I'm sorry if you aren't remotely interested in Caravan Stuff, I really am. Cos I don't seem to be able to stop going on about it right now. That little box on wheels has taken over my creative life for the time being, there is still so much I need to do! I really want to make her into the prettiest, cosiest, cutest, most colourful and lovely caravan in the whole wide world. So yeah, appologies for the caravan-heavy posts of late, I promise other normal things will creep back in soon enough.
Do you remember back last year I had a bash at crocheting a cafetiere cosy? The pattern/idea came from the wonderful book "Cute and Easy Crochet" by Nicki Trench, and it was my Summer Connievan project last August.
You may remember that it didn't quite turn out as it should've. It was very wonky. And it didn't really fit my cafetiere cos the button was in the wrong place and I made the whole thing too tall and thin. In short, I was quite disappointed with it, and although I did use it for a little while it irritated me too much and I ended up abandoning it. Chucked it in the bin. I know, such a shame, but there you go.
I must stress that it was no fault of the pattern/idea (which I loved), I just hadn't really thought hard enough about the shape of my particular cafetiere in relation to what I was actually making. My fault entirely.
But the idea never left my mind and I knew at some point I would give it another go. That point happened on Tuesday night to be precise. On a complete whim I pulled out my yarn and started to crochet up some stripes, just like that. It was absolutely wonderful to take a little diversion from the business of stitching curtains and sit hooking up easy stripes instead. Perfect escapism for a few hours. I used my lovely Rico Merino yarn on a 3.5mm hook, started at the bottom and worked my way up in double crochet stripes, working all my rows from the front. I enjoyed it so much!
This is the side view, you can see how I left a gap that would go around the handle, and constructed a tab with a buttonhole at the top. When I'd finished all the crochet, the whole thing ended up rather wonky and twisted, so I gave it a good blast with the steam iron on the wrong side and kind of pulled and eased it into shape whilst it was still warm and slightly damp.
I'm happy with how it turned out, but then I am pretty easily pleased where colourful stripes are concerned. Not bad for a a few hours work eh?
I wanted to show you a few more pictures I took in Connievan last week so you can get a feel for how she is slowly becoming "Lucy-fied". The large front window looks a little bare in this photo, but I've now hung up the big curtains and it looks terrific, it really does. Do you see those brown velvet sort of cushiony sofa arm thingies? I'm going to crochet some covers for those, just as soon as I've finished the last two curtains and made fabric bunting/pelmet covers for above the windows.
This is the back end of Connievan where the Little People sleep/play. Gosh it looks so drab without any hooky goodness or pretty stitchy businesss! I'm hoping to eventually find a way to cover these cushions without spending too much money on fabric, and another granny square blanket will be starting quite soon for this seating area too. And of course, those big back curtains will be getting the gingham/floral/ricrac treatment just as soon as I can face doing it. I'm a bit stitched out at the moment.
But oh my, all that tedious stitching was sooooooo worth it, just look how lovely the curtains are!
They make the caravan so cosy at night, and so pretty in the daytime, I just love them.
Do you like the cards I stuck up on the wall? They're postcards that I bought from Paperchase last year sometime, I fell in love with the colourful folksy images and knew immediately that they would be perfect for Connievan.
I love Connie's kitchen area, it's so compact and well designed. There's a fridge, sink/drainer, hob, oven and grill, a cutlery drawer and two storage cupboards. Oh that little cutlery drawer.....waiting patiently for it's cute vintage cutlery tray (yaaayyy, I won the ebay bid!) and it's spotty dotty new cutlery.
Opposite the kitchen is a wardrobe cupboard and a full bathroom (basin, toilet and shower), I'll take some more pictures soon to show you so you've had the whole tour then.
We had a lovely few days away, just got back this afternoon. The weather hasn't been great (in fact it's been dreadful) but we made the most of it and enjoyed the holiday and family time. I'll pop back soon with more Tales from Connievan, see you then..........
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It looks beautiful Lucy! Please don't stop caravan posts ... I have serious caravan envy, and this helps a bit! Would love one (even without wheels would do!) just propped up in my garden for me to titillate and have a cup of tea in! Have a lovely Sunday, Claire xxx
Posted by: Thriftwood | June 10, 2012 at 11:37 AM
Beautiful coffee cosy! Simply gorgeous Connievan! Your colours really cheer me up!
Posted by: Ali | June 10, 2012 at 11:18 AM
wow lucy I am loving connivan. I am now in the process of convincing the girls at parent group I go to that us all pitching in for a caravan that can sit on my drive is a good idea, no kids allowed so a mummy haven and we can all make things to 'pimp' it up, and we can all take it away for cheap holidays. I thought it would be a flop but they all seem to be up for it!
Posted by: Liz | June 10, 2012 at 11:01 AM
I love the curtains - I'm in the process of preparing some red/white gingham ones for our 1976 camper Tabitha, for when she returns from the garage after her major overhaul - the 3rd set of curtains I've made for her, so hopefully these will be "the ones"! (And I confess I stole your cutlery idea - those spotty delights were too go to pass by...)
Posted by: Ailsa | June 10, 2012 at 10:26 AM
ohhh she is looking great~really cosy and comfortable :)
i have the exact same tins in Pretty Pagan but the blue version!
Posted by: laoi gaul-williams | June 10, 2012 at 10:23 AM
Oh it really is looking fab, those curtains are lush! I did a caravan up and re-covered the seat cushions, if you want the instructions on how to do it let me know and I will email it to you? Andrea
http://andreafays.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/our-vintage-caravan.html
Posted by: Andrea | June 10, 2012 at 09:50 AM
I love your caravan posts! We almost got a caravan last year and I had all kind of pretty plans in mind but in the end decided it wouldn't work for us. So hearing news of your Connievan and it's transformation is the next best thing! All your work is certainly paying off, especially the curtains which look so, so good! Well done on what you've achieved so far and please do keep on posting on your progress :)
S x
Posted by: Sandra | June 10, 2012 at 09:49 AM
I think it's already the lovliest caravan in the world!
I recently covered some similar seating using spotty fleece fabric from Abakhan - very cheery, not too expensive and a bit more forgiving in the fitting snugly area!
Posted by: sew | June 10, 2012 at 09:43 AM
I love your Connievan posts! My parents thought I was joking when I said I'd like a caravan for my 21st, they pointed out that I don't have a car, I reasoned that that wasn't the point, I just wanted to sit in it and fill it with pretty things!!
Isn't that book good? I've just started making the spring time throw (http://alittleblonde.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/spring-project.html ), but the cafetiere cosy is next on my list as I'm a real caffeine addict.
I look forward to hearing more from Connievan soon :)
Posted by: aLittleBlonde | June 10, 2012 at 09:23 AM
It is looking wonderful! For cheap fabric with nice patterns I go to primark or somewhere like that and buy quilt covers - lots of lovely fabric and not much money (quite often I have managed to get a king size set for £4 and they do some wonderful patterns!) Good luck with the rest of connievan - I can't wait to see more!
Posted by: faye | June 10, 2012 at 09:16 AM
O Lucy I love your tales of your Connievan, she's growing more beautiful with your loveliness of colour, crochet and stitching. I certainly wish I owned one. Thanks for showing us your special talent and beauty once again, glad you had a good few days away. xxx
Posted by: Maggie | June 10, 2012 at 09:09 AM
Love all the comments on connievan. We have an onsite van with fixed annexe that we use for weekends away etc. I really didn't know how to improve its appearance apart from a few rugs etc. I am crocheting my little fingers to the bone and my dear old Mum 95 says "thats nice dear" I need that one for my knees" or "oh I get so cold around my shoulders in bed" I ask you how many rugs can one little old lady use. She has three so far wonder what she will do with the one I am making now.
Great ideas Lucy given me a whole new perspective on what to do with "Veronica Van".
Posted by: Elly | June 10, 2012 at 08:55 AM
Im loving your connievan stories, please keep sharing! And the curtains look fab. Cheerio...
Posted by: Lori | June 10, 2012 at 08:34 AM
Hi Lucy,
I'm so pleased you had a good time away in connievan. I LOVE your caravan posts so keep 'em coming for me :-). I do have a bit of caravan envy but it's sooo lovely to see how you are changing it, and without spending a fortune too. Great stuff.
Tess
Posted by: Tess | June 10, 2012 at 08:25 AM
we spent many a year in our caravan on holiday and loved it. It was no where near as cute as yours though. You will be the prettiest van on site!
Posted by: Louise | June 10, 2012 at 08:23 AM
Hallo Lucy, I LOVE caravan things, so please keep on posting about them!
Hugs by kiotta
Posted by: kiotta | June 10, 2012 at 08:11 AM
The cafietere cover is smiley!!! I am wondering though why the handle is not in the space you made for it? Love the cards on the walls too. I have a very modern caravan and look for bright covers to keep the upholstery clean. Two shitzu's can produce some muck! I use bright fleeces as they wash and dry in jig time, don't stretch or shrink and come cheap.
Posted by: kathleen mckirkle | June 10, 2012 at 07:56 AM
I love hearing The Tales From Connievan, and watching her being transformed. I've got a little bit of caravan envy, in a good way of course! :)
Posted by: Rachel Mackin | June 10, 2012 at 06:39 AM
A cute little home away from home, all dolled up in Lucy fashion of course.
Susanne :)
Posted by: Susanne Tyree | June 10, 2012 at 06:30 AM
I love hearing about ConnievanI We have a pop-up tent style and I would love a Connievan type with all the fussing that goes into decorating it. Not much I can do with ours and NO bathroom either. XO
Posted by: Annie | June 10, 2012 at 04:45 AM
Connievan stories and photos are great. I love seeing the transformation. By the way, our new favorite breakfast is poached eggs on toast. Thanks for the lovely blog!
Posted by: Jill | June 10, 2012 at 04:44 AM
hi lucy. luv the curtains and pics of connievan. you are lucky having an oven.we have a 2 plate gas hob in our housebus and need a new fridge. also the bathroom isnt finished yet, but we make do for now.i have made a patchwork quilt, for the double bed in kaffe fassett fabrics and have hexie pieced sqabs for the table seats. we love playing gypsies. blessings trills in nz:-)
Posted by: trillian | June 10, 2012 at 04:43 AM
Yes your van is looking pretty "Cool"..l too love checks & ginham.. l am on the look out for a dinky little eeny weeny van to take ( just for me) to my shows when l camp with my little doglets. l am always facinated with the older vans..Some are furnished so trendy & pretty.. l have that book you talked about, bought it a few wks back..l too LOVE my crochet books, especially the crochet flowers books... Take care.
Best Wishes,
Hahnsmum..
Australia..
Posted by: Hahnsmum | June 10, 2012 at 03:09 AM
Such a happy place. So colorful and warm.
You have done such a lovely job.
Posted by: ellen kelley | June 10, 2012 at 02:41 AM
I am so jealous. I love your connivan--your mug cover and all your lovely crochet. Please continue to tell us about the connivan....I love it!
Posted by: Madelyn | June 10, 2012 at 02:31 AM