I'm really having fun making this bunting, it's exactly the sort of project I love. Brightly coloured cottons and speedy results, it's an absolute joy to work on. I am so excited by the whole idea of it and am really looking forward to it coming together with the brightly coloured felt letters and all! I think I've got the wording sorted now too, although need to do some measuring to make sure it'll fit.
Ooooooooooooooo the little red glass beads that I bought are working out beautifully as berries, I'm so happy with them!
The thread I'm using to make the jolly holly is fabulous. I bought it from a local craft shop, it's called Anchor Soft Embroidery thread. It comes in a gazillion different colours (well 255 to be precise), and I am having secret fantasies about spending a small fortune and buying up one of each colour to crochet something in a gazillion different hues. Madness, yes I know.
I've got Little Man home from school (wibbly legs and high temperature time again) and his presence on the sofa has helped to keep Little B happy and in check. Kind of. I've been taking advantage and spent this morning working on the jolly holly tutorial for you. I've finished writing it but just need to check it through to make sure there's no mistakes. For a small crochet item, it took a huge ammount of brain power to write up the pattern. It's not complicated I promise you, but I wanted to make it completely fool-proof. Plus I did have a humungous number of interruptions.
Can you see in the above picture, the Little Hand, bottom right? That's Little B sneaking up to steal my crochet hook.
He then proceeded to climb up onto the table and do a spot of his own crochet with the light bulb. Heeehheeee, cheeky lickle Monkey!!! His presence certainly makes Thinking/Writing/Photographing a challenge!
Anyhow, he's taking his nap now, so I am sitting peacefully once again. I've just read through the holly pattern a couple times and I think it's good to go....please do let me know if you discover any dodgy bits or if you hit any probs. I hope it works out!
You can find the pattern in my lefthand sidebar, usual place down at the bottom or click HERE to find it.
Happy jolly-holly making my lovelies!
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GLEEFUL face! Can't wait to check out the tutorial! Looks wonderful. Don't forget to show us the finished bunting!
Happy Holidays!
Heather
Posted by: Heather Newbold | December 07, 2011 at 02:33 PM
Hi Lucy,
Thanks for your inspiration!! I LOVE your blog :)
I have one question about your holly leaves... do you use all 6 strands of the floss when making them? Or do you split it into smaller strands?
Thanks so much!!
An admiring fan from across the pond ;)
Jeanette
Denver, Colorado
Posted by: Jeanette | December 07, 2011 at 02:36 PM
I love your holly Lucy - it certainly does look lovely and jolly - I do love coming over here to see all your homely goodies.
Can't believe that little man of yours, but then 'yes' I do remember those moments. Hair raising and very difficult not to burst out laughing.
Take care and enjoy the rest if your day.......peace.
Nina xxxxx
Posted by: Nina - tabiboo | December 07, 2011 at 02:38 PM
Your holly looks fab, Luce and very kind of you to spend your precious spare time writing it up for everyone. Funnily enough, I bought exactly the same threads in J Lewis last week and the colours, oh my! I got a little plastic box too and could not believe the inordinate amount of pleasure I got from winding the threads on the little cards and arranging the colours. I did find I'd selected 20 colours when I got to the till but then it's a business expense, right?! And there are os many colours that 20, well it was positively restrained. Have you seen the new yarn shop in Bridders, at the bottom of South Street, where the art gallery was? (Maybe it's been there ages but I only noticed it a few weeks ago.)
Hen xxx
Posted by: Hen | December 07, 2011 at 02:40 PM
Lucy, this holly pattern is so effective...I do plan to give it a try.
You've made me laugh with your description of your little boy's interest in crochet.
Best wishes!
Posted by: Frances | December 07, 2011 at 02:44 PM
Lovely pattern, will have to check my box of embroidery threads to see if I have any nice greens spare.
Carol xx
Posted by: Carol | December 07, 2011 at 03:01 PM
Very pretty! Isn't amusing how the little interruptions can be both annoying and enjoyable at the same time? What would we do without them?
Posted by: Jessie | December 07, 2011 at 03:06 PM
What lovely bunting - and thank you for writing up the holly tutorial too. What is it with little boys and crochet hooks? My son is always stealing mine too. xx
Posted by: The Barefoot Crofter | December 07, 2011 at 03:08 PM
It's looks so cheery! I can't wait to see it hanging & finished.
Posted by: Jen | December 07, 2011 at 03:11 PM
That holly looks great. Can't wait to see it all together...bet it'll look wonderful!
Z xx
Posted by: Pennyblossoms (Zoe) | December 07, 2011 at 03:16 PM
Such bright happy holiday decor! Loving it! Your holly looks brilliant, especially with the little berry beads sew onto them. Such fun ^_^ Thank you so much for sharing your pattern!
~Lacey
PS- It is REMARKABLY tempting to buy one of each color upon finding a fun new brand! Hopefully you can build up your supply over time and not break the bank ;)
Posted by: LaceAnn | December 07, 2011 at 03:30 PM
oops. Never mind my question about the floss. I just read your tutorial... I'll try getting some embroidery thread!!
Thanks again Lucy, you are the BEST!!!
Jeanette :)
Posted by: Jeanette | December 07, 2011 at 03:30 PM
I'm looking forward to having a shot at the holly, thank you kindly for sharing.
I used to think having a toddler made photographing things difficult, then we got a kitten...!
Posted by: anne@andamento | December 07, 2011 at 03:40 PM
Assume fake cockney accent a la Dick Van Dyke...."It's a Jolly Holly-Day with Lu-ucy"
Can't wait to have a go at these beauties. Well done despite all those distractions you've given us another excellent tutorial. Hugs!
Posted by: Kate | December 07, 2011 at 03:53 PM
You're blog is my FAVORITE! I can't believe some of the things I've been able to make since learning to crochet in September. Mostly thanks to you!
Posted by: stephanie | December 07, 2011 at 03:55 PM
Oh how lovely to find 2 new posts from you that I hadn't read today! We are pretty much snowed in here - been snowing for 2 days solid in the alps and we now have about 60cm in the garden, so am stuck in - great to have your blog and tutorial to look at! Your view looks lovely with the icing sugar coating..The holly looks so pretty - must have a go. ..
Posted by: Sarah | December 07, 2011 at 04:20 PM
Ooh such lovely holly bunting: christmas cheer slowly creeping in. Must. Learn. To. Crochet.
Posted by: Tonia | December 07, 2011 at 04:22 PM
Yes, I agree, that yarn is v. nice indeed.I fear I have quite a few colours...Hen mentioned the new Bridders yarn shop in South Street- opened in November, my spies tell me it is v. good indeed with comfortable sofa for knitting on and very lovely selection of yarns and needles.The holly leaves are excellent, how you manage to do everything is a never ending source of amazement and inspiration!
Posted by: Kate | December 07, 2011 at 04:23 PM
So bright & cheery (as is the stipey chair with stripey snake!) AND more chubby wrists...mmmmm!
Love that you have updated so frequently recently and REALLY looking forward to the Garland Ta-Dah!
I don't think you realise how many people you keep happy, motivated and inspired...THANK YOU LUCY xxx
Posted by: KayElleC | December 07, 2011 at 06:39 PM
mi nombre es Marian, vivo en un bello pueblo de soria, tengo una tienda de lanas.. y por causa de la crisis tengo que cerar, mi tienda es mi mayor sueño soy tan feliz entre mis hilos... me recomendaron tu blog y he de decir que despues de mas de 35 años tejiendo he descubierto las mil maravillas que tu nos enseñas, todos los dias mi cara es triste mis ojos lloran en mi interior y mi alma se escapa , vuela a tu casa con la esperanza de que tus hilos me den fuerza para seguir viviendo... attic24 es mi sueño.. gracias por compartir la paz la alegria y esos bellos momentos que nos das con tus fotos. mil gracias desde españa
Posted by: marian | December 07, 2011 at 07:47 PM
Yet again, soooooooo excited!!! Just ordered my first lot of soft cotton and I'm set to get cracking. I can now stop making my Yankey Candle collars out of ordinary stranded threads (very much a newby but learning new things everyday). Thank you once again. Loving the snow capped hills by the way.
Posted by: Jess Sellars | December 07, 2011 at 07:52 PM
This looks gorgeous!!
Posted by: Rachel | December 07, 2011 at 08:05 PM
It looks great - thank you, I can't wait to have a go! The thread looks great, thanks for the link!
Posted by: Archie the wonder dog | December 07, 2011 at 08:21 PM
Genius! :)
Posted by: One-oh-four | December 07, 2011 at 08:51 PM
Loving the jolly holly !! thanks for sharing i really wanted to make bunting ,love it in a house. ive featured this post in my blog as my inspiration this week. http://bitsandbobszone.blogspot.com/
Posted by: karen | December 07, 2011 at 09:01 PM