Doily
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A doily (or doilie) is an ornamental mat, originally the name of a fabric, from Doiley, a 17th century London draper.[1] They are usually made of cotton or linen thread, often crocheted but may also be knitted. Openwork allows the underlying surface 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. Often the designer was anonymous. The designs could be circular or oval started from the center and worked 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.
Making doilies is often considered old-fashioned[by whom?], but contemporary designers continue to make patterns for modern hand craft enthusiasts.
In more recent times, disposable paper doilies have become common to decorate a plate of food, underlying the food for ornamentation.
Doily can also refer to a lacy head covering worn by women as part of the practice of religion: Christian headcovering; modesty; marital status.
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