Sweet Afternoon Doily

Sweet Afternoon Doily by Lilia Vanini

Project Overview

The Sweet Afternoon Doily is an intermediate-level crochet design created by independent designer Lilia Vanini. This elegant table setting accessory is worked in the round to create a finished circular doily with a circumference of 23 inches (59 centimeters), making it suitable for decorating tables, shelves, or other home décor applications.

Craft and Technique

This project uses crochet as the primary construction method. The doily is worked using fundamental crochet techniques combined in a structured pattern that builds outward from a center point. The intermediate difficulty level indicates that crafters should be comfortable with reading crochet abbreviations, understanding pattern repeats, and executing multiple stitch types in sequence.

Stitches Used

The Sweet Afternoon Doily incorporates a variety of essential crochet stitches to create its decorative structure:

• Chain (ch) – the foundation stitch used to create base loops and spaces throughout the pattern
• Single Crochet (sc) – a basic short stitch used for structure and gauge reference
• Double Crochet (dc) – a medium-height stitch that forms much of the doily's body
• Treble Crochet (tr) – a taller stitch that adds height and openness to the design
• Slip Stitch (sl st) – used to join rounds and create seamless transitions
• Decrease stitches – including 2 double crochet closed together (2dctog), 3 double crochet closed together (3dctog), 2 treble closed together (2trtog), and 3 treble closed together (3trtog) for shaping and stitch reduction

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Sweet Afternoon Doily is designed to be worked with sport weight yarn in cotton thread. The pattern calls for approximately 100 yards of yarn. Crafters have flexibility in thread selection, with the pattern accommodating both #5 (4-ply) and #10 (3-ply) cotton threads from any brand. The #5 weight thread is thicker and will produce a slightly larger finished doily, while #10 thread is finer and will result in a smaller finished piece. The pattern sample was created using Titanwool 100% Italian cotton, which provides 244 yards per 100-gram skein, meaning one skein contains more than enough yardage for this project.

Tools and Gauge

The pattern is worked using a US 2.5mm crochet hook. The recommended gauge is 10 chains and 3 rows of single crochet measured at 1.5 by 0.5 inches (4.75 by 1.25 centimeters). Checking gauge before beginning is important to ensure the finished doily reaches the intended 23-inch circumference.

Pattern Format

This design is provided as a downloadable PDF pattern, allowing crafters to access the instructions digitally and print them for reference while working. The pattern is intended for personal use only and remains the intellectual property of designer Lilia Vanini and LiliaCraftparty.