As I work on the center panel of my 2018 North Carolina State Fair project, I occasionally have to look for some “thing” that I need to work on it. Sometimes it is a particular needle or a specific shade of yarn that I know I have somewhere, or it could be one of the artifacts I am using as a combination, guide, talisman, and inspiration for the piece. Whatever it is, the first place I generally look is in one of the boxes I packed last March when my downsizing journey began, and this time, when I was looking for something else, I found my copy of The Crocheter’s Quilt Book.
The Crocheter’s Quilt Book which If found while unpacking a box
I casually thumbed through the pages to determine if I should keep the book or add it to my downsizing pile, when I came across a pattern that caught my eye and my imagination. After I had done a few more pressing crochet tasks, I got out a hook and turquoise yarn and gave the pattern a spin:
A crochet diamond that intrigued me
Pleased with the result, I combined what I had learned from making the crochet diamond with some other techniques I have employed to make the crochet crazy quilt pieces and fashioned a triangle that I also liked:
The original crochet diamond with a crochet triangle inspired by the techniques I learned
Happy with the result, I realized that if I were to be as pleased with the crochet crazy quilt center panel as I was with the two shapes I had just crocheted, I needed to get out my embroidery book and practice some embroidery stitches on the crazy quilt swatch I had unearthed.
My first efforts were pretty sad, but eventually, I started to get the hang of it, and my stitches were more even and less awkward. I also learned that the crazy quilt embroidery stitches I think of as “the usual suspects” pop up so often because they work better than the others. So after a number of experimental efforts that didn’t look all that awesome, I started to concentrate more on the tried and true crazy quilt embroidery stitches, and was not disappointed:
Practice embroidery stitches on a crochet crazy quilt swatch
With my “embroidery on crochet” skills much improved, I decided to move back to the center panel and finish work on the cherry cola crochet rickrack that I am crocheting to frame the two larger, off-white pieces:
An overview of my overall progress on the crochet crazy quilt center panel
And now that I have my tools, my supplies, and my skills all in one place, I can continue this journey, one stitch at a time.
4 thoughts on “I start to find my embroidery groove and my copy of The Crocheter’s Quilt Book”
I love crazy quilts and I love crochet, who knew the 2 could be combined?? Can’t wait to see the finished product ?
I have been following you on this creative journey and enjoy each new post.
Judging by your progress so far, I would give what’s finished to date the “BEST IN SHOW!” That panel shows remarkable talent, with even more beautiful pieces to be added!
I can’t wait until you finish your “crazy quilt”!!! Those two white center panels made me wonder how it will all turn out. I thought, “those are weird.” But now I am sure all will fall in place!
Belle
I love crazy quilts and I love crochet, who knew the 2 could be combined?? Can’t wait to see the finished product ?
I have been following you on this creative journey and enjoy each new post.
Judging by your progress so far, I would give what’s finished to date the “BEST IN SHOW!” That panel shows remarkable talent, with even more beautiful pieces to be added!
I can’t wait until you finish your “crazy quilt”!!! Those two white center panels made me wonder how it will all turn out. I thought, “those are weird.” But now I am sure all will fall in place!
Belle