Ssssssssssssssss :: Ta-dah!

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?

Comments

[Rachel]

Wow those colours!Love them (:
I have nominated you for a versatile blogger award (: you can see it on my blog http://love-to-stitch.blogger.com
Rachel x

[Suzi Moon aka Moonie]

You've done it again, Lucy! Imagine - a cute "snake"? You have created a lovable snake and that's a first for me. :D Sending lots of love and I can't stand it anymore..........I have to know how your mum is doing. I haven't been following all the comments where I might find a hint because, well, I lost my mom and I just couldn't talk about it for fear I'd drown in my own tears. So, I think I'll make myself a silly, cross-eyed snake for a little chuckle every time I see him. Thank you so much for all the beauty you bring to my life. Big hug, Moonie

[poppy]

Lucy, this is absolutely gorgeous! I've gone straight out and bought the book -- it might be a little early to be planning for Christmas but I think my little one and his cousin may be getting these from Santa!
x

[Sanne]

I totally love that snake! I want to make one! Can you explain what was so difficult about the tail, so we can learn from your experience?

[Anita]

Can I be your neighbor? Seriously I love your crocheting and you inspire me, but I get lazy and sometimes I need a little boost. :)

[Andy]

Unique design & funny

[Kathryn Eales]

I am so loving your snake - very cute indeed. And I can't wait to hear about those yarn colours, they're wonderful!
It's always so lovely to see Little B sneak into your photos, my son was born around the same time so he has the same squidgy knees and dimpled hands. He would love me to make him a crochet snake, I might just give it a whirl.

Hope your mum is continuing to improve xxx

[Katie]

Your snake is awesome. I never even thought about crocheting baby toys but they really are the perfect safe thing for tiny hands to play with.
My baby boy loves poking his fingers through the holes in my granny square blanket!

[Scribe]

A24! you have cracked me up with this post... your love for stripety things combined with your signature colors worked out perfectly for this snake!

I can hardly get through an afghan or a pair of slippers with my hook as I work so much and have 3 to provide for... so I live vicariously through your lovelies... A snake, by the way, would make a lovely draft catcher for the cold months... he would look so cute blocking a draft from the back door!

Have a great weekend!

[pattie]

SOOOO cute!

[Grateful4Crochet]

Hi again!
I just wanted to mention that I had a go of making a snake like yours, and failed miserably!!!!!!!!!!!
:(
I have posted about it over at my blog.
Thanks for the inspiration again, I will keep trying

[Queen B]

OMG this is exactly why I am addicted to your blog ! As you know, I adore vintage finds....and I found a vintage McCall's 1976 crochet pattern magazine..... Oh my gosh, I can see the patterns in your totally adorable colors !!!!!!!

I have listed it here for fans who may be interested !! I will mail overseas :)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170665610273

[Jessie]

I so love your rainbow colours! I can't wait to get back into crocheting again!xx

[KayElleC]

Love himm(or her?)! Another thing to add to the list! Just 3 weeks ago the crotchet was a memory from childhood...and then your blog re-awakened the beast!!!

I started with a flat circle which became a bird, so I made two more with became decorations and then two more...(awaiting the pointy star treatment!). Then it got really obsessive...dug out some age old granny squares and had a go at joining as you go....wow - how easy is that (thanks to your soooo simple tute).

Then a wool order and after a couple of days I'm nearing the end of the first side of a round cushion!

Oh Lucy!! What have you done to me? THANKS! I love it! Being creative, relaxing, blog-skimming in order to soak up colour, ideas, buttoney goodness etc....divine.

Thank you ooodles for sharing so much of yourself and giving so freely. xx

[Jennifer McLachlan]

LOVE it!!!....it looks amazing, you have such a fab talent! x x x

[Liz Cumbo]

After much searching I managed to buy this book. My friend is having her first baby and the teddys and booties are adorable. Can't wait to get started!
Liz x

[KristenW]

I've only recently found ur blog. I adore ur beautiful, colorful life! Have u written about ur gorgeous yarn bag? I would love to see/hear more about it. I still have not yet found/made the perfect yarn bag!
Thank you!! :D

[Jacq]

Hi Lucy - just wanted to let you know that I was recently awarded The Stylish Blogger Award, and I'd like to pass it on to you as I love your site so much! Please visit the post at my blog Dancing in the Rain at http://rainydaycrafter.blogspot.com to pick up your award. Congratulations! :)

[Jacq]

I love the snake and the colours you've used so much! :)

[Alison]

Woo hoo!!! You're back!!! With a beautiful snake too! :)

[beverly]

The snake is lovely - odd thing to say about a snake but there it is. I also was never thinking of making toys until i saw a book of knitted toys and on my way to make the turtle saw a snake which i made and photographed but havent' had the time to put up on my blog yet. i also love the afghan your snake is photgraphed with. Awash with color and very beautiful..I am so glad I found your blog and am adding to my own blogroll!

[Mariëlle]

Yesterday I started my granny stripes blanket and I love working on it, I have 6 stripes ready and I can't wait to work on it again. Thanks so much for sharing.

[Madame Flamusse]

Hello, can you please tell me which wool do you take for this little big wonderful mummysnake?

These are so nice colours.

Thanks a lot
M. Flamusse

[ruth]

I love the baby Blocks! They are amazing : )

[Petra]

It's really geat to see your new tadahhhhh...

Great size for little people. he can drag it around and play with it, sleep with it. sit on it.
So what more he should wish for.
A best crochet mate

greetz from the netherlands