Antique Spider Design In Its Simplest Form

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Antique Spider Design - In Its Simplest Form

Pattern by Emma Farnes, in early 1900's
Instructions rewritten by Sandi Marshall

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In the early 1900's, the basic spider design was already considered to be antique. Emma Farnes named this pattern the "Antique Spider Design - In Its Simplest Form".

Sandi's added notes: This lovely antique design is basically a version of filet crochet with a wide, open lace portion in the center. Following the written out directions for the first few rows can be helpful in understanding how to crochet open mesh and solid mesh, to anyone just learning filet crochet.

The chain lengths in the center may seem confusing, at first, because they may seem to "not look right" but these chain lengths are supposed to be left alone until row 6, where it all comes together. Refer to the photo below the row 5 directions for a visual on how the first 5 rows should look.

Rewritten Instructions by Sandi Marshall:
Materials - Can be made with any size thread or yarn. I made the sample shown in worsted weight yarn, using a size G crochet hook. If using thread or a different weight of yarn, change the size of the hook used, to correspond.

Abbreviations:
ch = chain, dc = double crochet, sl st = slip stitch

Directions
Foundation Chain: Chain 32.
Row 1: Dc in 8th ch from hook (first open mesh made), * ch 2, skip 2 chains, dc in next ch; repeat from * . (9 open mesh in this row)
Row 2: ch 5, skip ch-2, dc in next dc, (ch 2, dc in next dc) 3 times; 2 dc in ch-2 space, dc in next dc, (ch 2, dc in next dc) 3 times; ch 2, skip 2 chains, dc in next chain. (4 open mesh, 1 solid mesh, 4 open mesh)
Row 3: ch 5, skip ch-2, dc in next dc, (ch 2, dc in next dc) 2 times; 2 dc in ch-2 space, dc in next dc, chain 7, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 space, dc in next dc, (ch 2, dc in next dc) 2 times; ch 2, skip 2 chains, dc in next chain. (3 open mesh, 1 solid mesh, chain 7, 1 solid mesh, 3 open mesh)
Row 4: ch 5, skip ch-2, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 space, dc in next dc, chain 8, skip 3 dc, skip the ch-7, skip 3 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 space, dc in next dc, chain 2, dc in next dc, ch 2, skip 2 chains, dc in next chain. (2 open mesh, 1 solid mesh, chain 8, 1 solid mesh, 2 open mesh)
Row 5: ch 5, skip ch-2, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 space, dc in next dc, chain 12, skip 3 dc, skip the ch-8, skip 3 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 space, dc in next dc, skip 2 chains, dc in next chain.

This is how the piece will look after row 5
(the center chain lengths will be gathered up in row 6):

Row 6: ch 5, skip ch-2, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 chains, ch 6; make a long slip stitch, as follows: insert hook below the ch-7 of row 3, yarn over hook, draw yarn through to front and pull a long loop to above the ch-12 of row 5, yarn over, draw yarn through both loops on hook (slip stitch made that goes around the center chain lengths of 3 rows), ch 6, 1 dc in each of the last 3 chains of the ch-12, dc in next dc, ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc, ch 2, skip 2 chains, dc in next chain.
Row 7: ch 5, skip ch-2, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next dc, ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 chains, ch 2, skip 3 chains, skip sl st, skip 3 chains, 1 dc in each of last 3 chains of ch-6, dc in next dc, ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next dc, ch 2, skip 2 chains, dc in next chain.
Row 8: ch 5, skip ch-2, dc in next dc, (ch 2, dc in next dc) 2 times, ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 space, dc in next dc, ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc, (ch 2, dc in next dc) 2 times, ch 2, skip 2 chains, dc in next chain.
Row 9: ch 5, skip ch-2, dc in next dc, (ch 2, dc in next dc) 3 times, ch 2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc, (ch 2, dc in next dc) 3 times, ch 2, skip 2 chains, dc in next chain.
End off. Weave in ends.

For comparison, following are the complete instructions written by Emma Farnes in the early 1900's:
1st Row: Chain 32. 9 open meshes. (om)
2nd Row: 4 om, 1 solid mesh (sm), 4 om.
3rd Row: 3 om, 1 sm, ch 7, 1 sm, 3 om.
4th Row: 2 om, 1 sm, ch 8, 1 sm, 2 om.
5th Row: 1 om, 1 sm, ch 12, 1 sm, 1 om.
6th Row: 2 om, 1 sm over the first 2 of 12 chs. Ch 6, 1 sl st, taking up the chains of the 3 rows below. Ch 6, 1 sm, 2 om.
7th Row: 3 om, 1 sm over the first 2 of the 6 chs. Ch 2, 1 sm over last 2 of next 6 chs, 3 om.
8th and 9th Rows: Same as 1st and 2nd.

These rewritten directions and pattern images are free for your own personal use only. The rewritten directions and images for this pattern may not be sold or redistributed (with or without charge) in any form (redistributing includes photocopies, emailing, posting to Bulletin Boards, posting on another web site, posting to an email list and any other manner of distribution).

Instead, you are welcome to post the URL of this page, so that anyone who would like to have the pattern may come here for themselves. Thank you!

URL of this page is http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa051802.htm

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