Rainbow Hooky Happiness

I am enjoying a truly happy week here with my family, everything feels relaxed, glorious and golden. The weather continues to behave itself beautifully and despite a few heavy rain showers, our days have been long, warm and full of sunshine. I am love love loving it. I love summer. I love it right through to the very middle of my being when the sun shines from dawn to dusk and the air feels warm and we spend so much of our waking hours outside.

The above picture was taken on Monday night at around 8.30pm, a post-dinner stroll along the shore at Arnside on the West coast. We took a short family holiday (just two nights and three days) staying at the youth hostel there, and it was nothing short of magical. It was one of those holidays where everything just went right. We came home late on Tuesday and are still pretty much in holiday mode, especially as J is also off work this week. I took a shed load of pictures during the days we were away, so will share some of them with you tomorrow. It is a stunningly picturesque place I can tell you.

The house is in complete chaos as I've not felt in any way inclined to step out of holiday mode and into housewifery mode. I've been dealing with it mainly by escaping outside into the back yard and closing the door softly behind me, hiding myself away for as long as possible from the mess and dirt. I've been relaxing in my own little outdoor world, and it has felt really rather excellently good. Above picture is one of the delicious spreads in the Sept issue of Country Homes & Interiors mag, it is a really great issue. And to the right of it is my second mug of fresh coffee, well actually, I think the mug is empty and the coffee was already on the inside when I took that picture.

This was my third cup of coffee, served up in my new Rice melamine cup. Rice DK, I adore you so much! The new season stock is filtering through into the UK shops now, and this little cup (a generous gift from the wonderful folks at Fig1) has made me ridiculously happy today.

But there was something else happening in the back yard this morning, besides magazine appreciation and coffee consumption. Something WONDERFUL was taking place. Something relaxing and creative and totally absorbing and joyful.......

......yes, I was hooking! Well, nothing surprising about that, but look, see, my fingers in the above picture are looking good don't you think? They are looking mighty fine! My finger is better!!!!!!!!! After two frustrating, horrid, sad months where I have hardly been able to crochet a thing, I am so so so so so HAPPY to finally be back in the hooky saddle again, whipping up my rows at warp speed in the way that I know, using my fingers in the way I have always done. It feels miraculous. I am SO happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For those of you who missed this snippet of sadness, I have been suffering with a Sore Pointy Finger, which I think was due to some sort of tendon strain. I also discovered on Sunday that I had a ganglion cyst (which is tendon related?) on my wrist joint and then, very weirdly, almost as soon as I actually noticed the ganglion (it was a smallish lump), the next day it had miraculously and spontaneously disappeared. Later that day I had an urge to crochet so I picked up the rows I'd been slowly, frustratingly trying to work on with my newly adopted pain-free hold and tentatively tried out my "old" hold. I was nervous, as every time I had tried this in the past few months it had been painful. Yet this time......this time no pain! This time I could do it!!! You have no idea what JOY that was, honestly, it was just the best.

And so I hooked up a joy-filled rainbow, to celebrate my return to hooky health. The two red rows were made pre-finger-mend in slow, awkward fashion, but from the orange upwards, that was me at full speed :o)

Yipppppppppppppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy happy happy rainbow hooky!!!!

Well I am going to try not to get too giddy and will rest my hands for a day or two now so I don't make it all go wonky again. But I am just so relieved to be back in action.

By the way, the rainbow is part of my Yarn Bomb Masterplan for Yarndale.

For now, I've popped it into this new, rather gorgeous, beautiful colander, and the whole ensemble has made me feel a bit weak at the knees. The colander is another new Rice product from Fig1, you can find it here, along with a delicious pink version.

Can you feel my happiness? I've been smiling all day!



H♥A♥P♥P♥Y!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Katelyn Venn]

Hi,
I have been loving your blog. My mum taught me to crochet when I was a kid and I have recently started experimenting with it again. I tried your pattern for 'may roses' and found it so easy to read and follow, you have a great way of explaining the techniques and steps. I was wondering if you had any patterns for baby booties or other cute flowers I could try or a suggestion to where I could find a good crochet book for using light cotton yarns??
Thank you once again,
Kindest regards- Katelyn

[Jane]

Lucy Dear...you are one happy gal for sure to be back crocheting as this is a craft which is your passion and it suits you as you are one creative sole and I feel your happiness thru your post. I have picked up my hook also and thru your passion I have rediscovered my love for crocheting also.

[Vikki Vaughn]

So happy for you that all is well and you are back doing what you love. Such a fantastic picture of your beautiful face! I SO look forward to reading your blog. Thanks for sharing!

~Love from Vikki V. in Rhode Island, USA

[Lisa]

Your so pretty Miss Lucy! I always love to see what's blooming from your crochet hook!! Hugz Lisa

[MsZeb]

So glad your finger is better - the crochet community breathes a sigh of relief with you. X

[Helen]

I'm so glad that your hand is feeling better.

I learnt to crochet a long, long ago. I have looked at so many videos on you tube and it wasn't until I saw your blog that I saw someone who holds the yarn the same way that I do. Although my family is from the north of England, I learnt to crochet overseas so it is fascinating to me to see that you are in the north and crochet the same way I do.

I love to read your blog about places that are so familiar to me. One day I would love to make it home and visit Yarndale.

[Victoria]

Your blog is one of the best! I always enjoy it, love the pics, love the descriptions - so glad your finger has recovered.
all good wishes for a happy summer.

[Hooky Delights]

Oh that is so fabulous, I'm glad your finger is all better, I cannot imagine how bereft you must have felt!

And gosh, I MUST resist... but oh that Rice Colander is just so adorable!

[melody Anderson]

Oh, Hallelujah for you! I can just imagine your joy! To not have pain to do something you love is pure bliss! Take care and go slow!

[Barbara]

Thank you so much for your lovely comments about my bunting I'm thrilled you liked it! I've just learnt to crochet, helped enormously by your fantastic tutorials. X

[Anne Marie]

You couldn't have picked a better place on our lovely coast in my most favourite part of the world, other than Northumbria, Yorkshire Dales. We were over the bay at Flookburgh that same weekend at the Steam Gathering. I have stayed at Arnside Hostel a few years ago. Did you see the BORE in the river, or maybe the tides were in the wrong phase?

Glad your finger is better, just keep doing what you are doing, not too much.

You've had your hair cut???

[Jennie]

Enjoying your happiness, Lucy! Love your rainbow and your joy :)

[Taylor]

Yay!!! I'm so glad your finger has healed!!! I love that rainbow strip, I can't wait to see how it will be used in Yarndale.

I can't wait to see your pictures of Arnside. I love to see your pictures. Hope you continue your crafting fun!!

[Sandra (Cherry Heart)]

So glad your hooky finger is back to full health!! What a relief, no wonder you are thrilled to have it back.

S x

[Kari]

Yay, Lucy! So glad your hands are back in action. I know exactly what it's like to have hands that are too painful to crochet or knit and it's not fun. Can't wait to see all the wonderful things you whip up now. Also, I love that flowered top you're wearing in the picture. So lovely.

[Dorothy Griffiths]

Hi Lucy it is me again. I forgot to say that I am planning a giveaway next week and hope that people can come over and have a look at my blog, I would love you enter Lucy, have a great weekend.
Lots of love
Dorothy
:-)xxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Dorothy Griffiths]

Lucy I am so glad that you back in the swing of things - sometimes setbacks can seem like the end of the world but you obviously needed to rest your hand - it is all systems go now Lucy, well done. The weather here is glorious too and I am so looking forward to coming to see you all in September. I am working on your triangles, my lovely friend from North Wales has suggested a North Wales team with the flags colours for your bunting. Have a wonderful weekend and so glad that you are feeling so much better.
Lots of love
Dorothy
:-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Tracy Chaplain-Payne]

Glad you are better Lucy we have missed your delightfull posts!

[Alicia]

So glad to she you back in the saddle. It truly shows. :)

[Cindy G.]

I am so happy that you're back to pain-free crocheting. But, I am a bit jealous, too. I broke my wrist at the end of June and it's been in a cast since I found out (2 weeks after I actually broke it). I still have about 2 more weeks in the cast (hopefully not more!), and then, instead of relaxing with crochet, I have to get all of the organizing and cleaning and preparation for my lessons for the upcoming school year done in about a week and a half. So much for my summer of creative relaxation!

And, it also makes me happy to see that you hold your work and yarn the exact same way as I do. I always thought I was doing it "wrong" because it never matched the way it is shown in books... :)

[Barbara]

Re: Puppet Lady.....
Tradition in the north east of England was to hit the ganglion with the family bible, probably more to do with the weight of the book rather than the religious context!
Lucy.....
Glad all is well and you're back to what you do best. Wondering if you received my bunting? I sent it early - had the salt dough Yarndale lettering and sheep motifs.

[Jennifer]

so happy for you ( & US!) Lucy! Sounds like your spirit has been renewed with family trips & time enjoying our fabulous planet. Don't go overboard with the hooky time... slow & steady. :)
jenn in kansas

[Angela- Southern USA]

Puppet Lady
Reading your comment, reminded me of a friend who had a doctor do the same to her, and it worked!

Lucy,
You might keep that in mind if it comes back :)

[Donna]

YAY for you Lucy!
I am glad you can be doing again what you love with hooky joy! I have been super busy and hadn't crocheted in quite sometime and recently watched an episode finale of Call the Midwife where they attached granny squares into a blanket. Between that and remember it was YOU dear Lucy that got me started, I have begun piecing together my Hexagon blanket I started such awhile ago. I have made baby granny square blankets for friends babies, but hopefully I can complete this one and have it for my Little Miss & Me. Yes my (Baby at 41) is 9 years old now. Cannot believe how big your Little B is and all he is helping you with! Thank you for all your inspiration, color, & little beautiful vacation escapes through pictures, for ALL this time. I wouldn't miss spending part of my day with you! Hugs from Sunny FL, Donna

[Su2ie]

So glad to hear your finger is better and you're back in the hooky swing! I get a dodgy right thumb from time to time but at least I can wear a brace on it and keep on hooking. Loving the rainbow stripes :-)