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
Wunderwunderwunderschön!!!!!!!!
Jeannette
Posted by: Jeannette Imsiecke | April 21, 2011 at 06:36 PM
Hi Lucy - I would love the pattern in english - i can't seem to find it anywhere. xx
Posted by: Hayley | April 20, 2011 at 08:37 AM
Hi Lucy love the scarf ,beautifull colours. The Diagrams that they use are really easy for me to understand as i have been crocheting japanese doilies for years and all patterns come in these diagrams.I prefer them to written ones. If you need any help e-mail me.Looking forward to the next project.
Posted by: Kim | April 14, 2011 at 04:22 PM
Amazing scarf... Makes me want to start one tonight! Flower pattern was not giving me anything. Do you have another site I could go to? Many thanks!
Posted by: Disco M | April 11, 2011 at 02:44 AM
Hi Lucy,
I feel that I know you:) I have been following your blog for nearly a year and this is the first time I've posted a comment. I would like to say THANK YOU because you've inspired me. I've had a go at christmas decorations, little hearts, flowers and stripey blanket oh, and granny square of course! My family complain we're being over taken with wool. I've also taken to blogland.
Happy hooking Ann
Posted by: Ann | April 09, 2011 at 12:48 PM
Morning Lucy,
Deramores have put a link to your blog and I am 'gob smacked' by your fantanstic crochet Japanese flower scarf. I want the pattern, but at the moment I have to watch my pennies!! But boy what a beauty. My little squares of crochet look posivtively boring now!! LOL
Posted by: Jenny Butler | March 24, 2011 at 10:02 AM
Somehow when I click on the link it does not open diagram for me . Help!!!!!
Posted by: Mira | March 17, 2011 at 02:48 AM
This is really amazing woolen flowers.You made such a great flowers.I likes the color and designs.
Posted by: r4 | March 15, 2011 at 12:19 PM
esta precioso!!! podrias ayudarme con el diagrama?
muchas gracias
Posted by: Laura | March 14, 2011 at 03:05 PM
WOW, I have just discovered you blog, and I'm hooked! Looooove those beautiful flowers, I have to learn to make them myself!
Hugs from your new fan in Norway :)
Posted by: Guro | March 10, 2011 at 10:06 AM
I crochet row 3 as follows: instead of 4 dc (US terms) groups, I crochet
2dc then 5 chain, slipstitch into back of previous dc, then 2 dc to finish group
of 4. You are then ready for the last petal row.
Posted by: Irene Porter | March 06, 2011 at 01:22 AM
Dear Lucy,
I am thrilled to pieces every time I log on to find a new and amazing crochet project underway! This is so beauuuuuutiful! You have provided so much inspiration for me and others. I hope everyone who has made one of your projects finds it in them to donate even the smallest amount! Now I have to go find some yarn and start making these flowers!
Posted by: kelly | March 04, 2011 at 12:56 PM
You poor thing. Not to fret, at least the G.B. has it down. We will just move on as always. Eye-roll, Eye-roll. But I guess I do understand. What's next? You know you are the trend-setter and that's what's important.
Posted by: The Garden Bell | March 01, 2011 at 10:58 PM
Dear Lucy
Amazing Japanese flower scarf luv the colours
When can we see your finished version?
Inspired to make one
Thank you for sharing with us.
Posted by: Taz | February 27, 2011 at 06:19 PM
Oh Lucy, I am blaming you for a sleepless night and a totally unproductive day. Since finding your blog yesterday all I can think of are your Japanese flowers. They look divine and I am afraid I will not settle until I am making one just the same as yours! So far my search for the book has been to no avail, and I have not yet started looking for the yarn, I hope I can find both before I go insane. Love your blog and have marked it as a fav.
Posted by: Lenora | February 27, 2011 at 05:47 AM
The book has sold out!!!!
I love your project, and for the third time I have another Attic24 inspired project on my list :-)
Posted by: maryannlucy | February 25, 2011 at 02:37 PM
I love this flower...but I cannot find how to make this ?
Greetings from Belgium
Marjo
Marjo's Cosy Corner
Posted by: Marjo | February 22, 2011 at 07:58 PM
Love the flowers!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Cherish@ My Cup of Tea | February 22, 2011 at 06:22 PM
The pattern for the Japanese motif can still be found here.
http://storage.canalblog.com/96/52/420850/49800267.pdf
Having said that, why not choose your own pretty flower from the hundreds there are available, in English - many of them free. I have several that would look equally as beautiful joined together to make a scarf or stole. Its the yarn and colour choices that make Lucy's so special. Yes the pattern is lovely but many others would be lovely too. Otherwise, why not buy the book and give the chart ago? Practice charts first, using books that have words and charts. I thought I couldn't do it but I turned out I can. There are several options open to anyone who wants a scarf as nice as the Japanese one. Why does every one want exact copies of everything - show some imagination people!
Posted by: Bethany | February 21, 2011 at 10:01 AM
so beautiful, so inspiring !
Posted by: Danielle | February 20, 2011 at 11:56 PM
bingo--the motif pattern is in this book--so it's not original...(bottom right, on the cover)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/60474192/crochet-patterns-book-motifs-and-edging
Posted by: sue | February 20, 2011 at 09:43 PM
Maybe I have the 4th row issue that was discussed just above figured out? Instead of two doubles (uk trebles), five chains, two doubles, repeat; try two doubles, five chains, then slipstitch into the base of the chain, making a picot, then continue on with the last two doubles before going on to the next (2d,5ch, ss into 1st ch,2d)
Does that work? We'll see!
Posted by: sue | February 20, 2011 at 05:18 PM
I agree that the copywright issue would petain to the diagram image that Catherine lifted straight out of the Japansese book.
This motif itself has probably been hooked for 100's of years by people all over the world, with many variations. The thought that someone could copyright a motif is ridiculous to me. To copyright a garment design, yes. An individual motif, no. I wonder what old crochet book it will turn up in...?
I too think that Lucy's motif looks like it differs from the published version, and that it's very unfortunate that Lucy has been pressured to remove discussion of the motif.
Lucy, can we please see YOUR version? Please??
Posted by: sue | February 20, 2011 at 04:59 PM
I think we have to say a big big THANKS to the Japanese Ladies ! ! ! to the Japanese books ! ! ! so much beautiful projects come from them;o);o)
Posted by: tara | February 20, 2011 at 02:26 PM
I love your sense of color!
My crochet buddy and I are having lots of fun making these. I can't wait to buy some great yarn and make a gorgeous wrap or afghan with them. Thanks for your beautiful blog!
Posted by: cybercita | February 20, 2011 at 05:18 AM