Paper and Lace

Quick, Easy and Awesome Bookmarks!

Greetings Friends!
Isn't this country snowman just adorable?  I knew when I saw this bookmark at the library that it was the perfect candidate for a little paper crochet. Back in December I tried out the Sharp Hook (here's the post), and I knew that it would be just right for this project.  One of the advantages of the SH is that most of the time you don't have to pre-poke your holes.  While this can be convenient, I was having difficulty getting the holes in the right spot.  In order to come up with the same number of evenly spaced holes I had to use a ruler.  I tried to poke the holes as I went, but that didn't work very well.  I ended up marking them 1/4 inch apart first and then doing the poking.  It was a little painful for the finger on the "other" side until I remembered my leather thimble!  With appropriate protection I was able to move along quickly!

The bookmark is made of card stock and only printed on one side.  I glued two together because I thought it would look better being double sided.  Even with the two, I'm sure you would be able to make the holes using any small steel hook. Just get them started first, and definitely use (finger) protection!!

I debated what kind of border/edging to use.  I started off by doing a single crochet in each hole, with 3 in each corner all the way around.  This is pretty much the standard base that most edgings are worked from.  In the end,  I decided to keep it simple and just did a (sc, ch 2) in each sc around. 

I used plain white #10 cotton thread and my trusty #4/ 2.75 mm steel hook.  I think the effect is lovely.  It's simple enough that it doesn't overwhelm the design, yet it takes an ordinary paper bookmark and makes it something special.

I was happy to pass this one on to one of our regular library patrons who happened to mention how much she loved snowmen.

This is the first time that I combined paper and crochet.  It really is an easy project, and I'm sure there are more bookmarks in my future.  The hardest part is marking where the holes go, and that's more tedious than anything.  I can see using this technique to embellish handmade cards, or holiday ornaments.  To add a border to a wall calendar. Or,  even use it on photographs to create a unique frame.  Like anything in crochet, the possibilities are only limited by the imagination! 

Where will your imagination take you?  I'd love to hear your ideas for combining paper and lace!

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me.
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!