Monday 18 August 2014

Off the cuff...

For holiday trips, one of the things that is always packed is my crochet bag...usually stuffed with more than one project, all my hooks and paraphernalia. 
So far though, it returns unopened...or has the occasional minor disturbance whilst hunting for a pair of scissors.
On a recent trip to visit family, the last decision I made was to leave the bag at home...


One of our nieces is fund raising for a charity she has been working with during the summer.
As I was there, I offered to crochet her some brooches...
Their market town is well stocked with everything a crafter could crave...so I could source everything* I needed quickly and relatively reasonably.
With two hooks, a ball of Stylecraft Harlequin, Yarnfair stripes Stylecraft Senses Lace, and some multicoloured thread (*the one thing that eluded me was sparkly thread!) 
I began...



There are 20 items in total, 
brooches with safety pin backs, 
and some hanging decorations...
no written patterns, 


 some remembered, 


some made up and some freeform!


In town there were some fab charity shop finds in the form of sequins and a bagful of sewing supplies - lots of coloured cottons and needles to sew the safety pin backs on!
My mother-in-law also donated a bag of  vintage buttons...
I made this for her as she had admired the crocheted colours and the stylish gold button, from her collection, really sets it off ....


.... as did the velvet button centre for this flower...that had started as a star!
We wondered whether the button had originally been part of some furniture...


There were a few happy accidents...


this also started as a star...I got the counting a little awry...and the silky acrylic curled beautifully, 
as it did for the inner petals (an attempt at a different flat flower),
the combination of the two 'mistakes' made one of my favourite items!

I learned a lot....
that twenty items can be made from less than two balls of wool -(I still have more than half of the thinner yarns left),
that I can finish things in a couple of days,
that relaxing, experimenting and going with the flow works wonders
..and that I should always pack my crochet bag!

Hoping they sell well!

More on happy accidents soon - I seem to be making a habit of them!

9 comments:

Una said...

These are great fund raisers. You were lucky to find a well-stocked craft shop. I have been looking for one of these on all my summer day trips.....without success. I seem to have to buy all my crafty things online.

Jacqui Galloway said...

Loved the happy accident too, Ali!
The vintage buttons made that finishing touch. My favourite were the spirals.
Jacqui x

linda said...

What fun Ali, there's nothing I like better than a crochet challenge and you met yours beautifully, what lovely makes and you were so lucky to find lots of crafty shops! they seem to be few and far between these days. :) x

crazydazy said...

absolutely ....always pack a crochet bag.....you did very well getting all the supplies. Beautiful brooches and decorations....my favourite has to be the happy accident. Also love the vintage buttons

sajuki said...

great !
Greetings from Poland :)
Katarzyna


www.sajuki.blogspot.com

Melody said...

Love them! ~ with their fun colors and button middles!
The leaving of craft bag is ALWAYS a mistake... never mind that we mostly never open it.
Leave it behind just one time, and you will be scouring the streets for supplies, like a desperate person! ha ha ha :))))) Happens every time.

Amy at love made my home said...

What lovely happy accidents! I am sure that they will sell very well. xx

Unknown said...

These look all very cute, I love the colours you chose, as usual! ;)

String Theory Crochet said...

They are lovely my favourite is the one with the green button in the centre - not a disaster atall - string theory