Holiday Hooky

I keep these five adorable little stones-within-stones on the windowsill behind my desk to act as a sweet reminder of holiday time. Do you remember them from last year? We are off again this evening, making our 300 mile journey south to spend time with my family by the sea. I am looking forward to it so much, can't wait for tomorrow, to wake up to the sound of gulls flying overhead and the scent of sea salt in the air. Lovely.

An essential part of my own personal holiday preparations is to make sure I have some sort of portable hooky project ready to go. This time last year I was busy making Mr Snakey Chops, and I have fond memories of working on him whilst away by the sea. My ripple blanket is really too big now to count as a Portable Project, so I've come up a little something to keep me happy during the next week or so. I'm using a yarn new to me, it's Rico Essentials Merino DK.

I was given the above six balls more than a year ago but didn't quite know what to do with them at the time. The colours are really scrummy, but six simply isn't enough for a colour junkie like me. Luckily I've found a local yarn shop that stocks Rico (hoooray!) so I was able to make a quick visit yesterday to choose a few extra colours to add into the mix. The colour range in this yarn is really good, there are more than 30 to choose from. There's a great mix of saturated brights and deep jewel tones along with some paler, more muted colours. I was very pushed for time yesterday, so could only spend about five minutes faffing with colour choices, it was quite rushed and a wee bit frantic. I did briefly ponder on adding in some deep purples, reds and dark blues, but in the end I found myself unexpectedly drawn towards the greys and browns..............

Look, see what I came away with?!  The greys in particular are really beautiful, I love them. They sit amazingly well with the brighter shades, look...................

Ooooooooooooooooooo yummy scrummy!

So I've now got ten shades to play with, you can find them all over at HCS Crafts which stocks 38 colours at £3.79 for 50g, with free P&P if you spend over £25. They also ship internationally. Here is the colour info>>

top row, left to right........

:: 05 red :: 15 berry :: 10 fucshia :: 66 sun :: 04 acacia ::

bottom row, left to right........

:: 45 mint :: 27 jeans :: 97 mouse grey :: 53 wood :: 20 mauve ::

I am really happy with these colours, I've spent quite a while just playing with them and getting a feel for how they work together.

I couldn't wait to get started to see how it worked up, It's always exciting to do something with a completely new type of yarn. I made a start last night once Little B was in bed, I'm making another  simple circular cushion cover, similar to the one I made a few years ago (you can see it in this post). I wanted something quick and easy and pleasurable to work on, and this fits the bill nicely.

This is lovely yarn to work with, warm, soft and easy to crochet (I'm using a 4mm hook), it really is a dream.

I was so excited to see how the greys would work in with the colours, this is a New Thing for me colourwise and I tell you I am love, love, loving it!

Adding in the yellow completely altered the look of it, I'm going to follow on now with some rows of brights (acacia, berry, jade, jeans...) I get such a buzz from playing with colour in this way. Whheee, so happy about this sweet little bit of Holiday Hooky!

Right, I need to scoot off now and try to bring together some piles of clean clothes for us all, it'll be the usual chaos of stuffing things into plastic bags, shoving it all in the boot of car and hoping for the best. We have no idea what the weather has in store for us, so we shall aim for multiple layers, with waterproofs and sturdy shoes, crocs and swimming costumes on standby.

Back in a week with my soul full of the sea, see you soon ♥

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Comments

[season pass ghost gratuit]

You will discover how to build your book rather than just write it. This is a great game that is really relaxing to play after a stressful day of banking. Grenades will either make you win or lose, if one survives, you are dead.

[Robin]

Thanks for including the information about your new yarn find. I live in Guernsey and our yarn shopping choices are limited to say the least. Nice to have a link to a site with bright colors that don't cost a ton. Your site is great! I just finished your crochet bag that I sent to a friend for her birthday.

[Lisa Brown]

oh wow! I love this, would this be a good 1st project too start off with Lucy? or is this still to hard for a beginner? love the wool, would love to purchase some of that, but hopefully you will be able to get back to me about my other HELP comment first :-)

[Pomme van Drie]

Lucy- I hope you enjoy all the colours of spring and have a fab time by the sea! Once again, thanks for sharing your life with us all- if only you knew just how much I look forward to reading your posts... Much love & light and Blue Skies

[Janet]

Lovely colours. I want to find some cotton to crochet flowers to make a garlnd. Those colours would be close to perfect. it gives me jumping off point.

[Hilary]

Hi,
Just wanted to say I follow your blog more and more frequently and have tried the little hearts and am now 1/4 way through a ripple blanket. Would love to post a photo of either and am buying you a coffee!
Keep up the fabulous work
Hilary

[ana]

You´ve a wonderfull blog.

Kisses. Ana From Spain

[My Rosevalley]

Hello dear. Just wrote a little about you over at my place regarding the Creative Cotton from Rico's... Just reflecting over that they use your name to sell this product and I am just hoping that they sponsor you with some free bees as a reward from bringing these online shops so much business... It would be a shame if they didn't as you are a crochet guru needless to say. Well, just wanted to let you know. Hope Easter has been good and that you got some color happiness done. LOL :D Annette My Rose Valley

[Griselda]

Hi, My name is Griselda Garcia...I saw the pictures that you have of wher you live and I love it...I also saw the great things that you have created...but the main reason Im writting is because me and my husband are looking for places to travel and loved your pictures...If you by any chance are willing to be out guide around their it would be great...I have never travel to other country and really need help...

[Jo]

Hope you had a fab holiday! We came back from West Bay today. We went for a final little look at the sea this morning, and who should I see on the beach, but you and your lovely little family. I really wanted to come and say hello, but couldn't pluck up enough courage!(Think we were the only two families on there!)I didnt want you to think I was a crazy stalker! Anyway if I had of been brave enough I would of liked to say what a brilliant inspiration you are, I just love all your projects, and your happy outlook on everything. Regards Jo.

[Tess]

Hi there Lucy,
I just wanted to say thanks. We live in Mytholmroyd, west yorks and have just spent a day in Heysham on your recommendation. It was Fabulous! Thank you. I have included a link to my facebook page in case you can see it.
All the very best Tess
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=206904626087716&set=a.206904622754383.42177.100003045399442&type=1&theater

[Ana Paula]

I'm using Google translator to write this post, expect him to do this correctly...
I love your work, I'm your fan.
I have a blog too and I'll be happy with your visit.
My last job was crocheting a bird I have seen here in its work, to put a link in my message to your own blog.

[Karol]

Absolutely love your blog! You seem to like everything I do. I've been reading it for a couple of weeks now and went back to your older posts. FUN!!! You are the first and only blog I've ever subscribed to. Looking forward to reading more.

[alison willcocks]

You always choose the most beautiful colours! Have a lovely holiday!

I was very pleased to receive the Versatile Blogger Award recently and now it gives me great pleasure to nominate you for this award!

To find out more about the Versatile Blogger Award have a look at the post of the same name over on my blog.

[ktmade]

Have a wonderful time, Lucy! When you get back, I would love to do a little email interview with you for a series on my blog I'm doing on people living creative lives. I can't seem to find a way to contact you on here, so if you would email me at [email protected], that would be wonderful! I would so love to feature you!

[Susan Lee]

Have a wonderful holiday. I am looking for a crotchet pattern for an egg cozie. I knitted rabbit cozies this year for charity but would love to do crotchet ones for next year. Could you hedlp please?

[Whitestep]

Oooh, these really are yummy colours, I may have to go and have a splurge on my mum for her birthday. She is a total wool nut - she has a literally a whole room stacked floor to ceiling around ever wall with wool!! On second thoughts, perhaps I shouldn't encourage her..

[Brenda]

Hi Lucy, hope you have had a great holiday, I had to write and let you know about a lovely blog I found called the fairy glade, you probably already know about it - but! There is a beautiful tutorial for a crochet bunny garland and I just intantly thought of you!
xxBrenda

[Jeanette at www.methedrowsybee.blogspot.com]

Hi Lucy. I LOVE reading your blog and you have inspired me to start my own. I hope you have a wonderful vacation!

p.s. I love your all of your colors.

[Lilian (Mikayla)]

When you get back... you've inspired so many in a facebook Crochet group here http://www.facebook.com/groups/2211800014/ it'd really be fun to see you say hi in person? :)

Reading your blog late night or early morning has sent quite a few members on new projects or yarn hunts ;)

[Small Things]

Hi Lucy, I just found to follow! Too bad you have it so hidden ... people do not realize how to do ... and everyone wants to follow you!

This week I made the Happy Flower! It would be an honor to be able to see it!

May your holidays were beautiful!
Lots of kisses!

[mesas de centro]

I like your way of looking at the most important details of your trip, makes me feel good.

[Jenny May Forsyth]

Hi Lucy,

I'm an editor at Simply Knitting magazine wanting to speak to you about some editorial in a crochet feature.

Please could you email me at [email protected] so we could have a private conversation?

Best,
Jenny

[Davidjames]

I liked your colour combinations... .

[Julie]

Hope you are all having a wonderful time with your family and friends.
I had another unexpected day at the seaside Easter Sunday!

Easter mantel looks splendid, cute little flowers.