Spring Twigs

I loved decorating my mantel for Easter this year, and once all the little eggs and felt pretties were packed away again it all looked rather depressingly bare. I do usually have some sort of crochet goodness on these branches in between Easter and Christmas so this isn't a totally new idea (I've made hearts and blossom in previous years), but it was time for something fresh.....

I had an idea to make some little Spring Leaves, something quick and easy to satisfy my creative soul and add a happy dash of colour to my mantel twigs.

I like to use DK weight cotton yarn for this sort of thing - cotton yarn has a certain stiffness which lends itself to small decorative motifs. We really don't want wilting, droopy leaves now do we?! In my yarn bag I've got Stylecraft Classique Cotton DK (the new 50g balls) which worked really well for my leaf making. It's a lovely soft, matt cotton which is great to work with and non-splitty (hooooray for non-splitty yarn!) 

The leaves are worked in two quick rounds and are rather cute with a round bottom and pointy top end. Unlike other leaves that I've made in the past, these leaves are worked out of a central ring (as opposed to up and down the length of a short crochet chain), so are much easier to do. They are perfect for beginners who want to add some crochet leaves to twigs, wreaths, brooches or any other thing that needs a leafy finishing touch.

When I darned in my tail ends on the back of the leaf, I added a little loop so that I could simply slip the leaf neatly onto the end of a twig....

....it worked a treat and means that this display can easily be changed on a whim (I am often overcome by Creative Whims, so none of my twiggy decorations are permanently attached). Of course, you could glue these leaves in place if you wanted a more permanent solution.

I love the simplicity of this idea.....

.....and the way the mirror doubles up my creative efforts is a bonus too. Actually, I think I could do with making a few more leaves to really fill the twigs with colour - you know I always go for the more-is-more approach. Well it works for me.

This is such a lovely time of year, our days are lengthening and the extra hours of daylight are making me sooo happy. The house feels light and bright, laid back and relaxed. Springtime is sooooo good!

I wrote up the pattern for these leaves, just in case you feel a need to hook up a little bit of yarny Spring growth.

 {SPRING LEAVES PATTERN}

Happy Days xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

Comments

[Goga]

In fact, your real name is Rainbow!

[Kath]

So pretty.
Thank you for sharing.
X x x

[Moorecat]

Lucy, you are not alone, have you seen Lene's blog?

http://lenealve.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/normal-0-21-false-false-false-en-us-x.html

You are both doing such beautiful work.

[Lynn Butler]

I love the leaves. I have a manzanita branch tree that I believe originally started out as a jewelry display. It's my Holiday tree now. Valentine's, St. Patrick's, Easter, & Christmas are the holidays I use it for. I like Susan's comment on making them in Autum colors. I don't have any Autum/Halloween decoration for it. I think this might do very well with a few crochet pumpkins and gourds thrown in. How cute would that be!? Lynn

[jo]

delightful as always lucy x

[Jenny Johnson]

Oh wow I just love it. So colourful. xx

[Claire]

A riot of colour and exuberance! (not that I would expect anything less from you ;) )

[Caroline]

Oh I have that little caravan and flamingo decoration! Reminds me of happy sunny days in Cornwall (Fowey/Polruan to be exact!)

[Carol]

Love your leaves and your mirror really helps. Frosty down south this morning but now the sun is shining. Hooray!!

[Tammy]

After an extremely stressful day at work here in Utah, USA, your blog helps me to unwind and de-stress.. I LOVE everything you do and am a color junkie just like you.. Everything you post perks me up and brightens my day and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.. Your posts remind me of simpler days I used to have when I was first married and living in Germany at the time.. Its wonderful to see your posts and think back on those times.. Thanks for everything Lucy, especially for being YOU!

[Anita walters]

Love this idea,I'm definitely going to decorate for Easter next year

[Susan Smith]

They are so pretty and I could see them in lovey rusts, gold and tawny colours for autumn too. Thanks for the pattern. Take care.

[Joyful]

so pretty for Spring!

[Mila]

Oh yes, spring is the best time of the year. I love the Greens and all the flowers. And your crocheted leaves are really beautiful. Greetings from Cologne, Mila

[crafty mema]

love it all
xoxoxo crafty mema

[CJ]

The leaves are gorgeous Lucy, I particularly like the smooth edges and the lovely little point. They're just right for this time of year and they look brilliant on your mantel twigs. CJ xx

[Gemma Garner]

I'm always in awe of how many different ways you find to decorate your mantel :)

[Hula Loop]

I am in love with your mantel! In fact I have been for a very long time now. Thank you for sharing it with us and thank you for the pattern, will have a go later and Yippee for Spring too!!! xxx Sarah :0)

[Anne]

They are so bright and pretty and bring the joy of Spring indoors. My kitchen dresser could do with a makeover from the ceramic garlands that have been there all winter. I'd better get busy!

[Barb]

Lucy,your little leaves are so pretty and really dress up your twig tree with some color. My house does seem to look drab too after a holiday when I've taken down the decorations. I have to tell you that I ordered the yarn kit for your cozy blanket and it arrived today. I had been wondering how long it would take to ship from across the pond to Ohio in US where I live, but it took about ten days, not bad. What beautiful colors! I can see why you like Stylecraft yarn, don't know if it's available in stores here. I had picked it for the bright colors and was not disappointed. Now I have to decide if I still want to do the blanket in the cozy pattern(which is also like your new cupcake blanket pattern) or do a ripple pattern. I see the yarn count is still fifteen for both so should not make a difference. Both patterns are pretty. I just have to make sure I remember to convert the directions into US terms so I don't mess up! Thanks for designing these blankets and putting together such great colors and making the patterns available to us!

[Jill]

Sooo sweet 😀 Hurray for Spring and hurray for colours 😃
Jillxo

[josiekitten]

Your mantelpiece looks gorgeous, such a happy place to feast the eyes! Thank you for the tutorial.

[rachel]

simply love this idea. I am always hanging up and changing things around. I think I feel some spring bloossoms and leaves coming on...

[Winwick Mum]

Love those little leaves! They're such happy, cheerful colours and would be perfect for any season xx

[Viola]

This is really beautiful, I love to do these little decorations that bring so much brightness into a home. Happy hooking, Viola