doily |ˈdoilē|
noun ( pl. -lies)
an ornamental mat, typically made of lace and placed under decorative objects.
• a small ornamental napkin, typically placed under a cake or other sweet foods.
ORIGIN late 17th cent.: from Doiley or Doyley, the name of a 17th-cent. London draper. The word originally denoted a woolen material used for summer wear, said to have been introduced by this draper. The current sense (originally doily napkin) dates from the early 18th cent.

My Mom, whom I lost in August of last year unexpectedly, was the Queen of Doilies. I can’t remember ever seeing her without a doily in progress. Her fingers fairly flew, the crochet hook flashing in and out of the threads. She would only glance down every now and then to check her work. She learned to crochet as a young child from her mother. She tried to interest me in learning how to crochet, but I couldn’t be bothered with all that fiddly thread. A real shame, that. I can single crochet a rag rug and that’s about the extent of it. 

I have many doilies, table runners and a few tablecloths all worked by my mom and grandmother. What better “D” than that I ask yout?

Stitch upon intricate stitch that ultimately turn out to be spirals, stars, pinwheels, and pineapples (Mom’s fav!).

Before I started knitting I really could not tell the right side of the doily from the wrong side. Every time Mom came to visit she would inspect the doilies I had been displaying, tut-tutting as she flipped them over to the correct side up. oops. It drove my Mom crazy that I liked my doilies “au naturelle.” She always starched and ironed hers so they were crisp. Alas, I am not that way, and my style of housekeeping will testify to that. My doilies tend to the more relaxed side of life. More laisser-faire is my mode. Definitely. To me it doesn’t take away from their beauty or timeless elegance.

Treasures and heirlooms, all. Thank you, Mom and Memom for keeping up with the wonderful tradition of crocheted doilies.