Autumnal Crochet

Tis very Autumnal indeed here in the Attic right now, I just can't get enough of these gorgeous, seasonal colours. Even the browns are singing their cosy, inspirational song to me this year which has never happened before and I am still getting over the shock of it. I'm enjoying Brown Yarn, multiple shades of brown yarn even!! Who'd have thought it?!

 

My weekend was a slow, cosy stay-home affair, and much happy hooky took place which is always a Good Thing. I set myself up at the dining table, surrounded myself with scrummy merino yarn, and got stuck into crocheting Autumn. I really love using merino yarn, it is a pleasure on every level. The cosy look of those squidgy balls, the intense colours, the softness of it running through my fingers, and the way the stitches look so neat and precise when it's worked up. I always used to favour cotton yarn for making crochet decorations, but I think merino is now my favourite. The above collection of yarn all comes from my studio stash and is a mixture of brands and weights. There are leftover scraps of Rico Essentials merino DK, a few scraps of Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino, some Drops Extra fine merino DK, and Drops baby merino 4ply ( the brown shades).

I find that when I'm wreath making, there is a need to frequently hop around between ideas. If I tried to crochet a hundred leaves all in one go, I know I would go demented with boredom. Wreath making is a lengthy, labour intensive process, and the way I cope with it is by switching around and allowing myself to explore new ideas and get excited as much as possible. So although I've got a load more leaves still to make (they will form the backbone of the decoration), I just couldn't resist the lure of more cutesome things.....namely acorns.

After a quick search on t'internet I found a good many acorn patterns, and the one I settled on was this one. That's it on the far left. It was a little hit bigger than I thought it would be, so I adapted the pattern to make a similar shape only smaller.

I also found that with the smaller size I didn't need to use any stuffing as I simply used a length of yarn to stuff inside the shape instead. Just remember to leave about 40cm of yarn before making your starting slip knot (that's when you make the acorn nut, not the weeny cup bit).

Five little acorns flew off my hook, and then as you can see I was immediately  on to another idea....

.....baby toadstools!! Awwwwww! When I searched for a pattern, I couldn't find anything miniature enough, so I just set to with hook and yarn and conjured up my own.

I think my pattern still needs a bit of tweaking to make it neater, but oh, I do SO love these little itty bitty things! They only measure 3cm high and are a little bit fiddly to make, but yup, I did love making them very much.

It's been a lot of fun searching for Autumnal hooky inspiration I have to say. The new issue of Simply Crochet magazine came out last week (issue 11), can you see what caught my eye on the front cover? (and no, it wasn't the 'tache)

Oh look, a wonderful little Hedgehog family! This is most definitely on my have-a-go list, how can I resist? Even though the thought of following a lengthy written pattern (in shades of BrOwN) makes me want to go and stick my head under a pillow, I am psyching myself up to give it a go. I've even ordered some beady black safety eyes which definitely means a hedgehog (or two) is officially on my extensive Wreath Making Component list.

Back to leaves again now. See, I told you I like to hop about with my ideas. I've been browsing through a few books looking for different leaf shapes to try. I can highly recommend this book [100 Flowers to Knit and Crochet], it is a real gem and I've used it a lot in the time that I've owned it.

In the beginning section there are pages illustrating the flower patterns, and it is very beautifully set out in that the flowers all appear in rainbow colour order. Oh, I really LOVE that! Then there is a separate section (shown above) illustrating all the leaf patterns.

Despite my best efforts and the most intense levels of concentration, I still really struggle reading patterns. I try soooooooo hard, but invariably end up improvising and making it up a bit as I go along.

But I am pleased with my first results (especially the oak leaf) and will be adding many more to this leafy collection over the coming days and weeks.

I thought it would be good to make a little gathering of my favourite Autumn crochet patterns, in case you might wish to hook up a little seasonal decoration of your own. And I apologise to those of you in the Southern Hemisphere, for invading your Springtime with all things Autumn/Fall.

Top row, from left to right ::

Acorns (free pattern from Dutch blog Son's Popkes, written in English) 

Little maple leaf (free pattern from Mrs Micawber blog)

Toadstools (free pattern from Annaboo's house blog)

Bottom row, from left to right ::

Pine cones (patten to buy from Planet June)

Teeny tiny pumpkin (free pattern from Repeat Crafter Me)

Maple leaves (pattern to buy from GoldenLucyCrafts on Etsy)

I like this crocheted Fall Wreath (featuring the teeny tiny pumpkin pattern mentioned above), although of course my own creation will be nothing like this at all. I'm going for my usual More Is More approach to wreath making....

.....so far so good.

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Comments

[cheryl a. myers]

lucy,thank you for sharing these comments.can hardly wait to get a book to get me started.c.a.myers

[cheryl a. myers]

i love the post a comment, and the pictures too. sure does catch the eye.the colors are beautiful. c.a.myers

[Susie]

I love your blog! It's like taking a little vacation. Could you tell us how you make the marigolds? I do yarn bombs in Los Angeles and they would be great for adding a little zip to them.

[Sarah smith]

Lovely lovely ideas. I can feel a tah dah moment coming!! Can't wait. X

[Tina]

Lovely! What about a little squiggle-nutkin with a bushy tail? xxx

[Linda]

I just found your blog today, I enjoyed reading this post about autumn and the things you made. Thank-you for sharing the link to the free patterns, I look forward to crocheting a few myself.

[valéria gomes]

OLÁ AMIGA,EU COMPRAR ESSE LIVRO DAS FLORES.I LOVE!!BOA QUINTA.BEIJO.VALÉRIA.(BRASIL).

[Lisa Wallace]

HI There,
It does feel unusual reading blogs from the Northern Hemisphere where everyone is getting ready to hibernate and us lot down at the bottom of the Earth are slowly waking up, shaking off our layers ready for a scorching Summer.
But in saying that I absolutely love your blog and it is nice to see you making things for yourself again.
I can't wait to see how the wreath turns out.
Thanks for sharing.
Lisa

[Seaweed & Raine]

It's all so cute Lucy, that I'll have to forgive you for invading my Spring with Fall related things! ;)
I love those little hedgehogs! They are just gorgeous. I wish the one with the flower in it's spines would come and live at my house - we don't have hedgehogs in Aus.
Sheree

[Jodi]

Lucy this is beautiful and so so handy! I'm just working up my own autumnal bunting for my conservatory and the acron and leaves are giving me even more inspiration - thank you! Good luck with the wreath - can t wait to see the finished article! :) Jodi x

[Sarah west mids uk]

Dear Lucy have been a bit remiss in leaving a comment on your lovely blog.
But I have been popping in to read it. The Autumn wreath is a lovely idea.
Love the colours. Think I might need to pick up a copy of the crochet magazine. Used to see hedgehogs in the garden of my parents home when I was a child but in all the time I have lived here none.
A crochet pumpkin would be good for next week.xx

[One-oh-four]

Love all those little bits and pieces and can't wait to see your version of the hedgehog - somehow I know you'll tweak it and it'll be even better! The oak leaf is stunning!

[Jo Navin]

Lucy thank you for lifting nature's colours up to our noses and inspiring us with the perfect way to use them. So beautiful! If I wasn't already skipping down the path to Christmas wreath happiness (thank you for the fab patterns), then I'd be jumping in too! I'm so going to make an autumn wreath next year though and I can't wait to see how yours turns out. YES to mini hedgehogs, you CAN do it! Oh and did you see the oak leaf pattern in simply crochet issue 10? Jo xx

[Lynda M O]

Despite my love of the purple/aqua palette for working with, I wear a lot of autumn colors and I just revel in their different-ness from my preferred color scheme. I love fall leaves and you have enticed me to dig around for yarn in the correct shades and perhaps this will be the year of the wreath. Thanks so much for sharing, Lucy.

[Serrianna]

I can't wait to see the final wreath. Love the More is More mentality. Thank you again for sharing.

XXX

[Steph]

Oooh wow! Can't wait to see more Lucy! Autumn is scarlet and gold for me, brown is just a sort of canvas backdrop I reckon. Beautiful! Love the two tone leaves and acorns especially.

Xxx

[Jules Francis]

Hia Lucy, all looking wonderful with glorious colours as ever. Just read someone else's comment that you have come 3rd winning a prize for your blog. Not surprised! Congratulations but really think you deserve 1st prize!
You make me feel so much better when i know that you struggle reading the patterns and will give us all hope. Thanks for a lovely read as always.
Lov Jules xx

[Rachell]

Lovely!

I really enjoy your wreath posts, especially seeing it gradually come together Lucy - so much nicer than "Finished ta-dah here it is!" type of things that you come across sometimes with none of the workings that we yarny nerd peeps enjoy.xx

[Liz in Missouri, USA]

Autumn is my very favorite time of year. It's like a seasonal sunset, with all the brilliant color just before winter's night. I love that you are making these season wreaths. Even with the browns, this one is going to be filled with color and interesting bits. SUCH FUN!!!!

[Katrina]

So funny! When the first picture loaded on my computer and I saw the brown yarn, I thought I was at the wrong blog!! Where is my Lucy??(Just kiddin!)

You are doing a fabulous job with this wreath. I especially love the Oak leaf, the yellow and green varigated leaf, the acorns, and oh, sweet Lord, those toadstools!!

[Bari Jo]

Lucy - thank you for sharing so many fun sources for patterns for us! Your colors are gorgeous. Can't wait to see your wreath! They are always spectacular!

[Angela-Southern USA]

I just ran across a free pine cone pattern here.
http://planetmfiles.com/2008/12/18/free-crochet-pine-cone-pattern/
It's basically 4 double crochet in each stitch (15) with a chain three picot after each dc. Really quick! I'm thinking Christmas too! Even package toppers. Happy hooking :)

[amjaylou]

I've always loved earthy colours - your merino yarn is yum. Can't wait to see your wreath - I agree sometimes more is more! I've just finished my autumn bunting, it's got a lot on there...if I could have fitted flying geese, hedgehogs, and pine cones I would have done. Finishing my autumn wreath this week so will publish some pics on my blog. X

[Rosy Nancarrow]

I LoVe your acorns and toadstools! I showed Ian and he couldn't understand why I was so excited about them... men! Have you seen Julie of Little Cotton Rabbits hedgehog pattern? I have to say I think he is cuter than the one in the magazine, but thats my personal opinion! xx

[hannapat]

Such beautiful autumnal makes. I love all the colours and aren't those hedgies in this months Simply crochet magazine just the cutest!! xo