A doily (or doilie) is an ornamental mat, originally the name of a fabric made by Doiley, a 17th century London draper.^[1] They are crocheted and sometimes knitted out of cotton or linen thread. Openwork allows the surface of the underlying object to show through. In addition to their decorative function doilies have the utilitarian role of protecting fine-wood furniture from the scratches caused by crockery or decorative objects.

Many patterns for crocheting or knitting doilies were published by thread manufacturers in the first part of the 20th century. The designers were often anonymous. The designs could be circular or oval starting from the center and working outward, reminiscent of the Polar coordinates system. Doilies, as well as other household items, may be made by crocheting rows on a grid pattern using a technique called filet crochet, similar to points on the Cartesian coordinate system. Although it may to some extent interfere with the original use, some doilies have raised designs (rose petals, popcorn, or ruffles) rather than being flat.

Contemporary designers continue to make patterns for modern hand craft enthusiasts.

In more recent times disposable paper doilies are used to decorate plates, placed under the food for ornamentation.

Doily can also refer to a lacy head-covering worn by women as part of the practice of religion:^{[citation needed]} Christian headcovering; modesty; marital status.

[edit] References

1. ^ [1] "doily." "doily." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2009.

[edit] See also

• Antimacassar
• Lace

v • d • e Crochet Tools: Crochet hook · Cro-hook · Hook gauge · Scissors · Stitch marker Techniques and motifs: Amigurumi · Bead crochet · Bilum · Blocking · Doily · Gauge · Granny square · List of crochet stitches · Shell stitch · Tunisian crochet Crocheted lace: Broomstick lace · Crocheted lace · Filet crochet · Hairpin lace · Irish crochet Related: Crochet thread · Dye lot · Yarn

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