Mani di Fata Doily

This doily caught my eye when I first saw it, but the 20 little flowers in the 10th round kept me from starting it.  Then I made another doily where the final round consisted of several little motifs (3 rounds each!) and I realized that I don't mind making tons of little motifs.  The worst part was trying to finish the ends once the motifs were attached to the large doily.  I realized it is much easier if I make the small motifs first and attach them later, which is exactly what I am doing with this doily.  

The first 9 rounds are simple rings and chains.  The 10th round consists of the little flowers and then there are 2 more rounds of rings and chains.  When I finished the 8th round, I stopped and made all 20 little flowers.  I am now attaching the flowers as I make the 9th round.  The nice thing about doing it this way, is that the 9th round is just flying by!  

I started this doily several years ago but only got about half way through the 4th round.  I picked it up again in late Dec. last year.  I will probably work on it until it's done.  The little flowers were actually fun to make on their own.  There is a mistake in the 5th or 6th round, but I really, really have to look for it to find it.  By the time I discovered it, I would have had to take out 1.5 rounds and I just couldn't bear the thought of doing so.  I'm glad I didn't - in this case, it wouldn't have been worth it.  I figure that if I have to look that hard to find the mistake, knowing it is there, nobody else will be able to see it.  And if they do, oh well:)

Thread used: DMC 80 in ecru.  The pattern is from Il lavoro Chiacchierino (publisehd by Mani di Fata) no. 7.