-4 sp, (3 sc in next ch-2 sp) 3 times; rep from * 6 more times, ch 4, anchor the ch-4 loop in the 3rd sc back, 8 sc in ch-4 sp, 3 sc in next ch-2 sp, join.
Note: Anchoring the ch-4 loop (exact stitch placement)
After making ch 4, remove the loop from your hook and hold it on the index finger of your thread hand. Starting with the sc you just worked immediately before the ch 4 (count that sc as #1), count back 3 single crochet stitches (#1, #2, #3). Insert your hook into sc #3, place the held loop back onto the hook, and draw through the stitch to anchor the ch-4 loop. Continue as instructed.
Round 7: Ch 17 (counts as the 1st tr + ch-12 sp), *tr in 3rd sc after next ring of rnd 6, ch 12, rep from * 6 more times, join to 5th st of ch-17. (8 tr, 8 ch-12 sp)
Round 8: First Pyramid Round
Round 8 will form triangles using Tunisian simple stitch worked over chain spaces created in Round 7, then return to traditional crochet.
Two significant changes I made to the pyramid round
- In the original pattern, the decrease at the beginning of each row is made by simply skipping a stitch. I prefer using the same technique as the decrease at the end of each row by closing 2 stitches together in the return pass. When completing the last closing stitch of the return pass, drawing through 3 loops serves the same function as the end of the row—reducing bulk and creating cleaner lines.
- I tested the original pattern by placing picots along the outside edge of the pyramids and felt they distracted from the pyramid shape, so I chose to omit them for a sharper appearance.
Afghan Stitch Pyramids (switch to larger hook)
FwdP: *Sl st to 1st ch of ch-12, draw up a loop from each of the next 11 chs. (12 lps on hook)
RetP: (yo, draw thru 2 loops) until 3 loops rem on hook, yo, draw thru 3.
FwdP: Sk the vb directly below the hook and the next vb, TSS in the next 8 vbs, sk 1 vb, draw up a loop under both vbs of the last st (edge st). (10 lps on hook)
RetP: (yo, draw thru 2 loops) until 3 loops rem on hook, yo, draw thru 3.
FwdP: Sk the vb directly below the hook and the next vb, TSS in the next 6 vbs, sk 1 vb, edge st. (8 lps on hook)
RetP: (yo, draw thru 2 loops) until 3 loops rem on hook, yo, draw thru 3.
FwdP: Sk the vb directly below the hook and the next vb, TSS in the next 4 vbs, sk 1 vb, edge st. (6 lps on hook)
RetP: (yo, draw thru 2 loops) until 3 loops rem on hook, yo, draw thru 3.
FwdP: Sk the vb directly below the hook and the next vb, TSS in the next 2 vbs, sk 1 vb, edge st. (4 lps on hook)
RetP: (yo, draw thru 2 loops) until 3 loops rem on hook, yo, draw thru 3.
FwdP: Sk the vb directly below the hook and the next 2 vbs, edge st. (2 lps on hook)
RetP: yo, draw thru 2 loops. Ch 1.
With smaller hook, loosely sl st in back loop on end-of-row edge sts & next tr of rnd 7.
Repeat from * 7 more times. After completing the 8th pyramid, sl st to 1st tr of the rnd.
Series Index: 1916 Table Cover Replica
Bookmark this list—I’ll update it as new posts go live.
- Introduction
- Post 2: Rounds 1–8 (you are here)
- Post 3: Rounds 9–18 (coming soon)
Next post:
- the Round 9–18 rewrite (with notes on terminology and any corrections)
- progress photos, including a close-up of the next section as it starts to open up
- and any stitch key additions needed for the next set of rounds
Until then, if you’re crocheting along, make sure your center lies flat—and don’t worry if it looks a bit wavy before blocking. I’ll see you in the next installment!
Posts
0 Comments