Thursday, January 7

getting it on with Mr Hook...

it's hard to believe that just two weeks has passed since i caved and went running to my yarn stash. i think that's what happens when you spend most days in your pyjamas, time passes in a different way.
today however i am dressed and trying to find my way out from under the 'cloud of sadness' that has engulfed me since my folks left.

last night i stayed up late finishing my latest collaboration with Mr Hook, i'm so proud of my achievements with him. i know perhaps one shouldn't blow one's own trumpet but i can't help it. to have made such items... items that i never would have dreamed possible a few years back due to a crocheting inability, makes me stand here before you and 'boast a little'.
so please forgive my boasting ways, just for today...

the granny circle squares i showed you on monday



have now become a little cushion.


a friend for my other cushion


over christmas i took Yvonne's pattern for the granny circle squares and tweaked it, making a garland for the lounge...
a new year needs a new garland i feel


and then there is the matter of a stool, a very faithful stool that has been good to me over the years despite being flat packed on arrival.
well this little stool began to make noises to me as i passed by, little sobs of despair.
on closer inspection it became apparent that my little stool was feeling most left out in the cold. for my little stool had noted Ingrid's wood & wool stools beside her, clothed in their glorious crocheted coats.
i said to my little stool,
"little stool do not worry, for i have mastered skills of crocheting way beyond my wildest dreams and i know i can help you"

with that thought and a bottle of cider, i proceeded to crochet a circle.
in my reckless abandonment, being two sheets to the wind and remembering my 'risk taking ways' for 2010, i continued going round and around. when at last i felt my circle was as good as it was going to get i stopped.
did despair descend upon me when i noted it's flaring wavy corners, dearest readers?
why no it did not,
did i hang my head and weep into my dressing gown, dearest readers?
why no i did not,
i just reached for a length of yarn, weaved it through the edge of my dubious circle and gathered it up.
in short i produced a crocheted shower cap for my little stool.


my little stool tells me it is far happier and glorious
whilst
my little brain is telling me i need to crochet with cider in hand more often

and there she feels, ends her days of moping, tomorrow the sun will come out ~ Tif

75 comments:

Unknown said...

oooh Tif... Mr Hook, cider and you make the perfect combination!
i don't think your blanket envy is going to last much longer seeing how fast you are crocheting wee circle squares... :)

oh, and happy new year to you too! i have a really good feeling about 2010 too, lets hope you crystal ball is right and good things are waiting for all of us... :)

sending you a big *hug* to help cheer you up a wee bit,
emma
x

Kristi said...

Gasping over here. Love it all. I have been seeing those stools popping up everywhere.

Kassi said...

i love your granny cap for your stool! you have inspired me to get better at crocheting and perhaps making one of my own! so thank you!

spicyapplepie said...

oh your crochet is beautiful, the clours are wonderful. Don't worry about boasting, enjoy showing off your talent!

Now with all that inspiration i will try and find my crochet hook!

cameratakesphotos said...

They all look BEAUTIFUL! I just learned to crochet over the summer and I MUST learn to make those - You have me inspired!

Patricia said...

The sun is always shining in your house ;)
I love it all! Take a cider....
Cheers!

Love Peace Pionies said...

How lovely picures you show, great inspiration!
hugs
kristina

Caterina Giglio said...

thanks for your kind remarks Tif! and the granny square prayer flags is... brilliant!!! xo cat

katie said...

hi! i'm fairly new to your blog and i looove it! but i'm terrible at commenting...so i don't think i ever have.

anyway, your house is gorgeous! and i totally want to learn how to crochet this year even more!

<3katie

Bee and Buzz said...

Hi tif,

I love the 'little cushion' which is now best friends with 'big cushion', I am very envious of these sitting on your couch.

The post Christmas sadness should pass soon, no doubt. I've been feeling down too since my man went home but crocheting beautiful creations always help.

All the best for 2010!

Bee x

Jennifer said...

Everything looks fantastic, isn't learning to crochet so exciting. I just figured it out a couple of months ago and nobody can stop me now. Brilliant job on the stool.

Char said...

how i love sweet little stool and cushion. beautiful.

Lyn said...

I love that little stool and the cushions are fab!
love
Lyn
xxx

Sherri in Anacortes said...

Dearest Tif. Finally I am having enough nerve to leave a comment on a blog. I am fairly new to the blogging world and am still trying to talk myself into starting one of my own. You are always an inspiration and such a character too. You make me smile and know that life is what ever you want to make it. Thank you for sharing.

Sam said...

Wow your home and crochet are beautiful! Such lovely colours and photographs...

How cute is your doggy too!
(I may have to get my crochet hook out again!)

love Sam xx

Anonymous said...

what a gorgeous post with all your lovely pretties. i have a crochet inability so am ever so proud of you -- it's not evident to me that you ever had one.

i have been meaning to pop on over and let you know that i am participating in your wondrous challenge and for the past 7 days i have forgotten... until now. i'm also starting a little bartering "thing" for those sweet irresistible needs: paints, fabric, glue, yarn, etc. to assist.

happy thursday!

Becky said...

Your little stool looks very grand now! I love the look of granny squares, it is one of my resolutions to learn to crochet, another one is to leave a comment on the lovely blogs that I visit often, so hi! I'm making a good start, hehe! Happy New year!

Sam said...

Hello its me again...have been admiring your lovely photos and noticed an old postcard of a place that I think is Clovelly in North Devon..somewhere I used sneek off to if I didnt want to go into college. (A few years ago now!) .as it was only a few miles from my home! If it isnt Clovelly its very similar!

Happy Bloggin!
Sam xx

mandy said...

love. the. colors.
holy hooking these are all fab!

Our Lady of Perpetual Stitching said...

Congratulations, Tif on your mastery of crocheting skills beyond your wildest dreams. Your cushions are quite perky and would seem to have the ability to soon lift your spirits.
I am inspired by this alluring display of "crochetery" to attempt a similar New Year risk-taking adventure. For while I stitch and knit with wild abandon, I have yet to meet my own Mr Hook. Surely I could learn this beautiful craft and make happy some forlorn objects in my own home.
Thank you, Tif, for a delightful blog.

mandy said...

love. the. colors.
holy hookin' these are all fabulous!

Jane said...

wow!! you've been a busy bee!
The white boarder really set it all off.

victoria (huset i byen) said...

this is my first time at your blog and i love it...
you have been were good at crocheted i am impressd... i am still trying to learn it, not there yet....
have a nice day
hugs victoria

Julia said...

I love them...I am in the midst of learning to crochet as well. A big hangup that I had was in the fact that I am left handed.

But, I 'm learning and loving.

Your work is as usual for you...fabulous.

hlimbrick said...

Why? Why oh WHY can i not crochet granny squares in such a fabulous fashion? I have made three attempts and each attempt ends in tears (see photographs on blog for proof). You are indeed very talented and I am indeed rather envious.

Fruitful Fusion said...

I absolutely adore your blog Tif! Your work is gorgeous! Thanks for being such an inspiration!

Sam said...

I love your crochet squares - you make them so fast! The colours are delicious, and now you have two cushions of the extreme strokable kind! And your stool cover is just beautiful. How proud it must be!
But your garland. *swoon* I cannot get enough of garlands recently, and now I see that I must have a granny squares one too :-)

Turid Holm Flaa said...

I admire your use of color, it inspired me to crochet with many colors. Sincerely, Turid

silverpebble said...

I am picking something up from the ether. It has drifted a long long way. It is rather quiet. It is little stool. She says 'thankyou, thankyou, I love my new goat'. I think that must be 'coat'. I told you it was quiet. Though why she didn't tell you herself is anyone's guess. She's only a few metres away whereas I'm four thousand miles. The best things though, are not always the most efficient.

Debbie said...

i need to learn to crochet. I am looking at Yvestown right now and the instructions go something like blah blah blah ch blah blah sl st blah blah blah. what does it all meaaaaaaaaan??

M* (Melanie) said...

What lovely creations. I am particularly inspired by your stool. I have a couple of unkept and deteriorating kitchen chairs that could do with a coat of crochet...

And there's no need to apologise about boasting. It's good to feel proud about your creations. I too am rather proud of what I have achieved on the crochet front in a short amount of time and it feels great.

Unknown said...

Tif they all look so beautiful! I love the colours you use and you have really inspired me to work on my granny circle squares. The little cushions are just delightful! Have a wonderful crafty day.
Sophie x

Anonymous said...

Hello! I wanted to say how happy i was to stubble onto you over at flickr and now here. what a happy and beautiful space. also letting you know i have joined your 365 day challenge today (since i bought a shirt at old navy yesterday:) i really am done now and can't wait for the next temtation and plow right through it or to the thrift store anyways. thank you for the inspriation and i will be back to visit often!

Ange said...

Maybe next time you could be two king sized sheets to the wind (very risky) and you may not know just where that may take you on your crocheting adventures!!

Serenata said...

You have been busy, with cider in hand ;-) I can feel the need to get familiar with Mr Crochet Hook again, seems an age since I last did some. Well it was last year!

Laura said...

Well done with your crocheting!! I only started to crochet a couple of months ago & still have a lot to learn. Your blog has inspired me though that in time I can be just as good!

Laura (Doris)

Beki said...

I'm just learning to crotchet and can only hope that at some point in the future I can accomplish something half as good as your wonderful makes.
Love the cushions and stool cover but the garland is what has really got me.
I will learn, I will, I will..........

Beki x

Rubyred said...

Is there crochet hope for me yet? Although I can do the crochet stitch, I am still not comfortable with the hook!It can't keep the correct tension either! Perhaps I should take up cider drinking and my crochet will improve!
I'll keep you informed!
The shower capped stool is adorable, as is the garland!
Rachel x

Leah said...

Well done Tif, Im loving the stool cozey, such a sweet Idea and very Granny chic...You and Mr Hook are certainly getting it on!

Renee Howell said...

What a wonderful story! Wit, humor and design all in one place. lovely! simply lovely. AND - all your crocheted bundles - nice touch! thanks for the post!

GerryART said...

Great going. You've accomplished alot and have bright and cheery hosue to boot.

Still Lily said...

Oh most lovely post, such beautiful work avec Mr. Hook and a wee cider as well. I have been only reading your blog for a few weeks and find it most delightful...thank you. Already being a knitting kind of gal and presently taking up sewing (Santa did treat me kindly this year with a new sewing machine), I have been feeling the pull of Mr. Hook himself, and would like to ask what you might think the best way to learn to crochet would be? (book?)
I do so enjoy your blog & would most appreciate your thoughts on this.
Still Lily

Anonymous said...

LOVE little stools new coat! Your granny circle squares make me smile :)

kjkljk;ljljgjgfuyhd said...

This post is adorable, and so is your
blog!
Thank you for bringing so much inspiration to me :+)
~Franny

Contessa Kris said...

Your new creations are beautiful! I was so enamored with the crocheted circles you showed around New Years and its wonderful to now see them used. I need to relearn how to crochet. I worked on learning fall 2008 but never finished anything past about 30 granny squares (1 color.) I'd love to do the ones with multiple colors. Off to look up instructions now. Thanks for the inspiration.

Amber said...

{sigh} sheer perfection - love the pillows..and the garland...and the shower cap for the stool! Just too cute!

Jessica @ Sunny Tuesday said...

Do you ever see something so pretty it makes your crafty little heart feel like it's soaring? That's how I feel about your post today! I have to learn how to crochet granny squares! And I lurv your little pots of knitting needles.

Poetic Artist said...

These are so beautiful..I wish I could do this..I have no patience.
Nor the skill.

jules said...

beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! nothing better than a happy stool and friendly cushions. tie it on, mama. tie it on!

blue corduroy said...

i love your squares! what amazing color combo's. the white background is truly perfect.

i'm curious about your challenge of the utmost kind? i can't quite figure out what the challenge is, but i think i want in (maybe).

i'm also happy to see that your crochet stash is still decorating your living room- i just love that! -emily

Emme said...

Oh. My. Goodness. I just gasped out loud seeing your lovely granny square cushions and the stool! Oh,the stool! Really wonderful. The granny square is still a mystery for me, but you have given me renewed hope. (and hey, let's go grab a coffee or something sometime!) Happy New Year!

Unknown said...

Ahhhh! You have a kokeshi! I've just started with kokeshi fever!

dottie angel said...

thank you my dearest readers for being such 'crocheting lovelies of the loveliest kind'...
as i sit tonight with Mr Hook beside me and his brother in my hand, i feel ready to take on Chevron in all it's glory. and it is you that spur me on :)

Anna said...

Another lovely cushion - I am inspired to finish mine. Your colour choices seem to work so well together. The stool is a great idea I have an ikea stool that could do with a makeover like yours.

kelly said...

i just 'LOVE' your crochet, makes me want to get hooking! (if only i didn't have so many knitting projects on the go!)

janet clare said...

top crocheting Tif!

Gina said...

Love the cushions and I have serious knitting needle envy! What beautiful jugs of needles.

Ange said...

Just to say I am enjoying your Challenge and I was very strong and did not hit the sales today! Wrote about your wonderful challenge in my blog here: http://wordsonwood.blogspot.com/2010/01/challenge-of-utmost-kind.html
Thank you for being SOOOOO inspiring!

A Bun Can Dance said...

Dear Tif
Oh it's always hard when lovely family and friends have visited and then go away again, but for you the distance must make it even harder. I do feel for you! But you seem to have found some solace with Mr Hook and such delightful creations you have made too. Keep smiling, hooking and enjoying it all.
D x

theroofcat said...

Your place look so good , that looks surreal. How can u manage to be so beautifully tied. I make a real mess while I am creating anything. It's gorgeous!

Happy New Year.

Sx

Jessica Lynn said...

The colors you have chosen are perfect. I love the vintage feel that everything you do seems to have.

I recently found you and I am smitten. I love your style. I love the way that you write. I love your blog!!

Blåbærpai said...

you are such a fantastic crohcettereinne:) great showercap for the little sad stool ;))
ps: my word verification is decor, and you have handmade the most perfect, pretty decor!!
greetings from a freezing cold Blueberrypie

Elsa said...

it's so cute ... I'm getting ready to do a crochet blanket in granny squares, it's the Babette blanket from Interweave, you can see it on Ravelry! love your home, thanks for sharing it and all your creativity!

Cal said...

do you maybe have a good way to explain the "joining" of the circles? i read yvonne's post on the pattern but if you know a good way of explaining besides her lovely pictures could you please note? p.s. your stool is LOVELY sooo cute... i bet he feels warm snuggly & at home now! thanks for this darling post! =)

Floss said...

Tif, I think I DREAMED of your stool with its showercap last night - that's quite worrying, really. But at least it shows I remembered my quick browse through your post...

Now I have time I thought I'd pop back and let you know about the No Frills Magazine Swap I've organised, particularly for those of us who can't buy new mags because we're doing your Challenge. I think it will be a fun way of getting some new browsing material as well as getting to know other bloggers. Pop over and have a look if you have time!

dottie angel said...

floss, a fabby idea indeed... i'm sure there are many in need of a magazine or two. good luck with your no frill swapping :)

cal, i'll give it a go but it won't be for a while... if you can get the circle done as yvonne shows then it's a matter of then just doing a granny square pattern around the circle once. i myself am finding youtube to be a wonder indeed when it comes to explainations & tutorials of the crocheting kind. hope that helps for now :)

Unknown said...

I adore the garland and the pillow and the little stool bath cap... I love reading your blog, it always inspires me to pick up my little hooks and get going... though I don't have time to all that often. sadly.

Hmm, I also am curious what this challenge is and the link in the top left corner isn't working...

dottie angel said...

hi jesse lu... the link to details is on the right hand side. it appears to work for me. you can find out more details if you look under my posts here
http://dottieangel.blogspot.com/search/label/a%20challenge%20of%20the%20utmost%20kind
i'll be doing an update next week... hope that helps

~ Junkyard Jennifer said...

I dread those post-family days. I think I'm finally coming out of my post-holiday blues after spending Christmas in Michigan with my family (and we came back Dec. 28). Sometimes it takes a while to shake those blues... You've found a pretty distraction, anyway! I love the stool cover. As well as the cushions and garland--they're all great colors. :)

~ Jennifer

the green gal said...

I'm the 70th person to comment on this post, think that shows how hugely gorgeous and impressive your crocheted goodies are! I've just learned how to crochet a granny square and my plans to make a blanket may be on hold now I've seen crochet bunting!

angie said...

Just lovely! And the wallpaper in third photo down, where ever did you find it? It is beautiful.

Anonymous said...

your home, your pictures, they are so filled with color, humor and beauty. i am getting lost in here.

Anonymous said...

Hi Dottie! Can you tell us the brand and weight of the yarn used in the garland ? I received a crochet kit from Anthropologie...a basket from "tricot"scraps ( from Sweden) It is so cute and chic and modern. I will send you a pic.

wanderlust said...

Do you have pattern for that lovely granny circle.
Thanks

dottie angel said...

the weight is worsted weight and if you are looking for a pattern wonderlust, i put a link to Yvonne in there and she has one in her blog archives. the other thing is to take a look on raverly.
but Yvonne is where i found the pattern. hope that helps you :)