Thursday, February 18, 2016

Lots of joy out of very little thing


I made this granny square cushion some time ago (maybe 2 years ago); it was inspired by the cheerful and beautiful cushions I saw on Pinterest (you have seen this already). Every time I do/undo my bed, I hold the soft cushion and think that it would be lovely to have more items like that around the house. More cushions, throws, tablecloths, little carpets... (I'm dreaming but dreaming is good, it puts a smile on a face...)

I searched through my yarns, hooks, and pattern books to be inspired but just could not picture what to do with them. Which yarn with which pattern with which hook size? When I pick up yarn and knitting needles, I can imagine (sometimes) how the yarn will behave when knitted, but with crochet, all is less familiar and little more difficult. Then I had this light bulb moment, I think the glow was so strong and bright that it could have been seen from far, far away: 
I trying to design something with crochet is as if I was putting together choreography without a clue of the technique or dance phrases or steps, or like if I was writing without knowing my letters.
I can change this - I can learn. Being curious, learning new things is rewarding (and very important for the aging brains) and interesting and something that one should practice through life. 
What is the tool that I can use? What would be the best way to learn? Making piles of swatches, I mean a lot of swatches, with various yarns and hooks and stitch patterns, combining them in different ways.



So far, I have four finished, fifth is coming. All done with single crochet with little variations; crochet is beginning to share its secrets with me. First of all, after I blocked each one of the pieces, I realized that the feel of the swatch changes dramatically, almost more than in knitting. I have more or less thought that crochet does not drape, I was wrong, all four are truly lovely to hold and they do stretch and bounce back. I record the yarn, the hook size, the number of stitches and rows and some information about the stitch type. I am beginning to understand just how the yarn twists in crochet when it turns into stitches.
This morning when I was preparing my first coffee (latte), I took a long look at my cup and it was like it was missing something. I have used this cup for many times and only this morning it occurred to me that it was not good as it was; too white, too plain.



After some trial and error, I can now have my coffee with a bit of colorful yarn... (I don't know if there is a name for this...) I left out the middle part so that the cup would be stable on the saucer. (...cup collar?) I love dark chocolate, usually take a bite with coffee, and that gave me the idea to finish the little piece with a row of dark brown crab stitches. (Yarn Hjertgarn Diamond Cotton and Cotton nr 8 with 2,25mm hook)

It took me less than 2 hours to make, I used very little yarn - and yet, I am very happy. Next, another one with other color combination. 

Wool with you,
Lene

16 comments:

  1. sandra02:32

    I love your cup collar! I also really admire your crochet swatches. They are so perfect. My crochet is always lumpy and the edges look drunk. (We call this 'loving hands at home.') lol

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  2. Marie14:07

    So cute! What a nice idea! What a delicate presentation for morning's coffee!
    The ideal way to begin a new day. :-)

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  3. Your enthusiasm is now getting me inspired to try my hand at crochet. Thank you for sharing your creativity.

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  4. What a great idea - a coffee collar. Love it! Like others have mentioned, you are inspiring me. Years and years ago (like 40+) I made a granny square afghan (still in use at my son's apartment!!). I have not done any crochet in years but am thinking I need to take this up again. I would love to do something with the smallest hook and a very, very thin thread/yarn. Maybe this weekend I will find the time to dig out some supplies. Enjoy our weekend.

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  5. Very, very clever indeed!

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  6. welcome, welccome, welcome to the crochet side. Many happy crochet/knit days to you! Who knows what may come next; Tatting?

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  7. Beth in Maryland23:20

    I realize it's a little thing, but I am in awe.

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  8. I adore the cup collar! Is it true that cats are taught to hunt by the mother?

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  9. I love youe cup saucer! Very clever indeed.....

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  10. Anonymous21:32

    I love the crochet's reflection in the first two cup/saucer pictures. Why has no one thought of this idea sooner? Helen

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  11. Anonymous06:14

    As I read each blog post (and I am a new reader of your blog) I come away inspired and with useful knowledge that I can incorporate into my journey with fiber and needles. More than once your words have stopped me in my tracks and I have grown as a knitter. Your "do my best" phrase comes to mind when I am stumped and/or frustrated with an unfamiliar technique. This morning, for instance, I was able to politely and without apology unravel an intarsia project that was not meeting my standards. Even though I had spent hours working on it, my creative critique knew it was not what I had intended nor was it right. I feel really good with that decision in part because of you. What you share in your blog has a huge and positive impact. You are a mentor from afar! I love your work and utterly respect your thought process.

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  12. I love your little cup collar! What a fabulous way to brighten a daily ritual.

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  13. I wonder if they "bounced back" because you used wool???

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  14. That's really cute, and I love experimenting with crochet too, it's just lots of fun!

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  15. Crochet is very soothing.

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  16. Your work is impeccable! Penny

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