Monday, November 4, 2013

Scrap happy!

This week, it occurred to me that I like making things with scraps. I like quilting with scraps, collaging with paper scraps, cooking a big pot of vegetable soup with veggie scraps ("leftovers" sounds nicer), and most recently, working on a scrappy crocheted afghan. While I crocheted over the weekend, I made sure to use an appropriately scrappy teacup and teapot, too!

This Sandy Lynam Clough design teacup and teapot were among some treasured gifts I received from my tea blogger friend Phyllis a few years back. Because of its fabric scrap design, I thought it was appropriate to sip my pumpkin tea from this teacup while I worked on the scrap afghan.

Frankly, this project was just supposed to be an experiment. I had a whole bag of very, very mismatched yarn leftovers. The colors didn't go together one little bit, the textures didn't match, and I figured I'd make a couple of these hexagons, it would be hideous, and I could toss the bag of scraps guilt-free. To my surprise, I rather liked the result! Because some of the yarns were different weights and textures, I had to use two strands of some, three strands of others, but the mismatched design appeals to me a lot. I absolutely love the easy-peasy pattern too, as it involves joining the hexagons as you go rather than crocheting them separately and then having to join them afterward, which I always found to be dreary work. (The free pattern's here, fellow crocheters.)

I'll keep going until I run out of yarn scraps, but for now I'm really enjoying the way this brightens up the brown leather sofa we got earlier this year. Scraps, I think, are a lot like life: Whatever you're handed, you can make something beautiful out of it if you set your mind to it. Are you a fan of scraps?

10 comments:

  1. Your new crocheted patchwork quilt is pretty and does look nice draped over the couch.
    Judith

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  2. Soo. cute Angela. I just learned to knit and I do want to learn to crochet but I am afraid I will confuse myself now. I will definitely keep this in mind when I am ready to learn. Looks so happy and fun.

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  3. Love this post, love the pieces you made= they look wonderful together...and I am a huge fan of SLC artwork - I have been a member of her chat group for years and years.

    Have a wonderful week!

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  4. Very fun! I was on a Granny Squares kick in the 1970s...even made a jacket and everyone got afghans! LOL! But they are fun to do, and I think yours is lovely! Uses up all the bits as well...recycling & using up is always good! Well done, you!
    Ruth

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  5. Love your creativity, Angela! The multi-colored, Granny Hexagon patchwork quilt turned out lovely, and you'll enjoy snuggling in it as you sit [or lay] on the couch watching T.V., reading a book, or relaxing.

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  6. It's beautiful, Angela! I actually really like the color combinations, you did a great job of mixing them up and coordinating them, I think they look nice & cohesive!

    Love that scrappy tea set, too!

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  7. Love this post. Yes, I like scraps too and this crochet project is just perfect. I absolutely love it.

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  8. What a fun pattern and a nice way to use up those bits of yarn! I love the happiness of all the colors. And that teapot and teacup are indeed perfect companions for the patchwork afghan! I do like making something beautiful out of things that might otherwise have been discarded.

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  9. Angela, you certainly are a woman of many talents! It is incredible that you created this beautiful piece in one day out something you had intended to discard. WOW!

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  10. Love your scrappy crocheted afghan. I learned to crochet Granny Squares many years ago - I bet it is relaxing. That teacup and teapot is very cute - wonder if I can find it on ebay.

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