A Practical Centerpiece

By Mrs. S.A. Garlough
January, 1912, page 21

 Make a chain of 8 stitches, join.  Chain 1, 14 doubles in ring, join to 1 chain.

1. Chain 5, miss 1, a treble in next, *chain 2, miss 1, a treble in next, chain 2, a treble in same place, chain 2, miss 2, 1 treble, repeat from *, forming 9 spaces and joining last 2 chain to 3d of 5 chain.

2. A single in space, chain 5, a treble in same space, *chain 2, a treble in next space, chain 2, 2 trebles, separated by 2 chain in next, repeat around, joining to 3d of 5 chain.  The work should lie perfectly flat and smooth, and somewhat depends on the material worked with, as well as one’s method; some crochet very tightly, others loosely.

3. Chain 3, a treble in each stitch all around; join to top of 3 chain which represents 1^st treble.

4. Chain 5, *miss 2, a treble between next 2 stitches, chain 2; repeat from * around, join to 3d of 5 chain.

5. Chain 5, *a treble in space, chain 2; repeat from *, widening as necessary to keep the work flat; join.

6. Chain 6, treble in space, chain 3; repeat around, join to 3d of 6 chain.

7. A single in space, chain 3, 2 trebles, 2 chain and 3 trebles in space, *chain 1, miss 1 space, shell of 3 trebles, 2 chain and 3 trebles in next; repeat from *around, chain 1, join to 3 chain at beginning of 1^st shell.

8. Slip-stitch to center of shell, chain 3, 2 trebles, 3 chain and 2 trebles in shell, *fasten with 1 double between shells, shell of 3 trebles, 3 chain and 3 trebles, in next shell; repeat from * around, joining to top of 3 chain.

9. Make 14 trebles in shell, fasten in the fastening stitch of last row between shells; repeat around, joining in stitch where the row started.
     This row completes the smallest size of doily, or tumbler-doily, of which there may be as many as required, either six, eight or a dozen in the set.

10. Slip-stitch over 7 trebles of the scallop, chain 9, fasten between the 7^th and 8^th trebles of next scallop; repeat around, joining last chain where 1^st started.

11. Same as 3d row.

12, 13, 14. Same as 4^th, 5^th and 6^th rows, keeping the work flat and smooth.

15, 16, 17. Same as 7^th, 8^th and 9^th rows, using double trebles (over twice) instead of trebles, if preferred, to make the shells and scallops a trifle larger than in the small doily.
     The second size of doily, for bread-and-butter plates, bowls, etc., is finished with the 17^th row.  Repeat from 10^th to 17^th rows inclusive for yet another size.  As will be noted, as many sizes may be made as desired in this manner; then for the centerpiece these rows may be repeated to give the requisite size before the border is added, as follows:

For the border:
1. Having repeated the 3d row of plain trebles, chain 4, *miss 1, a treble in next, chain 1, repeat around; join to 3d of 4 chain. 

2. Same as 3d row.

3. Chain 5, a treble in same stitch where chain started, *(chain 1, miss 1, a treble in next) 7 times, chain 2, a treble in same stitch with last treble; repeat from * around, joining last 1 chain to 3d of 5 chain.

4. A single under 2 chain, chain 3, a treble in same place, chain 2, 2 trebles under same chain, * chain 1, miss 1^st space, (a treble in next space, chain 1) 5 times, chain 1, shell of 2 trebles, 2 chain and 2 trebles under 2 chain between 2 trebles following repeat from * around, joining last 1 chain to top of 3 chain.

5. slip-stitch to center of shell, chain 3, 2 trebles, chain 3, 3 trebles, all in same shell, * chain 6, miss 3 spaces, a treble in treble, chain 6, shell in next shell; repeat around, joining last 6 chain to top of 3 chain.

6. Slip-stitch to center of shell, chain 5, 7 trebles in shell, chain 2, 1 treble in same shell, * chain 3, fasten in top of treble with 1 double, chain 3, a treble in next shell, chain 2, 7 trebles in same shell, chain 2, 1 treble in same shell; repeat from * around, joining last 3 chain to 3d of 5 chain.

7. A single under 2 chain, chain 5, *(a treble between 2 trebles, chain 2) 6 times, chain 2, a treble under 2 chain, chain 2, a double in double, chain 2, a treble under 2 chain, chain 2, repeat from *, joining last 2 chain to 3d of 5 chain.

8. A single under 2 chain, chain 6, (a treble under next 2 chain, chain 3) 5 times, a treble under next chain, chain 2, a double in double, chain 2, a treble in 1^st space of scallop, chain 3; repeat around, joining last 2 chain to 3d of 6 chain.

9. (A double under 3 chain, chain 5) 6 times, a double in double between scallops, chain 5; repeat around, joining last 5 chain where 1^st started.
     The border, although simple, is very attractive and may be added to a linen center.  A very pretty set consists of one large centerpiece, two smaller ones, and three sizes of doilies.  If it is desired to make oval mats to match, for platters and similar dishes, commence with a chain in the center, working around it with doubles and widening at the ends; then, when making the spaces, do the widening also at each end and at the sides close to the ends, having plain spaces along the sides between.  An oval doily or centerpiece of any required size may thus be easily made.
     After the same pattern or directions, one may fashion a very pretty bureau-set.  Using pink, blue, pale-green, or any delicate tint corresponding to the general color-scheme of your apartment, make the shells and scallops of this, with the rows of plain trebles, spaces, etc., of cream-white.  Or, if preferred, the shaded mercerized cotton may be used, yellow, violet, pink, blue, green, or any desired color, with white; or the pieces may be of white, thus harmonizing with any fittings.  For the bureau or dresser an oval mat will be needed for the brush-and-comb tray, with two smaller ones for the toilet-bottles, and a cover for the cushion 9either round or oval) to match.  A similar set may be made for the commode.