Projects and Places

I've started  a New Project. I wasn't meant to cos I've not edged my ripple blanket yet, but somehow I got drawn in to the excitement of beginning something new and it feels pretty darn good. Anyhow, I was in need of a Holiday Project, something easy and satisfying to take away with me for a week, and this will fit the bill nicely.

I'm back with the Stylecraft. A good friend of mine made a giant King Size ripple blanket with it (an awesome creation) and didn't want the leftovers hanging around any more. So I offered to buy them from her (there was a bag full) and added them to my own left overs. Tipped them all out on my table in a colourful, slightly tangled pile and had a good yarny play.

There are most of "my colours" here (a few missing) with a few extra darker colours thrown in (the navy and deep purple). It's a little bit heavy on the blues perhaps, but overall I still really adore this bright and jolly palette of colours. It's become a tried and tested formula for bright and jolly blanket making, and I'm delighted to say that I do still love it.

I spent some time rolling up the smaller, more tangled yarns into neat little balls to plop into my bag.....what a sweet way to spend an hour! Such pleasure in the simple task of balling up yarn ready for a new project.

The yarn gathering and balling all happened a few weeks ago, but due to the very hectic nature of life at home with three Little People, my new project got off to a slow start. I managed to sneak a little bit of outdoor hooky time whilst Little B napped one afternoon to make a start......

....and this is what came about. A string of easy-peasy 5-round granny squares, joined on-the-go.

Not a very original idea (see here and here), but wonderful nevertheless.

This is where I'm up to now....I'm making a third blanket for Connievan to prettify the drab back seating area. I'm kind of winging it on the size as I've not had time to go down to Connie to measure the seat, so I'm working systematically in rows of twelve squares and hoping that this is kind of about right. The colour choices are really totally random with this project as I'm aiming for a slightly quirky, patchworky look. I may even take a chance and include the navy (gasp!) and the deep purple (double gasp!!) to shake it all up a bit. Watch this space.

Due to the easy, low-brain-power needed to make one-colour granny squares, I've been able to go adventuring in my imagination whilst I've sat outside in my little back yard hooking. It's a bit like meditating and day dreaming all at once, and is a super relaxing pastime. Can highly recommend it.

This is where I've been skipping off to in my hooky-induced dream state, to the sunny gardens of Provence.

Petah of Provence Temptations sent me these beautiful images a few weeks ago, and they have been the stuff of my dreams ever since.

The villa where the crochet and knit tours will take place is so beautiful and dreamy!

Numbers will be finalised at the beginning of September and Petah tells me there are only a couple of places left on the crochet tour. Do please get in touch with her if you would like to come along and join us, there is still time.

A bit closer to home, this is Craster in Northumberland, one of my all time favourite places. I made this print, complete with childish arrow (haha) to show the Little People the exact location of the holiday cottage where we stay. I am absolutely thrilled that this very afternoon (yaaaayyyyy!!) we will be heading back there again for a week of Seaside Pootling. In August 2009 when we were last in Craster, I was four months pregnant with Little B. And this year he'll be there with us of course, I am so excited to see what he makes of it all.

Wishing you all a wonderful week of dreamy Projects and Places and I'll be back with you in early September.

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Comments

[Kitty Rose]

OoooOOooo.... I really must try the joining as you go method. It's the idea of all those ends that puts me off doing a large blanket made up of little squares.

I love balling up yarn. It's so simple and yet soothing as well. :)

Just thought I would let you know, I mentioned in my blog as one of my favourite places to visit. :)

[VintageVicki]

I have plans for a similar blanket for my sisters 40th next year - going to base the colours on Elmer the Elephant who she loves!!

[Jacquie]

Hi Lucy, lovely to see your latest project. As you say , such a simple pattern and so easy to work on even if you are distracted or tired. I'm still making mistakes in my ripple on occasion ...uggg.
Hope you have a relaxing holiday with plenty of hooky time.
Thanks for the link :0)
Jacquie x

[Claire]

You're so restrained to wait until you finish one project before starting another. Me, I currently have about five on the go. I must learn some self-control. Good luck with the navy and dark purple!

[Maite]

Enjoy your holidays and your family!I am now reusing my yarn leftovers to do your Yarn Bag, and it's all bright and colourful and lively!It makes me smile! I also have to tell you i love purple, I even got married in purple, so give it a try because it is an exotic, misteryous and magical colour! ;) have fun!

[Sarah]

I have loved lounging in bed this morning with a cup of tea catching up on your summer holidays. York and Connievan looked amazing. Alas I married a man who won't camp or caravan. With 6 children it's the holiday that would best suit our purse. Never mind. I was whisked away with you for a little while.

Your new project looks as colourful as ever. I got a crochet hook with Mollie makes maybe now is my time.

Have you ever thought of instagramming? It's micro blogging through photos. I'm addicted. You would be so so popular.

I haven't commented in months but always read your lovely blog. Thanks Lucy.
Sarah in Brighton xxxxx

[Karen]

I love that blanket, seen a few others & they're so great, am looking for a new one to make up (lots of leftovers too) seems like the perfect choice!!!!
The villa is wonderful, what a location, will be like heaven :)
Have a sweet weekend
Karen x

[Tabby P.]

Lovely! I'm loving the simplicity of the solid grannies. It makes me wish I had done solid colors for the granny I just started. But I went big and I'm doing different colors for every round. I love balling up yarn too, mostly mine comes at the end of a project and I'm getting ready to turn my back on the yarn, for a little while anyway. I'm sure all your colorful and wonderful projects for Connie will make her the coziest Connie of all! I know I'd love to at least take a nap in all that splendor!
Hugs and love!

[Alessandra]

The blanket will be stunning even with the dark blue and the purple, for sure!!
anyway, enjoy your next holiday week in the company of your lovely family,
take care, xx Alessandra

[Lorena Sonido Retro!]

Hola...
Just wondering...How many blankets do you have?
I am sure you do not need any duvet up there! :P

take care,
Lorena

[Bonnie]

It is so simple but so effective! Enjoy your holiday! see you soon!

[Megan]

Lovely squares! :)

[Bee]

What a gorgeous new project .. it will be just lovely when it is finished ... Bee x

[Louise]

Have a fabulous time in Craster!

[Louise]

Lucy,

I thought I'd better let you know that the link to Provence Temptations isn't working. :( Thanks,

[Julie]

Have a fabulous time away.

[Fleur Cotton]

Hiya Lucy, Sometimes a new project is just the perfect thing to do especially at this time of the year. I've definitely lost a bit of my crafting mojo at the moment with the school hols so I'm going to start something new which will hopefully then give me the impetus to finish those WIPs that keep calling to me!!!

Have a lovely time at Craster... I'm so jealous of all your jaunts this summer!

Fleur xxx

[Vicki]

Sometimes the simplest things end up the most effective. Can't wait to see it finished, and I'm sure it will have a little Attic 24 magic in the border? Vicki x

[GrannyTaughMeToCrochet]

I have just read about the holiday and feel so sad. Its rather costly at the moment. Wouldnt it be gret to arrange a weekend in england!

x

[alliejaneyoung]

OMG that holiday would bankrupt me! I got to go to a craft retreat in NY for the same price. Still I would have loved to have gone. Cant you do a retreat here!! Have fun at Craster its not far from me. Still learning to crochet even if it is knots!!!

[Rachel Mackin]

Have a lovely holiday! :)

[Anna Eriksson]

I just wanted to let you know that I found your blog last night, and I just love your colourful work! I just finished my last project with granny squares, and when I found your crochet bag I knew that it was going to be my next project. :) Thank you for the inspiration!
/Anna in Lindome, Sweden

[mrsthomasinatittlemouse]

Nothing to touch the joy of starting a new yarny project and playing around with balls of yarn in assorted colours! Your new blanket is going to be wonderful - so cosy in Connievan and perfect for allowing your mind to wander and dream while you do it. Doesn't get much better than that! Enjoy every minute and the joy will be in every stitch and come off the finished blanket in waves! Have a lovely sea-side (and hooky!) time in Northumberland! E x

[Jane]

We've just returned from a week in Belford, Northumberland. Have you been to Chain Bridge Honey Farm - wonderful sandwiches and cakes and an interesting place for adults and kids!! Xx

[Lynda M O]

Have a marvelous time, Lucy, and I love the new project. I have begun sewing patchwork and am winging my way thru a few projects with your colors as inspiration. Thank you.