This is a metallic thread I purchased on eBay a long time ago. My estimate/guess is that this is a 40 weight thread. It’s not easy to work with but it sure is pretty when you finish.

Test thread
I am pretty sure this is not a thread you would want to iron. I will have to test a section of thread before I iron the finished piece. This may be for blocking only.

Yardage
I have no idea how many yards I am using.

Pattern from
The pattern is from Filet Crochet Book No 4 by Cora Kirchmaier, copyright 1915. Cora is the designer but in 1915 you had to publish under your husband’s name. The front page says “by Hugo W Kirchmaier”. Under that it says “Preface and Suggestions for making up designs by Cora Kirchmaier”.

The pattern itself is named Shoo Fly Cover. The chart is on page 31, Plate XIII. The picture of the cover is on page 30. (I put this information in the ravelry name box and it does not show except in edit mode. Yet another frustration with ravelry.)

What happened to the option to add the pattern to the ravelry database? I would add it if the option was still there.

This is just a large doily. Now that I am finished with it. It is actually the top of a “cover that has sides, a top, and a small ring as a handle” that you make. By just making the top, I have a doily. The sides are fly motifs. After sewing everything together, you stretch it over a wire frame. I am pretty sure the frame was custom made (by your husband) for your project. At least that is how it worked with my grandparents.

Foundation chain

Starting in the middle and working each half so that I am constantly decreasing.

79 blocks in the middle

(79 x 3) + 1 = 238 ch + t-ch 3 = 241 chains.

The first stitch of the row is a dc.

I used the #8 (1.5 mm) hook to do the foundation chain. I started on the center row of solid blocks.

Then I switched to the #9 (1.4 mm) hook to work the rest of the project.

I am using the #9 hook instead of a smaller one because I need to be able to see the stitches. Getting older ….

I don’t know how square my filet blocks are going to be. Because the thread is small and slippery (metallic), it’s hard for me to be consistent.

Error in chart
I think that this pattern is meant to be mirrored in all 4 pieces of the pattern. So, I guess you have a choice. The left side of the pattern is slightly different than the right side of the pattern. On Rows 7-8 above and below the middle row, you will see the differences between the 2 sides, close to the borders.

I look at it as you get to pick which one you like and use that for all 4 sections. I chose the one on the right. But only because I had already finished that side when I noticed the difference. Personally, I like the left side better. But oh well….

Other than that, the chart is wonderful and you work it just like you would any filet chart. I started in the middle and did the solid row first. Which was hard because of my thread choice.

2/19/2024
I have turned my chart over and am working the 2nd half. I just need to remember to work my error section as I did the top section.

3/23/2034
Finished the blanket I made for my stepmom. Working on finishing this doily up.

Added a small border I found on the internet. No name.

Used 6/0 seed beads, white - on border

Dimensions - diameter
pre-block
no border - 21.5 in
with border - 23 in

post-block
no border - 24 in
with border - 24 in

I have pinned out the doily on my bed just so I can see it. So, it’s sort of blocked into a strange lopsided shape. If you counted this as blocking it would be the worst block you have ever seen! lol… The general idea for me though was that I wanted to see if the flies showed up when the doily was flattened and not all squishy from working it. The metallic thread was very squished together. I am pretty sure I am going to have to iron it because of my lack of a proper place to block.