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

[Jeanine]

Take me! Take me! Take me to the sea!!!

Have a blast!

Hugs,
Jeanine (in Michigan)

[Lyn Z... Isle of Long, NY]

Soak in all of that salty goodness and come back refreshed and renewed... Looking forward as I do to your next post!

[Ann]

Be safe on your trip. I absolutely love the way your put together color. Oops, I have ID'd myself as American with my spelling. I'm blessed to live a handful of miles from the ocean, and I understand your delight in returning. Looking forward to your next post.

[Nanita]

Oh wow, have a splendid holiday! Even I got holiday-excited just reading this post :-) The yarn is gorgeous, I agree with the greys working really really well with the other colours. I wonder whether you're going to visit that pretty little store again in Dorset? Please take a lot of pictures! Have loads of fun! :-) xxxx

[Helen]

You are so lucky to be going to the sea. I wish we had someone to visit by the sea or, even better, that we lived by the sea!!
Hope you have a great time & some good weather.
I'm hoping to get hubbie's mum to teach me to crochet, while we're away, so I can have a go at some of your projects.

[Ann]

Made a few of those little blossoms to add to my Easter branch and just love the way they look. Thanks so much for the directions. Have a great time by the sea.

[kirsty]

Have a marvellous holiday dear Lucy xx

[Jan honeycutt]

Wow I actually really like the 4 new ones , the pink with the grays and the brown.
You Rock!

[Carol]

Gorgeous yarn, wonderful colours.
Enjoy your hooky and happy holiday time with your family.
CArol xx

[pippa]

have a lovely holiday love to make one of those cushions as well so might give it a go and i love the rico yarn

[Deco Cat]

Gorgeous wool colours! I hope you all have a lovely and relaxing holiday by the sea.

[meredith]

Have a lovely time with your family by the sea. Hope you Mum is doing well.
MEredith

[Karen Hillier]

Have a fantastic time Lucy! Breath in a good lungful of sea air for me :)
I have a circlular cusion pad that I bought for a project but turned out to be too big - I think a bit of circular hooky could be just the thing to cover it with!! I suppose I'll have to visit the wool shop and choose some lovely new colours.....shame!!
love Karen
x x x x

[Joyce Stewart]

Can't believe you've included grey and mocha...wow....that's a change for you for sure. Have a wonderful holiday beside the sea...hope it's warmer than Northern Ireland...freezing here.....take care and safe journeying.

[Catriona]

Happy holiday in Dorset. 8 weeks time we'll be heading to Bridport with our Carrievan and I'm so longing to see that lovely sea and sky.

[tizabell]

Yes! I discovered the joy of neutrals about a year ago, working on a baby blanket for a friend. I used a light grey as the background color for a circle-motif in jewel and pale/bright tones. I couldn't believe how the grey set those beautiful colors off, the contrast was breathtaking! This will change how you consider color schemes from now on. You'll understand more about balance and contrast.

[Luann]

It looks like you took your color choices from the boat photo! Lovely.
Have a wonderful holiday.

[Kay G.]

Have a lovely time. Love the yarn that you showed us!

[Truly Myrtle]

Love the new colour palette! I'm rather partial to a bit of grey and taupe myself :)
I've been wanting to make one of these cushions - the yarn is lovely :)
Have a happy holiday!

[Alice]

I hope you have a wonderful time and get lots of peaceful hookey time. I never really like greys and browns in anything, but they go together really well with those other colours. You've opened my eyes to the possibilities of darker colours! Alice xx

[Fleur Cotton]

Have a fantastic time in Dorset, I am very jealous!

Lovin the new grey colours, your choice of colours is great and I'm looking forward to seeing your holiday tadah!!

Hope you all have a lovely week away.
Fleur xx

[Andrea]

Have a fabulous trip - look forward to sharing in your exploits of travelling around our old haunts upon your return :-)
Andrea - Perth, Western Australia