Hooky Trim

One of the upsides of having a sort out is that I've been coming across some long-forgotten and much loved objects. Look what I found at the weekend! I found my basket! Yaaaayyyyy!! Might seem an odd thing to have misplaced, but misplace it I did, until I went a rooting through the Attic eaves looking for _________ (insert random object) and there it was. Hiding. It was still holding the balls of yarn left over from when I made my bag, and if you go here you can read about the basket makeover and see the beginnings of The Yarn Bag too. Cripes, it seems a long time ago don't you think? Well I suppose it was more than three years ago now.

I've absolutley L♥VED being reunited with my basket, I've been so happy carrying it about the place with my ripple tucked up inside. I've found that if I just keep the blanket, hook and current ball of yarn in it, it makes it very easy to do a little bit of hooky in between doing other things. Cos it's there and it's on view and I can instantly pick it up and work a few stitches whenever. I can also instantly drop it safely back into the basket mid stitch when I'm needed by the Littlies (which I frequently have to do).

Thinking about my sweet little yarn basket reminded me of the above picture, which has forever embedded itself in my memory banks. I know, isn't it just? Just SoOOOOoOooo beautiful?? I kept seeing this image in my mind since my own basket made a reappearance, and  yesterday I rooted out my Japanese crochet books to indulge in a little Visual Upliftment.

The yarny basket image comes from one of the above books, I think it's inside the one with the red and white motifs.

If you've not already come across these delicious books, you can read more about my love for them in this archive post. I bought both books from a great Etsy seller called Pomadour's Craft Café, the one with the red and white motifs on the cover can be found here, and the second volume with the red chair can be found here. In my experience, these books tend to sell out quickly but are also replenished regularly so if you bob along to Pomadour's shop and find them out of stock, give it a day or two and try again OK?

Ahhhhhhhh I really love these books, so so much. They never fail to delight and inspire. I must've looked at these pictures dozens of times, but never tire of them.

My eyes breeze through the pages, my heart flutters and my mind begins to buzz.

Buzzzz-buzzzzz-buzzzzzz.

Ideas begin to fizzle and pop and before I know what is happening, something takes hold and I am reaching for my hook and yarn bag to try it out.........

I have this idea to crochet some sort of sweet decorative trim to add a touch of prettiness to something. It's such an unnecessary, silly little idea really, but I am incredibly excited by forcing it into reality. I am making the creative fluttering and buzzing come alive and it feels wonderful.

Heeee-heeee!!! This is what I came up with after a few hours of frantic hooking, frogging, hooking and frogging. Looks a little silly I know........

.....but I just need to start darning in all those ends.

There, that's better!!!!

Do you like it, my sweet little piece of colourful hooky trim?

I need to join it into a ring in order for it to trim the object I have in mind.

So shall I show you what this pretty trim is for?

OK...

Look..................................................................................

Ta-dah!!!!!

It's a little bit of colourful decoration for my new Home Blessing Candle.

And I'm so happy with it!!

I treated myself to a new candle on Friday, as I felt the tealight-in-the-peanut-butter-jar wasn't quite up to the job. I found this simple little glass jar candle in the supermarket (Tesco, £3), it's vanilla scented (not overly so) and now with it's hooky trim added it's beautifully at home on my table.

Hmmmm, please do try and ignore the Shelves of Doom in the background. My Decluttering Mission is going through a short hiatus, although I do really need to try harder at getting myself back on track where that's concerned.

Oh yes, that's much better, lets just zoom in and concentrate on the pretty little bits in close-up. Ignore the big messy bits in the background.

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ps I'm sure you'll let me know what you think of my potty little creative buzz and if you think it's something you'd like a pattern for? I'm thinking these would make sweet gifts. Right, off to find my basket now, it's coming upstairs with me for a little bedtime rippling xx

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Jen]

I was reading this in my office in Chicago, where it's gone dark and snowy already and it's only 4:11pm in the afternoon. Looking at all the colors and the liveliness around your home, I actually said out loud, "I wish I could go to your house one day." My office mate thinks I'm a lunatic!

[Victoria]

Please do a pattern Lucy, it's beautiful. I've also been looking for crochet cuff patterns and feel this could be converted (the blue bit with perhaps red velvet ribbon would be yummy). Victoria x

[Anne Williams]

Love it,love it, love it. Want to try making one a pattern please pretty please. Anne x

[Dagny]

I was just thinking your trim would look pretty on a jar, and then I saw the next picture of it on your candle ;). Pattern Prett Please!

[Liz]

Love the trim on the candle.

[Tina]

Ooh, I want thAt trim for a few dish towels. So so gorgeous!

[Jacquie]

Wonderful idea Lucy....as usual :0)
These would be great gifts as I imagine they are quite quick to do and candles are a must at this time of year I think.
Jacquie x

[Sarah]

I read every post but am usually a lurker - but I just wanted to say I would love, love, love the pattern for your gorgeous, gorgeous trim, you are so clever!!

S x

[Lisa]

Wow, its like your trim was supposed to go around the candle! Looks great!! The trim would also look good across each of the shelves on your Shelves of Doom, what doesn't look less messy with a bit of color?? LOL We all have them, I have pics of mine on Ravelry (I'm Iesadora on there) with vampire flowers hanging along the top =D

[Dinahsoar]

Yes, please, I'd love the pattern...it is very sweet. Love love.

[Stocki]

The trim is very Indian looking I think.. little gem colours... especially when the candle is lit. I have been visiting the Fly Lady thanks to your recommendation.. and yesterday I did a huge clean up of the dining room (I Know, I know it's not the right week)and afterwards lit smelly (in a nice way)candles and my daughter walked in and said, 'Wow'.. enough of a reward I think... thanks Lucy :)x

[Jess]

Hello Lucy!
First off I love your apron! I wish I had mula to buy those Japanese books, one day I will be able to!. I love your little trim it's so colorful as usual:) I love your post. They make me so happy!

[Reality Jayne]

Darling.........Its darling

[Hyla]

Im a beginner crocheter, I dont know if I could ever pull that off but it sooo beautiful! I would love the pattern if I could do it! I think it would look so whimsical on that blanket you are working on!

PS Love the shelf in the background with the crochet banner and the heart tree and I love the light above the table too!

[Sandra (Cherry Heart)]

I'm so glad you re-discovered your basket, it's delightful and they're so useful, I'd be lost without mine. I also love your decorative piece of what-not for trimming - it's beautiful! You're so clever, you never fail to amaze me with your ideas. So that's a definite 'yes please' from me to a pattern if you have time. (Fingers crossed!)

S x

[kathy]

How beautiful! Would love the pattern-just in time for the holidays to decorate the mantle with some greenery around the candles....please, please, please!

[The Barefoot Crofter]

So lovely - perfect for a candle holder. My bookshelves do that trick all the time. xx

[Katherine of Kitten's Lost Her Mittens]

Hi Lucy! I would love the pattern for your trim! It's so pretty. Also, it would be cute sewn onto clothing. I'm thinking a sweater with 3/4 length sleeves so you could sew it on the cuffs and it wouldn't get in the way. I'd love to try that!

[Brianna Asaro]

Love the candle holder trim! Great way to spruce up a room! And I had to laugh a bit when I saw your bookshelves in the background - you can tell you love and use all your books because nothing is put away!!! LOL. But it looks and feels so loved and homey!

[Christine]

I love your trim. I want to try to make some of my own trim now. And I didn't even notice the shelves of doom because I was drooling over your beautiful mantel.

[verónica]

Hi Lucy: Lucky you, you found the basket! I have mine too, but not so nice.
The trim is beautiful and yes, I want one of your easy pattern and tutorials, pleasssssse!!!

love

Verónica

[Rita]

This is just the cutest trim ever! A new hooky pattern of this adorable trim would be fabulous! Love and hugs from California!

[Annemiek]

I'm in love! Your hooky trim is soo pretty! Your whole blog is fantastic really. I get so many lovely ideas from your blog and the frustrating thing is that I don't have enough time and I don't know which to try next! I've just started my first ripple cushion cover yesterday and It already looks lovely!! Thanks for the pattern, because you made it really easy :)

[Lorena Sonido Retro!]

jaja, Today I bought 3 baskets for my bist and pieces...
I adore your candle ornament!
Lovely as ever.
x

[Denise]

I didn't notice your shelves because I'm trying to figure out the flouncy thing hanging from the ceiling. Please do tell us about that.

Your trim is tre' cute.