Today I'm going to share my current hooky love affair with you, but before we launch into all that I just had to show you these beautiful tulips....gorgeous aren't they? They were tightly closed when I first put them in water on Saturday and literally within a few hours the petals had started to unfurl.
Now then, did you spot the soft focus crochet behind the button jug up there? Just lately I've found it easier to do my hooky at the table rather than on the sofa so I've had the extra pleasure of working right alongside the tulips. The two go together beautifully, it's a double pleasure. And I'm all for finding and enjoying life's little pleasures, as you well know. As a matter of fact I've been having a terrific time with my latest crochet project, I absolutely adore the beginning of a new project, especially when I find myself falling head long in love with it right from the word go. Not all my crochet projects happen this way. Quite often I remain uncertain of my feelings for a good long while and sometimes it's not till right at the end that I really get to fall in love. But not so this project. This project was kind of like CA-POW! Instantaneous L:O:V:E.
So do you want to know what exactly I'm going on about?? Let me tell you the story.........
It all started with the yarn and it really was love at first sight. This is Debbie Bliss "Andes" which is a very luxurious blend of baby alpaca and mulberry silk. I came across it last autumn in my local yarn shop, the hanks were all piled into a basket inviting you to pick them up and stroke them, and really truthfully, therein lies it's charm. It's the softest, most snugglesome yarn I've ever come across. Its unbelievably soft and it feels amazing to have it next to your skin.
And then there're the colours. They are just b-e-a-utiful. Kind of intense but soft, rich but subtle, bright but gentle at the same time. The yarn has an incredible lustre which makes the colours seem to glow in real life, the above photo maybe doesn't do it justice. I chose nine colours in total, surprising myself by including that neutral colour in the centre (I know! Neutral!! Me choosing neutral and actually loving it!!) So....this is a link to my LYS where I purchased the yarn, and these are the colours, going from left to right ::
08 ruby 15 fuschia 07 coral 06 gold 05 camel 10 apple 09 sage 12 denim 11 tea green
So I met the yarn in October last year, but could not at the time justify the expense of it and sadly had to walk away. But I could not get it out of my head. It became the Stuff of My Dreams. I really, really, reeeeeeeeeeally wanted it. Badly. A few months passed. Christmas came and went and still I dreamt of getting my hands on that gorgeous Andes.
30th December and I decided that I could stand it no longer and I was going to Go And Get It No Matter What. So off I trotted to my LYS and I had a heart skippy time scooping up those hanks and Making Them Mine.
In my mind I had already formulated a loose plan for my Andes :: I imagined it worked up into something breathtaking to drape around my neck and shoulders. A scarf perhaps? A wrap? Shawl? Stole? Something generous in proportions, something utterly scrummy to drape about my person. I searched. I searched and searched for a suitable pattern/idea/snippet of inspiration. I put the word out on my Ravelry group and we discussed various ideas and options, but nothing truly seemed worthy of my beloved Andes.
Several weeks passed by and still I was waiting and wishing for inspiration to present itself. Then two weeks ago I received a comment on my blog with a possible pattern suggestion {Bernadette, I will be forever grateful}. This is where it took me.............................
..........to France, to this beautiful blog and then onwards to a wonderful, stunning creation made by a very talented French lady.
Wow!!! Oh WOWOWOWOWWWWW!!! I was totally and utterly smitten, love at first sight (again). It seemed that it was indeed the pattern of my dreams. Now my comprehension of French is a little bit sketchy, but I did manage to fathom that the original pattern came from a Japanese crochet book, and oh boy, I know all about the temptations found in those amazing little books. I eagerly followed all the links on arbrealaine's blog, discovering a written (French) pattern, plus a copy of the original Japanese diagram-pattern. There were also lots and lots of "ici" links taking me to lots of other wonderful french Blogettes who had all given this pattern a go. Take a look at this one.....
The above picture is the same pattern, but this time made by a super-talented French lady called Marie. You can see more on her blog L'atelier de Marie. Beautiful isn't it?? If you've got a spare moment, do go take a look at Marie's other crochet projects, she's made some very inspirational granny-square garments which I love.
Well as you can imagine, I was in quite a giddy lather by this point, I was soooo excited by what I'd found and couldn't wait to start. I used the diagram pattern found here and gave it a whirl with Stylecraft yarn to try it out.
I was so so so so happy with the way it turned out! And I figured that if the flower looked this good in the Stylecraft, then it would be simply amAzing in the Andes.
Now as I said, the pattern is out there in French Blogland and I guess you and I are at liberty to use it if we wish. However, I felt that I would rather have a copy of the actual real pattern, plus I knew as soon as I saw the front cover of the book that it would be a good'n to have. I went to my favourite Etsy seller Pomadour24 and of course the book was there....it's called "Motif Book Vol 4". And truly, it's gorgeous. Scrummy. Yummy-scrummy.
There's the Flower Scarf/Stole/Wrap thingy look....
....it seems odd seeing it in neutrals! I'm not sure if I would've been so tempted by it had I not seen it transformed with the use of colour {French Crochet Ladies, I will be forever grateful for your colour inspiration}
The Debbie Bliss Andes is a DK weight yarn which would normally be worked on a 4mm hook. However, it's quite a fine yarn and after a few little experiments with it I decided to switch down to a 3mm hook for this project. The resulting flowers are still a satisfying size mind you, and they are surprisingly easy and speedy to work up. They are really great to make.
They are also joined-as-you-go (yiippppeeeeeee!!!) so no fiddlesome joining procedures to endure. This really is turning out to be the perfect project you know. Blissful yarn, stunning pattern, easy making process, and (hopefully) an amazing end product. What's not to love?!
So this is where I'm up to with it at the moment...the scarf/stole/wrap thingy is a trapezium shape (well J tells me that's the word, blame him if it's wrong), four flowers deep. I'll be working out to the sides on the above picture until I get to the length I want :: the original design doesn't seem very long so I'll just keep going until it looks right or I run out of yarn. Hopefully not the latter.
Right-o, I need to go drink tea and smoosh my scarf/stole/wrap thingy before I go to bed, so I shall love you and leave you for now.
Well done for getting to the end of such a long-winded load of blurb, gawd, I do go on a bit don't I? Hope I didn't bore you too much. Thank you. Mwah. xxxxxxxxxxx
Edited to add :: After a great deal of discussion and debate re the tricksy issues of Copyright, I'm really sorry to say that I can't share this flower pattern with you or make a turorial for it either. I have to respect the law, the book publishers and the talented Japanese designer. Catherine, who published the pattern and French translation on her blog has also arrived at the same conclusion and felt it necessary to remove her post which I linked to above. I'm sure you all understand. Of course, it is still available in the beautiful book! I'm also working on a tutorial to aid the deciphering of the Japanese style charts/diagrams with the hope of helping those that feel phased by them. More coming soon xx
I'm in love with this beautiful scarf! Is there a pattern to follow, or perhaps a tutorial with all the juicy details?!?!?!?
Posted by: Linda M Acosta | November 14, 2016 at 12:04 AM
I realize this is an old blog post, but I just re-read it and tried to get link to the Motif book you mentioned. It is no longer available at that link. I did find it at Amazon. the link is here:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_11?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=motif%20book%20vol%204&sprefix=Motif+Book+%2Cstripbooks%2C310
A little too pricey for me at this time, I'm afraid...I'm hoping I can study your flowers and figure this out for myself...Since it's not an item for sale, I don't think that will violate any laws....I so respect that you are sensitive to this issue....too often I see folks giving away a pattern that they bought - which means the seller loses income! Shame on them!
Much as I'd love to have all those patterns, the work done by these designers deserves them the MONEY. For many of them, this is their only source of income.
Posted by: Carol D | September 04, 2014 at 07:37 PM
You have such a happy blog, thanks so much for sharing your beautiful home, crochet projects and all the other beautiful creative things you do... Makes me happy just logging onto your blog.. You certainly are inspirational.. Just reading your blog and seeing the projects I've decided it's off to the wool shop for me tomorrow.
Posted by: Veronica Barry | August 15, 2014 at 12:26 PM
I was curious, can you post the name and address for the publisher and the designer of this bookcreations so interested ones can write them to see if they would be willing to either provide a place to purchase it or maybe re-release the flower as a PDF pattern I could purchase? I get the feeling this book is out of print? Is that correct? Thanks for your help!
Posted by: Mary A | June 04, 2014 at 06:31 AM
I Lucy. I have visited and revisited this post so many times to admire your beautiful scarf.
I have thought so many times about buying this book, but being very much a novice with my crocheting at the moment, I am completely bamboozled by charts and fear I'll never get the hang of them!
I will have to be content with admiring yours via blogland! x
Posted by: Bernice | March 31, 2014 at 02:05 PM
Sorry, I've got another question! I have found a pattern for a Japanese flower which looks identical to the one you used, but I have no idea how you 'join as you go'
Can you give that info on your blog????
Posted by: Debbie | October 07, 2013 at 12:43 PM
I've only recently discovered your blog - but I am now ADDICTED! I love the colour combinations you use! And I love this scarf - so I thought I would treat myself to this book so that I could have a go at this beautiful scarf but I can't find a copy of it to buy :(
Have you been able to write instructions for a flower yet? (I'm only a beginner and cannot understand the charts in the book anyway!)
Thank you for a wonderful blog!
Deb
Posted by: Debbie | October 04, 2013 at 07:20 PM
I love your site... It is sooo inspirational... I am over the pond in Canada and I have my own website for my pretties, and I have been pondering on creating some shawls and wraps but could not think of any that turned my crank! But you have inspired me with Japanese crochet flowers and I have been obsessed since, they are sooooo addictive! Check out my site sometime, I would love for you to come and have a visit at MyWhimz.com
Posted by: MyWhimz | March 20, 2013 at 06:14 PM
Hi Lucy,
I am a new recruit into the world of crochet and found you through the spring garden granny square. Your work is beautiful and I increase my list of future projects every time I visit your blog! I have just purchased my yarn for a Japanese flower scarf. I think I have the flower bit sorted but wondered if you could tell me how you joined them as you went along?
Hope you can help
Jen
Posted by: Jen beynon | September 02, 2012 at 09:50 PM
Es muy dificil comprender para mi, el ingles en las instrucciones. Amo tu trabajo!. I love yours works! Thanks a lot. Marcela from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Posted by: Marcela | August 14, 2012 at 01:01 AM
Wow!! i keep looking at your wonderfull and creative ideas here, in Brazil.Above all the incredible things you do, i just love your lifestyle , the way you describe everything. You are such an inspiration Lucy. I Owe to you my come back to crochet and to a more colorfull life. Thanks. a lot!!!
By the way would you mind telling me what camera do you use?You photos are clear and vivid! my e mail is [email protected]
Thanks again
Vivian Costa Manso.Thanks again
Posted by: Vivian Costa Manso | July 14, 2012 at 07:16 AM
I can't help it. I love the scarf. The flower pattern is beautiful but you always make everything look even greater with the colors that you choose.
Posted by: Ginger | June 20, 2012 at 03:39 PM
http://www.japanlvoutlet.com/
Posted by: ルイヴィトンバック | May 10, 2012 at 07:50 AM
Hi Lucy
There are lots of the Japanese patterns on Ravelry now and this is a link to some free patterns. I think your flower may be there...
http://gosyo.shop.multilingualcart.com/free1.php
Posted by: Susannah | April 25, 2012 at 06:59 PM
One way to save yarn on this project is to make only 6 DC stitches in each "petal" in the outside row instead of 8. I did this, and it turned out very nicely. : )
Posted by: Jenny | April 09, 2012 at 10:37 PM
Hy Lcy,
I hace made the scarf with the same colors and yarns you have used....But, i have not joined as you go....And my question , is how to join now when they are already made all flowers...I find it very difficult because, i am afraid that it's going to opened the stitches i sew...
Thank you for helping me.
Hugs
Posted by: [email protected] | March 20, 2012 at 07:17 AM
WOW this pattern is beautiful, would love to be able to make one of these!!!!
Posted by: Lesley | February 03, 2012 at 07:22 PM
how did you join these please
Posted by: tempest sharp | January 18, 2012 at 04:18 AM
Hi,
I Love your flower scarf and can't wait to have the diagram
Would it be possible for you to send me a link to the diagram you worked with?
thanks so much
Posted by: Moran Malron | November 20, 2011 at 09:31 PM
Lucy, have you found a way to aid us in the translation of the pattern, while still abiding by the copyright laws? I have bought the book Motif Book Vol 4. Bought it from Etsy, received it beautifully packaged from Japan. Still not sure if I will be able to work this out. :-)
/Helena
Posted by: Helena Örnehed | November 02, 2011 at 08:00 AM
I've just discovered your blog through Ravelry and I love it...everything I've seen so far is beautiful...and inspiring...thanks for this site...and sharing your talent
Posted by: ramthuntm11 | October 12, 2011 at 09:33 PM
Hello from California! I came across your blog through someone I met on Pinterest who had this on her cite. I love it! You seem like such a lovely person. Thanks for sharing your talents!
~Eleace
Posted by: Eleace | October 10, 2011 at 01:47 AM
If I get the book will I be able to understand the Japanese directions for the flower? Is is only in Japanese? When would you have/or can you get permission to make a flower tutorial? Thanks Leslie
Posted by: Leslie Denvir | September 18, 2011 at 05:50 PM
Hi, I have followed your blog so long and you are a true inspiration. I have everything to start working on my Japanese scarf. I have made several test flowers and am finally satisfied with yarn and hook. My problem is the join as you go method - I am at a loss. Can you give any guidance? Thank You Peggy
Posted by: Peggy | July 27, 2011 at 02:24 AM
These Japanese woolen scarf is really looks amazing you made it with different colors and gives lots of variations. I likes this collection.
Posted by: online pokies | June 23, 2011 at 11:55 AM