Funky Lamp Yarnbomb :: Ta-dah!

It seems like a long time since I did any ta-dahing around here, so needless to say I am really pretty darn excited about this particular fun and funky reveal.

Earlier on today I had to go and do a little bit of hunting through my photo archives, as I couldn't actually remember when I started this project. Turns out it was way back in May, in the pre-Bunting period of my life (and that does really seem like a previous life time). It was also pre-pointy-finger-injury, when I was able to whip my way speedily through stripe after stripe without any hooky cares.

This pretty bit of stripy crochet is all set to wrap itself around the stick of my lamp, which is about 120cm tall. I worked simple, short rows of double crochet, the colours worked completely at random. The delicious yarn is Rico Essentials Merino DK, worked on a 3.5mm hook. I left all the tail ends in place, as I knew I would use them to do the stitching up bit...that way, each stripe gets stitched up in it's own colour which makes for a very neat finish.

I worked on the circular cover for the base throughout July, and I was really struggling with my poorly finger at the time. The rows happened incredibly painfully and slowly, gosh it makes me wince just thinking about it. But eventually I got there, slowly but surely, and it was then time to begin work on the shade.

The shade was most definitely the most fun bit of the whole project, perhaps because my finger was finally pain-free again by this time. The shade is quite large (The bottom circle measures 45cm across), and although I had a rough idea of how I wanted it to look, I took a very spontaneous, wing-it kind of approach. I made a foundation chain that fit snuggly around the top of the shade, then worked a few rows of double crochet before joining it neatly into a ring. I then switched to working Granny Clusters (groups of three treble crochet stitches).

The method of increasing was a bit trial and error, but this is how I did it ::

The first rows of granny clusters have no chain spaces between. When that gets to be a tight fit, start making chain-1 spaces between clusters. And when that gets snug, make ch-2 spaces between. Finally, when those rows become a tight fit, it's time to increase. Work a row of double crochet into every stitch, including the chain spaces (that's the dinky little teal coloured row in the above picture).

You then go back to making granny clusters with no spaces, then ch-1 spaces, then ch-2 spaces before adding in another little increase row of dc...... does that make sense?

I absolutely LOVED working these rows.

I loved the vibrant colours and loved the feel of the soft merino yarn.

It was an absolute pleasure-fest.

ooooooooooooo-eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!

Row after row after row of colour-filled happiness ♥

I kind of almost didn't want it to end. Kind of. But I was also getting really excited at the thought of seeing it all come together.

The crochet sits neatly on top of the original shade with no effort whatsoever. No glue, no stitching, no nothing. Just a neat, snug fit.

The crochet shade was/is such a lovely object. It pleases me so much just to look at it.

You might remember me making these Weeny Balls a few weeks ago as a final flourish for the bottom of the lampshade. In case you missed it first time around, here is the pattern for these cute little things ::

Make a slip knot leaving a 20cm tail end (to use as stuffing). Work in a continuous round in arigurumi style, counting stitches carefully as you go.
Ch 2, work 6dc into 2nd ch from hook [6 sts]
(2dc in next st, dc in next st) 3 times [9 sts]
dc in each of next 9 sts [9 sts]
Use the end of hook to help stuff the tail end up inside the little ball.
(sk 1 st, dc in next st) 5 times, then make one final slip stitch so that the hole closes completely.
Fasten off, then use a needle to thread tail end down through the weeny ball, pull gently to neaten the round shape, then darn back up again. Snip off yarn end.

I made 36 of them altogether.

My first idea was to create some sort of fine, lacy edging from which to dangle my balls, but after many failed attempts to get it right I opted instead for simple scallops.

After the scallops were made, I worked around them in double crochet, stopping half way along each scallop to attach a weeny ball with a slip stitch, before continuing. The balls are secure as they are crocheted on as opposed to being stitched on, and the finish is beautifully neat. Oh, and I worked this final row from the Wrong Side as for some reason the balls dangled better this way.

Wanna see it then?

OK

here

it

comes........................................

Yeeeee-hawwwwwwww!!!!

So funky!!! So fun!!! And quite a bit eccentric!!!

You have to remember that this is a Yarn Bomb thing. It was always meant to be a bit wacky, a bit of a joke, Ok? We can't take it too seriously. Hold that thought...............

............cos it's going to get even more outlandish as it all comes together!

I wish I'd photographed the coming-together bit to show you, but truthfully it wasn't pretty. It involved swear words and a mild tantrum when I realised that the crocheted circular base could IN NO WAY simply be popped in place. Of course not! Even with the stick unbolted from underneath, there was still the electric flex running through. I ended up having to remove the plug to thread the flex through the crochet, then re-wiring the plug and putting the whole shebang back together again. Hence no photos. The stripy stick was easy enough to do though, it just involved lots of sewing with all those ends.

So. Here we have it.....one yarn bombed lamp

Complete with shade, sporting it's dingle-dangle balls.

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

This is the Before and After.

The Before was a tired old Ikea lamp, purchased many moons ago for very little money, and pretty past it's best. It never stood straight, not ever. It was always wonky.

The After is this rather crazy creation which will take pride of place in my Attic24 Home Corner at Yarndale next weekend. It is crying out to be exhibited and shown off in public. It's just a tad OTT for home.

It's pretty good all lit up, although it has lowered the light levels in the room somewhat.

And really, with all the other crochet items that live in this room, the lamp is just a bit much. I still love it though, it has charm and a very happy character. After Yarndale, I'll take it to live in my studio and we'll treat ourselves to something new for home.

I had to share this last photo with you :: this is where Little B sneakily gets hold of my camera and takes some snaps of his own (there were various other pictures of his feet and his toys on the coffee table too). He loves to help, loves to be in on the action. Sweet boy.

And finally....I'd like to share the inspiration behind this project which came from two amazing hooky ladies >>>>

This glorious crochet chair, made by Aussie yarn bomb queen Dell Nolan, AKA Dellicious Crochet.

And this wonderful crochet by textile artist Kate Jenkins, who famously yarn bombed an entire hotel room.

Next year, I'll do a chair. I'd love to do that.

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Comments

[Katy L]

How I would dearly love to sit with you for an afternoon to try and soak in some of your skills.
I don’t need to cover the post or make a base cover, I just need the lampshade cover.

[Marta]

Muchas gracias por compartir!!
Tu idea tan bonita me vino muy bien para resolver una lámpara muy similar que tengo!!

[Kelly]

You are so creative. I am going to make the lamp shade cover. I got a really pretty but very large ceramic lamp and cannot find the right boho shade for it. Yours is so awesome! I am a good crocheter so it will be a fun project. Thank you.

[Crafty Cath]

This is just fab. I love it!

[Marisa Cassoni]

I'm making my own lampshade now. I was inspired by you. Thanks.
Marisa

[Norah McPhee]

Hey Lucy,
I think that your new project looks very much at home in it's surroundings and brightens up a very dull although useful lamp. Ask what i would prefer, no contest definately the upbeat happy lamp. I would worry though if you started to crochet the telephone a jumper to keep warm though,
happy crocheting
Norah

[Maria eugenia]

Hola,quisiera el patron plata hacer la lampara rayada tejida al crochet.gracias

[Valérie]

the pale lamp turned into a colourful funny creature !
-)

[Mette]

Just LOVE the lamp!! You are my new guru. Just started crocheting and loves it!!! :-)

[j]

fab . make a great boble flor baby hats etc as wel

[vivienne blake]

You are the discovery of my year. There was I, just finished two quilt projects (one huge, one small), written some nonsense poetry, and wondering how to occupy myself for the winter. NOW I KNOW. Thank you.

[Jenna]

I keep forgetting to convert your stitches into North American ones...my first ball wasn't so teeny weeny!

[Lydia]

So pleased,to discover your lamp tadah moment.. Just love,it.! Will have to make one. Thanks amazing Lucy

[Sabine from Germany]

I found your site right yesterday, but I'm not able to do my work anymore, cause I am sooo in love with your yarndales, your Ta-Dahs (I laugh everytime with you), your whole site... the colors, the creativity... everything!! Thank you so much! But - what do I tell my employer?

[Kath]

I think it's amazing!!
It would also look so cool in a minimalist colour scheme setting as the one focal point
in a room, (alongside the crocheted chair! :-)

[Jane E. Hazen]

This is wonderful. But I can't figure out how to Pin it so I can share with others who will love it as much as I do -- and may have as much scrap yarn and old lampshades as I do!

[Mary Beth Coggins]

I absolutely love your blogs! Thank you for brightening my days.

[ROSA ELSA SALVINO]

ESPECTACULAR !!!!! SOS UNA GENIO !!!!!

[Tess]

♥ LOVE THIS!!!

[krista montalvo]

I love it! I told some of my favorite downtown shops about it and showed them your pictures. They got really excited too. I hope that they do it and get some cool items in their store like your lamp. It inspired me so I started making Yarn Bombed Jewelry. Antlers to be exact. I am giving away a Yarn Bombed Antler Necklace on my blog at http://www.amarmielife.com/2013/12/a-big-giveaway-for-new-marmie.html. It's easy to enter to win! Come check it out.

[bluettine]

I do love it. Bravo !

[Laraine]

I just love your joy for color and beauty. Your site brightens my day every time. Bless your heart.

[Zuleika]

I love it! Such a colourful and creative project. :-)

[amjaylou]

Hi Lucy, this lamp looked great in your knit and natter corner at Yarndale. With regards to the bauble pattern, it's sooo much easier when you're doing amirugumi to join the round with a slip stitch then chain 1, this acts as your stitch marker so you don't have to count as you're working the round. You can't work a stitch into the ch 1, so you know then that's the end of the round. Does that make sense? Give it a go, or have a look at the 'cute stuff' post on my blog. If this pattern hadn't included this ch 1 at the beginning I think I'd have given up making it!! X

[Jackie]

AWESOME!!!! I'm going to have to do this very soon!

Lucy, do you do anything to your decorations (lampshades, wreaths, wall hangings) to protect them from dust and grime? I used your marvelous instructions and made a rose wreath, and am concerned that it will collect dust, grime, and dirt. I really want to keep it displayed but don't want it to collect airborne nastiness. (No,it is not in the kitchen.) Do you use something like a fabric protectant spray on your pretty things?