Wool on Sundays – 66 (purely decorative)

26Apr
by Janine @ Rainbow Hare

Welcome to Wool on Sundays 66 and thank you very much all the kind and encouraging comments left on last week’s post :)

A long time ago (on January 12th, 2014), I wrote a blog post called ‘Solomon Grundy and USP (2014 – Notes to Self)’, which was basically about a resolution I called USP (USP = useful things, saleable items, presents) – the types of things I had decided to make going forwards. During the year and a bit since then, I think I’ve done quite well with the ‘useful things and presents’ – mostly cardigans, socks and mittens, and a few crochet home dec items. I’ve also been extraordinarily lucky on the saleable side with my two patterns. My upcycling and making saleable objects has been less successful but I know I tend to be unrealistic in my expectations about how much I can actually make, given all the other things that demand my time everyday.

This week, though, I have broken my rule and my makes are purely decorative.

I fell in love at first sight with this book, and indeed all the beautiful crochet projects by the very talented Cécile Balladino, which you can see on her blog Eclectic Gipsyland. Most of all I fell in love with the gorgeous purse on the cover. Making it was another issue. My reading of crochet charts is limited and my French language skills even more so. To get as far as this, I must have frogged a hundred times and my attempt is just too holey and baggy to cut it as a functional object.
So I set it aside and started a garland – the charts being easier to follow as the shapes finish flat. I added some rows of double crochet here and there to vary the sizes.
I never did manage the heart (the green one is from the book) to my satisfaction but I chanced upon a very good tutorial –  Grannie Heart Tutorial at Cherry Heart, which I would very much recommend even if you haven’t crocheted before, and, although the one I made was too big for my garland, I was able to adapt the size.
My garland has turned out a bit shorter that I expected but half a garland is better than none and a garland is a joyous thing and easily extended!
Seeing how a little crochet brightened up the room, I decided to salvage the failed purse and turn it into a little wall hanging.
And now I am working on more shapes for the garland.

 

Happy times!
And I almost forgot, I’ve been listening to The Shepherd’s Life By James Rebanks. An account of growing up in a farming family in the Lake District. There are five 15 minute episodes currently available, which give an interesting and probably unique insight into sheep farming in one of the most beautiful areas of the UK.
If you have any yarny posts, functional or purely decorative, I’d love you to link up with WOOL ON SUNDAYS. The rules as usual are: 1). Posts must include some content – makes or musings or photos – related to knitting, crochet, felting, spinning or yarn. 2). Projects sewn from felt or wool fabric or stitchery using wool are also welcome but please don’t link posts that are exclusively about sewing, quilting and fabrics. 3). Posts don’t have to be from the past week but please put a link to WOOL ON SUNDAYS or grab the button from my sidebar and include it in or at the bottom of any posts you link up. 4). Visit anyone else who links. Wishing you a happy week :)
 
Janine @ Rainbow Hare

[LINKY PARTY LOST IN MOVE FROM BLOGGER]

14 thoughts on “Wool on Sundays – 66 (purely decorative)”

  1. Craftycreate

    That book does look lovely, and the purse on the front, it is good you rescued and turned your first attempt into a very colourful wall hanging! The garland does brighten up a room and good too you found a very good Grannie Heart tutorial.

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  3. Kim

    Your pretty crochet would brighten the dullest room, Janine. Love your crochet bunting….AND….love that fire surround of yours! That book looks gorgeous. I fear I am that gal that judges a book by the beautiful cover…shallow I know. I am off to investigate all things crochet for beginners off at Granny Heart. Thank you for the link.

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  5. Jayne

    They are so gorgeous! I go by William Morris – that something can be beautiful or useful but should be one or the other; even better if it can be both at the same time!
    Something that lovely just brightens up your life and makes you happy – so I say, crochet away!! I'd love to see more.

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  6. Martha

    I love repurposing things and giving them a new life. Your wall hanging is beautiful. I love that garland and that you chose to add different shapes to it. Lovely!

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  10. Kim

    I am late to the party too! Crochet fascinates me-and my mounting desire for a cheerful bunting might just cause me to break down and learn!
    xoxxo

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  12. BillieBee (billiemick)

    What a great book. I just crocheted a border on some flannel. I must say I haven't crocheted for 16 years. I followed the video, but my tension must be really off or my holes to close together…..grin. I'll have to get that posted soon.

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