Greetings from your yarn obsessed friend!
I guess, if you have to be addicted to anything, yarn ain't half bad right? You see, I am right back at how I was when I took up crocheting about 8 years ago. Obsessed. Drooling over fiber. Can't get enough, will drive hours for yarn, psychosis. As you sort of gathered from the last post 😉
I used to make simple chains and silly things when my Mom introduced me to crochet when I was 5. She gave me this multi colored yarn for me to practice making chains with while I watched The Littles or the Smurfs, all whilst sitting inside of my pillow case. A perfect little sleeping bag for a 5 year old 😉
I didn't pick it up again until about 8 years ago when my Grannie showed me something she was making. I got entranced, and then took it up for myself, and would show her what I was making along the way.
I didn't read a book or follow directions. I just went out, bought all the yarn I could fit in my car and went crazy trying different loop-dee-loops and such. I just invent as I go. That is the beauty of crocheting. If you mess up, just unravel and try it again…
That first year, 8 years ago, that I took it up in an obsessed fashion I made handbags, hats, mittens, and even a bikini for my super thin aunt. But, she showed some concern (amongst howls and giggles) about the wool and water combo.
Fast forward to now, where I am re-obsessed after a year and a half break. I have a new tiny blanket plan, using this doily flower thing-a-ma-bob below (which I made yesterday).
Like I said, I am totally inventing and winging it as I go. So, if you are getting a crochet itch, just go for it . A basic chain (long or short) can turn into anything.
Now, here is the strange thing. During December I got this hugely outrageous craving for a cedar chest FULL of homemade crocheted, quilted and stitched blankets, pillows and any other cozy items.
I have inherited some amazing crocheted goods made by the women in my life who have long past, and I wanted to add to it. Fill it until bursting is my plan.
And then, gifts for my birthday and Christmas came my way that began to fulfill this crave and give me a great head start into filling that chest. It was ever so strange, it was like my friends had read my mind.
First of all, a parcel (I love parcels!) arrived in the mail that was one part magic and one part art. Can you guess which friend made this incredible pillow???
Isn't it wonderful? It is handmade & hand-sewn by super lovely Miss Lisa!! I know, it is awesome! Even Mister Lovee adored it. The face is Lisa's own artwork printed on fabric, and it is hand embossed to perfection! Swwwoooooooooooon…
A perfect addition for my crave! And touching too because handmade usable art rocks!
Oh and, don't forget, One World One Heart ~ hosted by Miss Lisa herself, is right around the corner. All the details can be found right here…
Anywho, there I was, ever so delighted about my pillow, when another gift was delivered by my friend Miss D, the actress extraordinaire. She performs on stage almost every single night, and informed me that she made my gift in between shows, backstage. Oh my goodnessss!
Yummmy, yummy yummmy!
Her use of color is astounding isn't it? I can't stop looking at all the different yarns she used, and how she mixed those colors. It is a big soft blanket, and I have taken it from room to room with me everyday since she gifted it to me one evening over tea and tales.
I love it!
She had no idea that I love yarn and crochet. I actually gave her a coral "longest scarf in the world" that I made for her, when she gifted the blanket. It was so funny that we both crocheted for each other.
Handmade gifts are precious.
Now, I best get back to my new project.
I am going to work on it off and on, while I finish the great wall of blanket. Thank you oodles for all the blanket support. Oh, and to answer a couple questions, I am not following a pattern and I am using lots of different weaves and such, just winging it as I go. We'll see what happens 😉
I will, I will, I will finish it. Soon I hope 😉
🖤 ,V
ps: Tonight's lovely sunset ~
pss: Flannel and Fur on a Friday night. I am so so so so so in love…
I knit a wee bit, but I tried to get my friend to show me how to crochet the other evening. I’m afraid we had a glass or two too many to have either of us do a proper job! Maybe one afternoon over tea we shall try again!
Love all the colors and textures in this fuzzy post 😀
Oh I want to know how to do this. I’m becoming obsessed just from gazing at yours. I’ve tried to learn, but everytime it comes out funny…boo hoo hoo!!!
That pillow is awesome.
I never give anything away and I thought oh, I will never crochet again…yep no needles and ofter seeing this post, the colors, the textures and oh you can feel the softness from the pictures I am swooning to find some yarn, crochet needles and time to start a little project! Can’t wait to see what your finished piece looks like.
~ Theresa
yummy indeed. I was thinking that all through the post and when I got to the part that says “Yummmy, yummy yummmy!” I giggled out loud. 🙂
oh I would love to know how to do this also… my dear grandmother taught me how to sew and make quilts which I treasure that time with her and the lessons she gave me not to mention many, many dresses she made me as a little girl. I have her sewing box now and so many fond memories.
The blanket is coming along V…I’m still working on my baby girls scarf! Sheesh, knitting takes forever. I’m gonna pick up crochet when my Mum visits next week! She whizzed threw a scarf in one weekend…mine take FOREVAH, tee hee. That pillow is wonderful and yes, handmade gifts are the best aren’t they!? Have a great weekend my dearest 😉
Jamie 🙂
…did I really just say ‘threw,’ hahahahah! I meant throoooough 😉
Such beautiful and wonderful creativity…and then to end with the sunset and a fur baby? Total and pure heaven!!
Crocheting is so comforting. It is totally creative … beauty in the making in small stitches. I. too, have made bags and hats and flowerhangers and even a rug once. I even made my Mom an afghan. It is part of the creative circle. I think of it as necessary for the development of nimble fingers and distant rainbows.
Oh my goodness. I went right over to Lisa’s and fell in love with her site and the fun. And speaking of fun, give my regards to that FURBALL in the last photo.
I am just now getting back to doing things with yarn… and I am — shhhh — sewing! Somewhere an angel is weeping tears of joy.
Take care and have a GREAT weekend.
Candace in Athens.
Love crochet! Hate reading patterns. Your artistic abilities certainly shine through in how you are able to create from nothing and just wing it as you go. The colors are wonderful! Anything handmade is wonderful in my book! Baked bread, yarn, furbabies and sunsets all make for a wonderful day. Blessings to you and yours, Tammy
There’s one single word that can capture this blog post…COZY!
For the first time today, I feel warm.
Kim
Gerushia’s New World
Gorgeous photos. I love the new blanket your doing. Did you make the little, pink balls yourself? (That sounds rude! lol)
I have always been a knitter since I was little, but have just started to crochet; I got The Happy Hooker book for christmas. ( Another phrase open to interpretation!)
But somehow, I can seem to master the patterns. When I look at a knitting pattern, I can visualise what the stitches will look like, but I can’t fathom crochet ones!
Still, I shall persevere. You have inspired me again.
Ooooooh, the blankets looks amazing!!!
I love multi colored blankets, and I`m actually knitting one myself as we speak 🙂
There are fairies in the sunset!
Isn’t it strange and wonderful how things are attracted to each other? You wish for crochet, you think about crochet and you receive crochet.
I am just in awe everytime I visit your blog. Your crafts are just amazing. Your charmed, you know that right? ::muah::
Love your doily flower thingie – the colors, the little felt balls – lacy and fuzzy and cozy…. Great potential to make a most spectacular throw/blanket/shawl/scarf. Hope you share your final product or at least some updates….
Oh you’re having fun, aren’t you!? Lovely photos and projects.
Recently, I read somewhere that some folks often give up a bad addiction (like smoking or whatever) when they take up handwork – which is, of course, a good addiction. I have noticed that my evening wine consumption has decreased since I became a knitting/crochet addict — too much wine = funny looking mittens ;-).
A year or so ago, I made my granddaughter a multi colored blanket (a little like yours) with all sorts of wild & crazy yarns. We called it her “Fancy Nancy” blanket as we were in a bit of a “Fancy Nancy’ phase at the time. Last time I saw her, she was walking around the house wrapped up in it — even though it has gotten a little worse for wear over the years ;-).
Blessings to you,
G
I really like crocheted things and have a few from charity shops. I can’t do it myself, though I would like to learn. Beautiful woolly colours!
I love all the glorious colors in your photos, inspires me to liven up my own palette. I went thrift shopping (“thrifting” as I call it) last night and got a 1941 Royal typewriter for $10! I was just wondering what kind your is? It is gorgeous.
I have been threatening to take up quilting after my gand & greatgrandmothers… you are an inspiration:)
They look like tiny little crowns!!!…are those felt balls on the end or are you somehow doing that with the crochet needle?
Do your talents ever cease!!!
x..x
steph
Lovely, lovely Vanessa, I do love to read your posts… the pillow is beautiful and the blanket looks to be so too. Gorgeous colours!
Have the most perfect year, you and Mister lovee!
Ooooh, yarn. 🙂 Such kismet that you wrote about your blanket, as I have been planning to crochet a crazy, non-patterned, colorful blanket for myself for about a year now. I was inspired by these lines I read on a blog a year ago:
“Self-trust walks softly and carries a big blanket
woven of all that you have handled
All you have learned
All that you have weathered.
“Threaded with your essential goodness
It begs to
cushion you from harshness
warm you when you are lonely
muffle the mean voices that grumble you can’t, you won’t, you never.
“Self-trust wants to lift you,
bounce you,
giggling and gasping into the wide-open sky
until your whole body sighs and relaxes in the recognition
of your birthright:
Profound trust in the astounding marvel that you are.”
Sadly, I didn’t write down where I got it from!! Arrrgh!! That bothers me no end, because that little bit really, really inspired me. I decided then and there to make a colorful blanket and call it my “self-trust blanket.” I plan to wrap up in it in the rocking chair I plan to get this year.
I have a bunch of insanely colorful yarn to use, but alas, I have not yet started it…I almost don’t want to use the yarn because it’s so pretty just rolled up into colorful balls! lol! But after seeing your yarn posts, I am once more inspired to start it. And I love in your last post when you said you’d wrap up in it like an enchilada…
Hooray for big, not-patterned, colorful, self-trust enchilada blankets!
all that pretty yarn makes me want to pull out my knitting machine and play. The fact, that it has snowed in Florida makes me want to bundle up, love the colors so pretty and very yummy!
I’ll be in the OWOH again this year too
your fairy friend
Karey
Oh girl girl girl, these photos are driving me mad, wild, crazy in love with all the colors and twists and unknown stitches invented by the Fanciful One!!! My head is about to pop off! Of course you invent your own stitches and weavings…for you are an original. You always make me want to play, ever time I visit you. I have a friend who makes incredible scarfs from open-weaved ribbon…I may be one of her most frequent buyers! I am going to send you her link for a lookie. I am purchasing a lamp TODAY and yarn in a gizillion colors, and I am going to PLAY with you. **squeals like a school girl** Deb
Another fanciful tale and about a subject I love crochet! Thanks again for the smiles
It’s been a long time since I’ve been to your site, however, I’m soooo glad to see you are still as amazing as ever. I am in awe of your crochet skills, especially since you invented your own! You are quite an inspiring young lady. Keep it up!
My Nana taught me to crochet when I was 8. Around 30 I tried to pick it up again and couldn’t but I was able to teach myself to knit. You give me hope that I can figure it out one of these days! Perhaps then I could use up more of my overflowing yarn stash!
Hi, Miss Vanessa
I love the way you crochet!…Soooo scrumptious! I have boxes and oodles of yarn from the last ten years!!! Yay! I think I will try some blankets like yours…
Cheers, hugs, XOXO = )
Thankyou so much Vanessa for the amazing inspiration once again!!!
Because of your beautiful photos of the most precious wool I took my late grandmothers daisy dial to a girlie movie night and made woolen flowers all night to calm my ever so itching hands.
Your blankets are like dreams and magic all mixed together. Looking forward to OWOH. Im wondering if yours will involve wool by some change??? hehe.
Thankyou for being you xxx
much love and apreciation
sheree x
Keep on being a crochet-addict!
The blanket is looking lovelier and lovelier, Miss V! 🙂 I adore the color combo in the second photograph – is that part of the same project or a different one? Gold and cream go so well together. 🙂 And what a lovely way to spend a Friday evening – snuggly and warm with a loving pup by your side! 🙂 All the best, Theresa
i do excactly the same with you. first a basic chain and then i explore in this creating world!
you are fantastic! this is a very relaxing hobby! i have been doing it for almost 6 years.
Valerie, how did you attach those little wool balls to your crochet? I LOVE THAT!!! xxVicki
Both gifts are fantastic and oh my God I love the pillow.
xoxox
That is absolutly amazing! You are so talented!! It’s so awesome how you can just wing it like that and invent whatever comes to your mind! I hope you continue with this fabulousness(: If you would like, please check out my jewelry blog. I would love it so if you did(:
Much Luck,
Cambria
No way Dude!!! I’m off to the craft store tomorrow for yarns galore… I can’t believe how you inspire me to get back to things that I once did and enjoyed…. My Gramma (Nanny) taught me to crochet too! Hey p.s. it’s a great way to diet, cuz you can’t eat and crochet at the same time!!! Yayyyyy gonna lose this darn weight and create at the same time…. Love you little Miss V!!! My favorite muse!!!
Wow, that pillow is amazing. Your blanket is just like a rainbow in fiber form. Can’t wait to see the finished project.
Dear V, you can wrap yourself in your beautiful blanket and join us in the snow if you wish!I told you you’d be invited.
I already have my OWOH ticket and cannot wait to start and meet new kindred spirits just like you!
I don’t know what you are preparing but I just love the colors.Makes me feel like having a strawberry milk!yummm!
And ……(what?)….sorry the dolls are talkin to me…(OK)…They’re asking to say hello to Milo! I think one had a real crush for him.She’s planning something for Valentine’s day I think.
Dolls will be dolls…
Anyway,you are more than welcome to come and play in the snow!
P.
Xo
Ahhh the kids are waking must go, but, will be back to ask questions about the cool dingle berries on the swirl! Blessings.
Sleepy Sunday they just want to read in bed a bit and terrific toddler is still in dreamland. Anyhoo. What are the lovely little balls on the swirl? Are they those cool silk cocoons or felted fibers maybe? How did you attach them? I was a fiber fiend when the skinny scarves were everywhere! I must have made over 200 for friends, for three local pharmacies, craft fairs, etc. I am leaving for Ellison Bay, WI next week,cold, but, delightful to enjoy time with my Mom and write an article for the Divine Ms. Doh and Crescendoh I always bring scrumptious yarn to cozy up with by the fire. I completely adore your color choice. I tend to pick the candy colors, as well. I want candy, Good Charlotte!!!! The other stash is of earth tones, soft, so subtle. My fave color, though is the green of my scarf/shawl I made in my profile pic. I can’t crochet and can’t read a pattern for knitting, but, I look at how it lays and improvises. Well, didn’t mean to write a book about this, but, I just live for texture and this was sweet like candy to see. Thanks doll for that. Blessings these merry days.
Now this is the crochet style I love! I’ve never been able to crochet or knit ’cause I have this perfectionist thing going on. Your style of freedom and use of color is so encouraging and I am so excited to see what you are creating. The pillow is amazing and your friend’s blanket is just gorgeous! Thanks for sharing ~
What a riot of colors, such a treat! Now I wish I had known your blog a a couple of years back. At the time I was taking art lessons with someone who kept telling me to focus. But I couldn’t and can’t help it that I like color pencils, acrylics, watercolors, collages, art journals, jewelery, silk scarves (I used to knit too). And seeing you do so many different things absolutely delights me – makes my heart sing.
Good Evening, These colors are so amazing together. I love color. Love the little flowers too. You can put them on anything Is there a pattern that you could teach us how? Maybe a sneak peak. I live in michigan where it is very cold. It would give me something to do in front of the fireplace. You are so very creatve.
Oh my–is there stopping you? You’re are so talented my dear girl–and I love it. Your blog lifts my spirits. I don’t always comment but I have been coming over here for quite sometime!!! I think it was a while before I fell into your Halloween party goodies the year before last!!
You look on life is outstanding–the interpretion of how you see things and how you uncanningly let us see thru your mind and eyes is just a visual fantasy for me. Eye candy, eye candy–all around.
I hope that your year is just as fabulous as I know you are.
Oh….sigh…methinks I spy faeries in your sunset!! 🙂 Perhaps we should leave them some honeysuckle dew and cake!!??
V,
LOVE this post. I even bought more yarn because I decided I didn’t have enough colors. I never thought to make up my own crochet. I don’t do it as much as I like because my rows are never “just right”. I hate all of that counting and re-counting. So now I’m finally going to start my own blanket and I’m going to “wing it!”.
Love you to bits!
V
That pillow is so wonderful and the blanket so soft and cuddly looking!! Love them both! And what you are working on is so exciting. It reminds me of a colorful snowflake! Awesome!! I have never crocheted seriously! I might have to give it a go and wing it too!! LOL!!
Hugging you
SueAnn
I love all the colors you are using in your lovely creation!
The baby of fur looks soooooooo content 🙂
I have the exact same flannel gown…is it a Lanz of Salzburg? I am betting it is!
Love,
LuLu~*xoxo
i really love the flower doily, this stuff is all just amazing. i am utterly talentless with anything remotely connected to sewing or yarn, but have quite a passion for it regardless.
i like your use of colour here, too:)
x
This reminds me of wonderful dyas gone by. I love the colors and textures you used, simply lovely. I always know I can skip over to your blog for some wonderful eye candy.
I missed blogging, good to be back!
Hugs,
Amada
I cannot tell you how much I love crochet! Nice post!!!!
I would like to get more into fibers in my jewelry, but I am not sure where to begin and I don’t know that I have ever seen yarn as gorgeous as all of that! I really want to inject more color into my designs and fibers would do the trick! I think you may have just inspired me, Miss V!
P.S. I am going to check out this OWOH…not sure I can particiapate but it sounds like fun!
Enjoy the day!
xo
Erin