Sometimes to urge to start a new project is overwhelming and I have to set all of the WIPs aside and just go for it.
Zoya Matyushenko’s new pattern Yennefer was irresistable.
The instructions are well written but do not come with a photo tutorial, so I make a copy of the photo on my laptop and then crop it and enlarge so that I can see the details as a guide.
I’m using Scheepjes Whirl Turquoise Turntable – ooooo – I just have to pause to delight in this gradient yarn – it feels gorgeous and looks so inviting – I had to stroke and squidge it for a few days before breaking into it. The photo does not do it justice. Oh the joy of the colour and how it fades from light to dark ………… ………… …….
It is soooooooooo pretty.
I tried a 4mm hook, but it did not hold together, so I am using a 3.5mm hook to make a mandala which I will sew to a metal hoop and hang in the wall. You can see other mandalas/dreamcatchers I have made here , here, here and one for a wizard here.
I am not getting the stitches even but hope, by the end, they will look ok
Zoya is a magician with crochet and creates all sorts of amazing effects. Each round is an adventure and the sense of achievement is huge and so satisfying.
I am working from the pale turquoise on the outside and by the end of Round 14, I thought I would, cut the yarn and wind off some of this pale turquoise, in order to get the full range of the gradient colours into the mandala.
At each join another strand of darker turquoise is added, I wound the yarn past one join and cut it at the next
Round 15 is started with the slightly darker yarn.
Working these Rounds is like reading an exciting book, I’m eager to get to the end of the ‘chapter’ and to get onto the next one, a real page-turner. I want to see how the next bit of the story affects the last bit and see the story unfold, each new stitch, a new character. I can’t put it down.
Sometimes I wish there was a photo to explain the next Round, so for my own future reference, this is the beginning of Round 17.
I am often asked how long I take to make a blanket or a mandala and it is always a difficult question to answer as I pick crochet up in odd moments and never time myself. But I was interested to see how long each of the ‘Petals’ took to make so I set my Stopwatch
At least I have an answer if asked about this one – if only for one part of it.
The work is much softer in Scheepjes Whirl than in a finer crisper cotton, but I’m hoping that once stretched on a hoop the details will be defined enough for a pleasing effect.
Onto the next petal….
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So it is flower shaped…not in a vase…but great to have a little look at on In a Vase on Monday day. What a talent you have.
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Thank you Noelle, yes, a different sort of Flower Mandala.
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It is beautiful already, and like Kate, I love reading your sense of anticipation and enjoyment in the actual process of making it.
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Thank you TR. I’m so glad you ‘get’ my joy in the project – I’m loving it!
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I’m just beginning to crochet. Badly. This gives me inspiration – thank you.
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Ooh how exciting, a whole new world is going to open up for you!
There are so many wonderful video tutorials out there now to help you along the way.
Do you follow Attic24? Lucy does brilliant photo tutorials.
And Helen Shrimpton’s videos will help you create some magical patterns.
Happy Hooking!
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No, I hadn’t started following anyone really…I might have to now! Thanks
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🙂
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It will be so gorgeous!
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I have just woken up at 5:30am, eager to keep going with it!
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It is looking absolutely beautiful! I am envious, I love having a project that makes me stop everything else! I just haven’t found anything lately of interest! Hopefully soon- LOL!
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Total immersion here! 😉
Good luck in your quest.
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The texture of the central part looks particularly interesting. Turquoise is a lovely colour but maybe not an easy colour to photograph.
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It is very difficult to get the colour right!
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It’s looking lovely in that graded turquoise and I’ll be interested to see the effect the softer yarn has on the definition.
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Yes, I have to admit, I’m slightly nervous about that, but I am absolutely LOVING working with this yarn and pattern together.
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Exquisite is right! No wonder you can’t resist.
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Zoya’s patterns are just wonderful – yes Pauline found the perfect word ‘exquisite’. 🙂
Resistance is, as they say, futile!
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😉
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You do find the most exquisite patterns and this is another one! Your colour choice is of course also exquisite and I am looking forward to seeing it up on the wall. I’m still umming and aahing over the Amanzi which is on it’s way to becoming a chair cover but I don’t know if I like it enough to finish…… sigh!!
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Oh no! I feel a bit responsible. Is it the pattern you don’t like?
Have you done enough for a cushion cover?
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Oh no, no responsibility on you at all. I love the pattern but I chose to use no white or cream in the pattern and as a result it doesn’t sing in the right way. I’m considering making a post and asking for honest thoughts and I’m sure you will clearly see what I mean.
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oh – ok – more colour choice than the pattern.
Jen Tyler’s style takes a bit of getting used to doesn’t it, so I wondered if that had put you off.
I look forward to seeing it.
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I avoided listening to her I have to say and preferred to nut out what she meant when it was unclear – but I like the texture. I just regret my decision to exclude the white.
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It’s lovely to read how much you’re enjoying this! And that’s a really beautiful yarn you’re working with. I can’t crochet or knit and it always looks miraculous to me how something beautiful and 3D emerges from just a bit of yarn and a hook or pair of needles.
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I feel the same sense of awe about crochet ( to to a lesser extent knitting) – one hook, one thread = a kind of miracle!
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Exactly!
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