Going through my photos, I realised I hadn’t shared this Christmas present that I made for my Aunt in Spain.

The outdoor lifestyle means that flies are at risk of getting into your sangria at any time and that will never do! My Aunt already makes use of this type of thing, although only offcuts of net mesh with a few large, heavy beads attached to weigh the doily down, so I thought I’d make her some proper crocheted ones, much more delicate and artisan in feel.

I bought these two online from Etsy or Folksy a few years ago but, try as I did, I couldn’t find the original source, so decided to have a go at deciphering the pattern in order to replicate them.

I already had some #8 cotton, which coincidentally was bought on a previous visit to Spain, and some blue and red 5mm beads.

I used a 2.5mm crochet hook but will try a 2.75 or 3mm hook next time, as they came up about 1cm smaller in diameter with a denser stitch making them ever so slightly less drapy than my own.

The beads are threaded onto the cotton at the very beginning and only incorporated into the crochet on the last round.

Here are the finished doilies which are a near identical match to mine.

I made His ‘n’ Hers versions; one with red beads and the other with blue beads so that they can tell their drinks apart.

I think I’m going to have to make another two with different coloured beads for when we visit – I can always leave them there as a little ‘thank you’ gift.

If anyone is interested in the pattern, let me know and I’ll write it up – it’s just a series of scruffy notes at the moment!