Ahhhhhhhhhhh it's sweet crochet talk today folks, and I'm mighty happy about that, it's been far too long since we shared any decent hooky business in the Attic. It's not been for lack of hooky happenings I might add as I have been very productive on the quiet here. I've just been lacking in time to document all that I've been doing, but I'm determined to do a bit of catch up in the next week or two. Yup, you can expect quite a few colourful crochet Ta-dah's in the near future. Does that thought make you smile???? Goody, me too!!
My little project today is not my own design, it's a project I had squirrelled away in my brain with the label "oooo-yes-I-really-have-to-make-one-of-those-one-day-when-I-have-nothing-else-better-to-do". It comes from the above book which I bought when I was pregnant last year, err hang on, no not last year but The Year Before. 2009, yes that's it. It's a super little book by Rowan designer Lois Daykin...you can find it on amazon right here where you can magically look at some of the pages if you like.
There's a mixture of projects as you can see from the contents :: a good selection of toys, nursery decorations and useful things. Sweet things to crochet for sweet Little People.
As you would expect from Rowan, the book is beautifully styled and photographed. And the designs are inspirational.
Yes, this book ooooozes inspiration. It made me want to crochet things that had never entered my head before, ie toys. I never really knew that I wanted to crochet toys until I saw what was on offer in this book. That adorable stripy kitty-cat is high on my list of next-toy-to-have-a-bash-at when I've finished with my current rabbit phase.
So this is the page that really did it for me, as you have probably guessed from the title of today's post. I saw this snake and absolutely knew without a doubt that I had to make one. Not necessarily for the Little People you understand, nah nah nah, this was to be a Mummy Toy. Hahahaa, I kid you not! Of course I told anyone who asked me that I was making a toy snake for Little B, but inside I was thinking nonononononnooooo this is going to be mine, mine, mine!!! Little B may play with it whenever he chooses, but the snake is actually going to belong to Me.
You may remember me showing you a little sneaky peak of the snake in progress when I recounted my Dorset holiday? It was a fantastic holiday project, I enjoyed a huge pleasure rush sitting in the sun working these colourful stripes each morning.
Starting out with this project was not plain sailing though. I'm not used to working in three dimensions and I'm not used to reading patterns with such a lot of counting, so I had to overcome both those things. I found it very taxing at first to be honest, even though I have to say the pattern was extremely well written. But once I got going (the pattern starts at the tail end and works towards the head) I soon got into the swing of it.
I chose to tweak the original pattern a little to suit my preferred way of working ie I simplified it, eliminating the more complex open, lacy type stripes and sticking to plain ol' double crochet all the way up. Once the increasing was over and done with at the tail end, the main body of the snake was just rings worked back and forth, 36 stitches this way and that way, alternating colours at random as I went. It gave me the perfect opportunity to indulge my colour passion to the max, and the yarn I used did not disappoint. It's gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. The colours are amazing. I'm going to be writing a bit more about this yarn in a separate post next week as I've been working with it a lot of late.
Ooooo-la-la!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Check out those mighty fine stripes!! Yum yum yum!!!
Something else I changed from the original design was the way the eyes were made. In the book they used circles of white felt with black buttons, but I decided I would crochet my snakey some peepers. I didn't want to use buttons as I wanted this toy to be safe for Little B (even though the snake is Mine, but you know, it still has to be safe), so the eyes were hooked and no buttons were used.
I'm trying to remember from the pictures what I did for the eyes, I think I chained 4, joined to make a loop, then worked 7dc into the ring for the first black round, then 2dc in each stitch (14sts) for the white round. They worked a treat don't you think?
I had fun taking pictures for this post yesterday, although it's surprisingly hard to photograph something that measures 135cm from tail to tongue. I wasn't sure where to drape it, plus I had my Assistant Stylist on the job too and my my he's a tad difficult to work with. He wasn't particularly helpful with the draping situation.
Anyhow................
I hope you enjoy this little hooky colour fest....................................
Sssssssssssssssss :: Ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He's quite a stunner isn't he??
My Assistant Stylist AKA Little B was also kind enough to act as a Prop.
He obediently climbed onto the sofa for me, sat beeeeautifully with Snake and smiled at the camera. For about one nanosecond. Then he threw the snake on the floor and tried to snatch the camera out of my hand. It all got a bit messy from there on in. Lots of blurred shots.........
.........the snake was quite badly treated actually, but no harm done.
Snakey's now curled up sweetly next to me in his chair (yes, he has his very own chair to sleep in) and all is good. I've told him he needs to be resting up throughout the summer months because once the cold weather arrives he's going to be hard at work around here.
Yes, he'll make the perfect Draught Excluder. Perfect I tell you.
x
Edited to add :: re weaving in ends, well I simply did't bother. It was HEAVEN to leave all my ends a-dangling and not have to worry about them!! Cos they remain inside the snakey body see? So they aren't seen. Marvelous.
Also re stuffing, not hard as you stuff-as-you-go. So you don't have a major tussle getting the stuffing down 1.35m of narrow tube as it's already in there pretty much from the start. What's not to love?
Just finished my snake last night! I love completing a project but then start to hyperventilate thinking about what to crochet next......so many ideas, so little time!
Posted by: Jill | December 12, 2011 at 01:58 PM
Just got my book in the mail........Can't wait to start Mr. Snake!
Posted by: Jill Saunders | September 20, 2011 at 06:44 PM
Oi. Can't believe I didn't think of ignoring all the difficult bits in the pattern. My 'Baby Crochet' snake is still lying in my WIP bag (since last year). So half is going to be gappy bits and the rest full stripes. I think I actually might finish it now!
Posted by: Adri | August 25, 2011 at 03:51 PM
Hiya Lucy,
You have made me jealous looking at the pics of your beautiful snake, I have started to make him but cant get my head around the chaning of the 5,10,15 etc.. stitchs as it ends up making my snakey with big holes in, do you put the dc into these stitches or back into the loop, hope this makes sense??
Posted by: Selena | August 23, 2011 at 09:35 PM
How do you manage to do so much. I mean, do you ever sleep? You have little ones and travel but yet you have such lovely projects. You inspire me.
Posted by: Janice schaub | August 20, 2011 at 04:23 AM
Really The face of boys are very comic and also so quit. I have watched your given videos. Its a lot fascinating and enjoyable. I hope you will upload more pics.
Posted by: best penny stock picks | August 17, 2011 at 06:05 AM
this might be a silly question but what kind of yarn do you use? because I love the colors of everything you make! and you didn't weave in the ends of Mr. Snakey! that is soooooooooo awesome. I hate that part. I love, love, love all your crochet work and you have inspired me to get hooking again.
thanks!
Posted by: Molly B | August 06, 2011 at 07:05 PM
i love the snake. trying to finish my other projects so i can start new ones like yours. so keep the ideas coming and eventually i will catch up.lolol
Posted by: gert | August 05, 2011 at 03:38 PM
Your snake is sssssstunning! His eyes are brilliant!
Posted by: Michelle Kingsley | August 02, 2011 at 08:42 PM
You inspired me to make my own (wall mayby not my but my son's) snake. Thanks!
http://blog.lorki.pl/?p=5346
Posted by: Lete | July 31, 2011 at 07:50 PM
Hi, I've just come across your site, I love it, and the snake is spectacular!
Posted by: [email protected] | July 31, 2011 at 05:17 PM
I really wish I could Crochet - I want one of those gorgeous snakes!
Judging by the number of comments, you could go into business selling them - they're gorgeous!
I'm not crafty myself, but someone posted a link to your blog and I have to say it's wonderful - I love, love, love the beautiful colours - it's made my morning! :)
Posted by: Janet Sutton | July 26, 2011 at 12:30 PM
Love the snake. Remembered it when I looked in despair at my stash and realised I had no more than half a ball of any of my yarns and was stuck in a cottage in deepest darkest rural france, in the rain, miles from a wool shop. Perfect. Stitched a bell (v securely, bien sur) into the tail and presented it to my son as a rattle snake rattle. Made my older by a monkey in a similar style too.
Now, question.... do you have a source of good patterns for boys? Desperate for a nice, simple jumper or tank top pattern. Something like the Debbie Bliss ones for knitting. I seem to be able to find babies' stuff in lemon with shiny ribbons through and crocheted sailor suits. I thought if anyone knew, you would...?
Loving the blog, by the way. I live in Brussels so it's nice to have some colour on tap :)
Posted by: Chi | July 25, 2011 at 06:52 PM
Blimey Iv'e just read the other blogs after I posted and it looks like everyone else is in love with snakey chops.....
Posted by: Captain Shagrat | July 22, 2011 at 08:54 PM
Omg my Harry lab would have gone gaga with that amazing snakey.... If only I had a smidgen of your talent, Don't you have a shop or something because I would have loved to acquire such a fun looking thing?
Posted by: Captain Shagrat | July 22, 2011 at 08:51 PM
Hmmmmm I know you have a lot going on at the moment....but....... I have taught myself to crochet using the Attic (thank you SO SO much)and I am currently in the process of making myself a bag- which is rare as I NEVER make anything for myself. Anyways, I cannot find this baby crochet book anywhere and I have just found out my cousin is expecting her 1st baby- which should give me time to make a sssnake-is there any way if you found any time that you could post some quick instructions?? x ps this is the 1st time I have ever posted to a blog so I hope this is ok.
Posted by: Leanne | July 20, 2011 at 08:55 PM
Oh wow that snake is amazingly cute!!! I really have to make one too and get me that book! Pity it's hard to get in the Netherlands... Will go hunting! :D
The extra tips on not weaving in ends an filling as you go are great too for a lazy crocheter like me ;)
Hugs, Carolien
Posted by: Carolien | July 17, 2011 at 02:21 PM
Hi Lucy, I have started this snake so many times and I am having such a difficult time getting the beginning going! I too am not used to working in 3d. Will start again tomorrow, any tips? Anne
Posted by: anne riccioli | July 17, 2011 at 03:44 AM
I love your blog! The colors are amazing! I made a snake once, and stuffed it with dry beans. Not good for tiny babies, but it has a nice weight to it for older children. Love your stuff. You are an inspiration!
Posted by: Emily | July 15, 2011 at 02:49 AM
Oh No!! Now I have to get that book!!!
I love your rainbow snake. He is gorgeous. I must make me one of those, as soon as I visit the Book Depository and get the book.
THanks for sharing. I love your colour choices - they are so like mine and one of the reasons I adore your blog so much. I am loving the giant flower thingy you are making too. Can't wait to see it as it gets larger.
Glad you mum is out of hospital too - no wonder the sun is shinging :)
Cheers for now,
Deanne
Sydney, Australia
Posted by: Deanne Stewart-Mills | July 15, 2011 at 02:06 AM
Hi Lucy.
Wanted to write you for a long time- i started crochet again after so many years i havn't - thanks to you, your charming blog and your exellent tutorials.
your work is so beautiful, the colors are so happy..
Thanks,
Ronit.(Israel).
Posted by: Ronit | July 13, 2011 at 06:21 PM
Hi Lucy, Just popped by to see how you are... thinking of you... I just made my very first teddy ok it's knitted but NOW I'm going to crochet one so I'm off to hunt for a scrummy pattern. Take care, lots of love xxxxxx
Posted by: Karen | July 13, 2011 at 01:17 PM
Sssssuper sssstunning and sssstupendous!!
Posted by: Julie | July 13, 2011 at 12:29 PM
Love the snake, very colour-tastic as usual! Just started up my first blog and have linked your website and a tutorial in my first post as a nod of thanks for starting me on the path. Hopefully you'll be warmly pleased and not weirded out and reaching for the restraining order!
Posted by: Kier | July 13, 2011 at 11:04 AM
I adore this book and your snake came out wonderful. May I ask what yarn you use for your colorful crocheting? I admire your work so much and adore the vibrant colors. Please do tell what brand of yarn you use most for your lovely creations?
Thank you - Alice
Posted by: Alice | July 13, 2011 at 08:30 AM