This little jar of Spring has made me ridiculously happy today, I've been smiling at it adoringly and drinking in it's sweet beauty.
The pussy willow came from a local nursery who've been selling buckets of it this week, I got a whole bunch of big branches for £1.50. It is incredibly soft and reminds me of my Mum and my childhood.
The little mini narcissus came from the pots on my mantel. Some of the stems had grown tall and leggy and had begun to flop over, so I snipped them off to stop the pots toppling.
Aren't the flowers beautiful? I love that they're so little compared to normal daffodils, the petals only measure about an inch across. And the colours are wonderful too, so vibrant and happy.
Do you remember last week I had a go at crocheting a daffodil? It's quite a hard flower to get right and I ended up re-working it a number of times, making small changes each time until finally today (fifth attempt) I got it spot on.
When I design a pattern, I always try and make it as simple and user-friendly as possible, even if the end result looks quite complex. Cos I always have in my mind that I will be sharing the pattern, and my wish is that everyone will be able to give it a go no matter what hooky ability they possess.
Creating effective, beautiful designs that are simple to work is not always easy, it's quite a challenge actually. But ohmygoodness, I love doing it sosoosososooooo much! When an idea comes out of my mind and into reality, and I feel it right in the pit of my stomach that it's a success, well, that feeling is amAZing. Like a shot of pure joy. And it's why I continue to do what I do, to share my patterns freely and with love.
The idea for making these daffies came about as I'm beginning to make an Easter wreath. And everyone knows that Easter wreaths absolutely have to contain daffodils. And eggs, yes they must have eggs too. But I thought today that this little daffodil would also make a lovely Springtime brooch, and would add a little shot of handmade yellow loveliness to a garment. Plus I've been told that tomorrow is the 1st of March and is Saint David's Day, where it is the done thing to sport a daffodil on your lapel.
Oooooooooooo sweet little hooky daffies, I really am smitten by you!
I dug deep in my stash and unearthed a very, very pale yellow baby cashmerino which I bought by mistake ages ago (I ordered it on line and it was far too pale when it arrived). It's the perfect shade for a daffie though, and in real life I love those very pale yellow ones with bright yellow centres.
So this morning I had the luxury of a bright sunny day + some child free hours and I managed to perfect the pattern and photograph a tutorial. I'm about to go make a big mug of tea and get cracking uploading the pics and writing the pattern for you.....will post at the bottom here to let you know when it's ready. I'm right on it.............................
x
Whoop-whoop! THE PATTERN IS READY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! go HERE to find it. Happy hooking my friends, I hope to see lots of pretty yarny daffodils blooming very soon!!
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Hi, Lucy--
I don't crochet yet, but this post was a treat. My bridal bouquet was Daffodils, Pussy Willows, and Cattails. :) Lovely work--enjoy your afternoon. :)
Posted by: Val | February 28, 2013 at 08:06 PM
Very Sweet, cant wait to give it a try. We have nothing blooming here in my town quite yet, so this would be a treat!
Posted by: Elena Hunt | February 28, 2013 at 08:09 PM
You are so clever to make up a pattern, I am in awe of your talent. I am trying and trying to get the hang of crochet. I keep making up and pulling out and starting again. But I am determined to at least be able to make some simple things.
Posted by: maypole | February 28, 2013 at 08:09 PM
Daffodils are my favorite flowers ! Thank you So much for the pattern ! All your work with hook is really wonderful :-))
Posted by: Delphine | February 28, 2013 at 08:10 PM
Daffodil love and springtime happy to you! When will your flower "recipe" go live? :o)
Posted by: Pam | February 28, 2013 at 08:13 PM
I have made your happy flower and you made it so easy for me. I am hoping that with your daffodil tutorial (cant wait) I can make a spring scarf for my mother's 65th birthday present. Cant wait. Thanks for all your creativity, my favourite blogger.
Posted by: Deirdre | February 28, 2013 at 08:13 PM
Hi your daffodils are sunning.Make me want to grab a hook and give it a go mmmmmm Yes thank you for the inspiration!!!
Posted by: Godi 4 | February 28, 2013 at 08:16 PM
Perfectly lovely brooch.
I bought two bunches of daffodils for 19p today! Spring is just around the corner.
Carol xx
Posted by: Carol | February 28, 2013 at 08:17 PM
Send some sun to Germany! The daffodils look really sweet. I cannot wait to try out your pattern :)
Posted by: wooni | February 28, 2013 at 08:19 PM
They make me smile too! :) x
Posted by: Ada Bea | February 28, 2013 at 08:24 PM
Hi Lucy
I am very appreciative of your designs and beautiful colors that you put
these daffodils are really successful, I think they are my favorite flowers
thank you
Posted by: patchcath | February 28, 2013 at 08:26 PM
I love that daffodils in German are called Oester glocken or Easter bells. How lovely to think it will soon be Easter!
Posted by: AngelJem | February 28, 2013 at 08:28 PM
You are so talented and kind to share your patterns and ideas. I'm making an Easter garland of crocheted eggs and your little flowers in between. I made a Valentine garland and when I took that down, I needed another! I'm thinking of a pumpkin garland for the fall........:)
Posted by: Linda from Boston | February 28, 2013 at 08:28 PM
Lovely! I can't wait. Much prettier than wearing a leek!
Posted by: Lolly | February 28, 2013 at 08:30 PM
Hi Lucy,
I discovered your blog via Pinterest and am enjoying it so much! Can not wait to see, and maybe try, the pattern - I am a novice! Sending you more sunshine from San Diego, California!
Posted by: Vilmarie | February 28, 2013 at 08:30 PM
Good luck with this tutorial:)it will be perfect,I'm sure of that.the colors of Your flower is so warm and makes me verry happy,like all of Yours photos.Bye bye
Posted by: Kate/Kasia | February 28, 2013 at 08:33 PM
So cute, lovely little daffodils :)
Lluisa x
Posted by: Lluisa | February 28, 2013 at 08:37 PM
Really beautiful! We'll all be wearing these by the end of the weekend! Lovely work Lucy! Thank you for cheering us all up!
Posted by: Jenny Grant | February 28, 2013 at 08:38 PM
I'm really new to crochet and to your blog. Nan showed me the basics donkeys ago and only in the last three weeks have I started again. In fact your gorgeous rainbow granny square blanket got me going. I'm just over two feet into a king size throw for my bed. Thank you. I'm loving it. Can't wait to attempt your lovely little daffs. Any idea how to crochet stalks and leaves for them.
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Dani | February 28, 2013 at 08:38 PM
So beautiful! I am completely looking forward to the tutorial!
Claire
Posted by: Claire | February 28, 2013 at 08:44 PM
I cannot wait :) My favorite flowers are daffodils and star gazer lillys.
Posted by: LeeAnn | February 28, 2013 at 08:47 PM
I can't wait to try the tutorial!
Posted by: Lise | February 28, 2013 at 08:51 PM
When I was little, my Mom and I would color the pussy willows with different colors of chalk.....they looked like little Easter eggs on branches.....brought back a nice memory....
Posted by: Susan | February 28, 2013 at 09:00 PM
Thank you Lucy. I am really excited waiting for the tutorial! I will make one for my Mum. xx
Posted by: Anna | February 28, 2013 at 09:01 PM
Cute daffodils!
Posted by: Cassandra | February 28, 2013 at 09:05 PM