Years ago, I made butterfly magnets for the fridge. But have not done anything lately.

I like poly thread better than cotton for crochet. After laundering the item doesn't have to be stretched that much to lay flat and it is stronger then cotton thread. I bought a lot of America's Best crochet thread which is 100% Spun Polyester when it was on clearance a few years ago for $1 a ball. I have plenty to use up in white and ecru colors. It says Bedspread weight so I'd say a size 10. Each ball is 1000 yards. I really like Knit Cro Sheen for doilys but I can't find that anymore!

i once tried to teach myself to crochet. i started with a square potholder. it was the world's first trapezoidal potholder. never again.

I do a lot of thread crocheting. I have to keep my hands busy when watching tv in the evenings. I make fancy, ( the harder the better) doilies. I have very few of them that I have made for I give them to everyone that will take one. It is an addiction that I have had for years, but I think that quilting is trying to take its place.

I went through a phase when I made crocheted throws for everyone and everything. I wasn't very good at cotton thread crocheting. Your work is lovely. I like to buy the unique yarns they sell now and make a chain with them. I then couch it on plain fleece Linus blankets as trim.

Thank you for the link....I used to crochet constantly. Took it everywhere with me...even to work. LOL I, too used enter things in our local fair. I quit when I heard the judge make comments during the judging part. (quit entering things till I started quilting.) Her comments were about a bed doll that I made...She said (and I quote)...OH my God...what awful colors....Get it out of my sight!!! I absolutely hate those colors.
She didn't even look at the workmanship....just that she didn't like the color. It was a southern belle style with a pale blue dress and parasol. (it only took me 6 months to get the pattern right...designed my own. ) The same year I had entered 2 thread doilies with seed beads crocheted in and they both got blue ribbons. The thread was like sewing machine thread it was so tiny...I used a size 13 steel crochet hook. :D Had lots of fun stringing all the beads on for the pattern cuz you put them on backwards. :D Took a little bit of thinking :D but it was really fun for me. :D I have gotten away from crocheting since my hands aren't so good anymore but would love to get back to it. :D

I used to do all sorts of crocheting & knitting, a long, long time ago... let's say, back when I was in high school and had way more free time than I do now. I also used to enter things in our county fair. There used to be so many entries in knitting, sewing, crocheting, and embroidery that you were lucky if you even got your item on display. They used to have piles and piles of afghans, tea towels, and baby sets. Now they have a hard time filling up the space! Same thing with canned goods (though I never tried my hand at that). There is still quite a good showing, as to quilts. Guess that's the only art form that is still in vogue.

The doily pattern you're using is lovely. Do you have a round table to use it on?

I made a doily similar to that many years ago but don't crochet anymore. Meybe I should do a little quilting and crocheting both. I always enjoyed doing it.

Used to crochet a lot, have been wanting to do a project again, so thanks for the link!!

I have done some paper piecing. If you go to www.quilterscache.com, and check out the lessons section, you will find a wealth of info re: this and other things. There is also a host of free (~1400) patterns you can download, including multiple paper piecing, simple and a little more complicated. I like paper piecing, since I don't have to worry about matching seams (I'm a fairly new quilter). Good Luck!