I got to play with picots last night! The original pattern is by Marlene (Marty) Lewis. I don't use buttons or beads on bookmarks except on the tail part that sticks out but I wanted to use this pattern so I needed to find a way to fill in the middle. The first thing that came to me was long picots woven in the center. Even so, I was making it up as I went. LOL! I used a 1 inch picot gauge horizontally so it would actually measure 2" if you stretched it out. I tatted one side and put a long picot at each place where she joined into the button hole. When I came down the other side, I joined the long picot into the same spot I would have joined into the button or made a picot. I thought the picots were too long but once I blocked it out, they laid nicely. I may pursue this further later but for now, I've learned my idea is workable. I used a size 20 Manuela for the sample.

While I wouldn't use buttons for a bookmark, the design with the buttons would make an attractive mat or would look very effective framed and hung.

I was in Hobby Lobby today. Simplicity patterns were on sale for 99¢ each. I bought several apron patterns, one for knitting and crochet organizers, one for kitchen accessories because it had a tea cozy in it, and one for totes/organizers. Oh, one with a christening dress too. sigh...all to be added to my pattern stash. I'm really trying not to "collect". I want to make use of what I already have. It all started with wanting to make some tea cozies for my teapots. But then....I kept browsing....

Well, I'm done with the crochet for awhile now but I promised the grandkids I would knit those fingerless, flap-over mittens for them...along with a matching hat. I better get busy before Spring hits and they don't need them.