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

[Teri :)]

LOVE your hair!! (april 4 post) and kudos on taking the crochet with you on holiday--i did NOT take mine while i was gone!! i should have though... hope you had a great time!

[angela-southern USA]

Hey Lucy,
Thanks for the Easter blossom pattern.I made some on Easter for a Spring wreath,posted on flickr group.Have a great holiday!

[Vicky Winstanley]

I love your blog and have nominated you for a blogging award on my blog!
http://cupcake-mum.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/waffley-versatile.html

[ale balanzario]

Hi Lucy, inspired in your beautiful crochet work, I made a flower mini quilt, I posted about it, and I linked to you and your beautiful blog!
Hope it´s ok.
Ale Balanzario.

http://madebyalebalanzario.blogspot.ca/

[Mac keylogger]

Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright.

[Michelle]

Have a great holiday Lucy! And I'm so curious of your new project!

[Amanda]

Hi Lucy,

hope you had a lovely holiday, I can't wait to see what you create whilst away.

When you're back, could you contact me maybe? I have just started a craft series on iVillage.co.uk and am working on featuring craft bloggers, designers, brands etc and would love to speak to you about being featured if you're interested?

Amanda x

[Rachel]

Now that is funny Lucy - I kept my eyes open in case you decided to have an Easter visit to Staithes/Saltburn/Whitby etc! We've changed places this weekend, hope yours was as good as mine!

[Taylor]

Have fun by the sea!!! I love how the pillow is looking! What fun colors!!!

[b.pascaline]

bonjour.
j 'adore ton blog ,il est magnifique .que de couleur et tout est assorti.
bravo

[Jan honeycutt]

Sea side calls me too, Galveston,
How is your Spring.
Showed my Mum your adorable flowers.

[Debora]

happy holiday!
Rico merino dk is the yarn I always use so love to see what you are making!

[\val]

Hope you all have a lovely holiday. Looking forward to hearing all about it. Val x

[Lisa Brown]

I always love your choice of colors...the grey looks amazing:))

Wishing you a wonderful Easter and a safe trip!!

oonefineday.blogspot.com

[amanda]

I'm going to subscribe, I'm new to your blog, and I'm just about to embark on learning how to crochet...loving your passion for colour!

[Issy Gardiner]

Lush colours Lucy!!!
have a fabby time away:)))
Best wishes
Issyx

www.hookytime.blogspot.com

[j munro]

I work with grey quite a bit as I find it makes brighter colours stand out in contrast.

[Wendy]

Have a lovely holiday hope the weather is nice and you get lots of time to crochet. The wool looks delicious and amazing colours very tempted to get some it looks that good x x x Happy Easter to you all

[Jacqui]

That is beautiful yarn. I love the colours you use. I wish I had that talent!

[Cheryl Moore]

Have a nice trip, Lucy. I love your blog! :) I've discovered some wonderful magazines from the UK recently (I live in the US). Wow! I just love them! "Mollie Makes" is one. I drove clear to the other side of town to buy it at a JoAnn's Fabric store. I got issue 11 with the mice on the cover. While I was there I found 3 more magazines from the UK. I think I'm in love! I found "Love of Crochet" Spring 2012 and "Inside Crochet 13" I bought April issue 28 and March issue 27, and guess what? I found your First Place Blog Award on page 40 in the March issue 27 of Inside Crochet 13! Congradulations, Lucy! Happy Easter, too! :)

[del]

As always, your color choices are amazing; who knew that grey would work so well, but it does. Have a wonderful trip!

[Emma]

Those colours do look really great, I think the browns and greys set off the brightness of the others beautifully. Can't wait to see the finished item :)

Hope you have a nice time beside the seaside xx

[RainStorm]

Even your wool bag is crocheted! I love it! (Beautiful colours too - loving the grey!)

Happy holidaying!

[Jackie]

Hope that you have a very lovely time down by the sea ~ have a very Happy Easter and enjoy your chocolate eggs! Looking forward to seeing your finished hooky project too :O)xx

[angela-southern USA]

Glad you'll get your "sea fix" :)I know you'll have a grand time,hooky by the seashore!I added your Easter blossoms to my girls Easter bunnies,posted on Flickr.Thanks Lucy xx