Easter Wreath :: Ta dah!!!

Ok, first up a confession. I admit that I am glad this project is finished. I am happy it is over. There, phewww, thank goodness that's out in the open and off my chest. Breathe out, it's all ok.

Occasionally, I create a project in my mind that is way more attractive in the thinking stages than it actually is in the making stages. This was just such a project. A few reasons for this perhaps....firstly it was remarkably similar to the wreath I made before Christmas, so a lot of the excitement that comes with designing and creating something new was a little bit second hand this time around. Secondly, I began making this wreath at a time when there suddenly seemed to be a gazillion other more interesting things that I really wanted to start (mostly studio related ie cushion covers, shelf edging, bunting etc). And I am not one who is comfy with a load of half finished projects, I really like to finish up my projects. I think that's because I am quite addicted to Ta-dah-ing.

And then there is also the fact that this was a seasonal project and had a deadline which I felt obliged to work towards. No good finishing up an Easter wreath sometime towards the end of Spring is there? And deadlines don't really suit me very well to be honest.

But I persevered. I pushed on with it, put the hours in. Wreath making takes up a huge number of hours as there are so many components. Producing a length of stripes is only the very beginning.

I am a stickler for Detail and Good Finishing and take a lot of care with these things. For example, it would have been very much quicker to use just one colour yarn for the stitching up of my stripes (especially as the join is on the back and is not seen), but oh no. Can't do that. Need to thread, darn and finish off forty three yarn ends so that each stripe is stitched up in it's own colour.

I was so happy when the stitching up was finished (at the café one Friday morning), but of course there was still much to be done. There were pom poms and flowers and leaves still to make, dozens and dozens of them.

I made the pom poms in the pub one Monday night, so they were accompanied by a haze of companionable chat and laughter. They were fun to do (I really haven't tired of pom poms yet), in fact I ended up making way too many as I couldn't seem to stop (am liking this idea for the left overs).

If you've been following along with me during the past month or so then you will have an idea of the way the wreath flowers came together (here, here and here). But it's always useful to have all the details in one place, as follows ::

Japanese Quince Flowers (pattern here)

Forsythia flowers (adapted from the pattern here)

Daffodils (pattern here)

Teeny tiny flowers (far right, pattern here).

And the polyanthus flowers (far left) were a bit of an experiment so I don't have a pattern for those.

I also bought a few bits from eBay to add a little Eastery flavour :: coloured feathers and little painted wooden eggs.

When I came to pin everything in place, I was surprised by how many flowers I had actually made over the weeks. There were only a few small gaps that needed filling so I made more leaves and a few more teeny flowers and quince flowers.

I began stitching it all in place a couple days ago and my my, it was a laborious task. It kind of made me fidget in my seat and look for distractions every few minutes. I was torn between desperately wanting to finish it and desperately wanting to jack it all in. I was unbelievably relieved when it was all done, and I did have a few issues with the feathers which I only just solved this morning.

I made a small yellow bower bird to nest in the bottom of the wreath. Ah yes, I know what you're going to say now......"when can we have the pattern for that sweet bird?"

I know you've been waiting ages, and I am not deliberately witholding it from you I promise you. I've made the photographic part of the tutorial (although it was mid winter at the time and the lighting wasn't great), but I now need to carve out time to upload it all and write it up. I will make it my mission to do it very soon, while it is still Spring. Promise.

The feathers.....not easy things to stitch are they? After much deliberating I took a very fine sewing needle and some cotton and managed to stitch through the vein of each feather to anchor them securely in place. It was fiddly and a bit tense, but I felt it was entirely necessary for an Easter wreath to have feathers so I stuck with it. I ate rather a large number of chocolate mini eggs while doing it to cope with the tension.

Good Friday, and the deadline was met, yipppeeeeeeeeeeee! I did rather a lot of dancing around with my finished wreath, trying to decide where to hang it.

I changed my mind several times, but eventually decided to hang it above the sofa so that it can talk to my blankets and cushions. I wonder why I didn't think to hang my Christmas Wreath there? I had a thought that if I can face making a Summer wreath and an Autumn wreath, then this place on the wall above my sofa can officially become the All Year Round Seasonal Wreath spot.

Would you like to see it in situ?

It looks pretty cute.

Here, take a peek...........................

There!!!

That's my newly designated Seasonal Wreath place.

Want a closer look?

Oh, ok..........................

Pretty! The feathers were definitely worth the gritted teeth and chocolate overdose.

Want a proper good look?

A close up?

Thought you might.................

Ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As usual, there isn't a lot of restraint with this creation. It is full and frivolous and maybe a little bit over the top.

But.....it delights me. It provides a dash of handmade craftiness, and a flash of glorious colour. Both things to be embraced in my world.

Ta-dah!!! (yes, I can have two ta-dah's if I choose).

I thought it would be interesting to have a look back at my Christmas Wreath for comparison.

There are many similarities, and the shifts in colour are only very slight. More red and deep green in the Christmas wreath, more yellow and orange in the Easter wreath.

Despite myself, I am already thinking ahead to the summer possibilities. I am thinking of the red, pinks and purples of roses and sweet peas, with a shot of marigold orange and some pretty yellow and white daisies. Butterflies and sea shells.

Isn't creativity and imagination wonderful?

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Comments

[Brenda Brown]

I love your blanket pattern it's gorgeous 😻😻😻. Where can I get a printed copy of the pattern?

[Katharine]

I only took up crochet last year and I thought this would be too big a challenge but actually the photo tutorials were really easy to follow. It took me quite a while and I did a simplified version with fewer flowers but I am super proud of myself. Thank you so much!

[maria luisa luque vazquez de parga]

Dear:
have a wonderful day.
I wanted to know if there is a kit for Easter Wreath :: Ta dah!!!

[Kim]

I love following your crochet blog! You are so inspiring!!!

[Josephine Thornton]

I love the wreath and would like to make a necklace with crochet flowers. Probably with natural colours. Must get over socks. Well on with third pair which will almost match!
We have Yorkshire cousins in Knaresborough and round about.

[Marie Martin]

Hi, just started your Easter wreath but cannot find instructions what to do with both sides ones they meet when sewing the sides together around the wreath, thanks

[Yvonne Dudfield]

That is so lively. I would like to make one.

[tinke]

Ah, a real "happy maker, thanks for showing.

[Meryl]

You are an inspiration xxxxx

[Jodie]

Your wreaths are so beautiful!! I found myself smiling all the time I was reading your blog!! I really love the brightness....cheerfulness of your room. That's something I am trying to do...so people and family can come in and feel good...
Nice to meet you !! My name is Jodie and I am from Ontario...Canada. Take care..... 👋 🌼

[Sue Jones]

Absolutely stunning! Love reading your blog about all the stages in the creative process. Also - I love your flower pin cushion and the gorgeous patterned rick-rack (is that how you spell it?!) braid I spotted in one of the photos.
Happy Easter - enjoy the beautiful fruits of your labours!

[Kat Mac]

Beautiful wreaths and thanks for the look into you process. . Very pretty

[Karla]

Thank you for posting the free wreath pattern! It is fabulous:) I have included it on my blog Karla's Making It (linking to your pattern, of course)! You can view it here http://www.karlasmakingit.com/free-crochet-patterns/free-crochet-wreath-patterns/

[Pippin]

Really inspirational!

[Melanie]

You are so talented. Thank you for sharing so I can try to do as beautiful a job as you.

[Elizabeth]

Absolutely gorgeous. Love the combination of colours and all the super embellishments, including the cute little bird :)

[Helen]

Totally stunning, I wouldn't have the patience at all !!

[Irene]

Absolutely wonderful. You are an inspiration. I want to make one for each season. Do you have a pompon tutorial? I can never get them right.

[Wendy Hewings]

So bright and cheery love it

[Ursula]

How totally beautyfull and creative your wreaths are, Iam impressed :) . So impressed that I'am going to have go and make a Easter wreath.

[Sue Ames]

Love this and plan on making one for my mother's room at the nursing home. It's cheery!!!!!

[Mary Kersey]

Where do you get the wreath template from? I want to have a go for Easter?

[Kezzie]

This one is amazingly beautiful too! Wow, you are really amazing!

[Carol]

Thanks for the inspiration and flower patterns. I made a wreath with flowers, hearts, and picot edge ribbon.

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=431707.msg5163701#msg5163701

[Feruza]

This is really beautifull! Well done!