My Little Coat Squares

Before I start rambling, can I just say a huge big cheery THANK YOU for all your wonderful comments about my recent coat make over. It's always such a joy to share my creative adventures with you, thank you very much.

I wanted to write a little bit more about my Little Coat Squares, to share a few thoughts about finding inspiration. The image above belongs to Kirsten who writes the most wonderful blog called Cozy Things, do you know it? This lady is an incredible designer maker, working her magic with knitting, quilting and crochet. I adore her style and often feel very inspired by her makes (I have a patchwork quilt in me, I do, I do!) The above jacket was the direct inspiration behind my own Little Coat Squares, in particular the idea to run them around the cuffs.

It turns out that Kirsten was inspired by a jacket design she found on Ravelry. This is it in the above picture, the one that set Kirsten on her own jacket-making journey. It was made and designed for a Norwegian magazine by a supremely talented lady called Sidsel J. Hoivik.

Sidsel's designs (both knit and crochet) are amazing. They are colourful and vibrant, playful and beautiful.

As I really wished to write up a tutorial for making my Little Coat Squares, I thought I should ask for Sidsel's permission to do so. Which I'm happy to say she gave me with her blessing. Thank you Sidsel! You can read more about this wonderful designer (in English) here. And see more of her designs on her Facebook page here.

I've just finished writing up my pattern, it's over in the usual place in my left hand sidebar, called Little Coat Squares. 

I'm sure there's more I wanted to say about sharing and inspiring, about creating patterns and crediting designers. About originality and respect. But do you know what? The words have vanished. Sorry 'bout that. Enjoy the pattern if you give it a go, it's pretty cute.

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♥.....more snippets from the Attic.....♥

A Coat Story

Introducing Yarndale

Simply Crochet Magazine

Little Squares

Little Squares Doll Blanket :: Ta-dah!

Comments

[Joy]

lovely all of it ... thank you xx love Joy xx

[Liz in Missouri, USA]

I think the whole story of your coat is inspiring. Not only the lovely little squares, but the whole process of dying it in the first place - something I never think of. I think it's the nature of the crafting world that ideas travel around and are changed and modified and used again and again. How fun for you to be able to track down the origins.

[Kathy]

Lucy - I found Cozy Things through your blog and anxiously await each new posting! I check your blog daily and then immediately go to Cozy Things. I am amazed at how creative and accomplished you both are. As a working mom with two children my creating only happens at night in short bursts, but one can dream....Your coat is beautiful!

[Leah]

Thanks for going through all that to be able to share the patterns. You are awesome. I like that you asked permission, shows respect for others. :)

[Sarah]

I LOVE that hair band! Now where's my crochet hook.....(as if I didn't know!)

[Helen]

Your coat is beautiful, thank you for sharing where your inspiration comes from. I already read Cozy things and will have to look up Sidsel too. I think it's so important to say if something has influenced and inspired you, I don't always know where my ideas come from but if you do, it's great to see it.
http://ahandfulofhope.blogspot.co.uk/

[maypole]

Love the coat and the colours are just so cheerful, I love red, ME!

[Inge]

They are so cute!
Thank you for sharing!

[Lynne Gill]

I've just caught up with your gorgeous dye job and embellishment and I LOVE it! I did a make-over on my Molly Dancing jacket - lots of bright African fabrics round the cuffs, pocket flaps and hem,,,and up the back too! And I've added wool-felt diamonds to the cuffs and hem and borders of a soft green cardigan- it gets quite addictive I warn you! I'm impressed how well your coat took the dye - I've had some successes but also some fails where the stitching - usually polyester thread - doesn't take and it has stood out too much. Come on, next one please!!!

[linda, Pembrokeshire]

The coat is amazing - I want one !!! DO check out the Berger french crochet pattern for a crochet coat for 2-5 year olds. The body and sleeves are grey then the yoke and cuffs are little squares like yours. I bought the pattern book in france, then managed to get a translation of all terms on the internet. If I could add a picture of it I would. It turned out lovely.

[justpootling.blogspot.co.uk]

Hi Lucy
It is funny isn't it where inspiration comes from ? Sometimes it can be the most unlikely most random thing that plants a little seed.I agree with you that Sidsel's designs are stunning, the little knitted cardigan with crochet trims is just stunning.
Kate x

[Jenny Grant]

It's lovely! And Sidsel is so inspiring! Where can we buy the pattern for her coat in English!!!

[michelle]

thank you Lucy for the lovely post on your red coat, I would love to send you something, that was inspired by the coat, would you mind if you sent me your address so I could post it off to you.

[Delirious]

I think your coat really fits your personality now. And it's kind of like a dab of springtime for these coming winter months. :)

[Alessandra]

Thank you for the tutorial Lucy!!!!
I have to think where to use these lovely squares, as in JK is toooooo hot to wear a winter jacket!!!! ;oD
xxxxx Ale

[Sandra Licher]

Your coat is gorgeous. I can't believe you got such a wonderful vibrant color. I'll have to see if we have those dyes in the states here. The cuffs and pocket flaps put me right over the edge! Awesomely gorgeous now! I love refurbishing and taking old things and bringing them back to life no matter what it is. I've made rugs from old woolen clothes I've torn apart and cut into strips and the old saying "waste not, want not" did not fall on deaf ears with me. With the economy being strapped across the world for many of us, it has been a joy to see others re-purposing things into something even better than the original which is exactly what you did! Congratulations! Well done!

[Rita Miller]

Thank you for sharing with the world your easy to follow tutorials Lucy. I wonder if I shall live long enough to try all the yummy projects?! I also like Cozy Things and now I'll have to pop in @ Sidsel's!

[Louise]

Thank you so much Lucy! You always write the best tutorials.

[Sidsel J. Høivik]

Your coat is soo nice. Very smart and original way to use the little squares.
Thank you for giving me credit for the inspiration and writing very nice things about my designs. Thank you for linking to my page. I see I already have some new followers there.
Best wishes to you. I will follow your blog from now on. ;-)

[Debbie]

I was so delighted with yesterday's post, because I have been slowly making wee squares since this summer after seeing Sidsel's coat on Ravelry. I also read Cozy Things, and it feels wonderful that people are taking one design and adapting it to their particular tastes. I love your blog because of your color sense and your whimsy. Thank you for sharing your bit of the world with the rest of us.

[Angela-Southern USA]

You are ever so generous, and respectful of others work Lucy. The jacket on Raverly is very much like one my oldest daughter had awhile ago, except it had granny squares(about 3 inches square) down the front (each side) and the rest was knitted. I'm thinking a tote with those along the top edge would look lovely with you coat...

[Carole]

Thank you so much for sharing the little coat squares pattern Lucy. You're I real star.i might just have a go at some of these. Take care
Love Carole from Rossendale xxx

[Samantha Rohrich]

I love Cozy Things too! That is one of the blogs, including yours, that I jump with joy when I get an email that there has been updates! My top three all-time faves are yours, Cozy Things, and Posie Gets Cozy (http://www.rosylittlethings.typepad.com/)
Thanks for all the inspiration! :)

[CJ]

Oh that shawl, so beautiful. You have found some really talented people and some wonderful ideas. Thanks for sharing Lucy. I think I may have a go at your tiny squares for a mini blanket for my littlest boy's soft toys. This is a big step for me - I'm not at all good at crochet. But you do keep inspiring me, and I think it may be time to step out of my comfort zone. Once I've done a little blanket, maybe a shawl next..?

[Kashi Griffith]

Lovely! I am thinking a bag made with these would be nice. Your coat is really nice.