Today I'm going to share my current hooky love affair with you, but before we launch into all that I just had to show you these beautiful tulips....gorgeous aren't they? They were tightly closed when I first put them in water on Saturday and literally within a few hours the petals had started to unfurl.
Now then, did you spot the soft focus crochet behind the button jug up there? Just lately I've found it easier to do my hooky at the table rather than on the sofa so I've had the extra pleasure of working right alongside the tulips. The two go together beautifully, it's a double pleasure. And I'm all for finding and enjoying life's little pleasures, as you well know. As a matter of fact I've been having a terrific time with my latest crochet project, I absolutely adore the beginning of a new project, especially when I find myself falling head long in love with it right from the word go. Not all my crochet projects happen this way. Quite often I remain uncertain of my feelings for a good long while and sometimes it's not till right at the end that I really get to fall in love. But not so this project. This project was kind of like CA-POW! Instantaneous L:O:V:E.
So do you want to know what exactly I'm going on about?? Let me tell you the story.........
It all started with the yarn and it really was love at first sight. This is Debbie Bliss "Andes" which is a very luxurious blend of baby alpaca and mulberry silk. I came across it last autumn in my local yarn shop, the hanks were all piled into a basket inviting you to pick them up and stroke them, and really truthfully, therein lies it's charm. It's the softest, most snugglesome yarn I've ever come across. Its unbelievably soft and it feels amazing to have it next to your skin.
And then there're the colours. They are just b-e-a-utiful. Kind of intense but soft, rich but subtle, bright but gentle at the same time. The yarn has an incredible lustre which makes the colours seem to glow in real life, the above photo maybe doesn't do it justice. I chose nine colours in total, surprising myself by including that neutral colour in the centre (I know! Neutral!! Me choosing neutral and actually loving it!!) So....this is a link to my LYS where I purchased the yarn, and these are the colours, going from left to right ::
08 ruby 15 fuschia 07 coral 06 gold 05 camel 10 apple 09 sage 12 denim 11 tea green
So I met the yarn in October last year, but could not at the time justify the expense of it and sadly had to walk away. But I could not get it out of my head. It became the Stuff of My Dreams. I really, really, reeeeeeeeeeally wanted it. Badly. A few months passed. Christmas came and went and still I dreamt of getting my hands on that gorgeous Andes.
30th December and I decided that I could stand it no longer and I was going to Go And Get It No Matter What. So off I trotted to my LYS and I had a heart skippy time scooping up those hanks and Making Them Mine.
In my mind I had already formulated a loose plan for my Andes :: I imagined it worked up into something breathtaking to drape around my neck and shoulders. A scarf perhaps? A wrap? Shawl? Stole? Something generous in proportions, something utterly scrummy to drape about my person. I searched. I searched and searched for a suitable pattern/idea/snippet of inspiration. I put the word out on my Ravelry group and we discussed various ideas and options, but nothing truly seemed worthy of my beloved Andes.
Several weeks passed by and still I was waiting and wishing for inspiration to present itself. Then two weeks ago I received a comment on my blog with a possible pattern suggestion {Bernadette, I will be forever grateful}. This is where it took me.............................
..........to France, to this beautiful blog and then onwards to a wonderful, stunning creation made by a very talented French lady.
Wow!!! Oh WOWOWOWOWWWWW!!! I was totally and utterly smitten, love at first sight (again). It seemed that it was indeed the pattern of my dreams. Now my comprehension of French is a little bit sketchy, but I did manage to fathom that the original pattern came from a Japanese crochet book, and oh boy, I know all about the temptations found in those amazing little books. I eagerly followed all the links on arbrealaine's blog, discovering a written (French) pattern, plus a copy of the original Japanese diagram-pattern. There were also lots and lots of "ici" links taking me to lots of other wonderful french Blogettes who had all given this pattern a go. Take a look at this one.....
The above picture is the same pattern, but this time made by a super-talented French lady called Marie. You can see more on her blog L'atelier de Marie. Beautiful isn't it?? If you've got a spare moment, do go take a look at Marie's other crochet projects, she's made some very inspirational granny-square garments which I love.
Well as you can imagine, I was in quite a giddy lather by this point, I was soooo excited by what I'd found and couldn't wait to start. I used the diagram pattern found here and gave it a whirl with Stylecraft yarn to try it out.
I was so so so so happy with the way it turned out! And I figured that if the flower looked this good in the Stylecraft, then it would be simply amAzing in the Andes.
Now as I said, the pattern is out there in French Blogland and I guess you and I are at liberty to use it if we wish. However, I felt that I would rather have a copy of the actual real pattern, plus I knew as soon as I saw the front cover of the book that it would be a good'n to have. I went to my favourite Etsy seller Pomadour24 and of course the book was there....it's called "Motif Book Vol 4". And truly, it's gorgeous. Scrummy. Yummy-scrummy.
There's the Flower Scarf/Stole/Wrap thingy look....
....it seems odd seeing it in neutrals! I'm not sure if I would've been so tempted by it had I not seen it transformed with the use of colour {French Crochet Ladies, I will be forever grateful for your colour inspiration}
The Debbie Bliss Andes is a DK weight yarn which would normally be worked on a 4mm hook. However, it's quite a fine yarn and after a few little experiments with it I decided to switch down to a 3mm hook for this project. The resulting flowers are still a satisfying size mind you, and they are surprisingly easy and speedy to work up. They are really great to make.
They are also joined-as-you-go (yiippppeeeeeee!!!) so no fiddlesome joining procedures to endure. This really is turning out to be the perfect project you know. Blissful yarn, stunning pattern, easy making process, and (hopefully) an amazing end product. What's not to love?!
So this is where I'm up to with it at the moment...the scarf/stole/wrap thingy is a trapezium shape (well J tells me that's the word, blame him if it's wrong), four flowers deep. I'll be working out to the sides on the above picture until I get to the length I want :: the original design doesn't seem very long so I'll just keep going until it looks right or I run out of yarn. Hopefully not the latter.
Right-o, I need to go drink tea and smoosh my scarf/stole/wrap thingy before I go to bed, so I shall love you and leave you for now.
Well done for getting to the end of such a long-winded load of blurb, gawd, I do go on a bit don't I? Hope I didn't bore you too much. Thank you. Mwah. xxxxxxxxxxx
Edited to add :: After a great deal of discussion and debate re the tricksy issues of Copyright, I'm really sorry to say that I can't share this flower pattern with you or make a turorial for it either. I have to respect the law, the book publishers and the talented Japanese designer. Catherine, who published the pattern and French translation on her blog has also arrived at the same conclusion and felt it necessary to remove her post which I linked to above. I'm sure you all understand. Of course, it is still available in the beautiful book! I'm also working on a tutorial to aid the deciphering of the Japanese style charts/diagrams with the hope of helping those that feel phased by them. More coming soon xx
GORGEOUS!
Posted by: Lara | February 08, 2011 at 09:25 PM
Love your blog. I follow it regularly here in New Zealand, at the bottom of the world. I just checked in on my morning tea break and it updated while I was visiting. So I get to be first comment!! Your lovely crochet is so inspirational and I have recently blown the cobwebs off my crochet hook, indulged in some lovely new wool and set off on my granny blanket journey. Your new project is gorgeous and will, no doubt, attract many favourable comments when you are wearing it out and about.
Posted by: Debbie Halkett | February 08, 2011 at 09:26 PM
These flowers are just too cute! I taught myself how to crochet a little last year (I was pregnant), and I loved trying to make flowers. I did manage to make 1 flower scarf/belt and now a year has gone by and I have forgotten everything I learned! Now that the baby is here (she makes 4) I somehow can't find the time to sit down and crochet! Love how your scarf/wrap thingy is looking so far! It's going to be beautiful!
Posted by: angie | February 08, 2011 at 09:28 PM
Dear Lucy - I feel nearly tearful at how lovely this looks! The flowers look positively lustrous in that gorgeous yarn. I've just discovered your blog and have had so much pleasure looking through your beautiful projects and am really inspired to try to crochet again..it's been a fail for me so far... Just wanted to tell you what a fantastic inspiring read your posts are - happy hooking!
Posted by: Laura Parsons | February 08, 2011 at 09:30 PM
Wow Lucy, It is stunning, I can't wait to see the tah dah...
Posted by: Brenda | February 08, 2011 at 09:31 PM
Sooo gorgeous Lucy. The yarn and colours look stunning. You have already inspired me to re-visit crochet and this newest creation is making my fingers itch some more!! Thank you and can't wait to see your finished wonder!
Posted by: AngieP | February 08, 2011 at 09:35 PM
Oh, my goodness, but this is beautiful.
Posted by: ellen kelley | February 08, 2011 at 09:37 PM
I agree - absolutely gorgeous so far! The yarn looks lovely and the pattern is very classy. Really nteresting to see the pattern done in different colour schemes.
Posted by: Jennifer (Dairymaid) | February 08, 2011 at 09:43 PM
Dear Lucy what an absolutely beautiful pattern and your colour choice
stunning as always. Sarah x
Posted by: Sarah west mids uk | February 08, 2011 at 09:49 PM
Wow, that's going to be gorgeous! Love the colours too :)
Posted by: Louise | February 08, 2011 at 09:52 PM
Oh my, another lovely hooky delight. You are an amazing woman, Lucy of the Attic. Thanks.
Posted by: Lynda M O | February 08, 2011 at 09:54 PM
That is ridiculously beautiful....I keep saying that about your work but it`s true. Well done Lady.
Posted by: Nana GoGo | February 08, 2011 at 09:55 PM
I have already made this stole (I'm French :)) I confirm that the original design is a bit short but I run out of yarn to continue. I may made another one with two colors, but I do not like "hiding" the start and ending threads when changing yarn at each flower. I may also change the shape from trapezium to rectangular.
If you are looking for an easy scarf, have a look at http://chocobn.canalblog.com/archives/2008/12/19/11801553.html
Posted by: Carine_07 | February 08, 2011 at 09:59 PM
This is going to be gorgeous. The colours of the Andes are lovely - quite autumnal in a way and the texture looks great. Enjoy! Fiona x
Posted by: frou-frou | February 08, 2011 at 10:02 PM
Beautiful Lucy. That yarn is gorgeous. You described them perfectly, the colours are bold and soft at the same time. I had wanted to make the stole in a dark grey or midnight blue myself but your colourful one has me thinking.......
P.S. I do apologize, I should have offered to translate the French for you, it wouldn't have been very fluid but it would have been understandable.
Posted by: Bernadette | February 08, 2011 at 10:05 PM
Amazing! Thank you for all the links so we can join you in this enthusiastic project.
Posted by: Melissa P | February 08, 2011 at 10:06 PM
Bore us?! The scarf is (all the adjectives above), and the links are a god-send. Maybe it's just me, but I find it so difficult to find crochet sites that are at all sophisticated, stylish,.... Way too many toilet-roll covers and peek-a-boo halter tops. Of course I also love the yarn, which shows as surprisingly touchable and lustrous in the photo. Thanks for showing the line-up of colors so clearly. I always learn a lot about my own particular preferences in yarn colors when I think "Wow, I would never have chosen that hot pink," and then see what a lovely lift it gives to the other colors in the actual work.
You might like to know that I live within a few miles of a large Japanese market (right here in Portland, OR) that has a bookstore. I just cannot allow myself to go there very often, or I would be totally bankrupt and buried under a pile of wonderful Japanese needlework books. I'll have to go look for your shawl book, though. Thanks for the lovely post, Cloudykate
Posted by: Cloudykate | February 08, 2011 at 10:06 PM
I knew the pattern but not in this colorful version! What a wonderful idea (I already did one but in 2 colors only). Might have to try again :)
Florence
Posted by: Mam'zelle flo | February 08, 2011 at 10:07 PM
Dear Lucy
I love your new project is as beautiful as everything u knit:)theres an anual wool and fabric sale at avoca mill in co.wicklow ireland starting the 10th february and I can not wait to attend.Pity you are not in Ireland I know you would love it.Its heaven for knitters.I am sending you some pics of the old mill where the anual wool sale takes place and where they do the weaving of the gorgeous shawls and blankets sold at avoca.ie.You can find them at www.flickr.com/avocaireland The place is stunning and extremely interesting. All the best Lucy!Eugenia and Sandra
Posted by: eugenia | February 08, 2011 at 10:07 PM
absolutely stunning, i'm soo glad everything worked out for you! it's truely stunning well done my dear, won't be long now till it's draped round you! xxx
Posted by: Amanda x | February 08, 2011 at 10:09 PM
Yum yum yum! As always, wonderful inspiring stuff! Plus my husband (yes my husband!) leaned over at the screen and said he really loved the sweet flower granny, was I going to make one?!! So off I go... yay!
Posted by: Heather Thorp | February 08, 2011 at 10:11 PM
Oh, deary me. A rainbow of yarn arrived on my doorstep today. I intended to do a gargantuan blanket. So, so, so tempted.
Pardon me as I pretend that I never ever saw this post or this scarf.
Posted by: Jodi Anderson | February 08, 2011 at 10:14 PM
So beautiful Lucy! I love the colors you chose and I'm sure the finished project will be quite lovely. Thank you for sharing with us.
Posted by: Betsy | February 08, 2011 at 10:15 PM
Lovely! The look so gorgeous and soft - I can't wait to see it finished. I was particularly drawn to the fuchsia yarn - it's a beautiful shade. x
Posted by: PinkCat | February 08, 2011 at 10:15 PM
i love the flower scarf....but i couldnt understand that french ladys diagram....Help us out A-24....Give it to us in real talk.
I demand to know how to make that flower!!!!!lol
Posted by: Queen of Whatever | February 08, 2011 at 10:15 PM