Awwwwwwwwwwwwww, you lot, how very good you make me feel!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you so very much for all the Wreath Love, it has been wonderful reading your generous comments. Truly wonderful. It has really made me very happy to absorb your words. Thank you.
We had a storm pass through here last night with heavy rain and strong winds. This morning, I noticed that so many of the tress in my neighbourhood have been blown bare overnight, leaving almost no Autumn leaves on the branches now. How fleeting the glory has been, but it has made me even more grateful for the photos and memories I've managed to record here on my blog. My wreath has somehow captured and presereved the past month of colourful, leafy Autumn and I love it for that.
After the rain clouds blew out of town this morning, we were treated to another spell of glorious sunshine. My living room looked so bright and pretty when I walked in this morning, that I couldn't resist another little photo shoot. Also, I thought of a few more things that I forgot to talk about in the excitement of yesterday.
So, the stripes. Many of you commented on how odd it is that I bothered to make the wreath base beautifully stripy, only to then go and cover it all up with Stuff. Fair point. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, if I'm going to work up 80 odd rows of crochet, I need a sure fire way to prevent boredom setting in. Honestly, the thought of sitting down with just one colour to crochet a long length makes me want to jack it all in before I begin. So stripes it is, and then the pleasure is there right from the start.
Secondly :: the stripes don't show when you look at the wreath head on (ie in most of the photographs I've been showing you), but when it is hung on the wall I am often looking at it from an angle. As I don't decorate the sides of the half wreath, only the front, it's important that the sides still look pretty as you do see them. The above photos demonstrate this nicely.
The other thing I forgot to mention was the yarn I used for the decorations. As I've had lots of asks about this here on my blog and over on my Facebook page, I thought I should tell you a bit about it. For all my wreaths I've used various Merino yarns, which I love a lot. The colours are vibrant and varied, it feels beautifully soft and smooth, it creates an appealing, even texture when worked up and it is a little bit more forgiving than cotton yarn.
In my basket above, I've got all the shades I used in my Autumn Wreath. There's a mixture of Rico Essentials Merino DK, Drops Extra Fine Merino DK and Drops Baby Merino 4ply. There are also one or two oddments of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in there too.
The browns (all Drops merino) were a new thing for me, and they were OK in moderation. Lets just say that I coped with them for necessary acorn and hedgehog production, but I don't expect I'll be making a habit of it.
The other colours were much more "me" and filled me with delight. I did miss my favourite cool shades of aqua and blue, but these rich, hot colours are pretty knock-out.
I can highly recommend building a stash of merino yarns, if your pennies can stretch to it. They aren't dirt cheap or bargainous, but they do have super yardage and consequently seem to last for aaaaaaages. They deliver such a lot of hooky pleasure and are equally good for making snuggly projects (blankets, wraps, scarves, mitts) and small decorative projects.
I am feeling ever so slightly bereft now that my Autumn Wreath is complete, it's always a weeny bit sad when a happy, productive, satisfying project comes to a close. It's just as well I have a trillion new ideas flooding in behind it, jostling for my attention, waiting to be chosen.
Another gratuitous Wreath Shot, sorry, I just couldn't resist. Awww Hollie.....you are my dream critter!
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You really are so creative, come on Lucy I think you really need to publish a book. I would just love a coffee table book full of your stuff to keep me inspired. It wouldn't stop me coming online and checking out your blog, I'd still be doing that aswell!
Posted by: Amanda Quinn | November 21, 2013 at 07:48 AM
Stunning wreath Lucy, definitely on my to do list now!
Posted by: ukcitycrafter | November 21, 2013 at 07:31 AM
It is just adorable!Everything - your idea, your colors,your tutorial ... I love all of your work - it brings an inspiration for me. But the wreath is #1. I wish I could make some too ;)
Posted by: pavlina | November 21, 2013 at 07:28 AM
...so wonderful!!!
Posted by: pandora | November 21, 2013 at 07:04 AM
I need to learn how to crochet!!!
Wonderful, wonderful wreath and great blog site too.
Posted by: Victoria | November 21, 2013 at 07:01 AM
The wreath is fantastic. I just love your colors. Everytime I see something you made I have to smile.
I have to start collecting marino. I have some and have used it, but blends are less costly so sometimes they just have to do.
I look forward to your next project.
Posted by: Beth | November 21, 2013 at 06:31 AM
Hi Lucy, A beautiful piece of work as always!!!And if the back wasn't covered in beautiful glorious stripy colors, it just simply wouldn't be a Lucy creation!!! Have a happy week!!!
Love
AMarie
Posted by: Anna-Marie Field | November 21, 2013 at 06:13 AM
this is soooooo beautiful !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ciao AnnA from Austria :-)
Posted by: AnnA | November 21, 2013 at 05:23 AM
Just fantastic - you must be very proud, and well deserved! You are an inspiration for all of us. Well done, look forward to more
Posted by: Anne | November 21, 2013 at 05:11 AM
OMG This is sooo beautiful...You are so talented and indeed patient too ;)
Posted by: vicki | November 21, 2013 at 05:03 AM
What a beautiful creation! You must have the patience of a saint, to make such little, fiddly details, but it certainly paid off! A stunner!
Posted by: Eva | November 21, 2013 at 04:55 AM
Wow! It's incredible! I love it!
Posted by: Cheryl | November 21, 2013 at 04:51 AM
I understand why you cover the whole wreath...every project I make whether it is crochet or other craft, it looks more professional and gives the art piece so much more if all parts are attended too. Good work, girl!!! Hugs, MO
http://moisbloggingit.blogspot.ca
Posted by: Marylin | November 21, 2013 at 04:10 AM
You just make such beautiful items, Lucy, how could we possibly, remotely not love them? It's nonsense! We just can't help ourselves! Much love and hugs. <3 <3 <3
Andrea
Posted by: Andrea Barskiy | November 21, 2013 at 04:00 AM
Such lovely colours! And I love your stripes!
- J
Posted by: J | November 21, 2013 at 03:40 AM
Oh my gosh it is an amazing wreath and having followed the making of your previous wreaths which I thought were pretty amazing I think this one maybe tops them all! They just keep getting better and better!
Posted by: J | November 21, 2013 at 03:24 AM
so cute and inspiring!:) good job!!
Posted by: Nicole | November 21, 2013 at 02:34 AM
yes....everything you make is just beautiful.....love it all. Wish I had all these colors of yarn to do this. I do crochet but don't have a stash of yarn. I just love this. Have checked out all the books on wreaths and checked out Pinterest of all the wreaths......please keep sharing.......one day maybe I will have something this beautiful....
happy in quilting, gloria g. Hemingway, SC
Posted by: gloria g. | November 21, 2013 at 02:19 AM
Lucy, the blue background behind your wreath really makes the colors pop. Your wreath is so beautiful and so expertly done. What a joy to see!
Posted by: Rita | November 21, 2013 at 01:44 AM
Faboulus. Loved seeing your Ta-Da photos. I also appreciate the explination for the stripes on the base crochet. Can't wait to see what you come up with next. Maybe someday I will try and make a wreath.
Posted by: Serrianna | November 21, 2013 at 01:24 AM
SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! All your time into it was so worth it! :)
Posted by: Patti in Pa | November 21, 2013 at 01:11 AM
Thank you Lucy! :-) I was just looking through all your beautiful pictures, especially the deconstructed wreath pics and those of your wreath Ta-dah 's, and I thought that your images would make wonderful cards, stationary, artwork, or best of all a calendar so that we could all look at your beautiful crochet every day! Pretty please? :-) xx
Posted by: Jo Navin | November 21, 2013 at 12:56 AM
With so many things being bought today in big box stores,I love that you have brought so much joy to yourself and all of your readers by creating something handmade, non-plastic (excluding those little berries), and beautiful.
Posted by: Katie | November 21, 2013 at 12:32 AM
An award winner wreath! You're a winner in my book ; )
xoRobin
Posted by: Robin | November 21, 2013 at 12:18 AM
It's simply gorgeous. You've outdone yourself this time!! I'm in complete envy of your imagination, sense of color and patience and persistence to pull this all together.
You are truly an inspiration to us all!
Posted by: kiscogirl | November 21, 2013 at 12:15 AM