New Lacy Crochet Cowl for Spring

Trellis: Tonal DK-weight yarn version

I've got crochet lace cowl scarves & wraps on the brain. I can't think of anything more beautiful to drape around one's head, shoulders (or dare I say décolletage) at this time of year! And they're so easy to crochet.

I just added a new downloadable Doris Chan crochet pattern to the DesigningVashti.com crochet site. Trellis has turned out to be one of those make-it-now-and-get-addicted-to-making-more lace patterns. That's what happened to Doris, according to the story she blogged about it. So, the pattern PDF includes THREE shapes of Trellis to crochet, and in a whole range of yarn types. 

I like what Doris said about using color-changing yarn for this design: "Inexplicably, Trellis is also happy in tonal shaded yarns and in long-repeat colorways, which hardly ever happens with crocheted lace." 

It's true, all bets are off if the stitches are lacy, so it's one of those pleasant discoveries about a design. 

Trellis: Color-Changing Worsted Wt. Version

I love self published crochet patterns! Not only does the designer choose the yarn, s/he is also free to play with other yarns for the same design, and then share the results! 

One of the highs of independent crochet designing for me is discovering how a design turns out to have special versatility and hidden strengths. 

Indie crochet designers are free to "run with it," and explore intriguing parts of a design. How are related variations (in yarns and shapes) not going to happen? Why shouldn't a designer include them in the pattern PDF and share the excitement? So I love to see it happen for Doris too.

The Transitional Mobius Cowl According to Doris Chan

Snow Day as Snood (Hood)

Snow Day as Loop Scarf

A Doris J. Chan Cowl

Ms. Doris caught the cowl-crocheting bug and check out the result: it's the perfect transitional neckwarmer-shoulderwarmer-snood/hood, as practical in a wintry cold snap as it is pleasurable during a Spring thaw. Read about her inspiration for it here.

True or False: Möbius?

Moebius geeks purists connoisseurs please note: it's a true möbius (deserving of the umlaut ö). 

Snow Day is the newest addition to DJC, the new indie crochet patterns designed by Doris Chan. She also has another pattern line just for girls called DJC2, and will be adding a new design in a week or two. I'm proud to be able to offer both of Doris' indie pattern lines at my own online shop for downloadable crochet pattern pdf's.


One of the things I personally like about Doris' style of pattern publishing is how she builds in a lot of choices and swatch results in fibers and yarn textures so that you can make informed choices about the yarn you use. 

Stay in the Doris Chan Loop

Snow Day as Mobius Wrap

Keep up with all new Doris Chan crochet pattern releases three ways: 


1. Check Doris' blog Everyday Crochet


2. Check in with her Ravelry group, Doris Chan: Everyday Crochet


3. Subscribe to the DesigningVashti Crochet Inspirations Newsletter, then sit back and wait for a new issue to arrive by email every month.

Snow Day shown in a Silk-Cotton-Rayon blend yarn