Last week I was forced to remove myself temporarily from Big Blankie's embrace as I'd run out of two crucial colours which stopped us in our tracks for a while. Luckily, I've developed a very good relationship with my LYS (Local Yarn Shop) and they immediately placed an order with the Rowan rep for more yarn in the colours I needed. They recognised my desperation, nodded knowingly and told me they would telephone me the very minute it arrived (which they duly did yesterday, prompting me to drop everything and drive rather speedily down the A56 to screech up outside the shop, rush in and get my hands on the much needed balls).
So anyhow, while waiting for the Lavender and Pier pure wool to arrive last week, I embarked on a small project using up some of my Rowan Cotton DK to tide me over until I could get back together with BB.
I am wondering if you can guess from these pictures what on earth I have been up to?
Is it another roundy-roundy cushion?
A circular mat?
Oh Ok, it has sides....is it the beginnings of another bag perhaps?
Or a container of some sorts?
Ahhhhhhhhh, it's a HAT!!!!
Yes, a beret stylie hat!!! (that was the Little People's guess)
But no, it's not a hat.
ok..let me give you a bit more of a clue....
.....let me show you a bit of tatty old furniture......
......an old painted bit of furniture I bought some time ago from an antiques centre....
....an old stool look......
I just adore old stools, the older and tattier they are, the more I want to rescue them and cherish them. They call to me, beg to be given another chance to be given a useful, appreciated life. I love that they are multi-purpose and can be used either for sitting on, or as little side tables to take care of a pile of books or a mug of coffee or even a plant pot. That they tuck in neatly to small spaces and demand very little.
So this stool has been painted in that rather gorgeous pale duck egg blue that makes me go weak at the knees (exact same colour as the Lloyd Loom chair) and I just had to bring it home with me. As you can see from the above picture, the seat is really quite knackered and worn, yet it didn't feel right to repaint it :: I rather like the distressed look of the paint-chipped little legs, but the seat top just looked down right dirty and didn't clean up very well.
So.....
Here it is.....
My latest hooky project to share with you......
It's a Crocheted Stool Cover look....
Ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One of the lovliest things that I am frequently told here in Blogland is that I am "Inspirational". That my crochet projects and use of colour have inspired many of you to create your own little colourful works of hooky goodness. I am hugely flattered by this notion, and just LOVE the idea of so many beautiful ripples of Hooky Creativity spreading out across the world, it really, really, really gives me thrills to think of that!
And I know how fantastic it feels to find Inspiration, to gaze upon something created by someone you've never met and feel an instant zing of appreciation and awe, and feel that hot spark of creativity ignite. Its one of the best feelings in the world I reckon.
So today, I'm happy to share with you not only this latest creation of mine, but the source of the Inspiration behind it too.
Let me introduce you to a lady who I have never met, who's work and the glimpses into her life gives me major heart-flutters and sends hot sparks flying.
Her name is Ingrid, she is a talented Dutch designer/maker and her little company is called "WoodWoolStool". I invite you to take a most delicious stroll through her Photostream on Flickr where she shares the most wondrous glimpses into her daily life, her beautiful home and her fantastic crochet creations.
I just love everything about this lady, she Inspires me so very much.
Alas she doesn't write a blog (and I wish many times over that she did), but she has been written about on some lovely blogs, which you might like to visit with here and here and here.
So this is my own little take on the Wood-wool-stool idea, excepting that mine is wood-cotton-stool.
And I am really rather chuffed with how this roundy-roundy-hooky-hooky thing of mine turned out.
It looks right at home amongst the growing collection of hooky blankets and cushions around and about the place.
Right, I am off to go do some stitchy-stitchy stuff now.
Have a great day, don't forget to make time to stop and sniff some roses at some point, I can highly recommend it.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I can completely understand the feeling "i love everything about this lady"... Coz i could say exactly same thing for u...
Posted by: Ankita Vj (India) | July 29, 2015 at 11:41 AM
I completely understand your old stool obssession. I'm the same way with any weathered upholstery Philadelphia people sell on craigslist. My son has to stop me from you compulsively buying it, lol! Great post.
Posted by: Jamie Salcedo | March 15, 2013 at 04:22 PM
Lovely!! Just a little more paint on the stool and viola it's a whole new stool again... Thanks for sharing this cool tips... It's worth the read!
Posted by: Oak Furniture Bromley, Kent | March 23, 2011 at 12:29 AM
This is very nice! You did a great job on this one! The colors are so cheerful!
Posted by: dining room tables | October 01, 2010 at 02:12 AM
Its really magic Lucy!!You covered an old stool with very sensible way and clearity.your talent is really apreciated.
Posted by: rithika | August 20, 2010 at 12:42 PM
that is soo psychedelic yet beautiful ! Just love it.
Posted by: home theater seating | August 10, 2010 at 07:50 PM
This type of chair really brightness a room...real inspiring. Thanks Lucy!
Posted by: variete | July 12, 2010 at 12:11 PM
this is so cute :) I'm getting ready to cover some midcentury modern chairs I found in the garbage yesterday... I've been searching around for inspiration :)
http://www.crochetbyclare.blogspot.com/
There's my link if you wanna check them out
Posted by: clare | April 27, 2010 at 04:34 PM
Hello Lucy,
Just stumbled on your blog and love your pictures.
I am a novice crocheter (competent knitter) but love this stool cover. Just moved house and have the identical stool (with lots of hammer marks) in the shed. Planning to paint it but would love this cover. Can you give an inkling of the pattern or a link?
Kind regards
Claire
Posted by: Claire | July 19, 2009 at 10:53 PM
Lucy - you're an inspiration again! I've had an old stool in my kitchen for years and have been thinking about giving it a new lease of life for some time. The idea was for a new fabric top - maybe patchwork - but I could never quite decide what to do until I saw this. I'm so pleased with the results - picture on my blog if you want to see. Thanks for brightening my day again!
poppy.
Posted by: poppy | July 12, 2009 at 07:06 PM
That is beautiful!!!!!!!
Posted by: Bea | June 30, 2009 at 03:03 PM
Just stumbled across your blog (due to searching and finding your hexagonal how-to). Love, love, love the colors you choose for your projects. What a fun place to hang out! Thanks for sharing all.
Posted by: K Low | June 29, 2009 at 09:05 PM
Lovely :)
Posted by: Natasa | June 26, 2009 at 09:38 AM
Hello Lucy, thanks for that, I really needed a colour lift!! Love the covered stools idea. Visited Ingrid for a quick peek. Great! Will be back from time to time but not as often as I would like. Take care.
Posted by: alisonb2 | June 25, 2009 at 11:12 AM
I just popped in for the first time and I like all the hooky goodness. Love the colours you use in all your projects, yes I have been here for a while checking out some of your stitchy posts as well. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Mistea | June 25, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Fantastic!!! :)
Posted by: joe currey | June 25, 2009 at 07:34 AM
That is FANTASTIC! All those colors waiting to be played with, and look what you did! I love it!
Posted by: Lori Anderson | June 25, 2009 at 12:22 AM
I love love love this! Now I want to go out and find a cute stool like yours! What a fun and great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Rebekah | June 24, 2009 at 07:29 PM
Hi Lucy
I've finally finished my Lucy bag!! Thank you so much for sharing your pattern with us all, I think people everywhere must be smiling because of you! I've posted some photos here
http://joshyandbelle.blogspot.com/
if you fancy looking,
I have an old stool I wanted to cover too, might have to have a bash at that next! thanks again, Felicity xx
Posted by: felicity | June 24, 2009 at 06:32 PM
Your blog makes me happy! Thanks:)
Posted by: Jeanie | June 24, 2009 at 04:26 PM
You are such an inspiration to me - the colors, different variations of grannies, and glimpses into your home! I look for your post every day and it always makes me smile . I am working on a hexagonal blanket and can only get 2-3 done a night -- I need more time and can't wait to finish it!
Posted by: kathy | June 24, 2009 at 02:43 PM
oh Lucy, how lovely, I NEED to rush out and find a stool to make a cosy for!! I am making a croched peg bag at the mo, making it up as I go along....quite a challenge for me ! lovely to have you back. Lyn x
Posted by: lyn mills | June 24, 2009 at 02:00 PM
Love it! what a cool stool lol!!!
Posted by: Naomi | June 24, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Another wonderful colourful creation, I am off to have a look at your source of inspiration...
Posted by: Anna | June 24, 2009 at 10:12 AM
I just love your weblog! I love to see all those colours and flowers and all that beautiful crochet work, love it! I was wondering about the stool cover: did it need extra fastening to the bottom of the seat, or something like that? (to keep it in place, I mean?). It looks great!
Posted by: Peppy | June 24, 2009 at 09:39 AM