Ooh goodie, new followers! I’ve noticed that some of you are crocheters and so considering I haven’t posted any for a while, here goes..
Well this post isn’t on topic and nothing is really finished but I had to tell you about a new, neat little book and point you in the direction of a wonderful free crochet rose pattern plus tell you about an amazing new knitting technique that I came across, that links in with earlier stuff about Viking knit.
So after I bought Nicky Epstein’s Knitted Flowers book, I just had to buy her Crocheted Flowers edition. Below is a pattern from that book that I’ve mistakenly altered (slightly) by switching to a smaller hook for the last 4 petals, but am quite happy with the results because those petals became the start of the spiral formation and nestled down nicely to suggest the central cone (that I keep referring to). As you can see this is a really good classic rose pattern.
Unlike the formula for say a classic Tudor Rose, you can see this little darling has a central formation of 3 petals that hug the all-important central, coiled (supporting) petal. Then there are four outer petals that are cupped. Finally, there are 5 more outer petals, that are much more open.
I find that when you come across a pattern for a strip rose, how you assemble the petals while sewing it together, is very important. In my opinion, the formula of 3 (+1), 4, 5 is the one that creates most balance in this context.
Then I decided to go back to my own design for a crocheted rose. I’m not absolutely happy with this version yet, because even though the petals are shaped the way I like, the whole thing looks a little too chunky? It reminds me a lot of an Afghan rose, that perhaps would be better suited to being framed within a Granny Square or something? What I will say for it though: is it’s turned out looking quite ‘vintage’.
Speaking of wonderful patterns for an Afghan rose, take a look at this blog of beautiful creations and happiness!Apple Blossom Dreams. There is a link on there to a fantastic vintage crochet-a-long rose Afghan. If you delve into the history behind the discovery of that pattern, you will be on the edge-of-your-seat. I love provenance stories!
So, after that I had a look on ‘Google Images’ for a good free crocheted rose pattern and found this on the Crochet Spot website. This one is available for free but I see the designer is also selling another very good crochet rose pattern. As you can see, I haven’t finished sewing it together yet, but will be adopting the 3,4,5 formation mentioned above. I think there are more petals on this one, but that wont alter my approach.
Then, after all that crocheting, I decided to go and knit something from a cute book that I had in the bottom of a drawer that I found the other day when I was looking for something else.
Jean Greenhowe’s Bazaar Knits is full of very cute things that you can make quite quickly and sell at garden fetes and school Bring & Buy sales. This is the pattern for her dainty floral brooch. They’re tiny and would really suit keyfobs or children’s clothes. I don’t know yet what I’m going to make with them?
Then I made this very interesting specimen! This tiny petal will form part of a Periwinkle – I know, its the wrong colour, but I was getting quite carried away by then, you understand!!
In case you can’t really tell what’s going on down there, what you’re looking at is the tiniest ‘knitted envelope’ that’s made in one journey and results in no seaming! Its completely different to construct than an i-cord and you make it on 2 standard needles.
It’s an ingenious technique from this cute little book that I really love – I think I mentioned it before? The pattern is listed in the front as ‘more challenging’. I really like that because the thing that fascinates me most, is always to be learning cool new techniques.
Then Amazon sent me an email about another new of fabulous knitted flowers book called: Noni Flowers
You can read more about this terrific book here. What’s different about this offering to the world of textile flowers is that each knitted version is photographed in context, that is, on the stalk or branch of its botanical master copy. On top of that, the treatment of the centre of each flower is unlike anything I have ever seen. I think I shall have do a proper review of this book in the near future because this offering surpasses the legal limit of cuteness - lol.
The best website I’ve seen about knitted flowers is The Knot Garden. I think the author may be on a blog break at the present time. She’s a very nice person and her blog is wonderfully sweet. Her basic advice: ‘to use smaller needles than the pattern states’ is a golden nugget.
Oh dear and I said a while ago NO MORE BOOKS but you have to agree, you can only go on for so long on any diet, before the inevitable ………. RELAPSE.
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