Awww, do you remember this little sweetie? This is the Bower Bird, a wonderful project that I created to teach during a crochet week in Provence in October 2012. I can hardly believe that fifteen months have passed since then as this project still seems so fresh and vibrant in my mind.
I think it would be true to say that this little Bower Bird is probably my all time favourite design. I confess I am a little bit proud of it, especially as this pattern did not in any way fly off my hook. It was hard and laborious and I made a shed load of mistakes as I worked my way towards something that I was completely happy with. I corrected and tweaked and re-worked the basic pattern shapes more times than I care to remember. I think part of the problem was that I could see this little bird so clearly in my minds eye and I wanted to create the exact thing I was visualising. The rounded tummy, the jutty little tail, the shaped wings, the stubby little beak. I wanted it to look perfect, but I also wanted to create a pleasing pattern to work, something that would be simple enough to teach, but complex enough to provide a bit of a challenge.
When I came home from Provence, I really enjoyed sharing the project here in the Attic. Such a terrific response, everyone seemed to love it and I was asked so many times for the pattern and a tutorial. There were declarations of love and quite a lot of begging!
So I did what I have always done in the past and set about working up a tutorial. Tutorials are extremely time consuming to make. They are hard work, really they are. I LOVE making them, but no denying it, they are extremely labour intensive, especially for something quite complex like the Bower Bird. It took me almost a whole day to photograph the tutorial, but when I uploaded the photographs the following day, my heart sank. This was in the depths of a dismal November, and the lighting was truly awful. My photos looked dark and many were out of focus due to the lack of light. I was gutted. All that work, all those hours and hours of labour and for nothing. I really didn't have it in me at the time to start all over again with it, my heart just wasn't in it.
And so the pattern stayed with me, the one and only thing that I have made without giving it away freely here on my blog. It was not a deliberate decision to withhold it, more the lack of time and heart to labour over it any more than I already had done.
During the past year, I have often pondered what to do with this pattern of mine. Many of you have continued to write and ask for it. Some of you even accused me of deliberately breaking my promise and not sharing it when I said I would. I know that so many of you were disappointed when the pattern didn't happen, and I did feel really bad about that.
I even began to listen to people who were telling me to sell it. Don't give it away for free, they said, why should you? Sell it! Produce a down-loadable PDF and make some money from it! And yet......I just couldn't bring myself to go that route, it just isn't right for me, and isn't what Attic24 is about.
So this is what I've decided. When we edge a little bit closer to Springtime and we begin to get some half-decent daylight hours, I am going to re-make the tutorial. There were 84 pictures in the original set, I tell you, it is a LOT of work, but I will do it for you. And I will put it here on my blog for free, for you all to enjoy, just as I always have done. You might choose to buy me a coffee in return, and that would be very much appreciated.
In the meantime, I'd like to let you know that I have a couple of workshop dates soon where I will be teaching the Bower Bird as a project. Our studio blog isn't quite finished yet, I had hoped to have it ready to launch today, but have had way too many distractions for that to happen. I hadn't really wanted to use Attic24 to publicise my workshops, but time is running out, so please forgive me!
In brief, my first two workshops dates are Saturday 8th February and Saturday 8th March, and take place in the studio (Skipton, North Yorkshire). The day runs from 10-4 and costs £45. This includes morning tea/coffee and pastries, a light lunch and afternoon tea/coffee/nibbles. All materials are included too. Class sizes will be kept small (a maximum of 8) and you will need to be able to crochet! Four places have already been taken, so if you are interested in coming along and enjoying a day of social creativity, please just leave me a message in the comments and I'll drop you a line with more info. BOTH DATES FULLY BOOKED ♥ thank you! ♥
Thank you so much as always for your friendship here, I appreciate it more than I am able to say.
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Thank you so much for the pattern of the Bower Bird. I just turned it into a PDF and it is 56 pages long!! I love all of your work and your photos from around your area.
Posted by: Sherrill | July 16, 2014 at 03:50 AM
Hi Lucy, love your bower bird and would love to make one,would you consider puttin it up as a PDF that we could buy? You are incredibly generous with your tutorials and I think it is high time you made some cash from all your hard work. Carol. Cape Town.
Posted by: Carol | July 13, 2014 at 11:37 AM
Hi Lucy, Please can I buy the PDF for the Bower Bird. It's very Beautiful and its so hard waiting
We can say coffee and a jam bun.
Hope to hear from you. Cheers Joanne
Posted by: Joanne PJ | June 23, 2014 at 05:49 PM
Hi Lucy, just wanted to ask if the pattern is still in the plans for springtime release? pretty please? we are all so eager for it. xoxoxox
Posted by: Marie Salamanca | May 28, 2014 at 06:08 AM
Dear Lucy....wow just saw this post =) so glad that you will be sharing the bower bird pattern soon as it is spring there and you have sun. in nz it is gross winter with lots of rain. i am so eager to make your dear little beautiful birdie =) xoxoxo from nz
Posted by: Marie Salamanca | May 08, 2014 at 10:53 AM
I can't wait! I'm making a wreath for my Mother in Law for Mother's day, and I so want two of these beauties perched on it!
Posted by: Darrah | March 08, 2014 at 05:25 PM
Oh! Lucy,
Please DO share your beautiful pattern for your birds....
and wondering if you published pattern for the wreath? - though I can probably figure that out for myself....and think I can probably do it with the styrofoam-type wreath if I can't find the other. Appears you used just single crochet for wreath...which makes sense, as it would give good, solid base upon which to stitch the birds, flowers, etc. I have determined to make one for my own front door - and then, possibly one to give to a favorite charity to sell in their shop (which benefits just the charity - all volunteer staff, etc.)
Please send pattern for birds when available....can't wait to start....will start on wreath among other WIPs tomorrow...have 3 or 4 things going...so if I get 'bored' working on one thing, can easily move to another and bingo! before I know it, I have several projects completed!
Just stocked up on yarn today when local store had a great sale....so am rarin' to go!
Thanks for sharing your beautiful work!
God bless!
Posted by: Carol Derbis | February 12, 2014 at 06:26 AM
just a thought, could you adjust the existing 84 photos in Lightroom or Photoshop so they would be usable?
Posted by: joan v hall | February 10, 2014 at 03:53 AM
oh dear, your birds are as cute as a button. i totally fell in love with them.
I#M really in love with them AND with your whole blog. i love your colours and the way you show your works. Everything is so inspiring.
Greetings
Jasmin
http://meingehaekeltesherz.wordpress.com/
Posted by: Jasmin | February 09, 2014 at 03:05 PM
Hi, I just wanted to add that I too am waiting with baited breath for the birdie pattern and tute, or rather my 4 year old daughter is. And I wanted to say thank you. Your ripple blanket was the first crochet project I made! I needed something to sit with beside my darling baby's hospital bed while he was very ill and over the MONTHS as he grew stronger that blanket grew bigger, not only is it my first project but it was bathed in many tears both happy and sad and helped keep my sanity. Your projects are uplifting and joyous. I am have dabbled in flower wreath for my daughter but I know she will just love the birdie so I simply can't wait. I would love to buy you a coffee from my little corner of Australia - heck I would love to buy you a 3 course dinner. Thanks so much
Posted by: manon | February 09, 2014 at 11:56 AM
I wish I could come to one of your workshops or be able to wander into your studio but I live in the United States. Maybe someday I will realize the dream of visiting! In the meantime I will continue to follow your blog and enjoy your beautiful work, photos, and tutorials! Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity in sharing your gifts and talents of beauty with all of us!
Posted by: Karen | February 06, 2014 at 09:14 PM
Maybe I shouldn't say this, but, way back when the Bower Bird first appeared on your blog I fell in love with him. The pictures you posted were so detailed I was able to count stitches and guess at the rest. Since then I have made many of them in different colors and sizes. I use hard plastic bracelets for little girls that I crochet over for the hoops when I make the tiny ones. I have given away so many and they are loved by everyone who gets one. I did order the larger rings from eBay that you recommended. I can't wait for the tutorial to see how close or off I am with my pattern. Even though mine isn't written. I just started with crochet when I found your blog and got an attack of the wanties. I even made that hat with a big flower which I love.
Lucy you are AMAZING! Thank you for being who you are.
Posted by: Thresa | February 06, 2014 at 07:10 AM
Looks like you have the perfect little spot by the window to do your thing :-)
Posted by: Hans | February 05, 2014 at 07:49 PM
Many of us experienced crocheters would probably be quite happy with a brief written pattern without photos. Just sayin'...! xxx
Posted by: Gillian McM | February 05, 2014 at 01:48 AM
I do love looking at the colours in your crocheted art - what a pick-me-up on a wintery day! I am very excited about your bower bird tutorial - I fell in love with them the first time I saw them. Sorry to hear the picture-taking has been so frustrating.
Posted by: Nancy MacNiece | February 04, 2014 at 01:00 AM
Hi Lucy, love your blog and attitude. With such a popular site you are bound to attract a fair share of nutters and even perhaps some envious rivals. My personal conspiracy theory? Tracey just might even be Sarah London!
Posted by: susy | February 03, 2014 at 12:08 PM
That is super cute! I've been crocheting some new garments for the spring. And a ton of baby blankets for crazy amount of women I know having babies soon. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: from the 5.1.8 | February 02, 2014 at 02:38 PM
This is lovely. I love the colours and the ring it sits on. This would be beautiful hanging over a cot or change table.
Posted by: Krystal | January 31, 2014 at 12:30 PM
You are just the sweetest thing! Thanks for all the joy and light and lovely little birdies you bring into the world. xox
Posted by: Jess. | January 30, 2014 at 10:49 PM
There will always be those who are in various ways takers in this world, and then there are the givers such as yourself. I have sat and heard such mean comments from people who for some reason just cannot see generosity but only what they are NOT receiving at any given time.
Sigh......and double sigh.....I wish I could reassure you that you cannot change these people and you will always come across them because they look for givers such as yourself. Be assured that you are precious and stay close to those in your life that can top up your happiness and be true and loyal. Those grasping types will move on and take take take from someone else.
And so endeth the lesson. :-) be true to you and the rest can fall away.
Posted by: Susan | January 30, 2014 at 08:59 PM
Hi Lucy, I love your little bird and look forward to having a go at making him myself. Hope to be able to do one of your workshops in the future - they booked up very quickly. I love reading your blog. Take care.
Posted by: Gloria | January 30, 2014 at 06:30 PM
Hi Lucy,
I have never commented before but I love your blog very much!
Listen, I completely understand what you are saying. I think people forget that alot goes into the decision to either give away your patterns or to sell them.
Let me tell you, I have had that same quandry for years. I don't blog because it isn't really my 'thing' but I do knit and crochet like a fiend. I have been asked soooo many times to sell either the patterns for what I have made or the the items themselves.
I have always declined.
What many people don't realize is that you can't just sell your patterns in the same format that you give them away. If you shift to a paid pattern you should hire tech editors, test knitters/crocheters. You also have to adhere to universal conventions for publishing. That means doing more technical research on your part. Then you need to create a system where the pattern is fully publishable (if that is a word) in PDF format and ensure either an instant download upon payment or forwarding the pattern through email upon payment. Then you absolutely have to track any errors in payments, etc.
This costs a heck of alot more in time and money than self publishing on a blog.
So, what I am saying here is I TOTALLY GET why you don't want to charge for your patterns and I also TOTALLY GET why you have a donate button. There isn't a contradiction at all in my mind over those two things.
My reasoning for not charging for my patterns is based on what I just wrote above. I don't want to put all that money into the 'tech' side to publish. I also really don't have the financial motivation to do so either and to be fair, I think that has alot to do with it too. My husband works at a great job and we are quite comfotable so I don't have the economic incentive that some may have to turn pattern sales into additional income. That is a clearly personal reason, but it is a valid one.
I do love to create, though, so I took a more non-traditional route. Instead I took a job at my local yarn store and now I teach budding knitters and crocheters and knit designs for the shop. I couldn't be happier!
With your studio and column in the magazine, that is likely your way of boosting your creative juices and if that is what makes you sing, then perfect!
Remember when I said that I don't have a blog? It is for situations exactly like this one that you are experiencing. It drives me batty what people expect for free on the Web. I much prefer to share my talent in real life with people that I meet and can actually converse face to face.
You rock Lucy! Never stop being true to who you really are. Take the good and f#$k the losers out there that have nothing better to do with their lives but complain! Hugs :)
Posted by: Theresa | January 30, 2014 at 05:58 PM
Hello Lucy,
please could you email me about future workshops as I missed out on these?!! :( thanks so much! - your tutorials taught me to crochet XXX
debbie
Posted by: debbie | January 30, 2014 at 04:59 PM
Dear Lucy, I admire both your work and your way to present it !!! I live in Athens, Greece, and I love quilting. I would like to send you a photo of a knitted blanket my grandma has given to me, because I have not seen a similar one in your projects. If you want, please reply... Constantia
Posted by: Constantia | January 30, 2014 at 04:57 PM
Woo-hoo and yea! I'll keep my eyes peeled for this little lovely. And, Lucy, thank you, THANK YOU for going with your heart. I KNOW you COULD make a tidy little chunk on this pattern alone, but hooray for listening to your heart. I appreciate your generosity. God bless you.
Posted by: M. | January 30, 2014 at 03:05 PM