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
It's all looking rather gorgeous. I haven't crocheted since I was a teenager (and no, I'm not going to say how long ago that was!) - but this is tempting me to try again. I recently watched the film Bright Star - it's worth watching just for the costumes (and a beautiful sequence with a room full of butterflies.) The heroine wears a stole which reminds me of this, only the flowers are tiny, and also a little bolero jacket - I couldn't tell whether it was crochet or embroidery but they were lovely.
Also, try downloading Babelfish to your PC - it gives a rough translation of foreign language websites (including Japanese...) It's not perfect, but it can help!
Posted by: Katherine | February 08, 2011 at 10:16 PM
Looks beautiful Lucy, and I can almost feel how lovely that yarn is just by looking at it! x
Posted by: Emma | February 08, 2011 at 10:17 PM
wow,wow,wow!
I love your blog lucy and you have taught me how to crochet.I've followed many tutorials.Yours are the only ones I seem to understand and be able to follow.I'd love a tutorial of this.i took one look at the link you put to the diagram and decided I need you to translate it hehe.
Posted by: Mollymop5 | February 08, 2011 at 10:17 PM
I'm just glad that I did not tip lemonade all over it last night. Phew.
Posted by: Heather | February 08, 2011 at 10:19 PM
hi are they easy to do, i can make granny squares your blog is so lovley take care kim.x
Posted by: kim | February 08, 2011 at 10:20 PM
WOW!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Toni-marie | February 08, 2011 at 10:21 PM
My skills are no where near making this project Lucy but I look forward to the time when I can. My bookmarks are full full full with inspiration for the future. It's difficult to realise the texture of the wool from the picture and as a new crocheter I'll need to have a feel, a touch and a face indulge :)
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Michelle @ My Creative Home | February 08, 2011 at 10:23 PM
I ♥ it !!!
Posted by: berit | February 08, 2011 at 10:26 PM
Hi Lucy , I love your scarf !!!!!!!!!!
That yarn really is perfect for this project .
Enjoy :0)
Jacquie x
Posted by: Jacquie | February 08, 2011 at 10:28 PM
Stunning yarn - but kinda pricey...
Posted by: Penny Peberdy | February 08, 2011 at 10:33 PM
I can just see you all wrapped up in flowers! That is going to be a gorgeous scarf/shawl. I even liked it in the neutral color. Have fun!
Posted by: Christine Warren | February 08, 2011 at 10:38 PM
Wowwie! That looks as if it will be a stunning shawl / scarf when you have finished it. Those yarn colours are delightful - understated but sensational at the same time.
June.
Posted by: June | February 08, 2011 at 10:40 PM
OMG!!! That is one fantastic flower scarf! Yours is going to be stunning!!!
xxx
Posted by: Hayley | February 08, 2011 at 10:47 PM
Oh gosh, that's beautiful Lucy! I'm so envious - I've only managed to afford one skein of Andes, wah! Looking at your gorgeous colours I want more! Thanks again for the inspiration. Pretty please can we have a tutorial, Lucy stylee. :-)
Love and hugs
Vicky x
Posted by: Victoria | February 08, 2011 at 10:50 PM
Absolutely Gorgeous!!!
I am always amazed by your use of colour Luce...
It has turned out so beautiful and looks so soft...
I am sure it will be a favorite to wear for many seasons...
I will be adding this pattern to my winter collection...
Posted by: michelle | February 08, 2011 at 10:54 PM
Oh my goodness!!! That is incredible! just beautiful. Can't wait to see the finished project. You have just inspired me to try my hand .....must have one of those!!!
Posted by: Blackberry Rambles | February 08, 2011 at 10:57 PM
I feel speechless and then a surge of wanting to say so much. What a fabulous, inspiring and wonderful post to read Lucy. I've found in my rushing aroundness at the moment that I just skim read posts at the mo. You had me caught up from the beginning with your wonderful tale of yarn desire and making. Better than chocolate. No wonder you yearned for the yarn, it looks slightly felted in it's gentle colours. Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to see you all wrapped up.
X
Posted by: Bobo Bun | February 08, 2011 at 11:05 PM
Loving these flowers - beautiful colours and yarn you almost feel you can touch through the screen!
Posted by: Sandra | February 08, 2011 at 11:14 PM
Lucy, that is exquisite!!!! Love your colours and design. What a find for you, a perfect project and it will be lovely on the loveliest Lucy. xoRobin❤
Posted by: Robin | February 08, 2011 at 11:24 PM
This is going to be beautiful to wear, especially with the red shoes.
Posted by: Inthesky | February 08, 2011 at 11:26 PM
Oh Lucy that is just so knee weakeningly gorgeous. No wonder you are smitten. I look forward to seeing you draped in it relaxing.
Posted by: Karen - mylittlekaleidoscopelight | February 08, 2011 at 11:33 PM
You are going to look so stylish wearing those flowers.....what fabulous colours you've chosen. I will look at those French blogs tomorrow and enjoy a meander round them!
Posted by: Vintage Squirrel Katie | February 08, 2011 at 11:34 PM
Lucy, it's stunning! I may have to try and make a flower or two .... and see where that leads!
Posted by: Fiona | February 08, 2011 at 11:35 PM
Whenever my days seem slightly gray, as they do right now in the middle of winter, I come to your blog to get some beautiful color and some heartlifting blogging. You are a treasure and I wish I could meet you some day and you could teach me how to crochet. I'm 61 so maybe I'm too old to learn, but I'd sure like to try. Your creations are always so beautiful.
Posted by: Kate | February 08, 2011 at 11:36 PM
Your eye for colour just adds to it. Beautiful!
Posted by: alisonb2 | February 08, 2011 at 11:45 PM