Filet crochet project finished and blocked

Slowly but surely, I am finishing those promised 2019 articles in my long-term WIP pile. The latest finished object is this sweet filet placemat which shows intertwined Celtic hearts. I used Lydia’s #10 crochet thread in aqua, and it took an entire ball, plus a little more of a second ball.

PHOTOS: placemat in progress (left), and finished (right)

The pattern is from Michelle at Nezeumi World. I’m looking forward to showing her the blocked item. As I mentioned in my previous post, I am using a child’s play mat and pearl-head pins to block the article. I sprayed it with lavender water and it is now drying on my patio. The blocked size is about 45 cm x 38 cm.

PHOTO: a child’s play mat works perfectly for blocking. This one cost the equivalent of $5.00 U.S. at Daiso. My blocking may be a bit wonky on the bottom edge, so I will likely have to adjust it.

It dawned on me as I was posting these photos that just about every element contains hearts, although it wasn’t planned – the bowl, the blocking mat, and of course, the placemat. Sometimes my subconscious works in mysterious ways.

I plan to give this Valentine beauty to my best friend’s mom, who lives in Iran. I hope she likes it.