Winter Wreath :: the beginning

I have to tell you that I'm getting a huge amount of satisfaction creating my Winter Wreath accompanied by this super wintry weather. The view from my attic window this morning is just perfection! We had light snow falling for much of the weekend, and although there's only a few scant icy patches remaining here in town, the surrounding hills are still dressed in wintry white. It's rather lovely being cosied up indoors working away on my little bits of pale-coloured crochet to match the landscape.

I thought it would be fun to share progress on my Winter Wreath with you as I love it when other artists and designers share their creative processes and wish it happened more often. It's like a glimpse behind-the-scenes, a little peek into the way the Creative Mind works, which is quite a fun thing to share I think.

I can already quite clearly see this wreath in my minds eye, yes, I can picture exactly how I would like it to look. Of course there is still quite a sizable element of surprise involved in this sort of creation as there are so many little pieces that all need to come together to make the whole.

I drew up a quick sketch in my notebook - this is not something I usually do, but I've decided to make this wreath very slightly different to the previous ones and wanted to test the idea out on paper first. I've decided to keep the top third of the wreath much less cluttered than the rest, creating a deep blue sky with falling snowflakes. The foliage will smother the bottom two thirds, with a robin/bird/mouse/critter of some description nestling in the centre (I'm favouring a robin at the moment)

With this idea in mind, I worked my stripy wreath cover to create land and sky. I worked random stripes of double crochet (32 stitches across), with some lovely even blue stripes which will eventually provide a backdrop to some delicate crochet snowflakes.

I enjoy the process of creating the striped base on which to add my crochet decorations, it's rather satisfying work and comes together surprisingly quickly. As with all my wreaths, I'm using a 35cm polystyrene half round ring. You can buy these rings in many different sizes, and I've often thought about making some small 15cm ones as a quick-fix solution to my wreath addiction (would be lovely for Valentines Day - I can picture hearts and roses in reds and pinks?!)

Anyhow.....back to my Winter Wreath...........

......I use tail ends left dangling after each colour change to stitch up the seam around the centre back of the wreath, it's a neat way to pull it all together.

There! Can you see the effect of the sky and the land? Can you picture little snowflakes softly falling onto pale, frosty winter foliage? Can you see it?

As with all the wreaths I've made so far, I'm using a mixture of soft merino yarns to crochet up the leaves, flowers, berries and foliage. These are all odds and ends from my stash, some left over from my Bower Bird workshops last year and some that've been sat on my studio shelves for a while - I'm resisting the temptation to buy any new yarn for this project, although I am missing some soft green shades that I'd love to include. I've a mixture here of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, Drops Superfine Merino DK and Drops Baby Merino 4ply. I'm mostly using a 3.5mm hook.

As you can see - this past week I've been concentrating on leaf production. I've been hooking up these simple leaf shapes using the May Rose leaf pattern (on my blog HERE). I am really enjoying these pale, delicate shades, very different for me colour-wise but they are whispering cold, frosty icy things to me and I'm confident that the overall effect of these colours combined with just a little bit of white, silver and sparkle will be wonderful.

I showed you a few of these fern leaves last week, I absolutely love the way they've turned out. I've written up the pattern (find it HERE), they're made using simple chains and and slip stitches. They are quite fiddly as they are small (I used a 3mm hook) but the results are worth it. I'm not sure what you would use them for if you're not on a wreath making journey - possibly an addition to a crochet flower corsage/brooch (they remind me of the ferns that often go with roses to make traditional wedding button holes!)

This is my current leaf collection - I've still got plenty more to make. This week I'm going to try making some seedheads with tiny glass beads added - I'm quite excited about that prospect!

As with my other wreaths, I really love to combine crochet and yarn with some added decorative extras. During the past few months I've been collecting together some winter-inspired bits and bobs....

....what do you think? I've loved collecting these things together (can you tell, I've been on a bit of a mission?!)

The silver and pearl twigs on the right were Christmas decorations snapped up very cheaply in the supermarket in December. The glittery pompoms, cute little snowflake buttons and diamante pins were found on Amazon. I bought some little packets of pearl beads and sequins from a local shop, but my best find were these.....

..... I found these beautiful wire and bead stems in Boyes (a general we-sell-everything type shop here in the UK). They caught my eye as I was on the way to the till as they were in this funny bit of the haberdashery section dedicated to bridal stuff - you know, little ribbon bows, fake flowers, lace etc. and were only 99p each. I think these are maybe used as bridal hair accessories? Or little floral table displays for weddings? Who knows....but I do know that they will look wonderful added to my Winter Wreath.

I did a bit of searching about on Amazon to see what else I could find, just in case you feel inspired to follow in my wintry footsteps......

Pearl Bead Spray

Berry Pick

 

Jewel Twig Spray

 

Diamante Pins

 

Snowflake Buttons (these are really pretty in real life!)

 

Glitter Pompoms

I think I've possibly gone a bit overboard with the bling (it's quite addictive collecting it all up!), I'll have to have a play and see how it comes together once I've made more of the crochet pieces. I'm not very good at the less-is-more approach, which you may have guessed already ;)

Now before I toddle off, I would like to share a couple more beautiful crochet wreaths that have inspired me recently....

The one above is really wonderful, it's made by a very talented lady called Angela. Now Angela is blogless (I keep trying to twist her arm with that, she takes the most beautiful photographs and would take to blogging like a duck to water), but you can follow her inspiring projects and photos over on Flickr.  I really love the pinecones  - I've not tried them myself yet, but there is a free pattern for them here.

And this gorgeous wreath was created by Liz who shared on my Facebook page, isn't it lovely? She told me that the colours are inspired by early morning winter skies.

You can find more inspiring winter ideas in this post.

Right then....off I toddle, back to my wintry making and daydreaming. These cold, quiet, January days are proving to be rather wonderful.

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ps the Fern Leaf Pattern (with step-by-step photos) has now been added to the list in my sidebar, find it HERE. Happy leafy hooking!x

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Gabriela]

Soy de España y me encantan todas las coronas que has hecho , muchas gracias por compartir.

[Flávia Maria Betti de Castro]

I am from Brazil. I don't speak very much english, but I loved your croche works. Thank you for share. You are an artist. Congrats

[Joan]

After reading your blog, I decided to try wreaths for Christmas. I was surprised, no 2 came out the same. Each one had its own personality. I will be working on leaves now, so I can get ready for some spring inspiration. Your wreaths are wonderful and your instructions are so easy to follow. Love it all.

[Kottage Kreations]

I love the wreath you're making. Those pastel colors are so yummy! Sell one to meeee!

[Frances Morey]

I love making daffodils, so far. Your flower patterns are so true to the real flowers. Thank you for sharing your artistry.

[Nataly Cervantes]

I love this blog!http://www.ctejidas.net/

[Lou]

Another beautiful blog. I am currently collecting for a Valentine's wreath...with hearts and roses. Great minds 😉

[Debbie]

Ooooh! Those colours are looking lovely!

[Garrett Martin]

This was so cute. I really love the leafs and fauna you crocheted. Great job.

Garrett Martin
www.alteredsense.com
@sensealtered

[Jean viserta]

You are so talented, Lucy. this wreath is going to be beautiful. I enjoy seeing all your projects coming together.

[Gehaakt met Liefde]

It is so lovely to watch en see how your creative ideas come to life. It's very inspiring, thank you for that!

Kind regards,
Lianne

[Emily]

What i think is you are amazing! I can't wait to see your creation. Thank you for your continuous inspired blog posts! All the best,Emily

[Gillian]

The wreath is progressing really well and looking very lovely.

[Ali Whale]

Those colours are beautiful. I look forward to the finished item.
A critter in our house is a guinea pig. We looked after some for a friend once and they were so fast and chattery and busy compared to our rabbit that we named them the critters (probably influenced by the film characters)!

[Jo Navin]

Hi Lucy, so lovely to share your creative process! You've definitely nailed the whole wintry feel :-) I think that your way of capturing the perfect colours and textures for each season and moment in time, is the best of your many talents. Thank you for doing the tutorial for the fern leaves, I really like ferns and they have a unique shape. I'd love to know which colours of the cashmerino and drops merino you've used, I'm so tempted to make a Winter wreath too! I think a little Robin would look fab btw :-) Take care and keep warm, love Jo xxxx.

[Carol]

Love all you pretty bits and pieces and your leaves and fern leaves are so neat! wish mine always looked like that.

[Ellie]

I love the two-part background - that'll work really well, I think. And the fern leaves are fantastic!

The little wired sprays of beads are generally used on tiaras (I used to make my own when I made tiaras) and buttonholes, but I think people use them on wedding cakes and all sorts of other bridal things.

[Liz Sawyer]

Thanks again Lucy. I love your blog and your warmth comes through everytime even when it isn't a toasty blanket you are showing us! I would love to make the winter wreath too but the Autumn one is still in the early stages I am afraid so it will have to wait a while. Liz x

[Susan Smith]

I'm sure it's going to be lovely Lucy and winter is a less is more time of the year, if you look at all the naked trees, so you're on the right track there. I found Boyes to be quite fascinating when in the UK, with all their odd bits and pieces. Have fun with the wreath and take care.

[Teresa Kasner]

I love everything that you've done so far and am especially in love with the little fern leaves. The kind of remind me of "Dusty Miller" plants. Do you have those there? Can't wait to see it all put together! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Robin Summers]

Oh Lucy I love, love,love the happenings of your winter wreath. I can't wait to see the end result!! You have done some serious collecting. I can see the result in my mind's eye and I know I will definately make one for winter. The leaves and ferns just make me shiver looking at them. Yes Luce I can just see the snowflakes falling! You bring me so much joy! I love your blog, pictures and all the creative joy you send out in to the world. Thank you so much Lucy for adding so much happiness every day to my life. Lots of hugs from across the pond.
Robin ( I still have this package waiting to be mailed to sweet Lucy at attic 24. I just need an addie to send it to. :) )

[Lizy Tish]

I'm just LOVING the colors of your leaves!! I would love to make a ripple blanket in those colors.... someday, someday I will get to a ripple blanket. :)

[Shirley Flavell]

So exciting, Lucy. Really look forward to seeing the progress and finish. Love the fern. Shirley N.Z.

[Clare]

I'm loving all the soft icy tones it's going to be beautiful, and yay for tinsel pompoms, I'm in the process of converting my wintertime wreath for a craft exhibiton to fit the theme of Fantasia, with it waltzing flowers, dancing snowflakes and mushrooms. Enjoy the snow, wish we had some here.
Clare xx

[Kate]

Loving the colours and the fern leaves are stunning, looking forward to seeing the finished piece-has made me dig out a huge vine wreath I have had for years and think about,how I want to use it, decorating it with changing prettiness to follow the seasons...thanks again for being inspiring Lucy!