Nayu's Craft Time #28 Flower power!

These are my African violes in full bloom when I first got them. No flowers a the moment, hence the older picture. Which makes me amazed at how long they've lasted, as I don't have the greenest of fingers

I don't know about you but I love flowers. They are uplifting, cheerful and always make me smile no matter what kind of mood I'm in. As part of expanding my crochet skills I've eyed up making flowers, but thought I'd wait until I have more time in July to focus on them. Last night, however, I was a bit overtired from being up since 3.30am which was offset by my 5 weekly dose of mega strong pain meds which make me hyper & loopy the following day, so I got into the mindset that I'd try flowers last night, since that's exactly what I do after a busy day of work (not!). 

I picked a pattern that sounded easy from this cute book which was a bargain at £4. I appreciate some of what I'm saying next might not make much sense but I'm including it as it's important. To start the flower in the centre of the ordinary granny square I did the usual single chain plus slip stitch to make a ring. Then I nearly gave up as I had to do 11 double crochet stitches around the ring. 

I was determined to succeed!

I'm guessing you may be thinking the double crochet (dc) stumped me. I don't usually do dc, but with a quick refresher I was fine. I got a bit stuck at 11 stitches. The reason I currently don't follow patterns and stick with my beloved simple granny squares is because by the end of the day (and, to be fair, most of the day) my ability to concentrate is usually hampered by what is called brain fog - I lack the energy to concentrated and think straight. Counting to 11 can be hard to remember. That's why I nearly gave up, as the first time I lost count. 

Meow? Why have you stopped?

Thankfully the second time of trying I didn't lose count - yay! As I formed the petals I became super happy that it was relatively easy. I'm sure that I haven't quite sussed out how to create the final four loops at the back of the flower which will be the start of the granny squares, as my flower isn't quite lifting up (that's the only way I can think of describing it) as the one in the picture but I'm thrilled it ressembles a flower - check it out! 

Mine is on the right, you can see the sample on the left.

Doing the granny square part of the pattern was easy...although I discovered something new as this pattern used 3 instead of 2 chain stitches at the corners. Here's my first finished granny square with flower! 

Not bad ^u^

Since it was nearly time for bed I knew doing another flower wasn't the wisest choice, so I made two small squares, one using 2 chain stitches at the corner and one using 3. The difference is subtle, it makes it a bit more defined so I'm going to use 3 stitches from now on! 

2 chain granny square on the left, 3 chain cranny square on the right

Today I need to work on my final Spring Collection blanket (yes I know it's late but summer doesn't exactly come fast here in England), but since I'm going to be up until 3am Sunday (I have to since my medication makes me hyper and if I don't do it then I'll sleep too badly on Sunday night to be able to go to work Monday) I'm going to get some flower making practice! I'm going to try one part of the flower pattern differently, putting the stitches in the centre of the petals rather than at the centre of the edge to see if that makes my flower 'lift up'. I'll keep you posted on Facebook and Twitter, and report back here later in the week. I'd love to know what you think of flowers and how you incorporate them into your life!

Being a florist remains a dream job due to hayfever & my not entirely reliable way of looking after flowers. I know a friend who is one and who loves it! Check out her work on Blooming Marvellous Flowers