Summer Wreath Inspiration

Wreath making brings me a huge amount of creative joy, and over the years I've made five in total. The very first one I crocheted was the May Rose Wreath in 2012, and this was the start of a mild obsession with creating seasonal wreaths for my home. The May Rose wreath is smaller than my later ones - I used a 22cm full round ring and only half covered it with flowers as I fell in love with the colourful stripes and wanted them on show.

After the May Rose Wreath, I went on to make a slightly larger one for Christmas (blog post here) using a 35cm half-round polystyrene ring which became my preferred size. You can squeeze a surprising amount of yarny goodness onto a 35cm ring you know! 

The three wreaths above followed on from my Christmas extravaganza, from left to right ::

♥ Autmun ♥ Winter ♥ Spring ♥

So it won't come as any surprise if I tell you that last week I set off on a new yarny celebration of my favourite season.....

....Summer. Ahhh, I am such a summer-lover, and summer flowers are my very best favourite. Trouble is, there are absolutely loads of summer flowers that I love, and at the moment my visual ideas are all a bit jumbled and crowded. So I though it'd be a good idea to write this blog post as a way of emptying my mind a little and sharing the sort of images and flowers that are feeding my summer thoughts right now.

I had a quick sift back through my photo archives, which unsurprisingly have quite a number of flower images embedded in the Summer months. I am very very fond of summer annuals and usually have a splurge at our local nursery every May/June so that I can fill my back yard pots with instant, glorious colour. Marigolds, marguerites, pinks, African daisies, verbena, pelargoniums and lobelia.....I love the colours of these flowers very much.

When I think of Summer flowers, the first images that spring into my mind are of my own modest little back yard flowers.

The dinky little posies that I snip and gather each week to bring into the house are the very essence of Summer to me.....

....and I'm hoping I'll be able to capture something of this beautiful simplicity in yarn and crochet.

I'll definitely need to include some blousy roses.....

and without a doubt there must be sweet peas.

Marigolds, geraniums, nasturtiums and cosmos are also right up there on my list of floral Summer must-haves. So you can see, this summer wreath is probably going to be quite bold and bright - I'll have to try and keep it under control. Actually, scrap that. I don't think I'll bother with the control, I'll probably just go for the all-out exuberant over-the-top approach as per usual.

I was thinking about my Autumn and Winter wreaths, and how the little shots of red worked so well in each (the red toadstools in the Autumn wreath, and the bright red of the robin's breast in the Winter wreath). I was wondering and wondering what little non-floral red thing I could bring into my Summer wreath and suddenly it came to me - strawberries!! Of course!! Now I am soooooooooo excited about the idea of crocheting little strawberries for my wreath, I think they'll look really cute in amongst the flowers.

I'm also thinking I'd like to add in one or two critters too - maybe one of my little crochet bumble bees might buzz in, and I might possibly attempt to create a crochet butterfly or two.

This morning I went in search of some Summer wreath inspiration, it's always good to feed the Creative Mind when embarking on a new project....

Vintage inspired crochet wreath made by Jill Ruth

A soft Summer palette, very delicate and pretty.

A felted wreath

I can't tell you much about this as the website isn't in English, but I dearly love the little felt strawberries :)

Crochet wreath by Huckleberry Prairie

Pretty Summery colours....and more strawberries......

Silk flower wreath by Honey Bee Floral Design

I really love ranunculas, although they aren't flowers I ever have growing or in the house.

Felt and yarn wreath found on the Hative blog

There are lots of Summer wreath ideas on this blog, but this was my favourite.

Felt flowers by Rubyellen Bratcher

These pretty colours really sang out to me, although this is nothing like my own bright summer colour story. Too pretty not to share though.

Rainbow floral wreath by Agnes Blum

Now those are my colours! I love the bold rainbow brights, but also the teensy little accent flowers placed here and there.

Summer flowers by Botanical Brouhaha

Always good to look at the real thing for inspiration.

Rose wreath by Maison-des-Roses

I'm hoping to design a bigger version of my May Rose for my Summer wreath, with lots of layers of petals.

Felt leaf wreath by Curious Bloom

I know this isn't a summer wreath, but I came across it on Pinterest this morning and fell head over heels in love. Curious Bloom sells her creations via Etsy, oh they are sooooo lovely, do go and have a look. Beautiful colour inspiration.

And lastly, another non-summer wreath that's waaaaay too beautiful not to share, isn't it amazing???!! This is a living succulent wreath created by Jen Tao (@jennssuccs on Instagram), the subtle beauty of these colours absolutely knocked my socks off. If you've got a few minutes to spare, go and take a little look at Jen's instagram feed, and please don't blame me if you are suddenly struck by an overwhelming desire to fill your home with succulents. I am off to investigate these neat little growing things, I think my life needs succulents...........

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Comments

[Jenny]

Hi Lucy I guess you very busy with Yarndale projects and so this is not to fuss you but just wondered how your summer wreath is coming along ,so enjoy your posts they are so inspiring ! All the best love Jenny xx

[Anne76]

It's beautiful!!! Bye

[Yolanda]

Hola, Lucy! Saludos desde Madrid!
Look at my wreath... hope you like it!
http://pin.it/XNbdIcw

[Clare]

Yay for wreath making I must repin my Summer one soon.
Clare x

[Linda]

Beautiful photos and the wreaths are gorgeous!

[Lenore Rhodes]

Hi Lucy, I am so excited as I have just received the Cupcake Stripe Blanket instructions and yarn from the Wool Warehouse. The colours are beautiful, like the flowers in your post. I can't wait to get started. I live in Australia where the weather is getting cooler, I can see myself in front of the wood heater crocheting to my hearts content. Kindest regards Lenore

[Brenda Cupryna]

I don't do much crochet, more quilting and knitting , but I love looking at your blog as it is so colourful and sparks other creative ideas. Thank you for sharing.

[Roz]

Love the felt leaf wreath. Would think it would look really good crocheted as well.
The wreaths are very intricate and appealing. ..makes you think you might miss something on first looking.
Wish I had the time to make one. ..so bright and colourful. Thanks for sharing Lucy xx

[Jennifer]

Oh My! I am so inspired. I think your wreath needs strawberries, butterflies and a toadstool. I just love that felt toadstool. I can't wait to see the results.

[Yvonne]

Ooh I want to make a wreath too now! You always inspire with your projects. I must be strong though and finish what I already have on the go! Can't wait to see your progress. Bye for now von x

[Carol]

Love all these wreaths - quite beautiful and I want to make them all!!

[Catherine]

Hi Lucy!I absolutely love your wreaths! My favourite photo image was the succulent wreath! I live in South Africa, in the karoo. Succulents and Cacti surround us everywhere from our own backyards to the veld!They are hardy plants and are suited to our harsh climate. I defintely feel inspired to crochet a succulent wreath!I have some beautiful pics of my garden Cacti on my IG account,I am karoogirl_handmade if u would like to look. :) from Catherine.

[Teresa Kasner]

Hi Lucy, such an inspirational post! I loved each and every image. I also think I need a summer wreath and some succulents! Isn't it fun how we inspire each other to enrich our lives visually? ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Pamela]

Wow those are all so pretty! Thanks for sharing the inspiration.

[Anne]

Fantastic eye popping colour - it does your heart good and brings a smile to your face. Really looking forward to seeing your summer wreath. I love Lisa's idea for a beachy wreath too!

[Hazel]

Such a lovely colorful post certainly could not pick a favourite.
My cupcake selection of wool arrived the day after I ordered but I have yet to see it for I was out when the postman came so he had to take it back to the sorting office and my daughter was going to collect it today fir me. I am so excited to see the colours and making a start on the blanket.
Enjoy the holiday weekend.
Hazel c uk

[jayne mcclenaghan]

You have inspired me to design my own seasonal wreaths....when I find the time!

[Angela-Southern USA]

What wonderful eye candy this morning! Don't get me started on succulents! A big fan here! I have a metal heart chair planted with them, along with two birdbaths full as well as a concrete bunny and basket oh, almost forgot the big pot full in the house. lol May try my hand at some felt ones soon. I can't wait to see what you come up with Lucy! I know it will be fabulous! I like all flowers so I change my wreath from year to year. This was mine for last summer. https://www.flickr.com/photos/craftygal/18488045445/in/album-72157663676444991/ It even has a link for a rose pattern. Have fun and share!x

[crafty mema]

ahhhhhhhhhhhh-such nice pictures to wake up to
i have bits and pieces of flowers in my kitchen -love them

oxoxoxoxcrafty mema

[tinke]

You gave me so much inspiration, again, love your blog. The wreaths are beautiful, yours and the ones that inspire you. Loved to make them from faded dried flowers, it's time for a crocheted one!

[Claire]

Look forward to seeing your summer wreath!

[Jenny]

The wreaths are very inspiring. I am still fairly new to crochet - still trying to learn to follow a pattern(!) but I would love to try a simple wreath. I made the mistake of going on Pinterest - oh my!!! It would be easy to get carried away and have one for every room. I think this would be a better start than a mandala - which I was also inspired to try by yours but know I have to start with some simpler. Love your blog.

[Annie]

so much beautiful inspiration! I really love your new flower wreath, and the Christmas one is fabulous. I'm still a newbie, so would't know where to start - but - would love to see some guidance for a Christmas wreath perhaps as a CAL in the run up to the Festive season? What do you think? Would you do it, pretty please?!

[Edwina]

Wow, so many talented people out there.I love Curious Blooms felt wreath, I work a lot with felt so might have a go at making my own. Thank you again, for sharing such inspirational photos. Can't wait to see yours!

[Winwick Mum]

I love houseleek but had never really thought about all the colours of succulents or how lovely they would look together in a wreath. If only it would stop snowing I could go and see what we've got still growing in the garden! xx