Hooky Trim

One of the upsides of having a sort out is that I've been coming across some long-forgotten and much loved objects. Look what I found at the weekend! I found my basket! Yaaaayyyyy!! Might seem an odd thing to have misplaced, but misplace it I did, until I went a rooting through the Attic eaves looking for _________ (insert random object) and there it was. Hiding. It was still holding the balls of yarn left over from when I made my bag, and if you go here you can read about the basket makeover and see the beginnings of The Yarn Bag too. Cripes, it seems a long time ago don't you think? Well I suppose it was more than three years ago now.

I've absolutley L♥VED being reunited with my basket, I've been so happy carrying it about the place with my ripple tucked up inside. I've found that if I just keep the blanket, hook and current ball of yarn in it, it makes it very easy to do a little bit of hooky in between doing other things. Cos it's there and it's on view and I can instantly pick it up and work a few stitches whenever. I can also instantly drop it safely back into the basket mid stitch when I'm needed by the Littlies (which I frequently have to do).

Thinking about my sweet little yarn basket reminded me of the above picture, which has forever embedded itself in my memory banks. I know, isn't it just? Just SoOOOOoOooo beautiful?? I kept seeing this image in my mind since my own basket made a reappearance, and  yesterday I rooted out my Japanese crochet books to indulge in a little Visual Upliftment.

The yarny basket image comes from one of the above books, I think it's inside the one with the red and white motifs.

If you've not already come across these delicious books, you can read more about my love for them in this archive post. I bought both books from a great Etsy seller called Pomadour's Craft Café, the one with the red and white motifs on the cover can be found here, and the second volume with the red chair can be found here. In my experience, these books tend to sell out quickly but are also replenished regularly so if you bob along to Pomadour's shop and find them out of stock, give it a day or two and try again OK?

Ahhhhhhhh I really love these books, so so much. They never fail to delight and inspire. I must've looked at these pictures dozens of times, but never tire of them.

My eyes breeze through the pages, my heart flutters and my mind begins to buzz.

Buzzzz-buzzzzz-buzzzzzz.

Ideas begin to fizzle and pop and before I know what is happening, something takes hold and I am reaching for my hook and yarn bag to try it out.........

I have this idea to crochet some sort of sweet decorative trim to add a touch of prettiness to something. It's such an unnecessary, silly little idea really, but I am incredibly excited by forcing it into reality. I am making the creative fluttering and buzzing come alive and it feels wonderful.

Heeee-heeee!!! This is what I came up with after a few hours of frantic hooking, frogging, hooking and frogging. Looks a little silly I know........

.....but I just need to start darning in all those ends.

There, that's better!!!!

Do you like it, my sweet little piece of colourful hooky trim?

I need to join it into a ring in order for it to trim the object I have in mind.

So shall I show you what this pretty trim is for?

OK...

Look..................................................................................

Ta-dah!!!!!

It's a little bit of colourful decoration for my new Home Blessing Candle.

And I'm so happy with it!!

I treated myself to a new candle on Friday, as I felt the tealight-in-the-peanut-butter-jar wasn't quite up to the job. I found this simple little glass jar candle in the supermarket (Tesco, £3), it's vanilla scented (not overly so) and now with it's hooky trim added it's beautifully at home on my table.

Hmmmm, please do try and ignore the Shelves of Doom in the background. My Decluttering Mission is going through a short hiatus, although I do really need to try harder at getting myself back on track where that's concerned.

Oh yes, that's much better, lets just zoom in and concentrate on the pretty little bits in close-up. Ignore the big messy bits in the background.

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ps I'm sure you'll let me know what you think of my potty little creative buzz and if you think it's something you'd like a pattern for? I'm thinking these would make sweet gifts. Right, off to find my basket now, it's coming upstairs with me for a little bedtime rippling xx

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Misty]

Oh Lucy,
It is so beautiful, I would love to use it as trim on some pillowcases. I do hope you decided to post the pattern. It is so beautiful on the candle.
As for the book shelf, I know how you feel. I am going through a declutter and redoing our flat. There just never seems to be enough hours in the day to fit it all in. Good luck and keep up the good work, best wishes and the Happiest of Holidays to you and yours.

Blessings,
Misty and Pets.

[karen]

This is really a comment about your whole blog, not just about this post. I see you have nearly 250 comments, so chances are, you won't even see this, but I wanted to say "WOW" and "HOLY COW" !!!!! I found your site by chance while looking up crocheted flower patterns. My 15-year-old daughter recently entered the hospital and asked me to show her how to do some simple crochet stitches to help pass the time. Although right now she's doing a lot of simple chaining and single crocheting, I thought it would be neat to have some quick projects she might be able to tackle (and boost her crocheting confidence!). I found your site and I just HAD to post SOMEthing about your inCREDIble sense of COLOR!!! Just BEAUtiful!!! I could stare at your pictures all day.:-) Of course, I'm very envious, but if I can't be color-inclined, I'm glad the Internet lets me see the work of someone who is. :-)

[Andrea at Apples and Pears]

Really beautiful Lucy! It would made a gorgeous edging to a blanket too xxx

[K @ Aurora Blythe]

This post reminds me of my first craft basket that I used to use all the time! I had forgotten it! I now mostly use tote bags, but this post made me miss my basket. Thanks for sharing this :-)

[KayElleC]

I've been looking at the Japanese books....but can't remember where! Love, love, loved them....you did spring to mind because of the colours but as I'm quite new to your site didn't know if you had mentioned them before - so this answers that question!!!

Love your NOT silly, wooly candle trim...PLEASE post the pattern :) xx

[Lucy]

I feel so en vogue and an Attic 24 fanatic, I too have shelves of doom! :)

[audyle]

everything is just wonderfull ! audyle

[Steph @woolythyme]

Oh, how I LOVE ♥♥♥ your sense of style! And don't touch that bookshelf (unless you really need to do a tidy to find things...I think it looks perfect just the way it is!)

[Isabel Penetra]

Hi Lucy, I just love your blog... it´s so colourfull. Loved your idea on the home blessing candle, please post a tutorial. Thanks from Portugal.
Isabel

[Sue McIndoe]

I love the pretty trim, lovely colours. I have a very similar basket that would benefit from a makeover. Its filled with apples at the moment but would look much better prettified. Yes, you've inspired me. Sue x

[jess]

i do have to admit, that i like the little wheely horse just as much as your newest crochet project... ;)
but a pattern would be great, especially now that we need to think about christmas pressies...

[Melissa]

Stunning! You are so talented, not to mention inspiring as I am now longing to paint ALL my baskets duck-egg blue! :-)

[Taylor]

I LOVE IT! The sweet little decoration for the candle!! I also love the napkins/hankerchiefs that were in that magazine! Good luck with hooking your pretty blanket.

[Angela purse(nee Paulson)]

so lovely.......would love to have a go xx

[Sue]

Yes please - I'd love a pattern! Great Christmas present idea - and no doubt will treat myself too!

[Jo]

Hi Lucy
This is just beautiful.

[Alessandra Cerqueira]

Ola Lucy

Primeira vez que comento aqui no seu blog e gostei tudo que vi!
Lindo demais!
Fiquei feliz por voce ter encontrado sua cesta e ficou linda a decoração na vela.

Acho que sim voce deve fazer tutorial pois adoraria ver.

Abraços
Alessandra

Ps.: Desculpe minha escrita em inglês não é muito boa =(

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Hello Lucy

First time I comment here on your blog and liked everything I saw!
So pretty!
I was glad you have found your basket and the decor was beautiful in the candle.

I think you should do so love to see it tutorial.

hugs
Alessandra

Ps.: Sorry my writing in English is not very good = (

[Ruth Stephens]

Just scrolled down and spotted the peanut butter jar candle in your previous post - this is most definitely an improvement - well done, you!

[Mrs Pirate]

Hi, I love the trim, there are so may uses for it, especially at Xmas time.

[Carol]

Love your little trimmings, lifts a plain glass candle to a whole new level especially for gifting.
I think your painted basket looks wonderful, no wonder you are glad you re-found it. I have a brown basket full of yarn loveliness too, also some in the garage which might be happy to be beautified with some duck egg paint.
Great ideas, Lucy.
Thank you.
Carol xx

[Lynn]

The trim is adorable!!! Love it!

And I have bookshelves like that. I work on them for half an hour at a time because if I try to go longer, I get overwhelmed and quit. Small steps and then one day you're done. Works every time. :)

[Domesticlou]

Ahhh LOVE the trim. I've been trying (& failing) to come up with something similar to trim the bottom of a blind. Not that I've made the blind yet. I wish my forays into tidying were so fruitful, my last attempt found me falling backwards onto an 8" dpn and losing the entire thing into my left bum cheek :-(

[idiosyncraticeye]

Gorgeous trim, loved all the different colours, perfect for candles! :)

[Mandy Wilken]

I absolutely LOVE the pretty little trim and would definitely like a pattern for it! What fun could be had with making this trim. I found your blog a few months ago, and have been following regularly. I really am loving it and your work is gorgeous.
Mandy

[Jeannie D]

Love the trim...can think of lots of uses. Yes, please to the pattern!