It’s all coming back to me now!! Slip stitch into next treble, yarn over and into the next treble, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through remaining two loops. Ahh, it’s just like the rhythmic chant of the times-tables - I loved reciting them when I was a kid and I now love reciting crochet patterns as an adult.
Woo Hoo – and it's 'My Creative Space' again?! It's great to have found my blogging mojo again so that I'm able to be part of the ‘space’ crew. Last year I looked forward to every Thursday because of this meme. It's my absolute favourite as it seems to hit the spot for me. Thanks heaps Kirsty for keeping this going week after week. I know it's a lot of work.
You have probably realised from my opening paragraph that in my creative space this week I have picked up the hook and started off on the jug covers again. It seems that they are slowly evolving into my niche which is rather strange as I have never had a niche before. I am continually impressed by the fact that I never get sick of making them. It's so very unlike me I must say. I’m usually one to try new things all the time and move on. Is it a good thing to be in this kind of space? A space that keeps you locked into one thing? Is it something that comes with age? Hmmm perhaps I'll have to wait for time to answer that one for me.
I am making my way around a black jug cover at the moment. Before my break I had a strong desire to make a 'gothic' themed jug cover. For some reason I thought it necessary to appeal to the goths out there who may be looking for a jug cover but find that the ones on offer don't cater to the dark, creepier side of their tastes. Yes I know, it's lucky we all don't live on the planet Melanie.
The green cover you can see in the picture is a square jug cover that I finished earlier in the week and is my first attempt at a pattern from a very special treat I bought myself online just after Christmas...
Yes, it's a Japanese cug cover pattern book. I was so excited when I saw it. The patterns are absolutely mind-blowing. They are quite intricate and some of them use over 1000 beads in just one cover! I don't know if I will ever go there as I can't see myself counting out 1080 beads but then again you never know This is planet Melanie afterall.
What's even more challenging is not a word of it is in English! It's lucky the patterns are drawn and not written so that they are technically universal. The only problem is that I don't know if any of the Japanese text contains any useful hints or tips. I will have to show the book to a friend who speaks and reads fluent Japanese and see if he can help.
When I was on the tram the other day I was finishing the last rows of the green cover when I dropped my yarn cone (as you do on a peak hour tram) and it rolled under a seat and into the isle. The kafuffle caused two other women to strike up a conversation with me. Both of them admired my work, in particular one woman who was very impressed with the fact I was crocheting from a pattern in another language. As tempting as it was, I did I own up to the truth.
Make sure you pop on over to Kirsty's and visit more creative spaces here...
41 comments:
Yah! Glad to see you 'spacing' it again Melanie! I think Planet Melanie is a most beautiful place and I'm even taken with its Goth colony too :)
Wonderful crocheting and I'm totally impressed that you can follow those drawings (that book looks amazing btw!)
Have a lovely day. Kylie x
Wow Melanie, that book looks beautiful. I used to make modular origami from books written in Japanese and Korean - same deal, you just have to be good at following the diagrams!
Gulp. 1080, you say? Ooh, but I can imagine the temptation. Ad if anyone on Planet Melanie was going to be crazy enough...!
You were one of the first bloggers i discovered and it's so nice to see you blogging again. I've missed your hiatus over the last couple of weeks.
Oh wow Melanie, they are just beautiful and that pattern book is mindblowing. I fully expect that you will crochet the one with all the beads at some stage! It's nice to have a niche.
I tend to have the crafty ADD too, but I think it's nice to find something and settle into it. Doesn't mean you have to ALWAYS and forever do it, but it can be good to find a specialty, I think, comforting. Glad to have you back and at it! (And make goth jug covers, no less!)
Embrace the space, Melanie! It's a great niche. Your gothic jug cover makes me laugh. Phew, now all those picnicking Emos will know where to go. Still, I can see where you're coming from, they are after all very spider-webby kind of objects.
I'm seeing a jug-cover revolution and an M* etsy shop. I'm just sayin'.
i think the incorparation of the beads adds so much to the stunning pieces
So glad your blogging mojo is back. Your new book looks great - can't wait to see you create some new jug-covers. Can I request the one on the cover first!
Yeah baby, you're speaking my language. Oh how I love those doubles and trebles and loops. I must confess that after struggling with those diagrams for a while I now prefer them and have been known to transcribe a written pattern into a diagram.
Your space Ms M* is one of my favourites and your niche is fabulous and exciting. I am so happy you are inspired to blog again.
Being happy making one thing over and over means you need to do a market stall. >:- )
It is hilarious that on Planet Melanie there are goths lamenting over not having anything dark enough to keep the bugs out of their jugs.
hey melanie! am glad you are back sharing your planet with us.
the book looks amazing ~ the patterns look beautiful.
happy thursday :)
love your jug covers and i can't think of a single reason why a goth wouldn't be desperatley searching for one. welcome back. love your new look header
I love the intricacy of the jug covers, all so teeny and perfect .
I love the red and white jug cover- isn't it great when you find the perfect book- its like when youa re doing an assignement and you find a book with a title the same as the essay question. Love!!
Do you do commissions?
Gorgeous!!!!
He he he - I don't do commissions per se but I do love a good healthy crafty swap. Happy to discuss!! ;)
That 'guest' was me like as in the owner of the blog. Sheesh. JS Kits is on it's last chance.
Aww thanks Kylie! Aren't you the loveliest?
Thanks Nycole. I agree, it's about the clarity. If the diagram is clear then the words hopefully don't matter!
Oh the temptation is there...it's more a matter of 'choose your battles wisely Melanie'. I am building momentum and psyching myself slowly. It will be an eased into project. Can you imaging how all those beads will hang? The weight takes the jug cover to new heights...
Aww thanks Susan. That's a really lovely thing to say. I really really appreciate it.
Yes the pattern book is amazing and I too can see a beading frenzy in my stars...not rushing into it though!
Thanks Gretchen! It's lovely to be back. I forgot about all the great things about blogging like the people and the people and the people!
he he he! sneaky! Thank you Gina. Which reminds me, I believe I never sent you what I was going to send you. Apologies! There's a wee parcel coming your way next week...
Thank you. I agree. The beads add weight to the crochet. I love the way they hang
Thank you! How divine is the one on the cover? It's a ruffly red beaded delight. So much maddening temptation!!
Aren't you gorgeous Kate? Right back at you too on the space love!
Oh, how completely gorgeous is that book! So glad your back Mel the blogosphere would be that bit blander without Planet Melanie and a flurry of twinkly jug covers!! :)
He he he, I'm with you Jennie! I intend to test things out with the communal stall at the next Northside Makers.
You made me laugh with"goths lamenting over not having anything dark enough to keep the bugs out of their jugs". I wondered if perhaps they are inclined to use the covers in reverse i.e want to keep the bugs in their jugs?
Thanks Belinda. I'm glad to back too
Thank you. Yes, i too believe there is a goth out there somewhere in need of more black lacey things to adorn their home.
Thanks Jodie. That's why I love them too
Me or the jug covers? he he he
It's so wonderful to have you back. I've missed your crochet adventures, and wisdom about life. I'm inspired to try a jug cover myself sometime soon, and that book looks rather lovely!
Nice work! These remind me of my Nanna's sugar bowl :) covering those lovely little cubes of white sugar we loved to sneak.
I am a little jealous that I work from home and have no crafting travel time! Love the covers and I really like the black and red.
Surely counting 1000 beads sounds lilke a great chldren's eductional activity - no?
I think I would like to visit Planet Melanie. And I am pleased to know that my goth friends could have their jugs covered...!!! I think finding a niche is perfect Mel. Don't get panicked by the joy they bring you... embrace it.
Aww thanks Dill pickle. I've missed visiting everyone too! I will be looking out for your jug cover very soon!
Aww thanks Alisa. That's such a sweet thing to say. xo
I'm so glad you consider jug covers as a niche - because you're just so wonderfully talented at them! Look forward to admiring your jug-covers over the course of the year. They just get better and better.
Post a Comment