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
Trying to figure out the flower buy myself Lucy but I'm failing! I love what you have made but I'm unable to get the book! Could you help with the very basic steps of the flower and how you connect them as you go please?
I was introduced to your blog by my beautiful friend Sabine. Your posts are so positive and sublime! You are inspiring and beautiful too. I have gone from a blanket crochet girl to a stunning bags chochet girl and it's all down to you! You are inspirational Lucy. I also read your blogs and remember living in the UK with affection. I now live in Australia xxxx Julia
Posted by: Julia burdock | February 20, 2011 at 04:27 AM
It's fun, I'm french and I found the explanations in my mother tongue HERE ! lol
This scarf is so gorgeous, I like the colors that you used. I'm impatient to see the final project !
Posted by: Cathy | February 16, 2011 at 10:09 PM
Hi, there! I am a new devotee and am loving your blog since I started crocheting about a month ago (it's been a long winter here, too). This is an adorable adorable motif and I gave it a go last night. I dare say though that your flowers are slightly different from the original flowers a la Catherine. You see, Catherine's flowers following the Japanese symbols, produces one where the 4 double crochet shells end up becoming split by the looping 8 double crochet petals in the last round. Whereas your flowers have firmly intact shells with ever-so dainty petals. With all due respect to Catherine, I prefer your flowers and I'd love it if you could share how you did the final two rounds. Technically speaking, your design is different from the published Japanese pattern, I think that circumvents the copyright issue, no?
Posted by: amy in cambridge (my fair city), ma | February 16, 2011 at 09:01 PM
Hi, just love your posts. I am struggling with row 4 of the flower pattern. Would it be breach of copywrite if you just posted a picture of each row without explanation?
Posted by: Irene | February 16, 2011 at 12:38 PM
Hi it looks amazing ,awesome colors and sweet sweet pattern ,i would love to see maby some pic´s of how you join them tog :) that would be just awesome to see
Posted by: Valeria | February 16, 2011 at 07:50 AM
Please could you post a diagram as the french lady has removed hers I think. Thanks!
Posted by: Gill in Norway | February 16, 2011 at 07:47 AM
could someone send me to the pattern for making the flower, when I go to the link Lucy gave I get a page of comments in French. thank you
joanlvh
Posted by: joanlvh | February 16, 2011 at 06:14 AM
Yes, I followed the link to find it had disappeared??? Help, I need to find it again!!!
Posted by: Carol | February 15, 2011 at 10:51 PM
hi, desperately trying to followthe diagram as the flowers look gorgeous. The diagram has disappeared from your link. Where on her blog can i find it? Any chance of a quick pattern??Love your blog have crocheted loads of stuff and am ploughing through an enormous granny blanket. Thanks i love your blog.
Posted by: sarah | February 15, 2011 at 10:26 PM
Fantastic as usual!
Posted by: Liz | February 15, 2011 at 03:06 PM
I love it! And I want to make one to, but do you have the pattern in Englisch/Dutch, or little steps in pictures? that would be so nice! Thank you for charing your wonderfull "makings"
Greetszz from Holland
Posted by: maartje | February 15, 2011 at 01:39 PM
I had to giggle at your previous post Lucy, about smelling the hyacinth through the screen - I've just finished reading Charlie & The Chocolate Factory to my 4 year old, and it made me think about Wonka's TV Chocolate... if only..... BUT I digress... the flowers are just EXQUISITE. And the yarn, and the colours - you did well to wait for the perfect project. I think if I wasn't wearing this, I'd have to be looking at it. Beautiful.
Posted by: Lesley | February 15, 2011 at 10:09 AM
Lucy
Never mind. I see you are friends already
Brenda in Canada.
Posted by: Brenda England | February 15, 2011 at 09:26 AM
Lucy
Check out this Blog that I discovered by Blog surfing. This lady loves colour as much as you do. http://thegardenbell.blogspot.com
Brenda in Canada
Posted by: Brenda England | February 15, 2011 at 09:16 AM
I too would love the pattern in words, seem to have a mental block when it comes to diagrams
You have such a good colour sense. Scarf will be beautiful.
Posted by: pam green | February 15, 2011 at 07:30 AM
Lucy - you continue to out-do yourself! Absolutely stunning!
Again thanks for providing us with new inspiration.
And thanks to you and the lovely ladies on ravelry for your discussions - I have figured this one out and am set to go :)
Posted by: Sue | February 15, 2011 at 03:21 AM
Hey Lucy..yarn looks delicious :) Do you think the flowers would be suitable for a blanket..or too lacy and loose? Wonder how much yarn would be needed for a decent sized crochet throw?..any ideas?
Posted by: April | February 15, 2011 at 03:07 AM
As usual very beautiful and very colourful. I love your blog and flow it regularly. I am not a crochet person but your work has inspired me and has taught me to crochet. Love your tutorials they are easy to follow.
Posted by: pratima kapoor | February 15, 2011 at 02:34 AM
I agree with everything everybody has said about your latest w.i.p!! gorgeous wool,gorgeous pattern,,gorg,gorg,gorg,,but Im rather stuck on the last round of the flower,,,hope you can help out with a tutorial please,,,p.s keep up the good work and don't let woolly crafts become a thing of the past,,thanking you Helen xxxx
Posted by: helen welch | February 14, 2011 at 10:06 PM
The scarf is oh so lovely. I wish I had access to the wool it looks so luscious. I'm thinking these flowers would also make nice coasters. Thank you for your inspiration, you have brought me back to crochet.
Posted by: Michelle | February 14, 2011 at 05:40 PM
Lucy, Your blog is so inspirating! And flower scarf.. I don´t have words. It´s so Biutiful!
Posted by: Sara | February 14, 2011 at 05:20 PM
AMAZING! such loveliness, prefer the colour version.
Happy hookey time to you ...
Posted by: Julie | February 14, 2011 at 04:19 PM
Oooohhhh I am a wee bit late posting this but it has been the only chance I have got to sit down and read your blog properly! Absolutely gorgeous. I really like it. I am going to give it a try and see if I can do it. It would make a nice blankie too methinks. x
Posted by: Hazel | February 14, 2011 at 02:23 PM
Lucy your scarf looks wonderful & the yarn looks so nice. I am heading to the UK (from Ausatralia) in May with my mum, a surprise treat from a generous dad for my special birthday this year. No kids or big boys allowed. My shopping list consists of yarn, Liberty & Dr Martens...so far, oh! & Thornton's Special Toffee. Thanks for the link to your LYS, we will be staying in Keighthly with friends for a week so I will pop in there for sure. My dad was born in Ilkley! Are there any other yarn/fabric/craft stores in the area that you can recommend? Cheers Amanda.
Posted by: Amanda | February 14, 2011 at 01:18 PM
Hi Lucy
What an inpiration you are, yet again? I started my Japanese flower scarf as soon as I saw your post. I had two balls of the Red DB Andes stashed away from last Autumn - bought to make a pair of fingerless gloves. Amazingly, I managed to work out the pattern from the diagram and am really loving this one. Mine is a mixture of DB Cashmerino and some lovely hand dyed Angora/Cashmere that I got from Loop last week. Thank you so much for sharing with us. Now off to photo and blog about my one.
Can't wait to see your finished scarf.
Zoe x
Posted by: Zoe | February 14, 2011 at 10:36 AM