3.03.2010

pineapple rose garden & an exceptional finish

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And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.
—Percy Bysshe Shelley
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Such warm & wonderful thoughts as we begin our wintry thaw. And what better way to usher in the springtime than to crochet.......oh! I know......
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....a doily!
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Why, of course -- can't stray from the obvious.
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I am using this book:

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and crocheting the Pineapple Rose Garden topper.
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Size 10 crochet cotton and my size 5 steel hook.
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The topper begins with this pretty rose in variegated pink hues. And believe it or not, I am learning a lesson about tackling crochet projects rated as EXPERIENCED -- because these are something I would have never attempted before.
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Duh --take one step at a time. One teeny tiny direction at a time before rushing into the next stitch. Because you see before, I would always read the entire row and groan inwardly that there was no way I could ever understand this, much less attempt it with hook & thread.
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For example:
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Rnd 28: Slip st in next FPtr and around post next FPtr,
ch 4, work FPtr around each of next 5 sts
3 dc in next ch-2 sp, work FPtr around each of next 6 sts,
work Split FPtr, * work FPtr around each of next 6 sts,
3 dc in next ch-2 sp, work FPtr around each of next 6 sts,
work Split FPtr; repeat from * around; join with slip st
in fourth ch of beginning ch-4.

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What?!

In my previous life (ha) I would glance at the whole set of directions and k.n.o.w. there was no way I could ever crochet that row. But then the aha! moment came and I starte to read just one tiny section of the phrase -- worked it -- then moved onto the next phrase -- worked it -- and oila! progress & more importantly -->success!

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Yes, I know. Slower than most, but because I finally got that through my thick head, I actually completed for-experienced-only-crocheters EXCEPTIONAL doily!

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And the flowers -- from my husband for our 19th wedding anniversary. Perfect combination, don't you think?

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15 comments:

Tudy said...

I love the white doily and I know you can do anything you put your mind to. The rose is beautiful. Good work.

Paqui said...

Que delicada es la rosa, los hilos tienen aspecto de ser muy buenos, saludos, Paqui

QuiltedSimple said...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! I too am the same way with knitting directions - if I were to read the whole thing through I would be so incredibly lost. LOVE that white doily and the rose
kris

Elle said...

Wow, I really love your crochet work here! It makes me wish I knew how to crochet. :)

Evelyn said...

The rose is beautiful and the flowers are nice too. See you.

Cheryl said...

Wow, that exception doily is really... exceptional! I think it's great that you're challenging yourself. A lot of people would never try something that difficult. It's beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, loved the poetry thanks so much for sharing!

Marilyn said...

That is a masterpiece. A work of art. Well done! I am in awe!! So much work and so worth it. Isn't it the best feeling to finish something and have it turn out so well? I have to get that book now and try.....

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

I was going to write that the up close photo of the variegated rose is awesome and then I find the EXCEPTIONAL doily finished! Wow - it is just gorgeous! You have graduated to a master crocheter!!

Unknown said...

Oh, my the rose is stunning. And yes, I have to take one step at a time too or I can become overwhelmed with all the details.
Teresa

My Casa Bella said...

That rose you crochet would look beautiful pinned to a spring jacket...too cute!!!

Lynne said...

Hi, I've enjoyed visiting your blog as you are doing some very fine crochet here. I started to make a doily set many years ago. I can't even remember how far I got with it, or what became of it, shame. I've recently got back into crocheting but of the granny and ripple type.

Dandelion Quilts said...

Beautiful. Happy anniversary...

StitchinByTheLake said...

I never cease to be amazed by the intricate things you crochet - just lovely. blessings, marlene

tejeh dony said...

Hola amiga,que linda flor,esta hermosa ¡¡.
Los hilos que linda calidad muy lindos,me gustan mucho los coleres que tiene .

Un besito