My new Valentine

It seems to me that these days everyone has a Valentine; girlfriends & boyfriends, parents & children, even friends sending cards to each other – well I chose mine differently and it began with a hook and some Stylecraft DK….

 

I had been looking on Instagram for some crochet inspiration and came across a wonderful pattern in a photo from Knitted Yogurt which I soon learnt was called African Flower – a quick google and fifteen minutes later my very first flower was born. I had been looking for a pattern that reminded me of my lovely 60’s jars I keep buttons and bits in for ages and this was most definitely it! I just need to stick to the right colour palette – however I had lots of left over bits of wall from the various blankets and I swiftly began to make a selection using up little bits…

First African Flower

60’s jars

on the train

First African Flower

on the train

60’s jars

Even on the train down to my sisters I could not resist the urge to crochet a few. Soon I was building up quite a stack but they were all sorts of different colours and I could not see how they were all going to fit together into a blanket without it looking a complete mess. I guess with my art and costume background colour plays a huge part in my design process and there has to be a harmony there.

When Stylecraft launch their 10 new shades in the Special DK I had to order it straight away – my go to shop is the Wool Warehouse as I just adore the lovely bags they send the wool; amazing for keeping each project together as it progresses. They are also amazingly fast at delivery. I had put these new delights away in a box so I could not be distracted whilst finishing Big Sis hexagonal blanket and suddenly rediscovered them whilst rummaging for something to tie together all these lovely african flowers. The Lobelia sang to me the strongest and this I knew would be the base, but when I started to put it next to some of the other colours it just didn’t seem to fit.

I know a lot of people who design spend a long time working out colour combinations by using shade cards, colour pegs, etc but I tend to be a more seat of the pants designer – I always have been especially when painting ceramics. It comes from a feeling and the mood you are in at the time. Hence when you walk away from project for a few days you can come back and think ‘what the heck?’; but to me that is all part of the design process.

Anyway this meant that I started another blanket with the lovely magenta linking the flowers. It is a very strong colour – as is the Lobelia – but it just seems to sit right with the others:

I will have to keep to keep going now and make two blankets at the same time…. what a chore (I love making blankets)…

Where does Debbie do it and why?

I grew up in the wilds of the Sussex countryside with a few excursions to warmer and more exotic climates. However I am a country girl at heart and we had to learn to amuse ourselves. I dint have internet, endless tv channels, you tube or Facebook. I had to cycle two miles to catch a bus into the nearest town, and all my friends lived miles away.

Therefore learning to craft, sew, bake, and make saved me from some very boring hours. My mum introduced me sewing aged 6, knitting at 8 and by the time I was 15 I was making what my dad called ‘belts’ but I called mini skirts to go out in. Crocheting came later – much later. I was 34 before I learnt that wonderful craft and I took my eight year old daughter to the class as well; she put me to shame picking it up as easily as breathing! I have improved and last year finally made my first blanket…. then I made 4 more.

This blog is for me to show you the things that interest me and the work that I do in my local community, running classes and teaching others. If you want to know anything you only have to ask.