Springtime!

Before I get carried away with springtime chat I wanted to thank you all so, so much for the really lovely, positive comments you wrote in response to my Winter Garland. Thank you, thank you!! It's been so enjoyable to read through them all, and to know that you've been uplifted by my creative endeavours has really made me happy.

A few of you have asked about the snowdrop pattern - in the end I just couldn't make it work with this garland, sadly they just didn't seem to quite fit with everything else. I was a bit disappointed about it at the time, but have an idea for using the snowdrop in another project and often times this is how the design process works. It doesn't always come together as you think it will. I do still intend to make a tutorial and share the pattern but I've got a couple of time-sensitive projects that I need to prioritise first. 

I've got some fandabbydozy daffies on my table this week - remember me telling you last week that I wished we could buy bunches of these paler varieties? Well the Universe delivered, how about that for good fortune?! 

These were in bud when I bought them from the supermarket, but I had a feeling that they looked paler than the usual bright yellow ones and I was seriously beside myself with happiness when they began to open at the weekend. Gosh, I do love them, especially the ones with bright orange centres that remind me of fried eggs. Gorgeous things.

The past few days have been particularly slow and gentle which has suited me perfectly. I've felt the need to be still and quiet of late, for no real reason other than to attempt to relax a little. I seem to be in a very heightened creative phase at the moment, with a huge surge of ideas and inspirations crowding my mind day and night. It's really exciting but also quite draining at the same time because my brain never feels like it rests properly when I'm operating in this way. It's switched into creative overdrive 24/7 and it's hard to dial it down.

The kitty has magical powers when it comes to relaxation and having her sound asleep on my lap like this has a very calming effect. The above photo was late on Saturday afternoon, a quiet lull in the day when everyone else was busy doing their own thing and I took the opportunity to rest a while. I thought that I might have a little snooze but in the end it was enough to just sit quietly - I don't know about you, but I find that taking time to just sit and be still is often reeeeeeally hard. It doesn't come naturally, especially in a family household when we are so used to multi-tasking and keeping busy, but I think the benefits of a good old fashioned afternoon rest are massive. 

On Sunday it was the Spring Equinox and here in Atticland the weather was absolutely beautiful. I remember in years gone by that we've had some truly dismal first days of spring (this one comes to mind, my first ever Blogland spring) but this year it was better than I could have hoped.

J and I went out for a walk, just a local stroll from our front door along quiet rural lanes (well if you ignore the tractors coming and going) and back along the canal.

We took a flask of fresh coffee with us and sat a while on the bench in the above photo enjoying the sunshine.

We also had a buttered mini hot cross bun, a perfect mid morning snack with our coffee. I think the swan thought he/she might like to share my snack with me, but honestly I wasn't much in the mood for sharing. Mine, mine, mine.

Gorgeous sunshine and shadows, a chilly wind blowing, but oh, that bright sun and blue sky was very, very lovely indeed.

I did some baking on Sunday afternoon for the first time in ages. I don't know what prompted me to do it but it felt good to be pottering in the kitchen making some simple iced buns for the Little People. I must remember to do it more often, especially because the LP really loved me for it, haha, gold star for Mum.

On Friday afternoon it was warm enough to sit outside for the first time in a very long while. The wind had dropped and for a short spell just after lunch we had the sun in our back yard. I took full advantage, digging out my outdoor crochet blankets and reacquainting myself with the delights of the sunlounger I  bought last year. It was utter bliss. Ah, I was so happy sat there with my feet up, coffee in hand and the sun warming my face, happy, happy me.

If you've been visiting with me here over the years, you will know that I have several crochet blankets that are kept for outdoor use - stash busting projects that I've made with picnics and holidays in mind. Last year I bought a storage box for our little back yard, somewhere to store blankets and cushions where we can get to them easily during the summer months when they are in constant use. The blankets had been left out there all winter (unintentionally I might add) and were in dire need of a wash and an air out, and so that's exactly what I did on Sunday afternoon. 

I absolutely love these blankets, they are just simple, old fashioned granny squares made from scraps of left over yarn, but they are completely full of happiness. Do you remember me making them?

On the left is the first one I crocheted in 2013, which I simply call "granny patchwork" - you can see more of it ((here)).

On the right is the second one I made in 2016 called the "colourwash granny" - more of it ((here)).

It won't surprise you to hear that I have a humungous urge to make a third one - my goodness, my fingers are itching to just get flying with it, never mind the other projects and deadlines that currently need my attention.

I came across the above image recently on Instagram just by chance, it popped up on my screen and stopped me in my tracks. How beautiful!! Totally inspired, I fell head first in love with the idea of making something similar in crochet - random, scrappy two-colour crochet squares in a glorious mix of colours. Oh, the JOY!!

This isn't by any means an original idea and there are already some really amazing crochet blankets out there constructed from two-colour granny squares. You can see some good ones in this blog post to get the idea, and there is also this gorgeous blanket made by crochet designer Helen Boreham for Stylecraft.

Sigh, I want to do it sooo badly. I wonder if I can perhaps just quietly start it without any expectation or timeline, maybe one or two squares, just to get a feel for it and scratch the itch? A springtime project that eases gently into the summer months...... well who am I trying to kid, I never do these kind of things gently or quietly, it's always full throttle and full volume. You'll certainly get to know all about it, that's for sure.

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Comments

[Crochet Lady]

Gorgeous blankets. You are a wizard with the crochet hook.

Thank you Lucy

[Cathy]

Lovely to catch up with your blog today Lucy. I'm over halfway with your beautiful coastal blanket design. I love it. Cathy x

[Kathy Kraetsch]

Oh the Joy indeed! Thank you for the Joy you've brought to my little part of the world!

[Gail Knapton]

I know how much you love your hyacinths , when they have finished flowering you can plant them outside where they will flower naturally .

[Kathleen Ford]

Should have put papercrafting!!

[Kathleen Ford]

Just to make it plain, I am definitely not a crochet person, more into appreciating and sewing. But have recently been very ill in hospital since November, very nearly died and had two major operations in less than three days. Followed by long stay in hospital in major hospital in different city. Been home for less than a week now, very weak and emotional.
But your blog has given me such a lift that's hard to put into words, has helped me emotionally such a lot, can't thank you enough, you'll never know how much it has helped me.
We are coming to Summerbridge soon, and love visiting your quaint little town. Fingers crossed that I will be up to going there.
We've been all over the world, but your area is the one we much prefer.
You never know, but one day I will bump into you.
You brighten up what has been a very long dark tunnel for me and my family.
Keep up all your much appreciated good work. I

Kate
Xx

[Nora McGrann]

Great blog again Lucy..
Gorgeous blankets.. You are a wizard with the crochet hook..

Thank you as always.. Nora 💐💐💐

[Donna Marie Anderson]

When my brain is filled with ideas I find it helps to have a notepad beside me to write them down. My fear is I won't remember them but if I have them down on paper, it relives some of the worry.

[Ruth]

Such a lovely sunny post! This weather is certainly beautiful!
I just love daffodils, the variety of shapes, colours, and combinations of the same, seem to be infinite. In the country and town, daffodils are everywhere, by the roads, in hedgerows, on central reservations, in gardens, …there never was such a springlike flower!
Your cakes look scrumptious , inspiring me to bake soon.
Enjoy the sun, but also your afternoon siestas.. a grand idea! X

[Simon]

I don't think I've ever liked Hot Cross Buns, but your cakes look delicious!🧁🧁😀 You cannot beat a home-made cake! Loving your daffs as well - perfect spring blooms!💐

[Susan]

Enjoyed this post so much & just the thought of strolling along the canal side made me long for an overdue visit to family & friends. I love your Spring garland & I must try one soon and as for the daffs, they are gorgeous & our local daffodil farms have been planted up & little green shoots are showing in many of the rows now. I've run out of mojo (sewjo & crojo) too lately and just wish the world could come back onto an even keel. Thanks so much for your lovely posts, take care & hugs.

[Rosemary Bennett]

Hi Lucy
Are you going to publish a pattern for snowdrops please? I’ve nearly finished the components for the Spring Wreath and would like to put some snowdrops and bluebells in. I have found a pattern for a snowdrop which is nice but the scale is a bit big. I’m going to try it in 3ply to see how that works.
Making this wreath has given me months of pleasure and has attracted the praise of my husband, which is not an easy thing to do! Thank you for all your lovely patterns and the blog

[Elizabeth]

Loved the flashback to 2008, and kinda miss your "view from the attic" photos. It seems like I've known you for years, but really its only been since July 2020 -- that's when I began reading your blog, from the very first post. Your photos, stories of day-to-day life, and amazing patterns generously shared made getting through lockdown much more pleasant than it could have been. Now I can't imagine not checking in every day to see if my friend Lucy has been by for a visit. I'm still finishing up projects (they're lined up at least 10 deep!) so that I can get to the Yule pack I bought a few months back. Isn't wonderful to be creative, to have things to do, and ideas to develop? I love it! Happy Spring!

[Dawn]

Scratch the itch! You’ve earned it - such positivity through winter - it’s contagious! Thank you.

[Louise]

It's often difficult for creatives to switch off so Im not surprised that your mind hums with ideas and thoughts! I really enjoy your lovely warm weather posts and photos of your summer courtyard set up as it's winter here then and your lovely sunny photos give me something to look forward to!

[Kazzy]

Hello lovely, happy Spring time to you, thank you kindly for your comment on my blog... I always love reading your posts, your daily life of simple pleasures & your amazing crochet makes... The colours especially always please my eyes on your blog too. Since blogging from my phone I find I comment then it disappears not sure what I do wrong... Spring has definitely sprung here and I just love to see the buds opening, enjoy, x k a z z y x

[Christine]

I do so love your walks, surrounded by houses as I am, virtual walks are just as good for the soul.
Thank you

[doris]

Lucy,
Thank you for blogging so much recently. It is a nice and calm haven to go to into in these disturbing times and you have no idea how much I appreciate it.
I have been following for ten years now, made several of your blankets and newer seem to get tired of you celebrating the seasons, coffee, flowers and colours. In fact, it is quite the opposite: I embraced more colours in my own life and home, enjoying it oh so much. You certainly inspired me a lot on that. Thankfully my husband does not mind me filling our tiny apartment with yarn, though he thinks five crochet blankets for two people is more than enough (obviously, I disagree, haha).
Also I wanted to thank you for speaking up and sharing your health journey in recent posts. It seems like one of the last taboos there is to women's health, so thank you for sharing. I wont be there anytime soon, but I highly appreciate information and experiences on the topic to be prepared and take action beforehand where I can.
Have a lovely day and enjoy springtime!

[EV]

These granny square blankets, they always make me smile when I spot them in your pictures :-). What I do wonder about, every time you talk about the bulbs on your mantelpiece, what do you do with them when they are finished flowering? I imagine a serieus easter flower carpet in your small garden by now :-D.

[Jools]

I do love the granny patchwork blankets. Can't wait to see your new idea for one!

[Kristine S]

Love your colour, inspiration & care in the face of your own need for rest & quiet. I'm wallowing in sadness at the moment, but still grateful for you & your uplift... a warming breeze while I feel I'm plummeting 😘👌 thank you.

[Dawn Mills]

Love the daffodils - I’ve just been working on your crochet daffodil with those exact colours with a wreath in mind!

[Linda from Boston]

The garland looks fabulous on your mantle!! Great job. Your energy is contagious. I’m working on scrappy granny stripe blankets. Made one and I love it so much I started another for my married son. Son #2 would like one, so I did the starting 2 rows. Bad thing about this??…………had to order some more yarn 🧶 from Wool Warehouse!! Coming Monday. I thought this was supposed to get RID of excess yarn!! 😀

[CJ]

What a fabulous post, your energy is zinging off of it! A bit of full throttle creativity is a very good thing. It was lovely to read an older post of yours from 2008 as well. The weather is utterly glorious at the moment isn't it. Wall to wall sunshine forecast for the entire week. I have the most fabulous bowl of hyacinths in a really scrumptious plum colour that I think you would love. They make me happy every time I see them. Hope you have a lovely sunny week. CJ xx

[Jill]

A mini hot cross bun! Surely you felt cheated LOL
Love your winter garland, its sooo pretty
Jillxo