Friday 28 March 2014

Mystery Crochet Ta-Dah

Hello Lovelies,
yippee, I've got come colourful crochet to share with you today..... and if you can resist the temptation to scroll down and find out what I've been making we can play a little guessing game :0)

This project has been such a joy to do...it's always nice to gaze into a bag of colourful yarn and plan a new project. The thing I had planned needed to be hard wearing, so Stylecraft Acrylic yarn it was..........


I needed a patten with as little stretch as possible...I know crochet will always stretch a bit, but some designs are more elastic than others.

 Luckily I found an excellent tutorial for these cute mini hexagons HERE :0)


They are quite solid and would be easy to arrange into the shape I needed...........

 I used a 3.5mm hook to make them as solid as possible


They literally flew off my hook and I took a photo of the lovely "yarn worms" I had left over....just because....


Next it was time to sew them securely together. I chose Aster Blue as it matched my colour scheme.....


This is the shape I was making.......... not quite a heart and not quite a triangle...........

any ideas yet ?

Next it was time to add a border. I evened up the edges of my mini hexagons with some stitches of various heights...........

 My shape still had a rather wavy edge, but I wasn't worried.

Then I had fun adding a simple border of colourful half double (us) half treble (uk) stitches.........

 I do love this neat stitch and it always looks great in rows

To finish off I added a row of double crochet (us) trebles (uk)

 This colourful, lumpy bumpy thing really made me laugh

Finally all I had to do was  add was a drawstring........

 it was easy to weave it through the more open stitches of the final row.

Have you guessed what this is yet lovelies ?

This should give it away...........




It's a saddle cover for my bicycle :0)...........


Here's the back view.........

 Loving those stripes.

Eeeek, I am rather thrilled with how this speedy little project has turned out. I've pulled it tight as I didn't want it to slide around and my hexagons still look in good shape............



My beloved old bike, that I've owed since it was brand new in 1989 is just about perfect in my eyes.
 She only has three gears, but for my gentle fair weather cycling, she is perfect.
I love her metallic blue paint and two years ago I replaced her black wire mesh basket with a wicker basket ( a birthday prezzie from Mum )

She still has her original white wall tires.........

Her saddle is white too, but I've added a gel seat pad for extra comfort. It really worked a treat but I never liked it blackness.

And now I've finally done something about it. I think the old girl looks great..............


Adding some crochet to your bike is quite a thing at the moment and  THIS pin board is very inspiring.

I'm a bit wary of ending up with some very soggy yarn when I get caught in the rain, so a saddle cover seemed like a safer bet. But some basket decoration also appeals....watch this space .
Jacquie x

p.s. to make the shape I needed I simply made a paper pattern by placing a sheet of paper on my saddle and drawing round it..........you can just see a glimpse of it in the fifth photo.

77 comments:

  1. Brilliant happy crochet! :) x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lol - I love it - your bike now looks fab the black seat didnt do it justice xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a great spring mini project!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow! This was an unexpected turn :) I loved the sadle cover! So colorful, lovely work! It fits just right!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Brilliant Idea, Jacquie! She looks wonderful! As you say, now for the basket! can't wait to see what you come up with! E x

    ReplyDelete
  6. So, so pretty :) I love the colour combination - and the stripes! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Te quedó perfecto!!!!!! Besos

    ReplyDelete
  8. I think the old girl looks "spiffing" and so jolly...marvelous idea makes even me want to get on my bike
    bestest dxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Stunning, what a wonderful idea. The colour combination is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  10. It is just fantastic! Matches the bike perfectly. Hope you enjoy many hours of comfortable cycling.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow, what a great idea! Looking forward to seeing more of the bike yarn bombing!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love this! What a great idea! Almost makes me want to get a bike, just is I can make a gorgeous saddle cover for it.
    Marianne x

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love this, what a brilliant idea. I have the pink version of your bike and got it in 1991, it was well used when our daughter was small taking her to and fro to nursery but it doesn't get used much now.
    I look forward to seeing what you do to your basket
    Jackie x

    ReplyDelete
  14. So gorgeous! I have bike envy xx

    ReplyDelete
  15. I bought a new bike last year which is pretty brilliant but the colour is boring (black). I always wanted to "upgrade" this and I think your idea might be *the* thing! Thanks so much for sharing!! :-)

    Take care,
    Anne

    http://crochetbetweentwoworlds.blogspot.de

    ReplyDelete
  16. Brilliant Jacquie! I am sure that your bicycle loves it a lot! I couldn't work out what you were making from the shape and then with the sort of wibbly border, it looked all odd, and then of course the reveal it all made perfect sense!! You are so creative! xx

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great idea! Should make some to match my skirt guards. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hello Jacquie
    I was wondering wondering as I scrolled down photo after photo following the lovely colours.....I thought it was to be a little ones wobbly bag but then I saw the seat and it seemed just perfectly right and perfectly delicious to look at!!

    keep well

    Amanda x

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a beautiful bicycle. I'm a big fan of cycling, so I'm always happy to see a bike that's clearly loved. The seat cover is genius, so pretty and practical too. Maybe a bit of bunting round the basket..?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Aww, so sweet! The bike looks lovely, it is getting better as it gets older I think.
    x

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hehe great! I would love an easy rider bike, so genteele!

    ReplyDelete
  22. this is so clever and your bike has gained more personality!!!!!
    happy weekend, xxxxxx Ale

    ReplyDelete
  23. Absolutely wonderful! She is a beauty, and that gorgeous seat cover will make each cycle ride all the more jolly. Great design, the hexies are super! Chrissie x

    ReplyDelete
  24. Looking gorgeous I didn't twig until I saw the drawstring, what a great idea.
    The day may be cloudy and dull but you're taking colour with you wherever you go, it will bring a happy smile to many faces, brilliant!

    Peg x

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wow! That's beautiful. I would never have guessed you were making a cover for your bicycle seat. It looks lovely.x

    ReplyDelete
  26. That's brilliant! I love it. I almost wish I hadn't given away my bike but the old arthritic knees just couldn't hack it any more. Happy cycling x

    ReplyDelete
  27. How clever you are! Love it! At first I was thinking a bag, till the shape was revealed, then I didn't have a clue, till I saw the draw string, then I knew.lol Can't wait to see what you do with the basket. Have you thought about crocheting with those colored plastic bags, cut into strips, would be weather proof...Have you seen those crocheted wheel guards? I have plans with one of my girls old bikes, to paint and primp it, then add it to the flower garden, already bought the basket, much like yours (on clearance), now I must add something yarny to it.lol

    ReplyDelete
  28. Absolutely wonderful Jacquie, your bike looks brilliant. Can;t wait to see the basket.
    luv
    irene
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  29. Brilliant! What a treat for your bike! xx

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love your blog! Great pictures xx

    ReplyDelete
  31. That's so brilliant! I have only recently discovered your blog but I love it. Xx

    ReplyDelete
  32. That is just the fabest thing EVER!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. That is so cool and will give a bit of cushioning for your bottom :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Riding along on your push bike honey. Perfect pedalling pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Love that little seat! How very sweet!

    ReplyDelete
  36. fabulous! Absolutely brilliant. Extra decoration you say? Well how about some cute mini bunting to go down the inner frame or around the basket…. or maybe a small bunch of crochet flowers? Just lovely. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Well how dang cute and cleaver is that ♥♥

    ReplyDelete
  38. The saddle cover is fab and so clever! Your bike has been maintained so well. Have a nice day.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Such a fantastic idea! You kept me guessing until the final picture of it on the bike. I have a very similar bicycle-maybe I need to brighten her up too.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  40. Fantastic! I loved the merry colours, I loved your love for your bike. Hugs from Brazil!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Well, I'll be. That's a really cute idea. Your bike is older but it looks almost the same as mine, the color and style and everything.

    ReplyDelete
  42. what a delightful idea, I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  43. wow ....what a great idea!!!!! thanks for sharing!
    have a nice weekend,
    regina

    ReplyDelete
  44. Wow, I love this. Hope you don't mind if I "borrow" your idea?
    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  45. Yay! I guessed right!!! I love it! Like some others, hope you don't mind if I do similar, will dust off my jalopy for the summer very soon and it could do with a little TLC and colour (other than rust!!)

    ReplyDelete
  46. This is such an original idea, and it looks great on your bike! Have a nice weekend! : )

    ReplyDelete
  47. That is so sweet, love it :)

    ReplyDelete
  48. What a fabulous idea to brighten up your bike!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Looks fab! :)

    ReplyDelete
  50. Thats fab makes me smile just to see it. yay for yarny bikes
    Clare xx

    ReplyDelete
  51. I would never have guessed what you were making until the final reveal. Your bike seat cover is just the best.
    Anne xx

    ReplyDelete
  52. That is brilliant Jacquie - I admire your lovely bike every time she shows up in your pics, and I love her even more now! Fantastic colours aren't they! Joy x

    ReplyDelete
  53. Hi there :) I LOVE this idea, its genius! Your colour combos are lovely and your bike is the same colour as mine so perhaps I will have to whip up a saddle cover of my own.
    I've also started blogging, mostly about crochet, and am convinced I will have noone reading or replying, so please do visit me at http://emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk/
    Jill

    ReplyDelete
  54. I love this so so much! I've recently taken my bike out and about again and I totally want to do this AND make a fancy matching decoration for the basket. So pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  55. That is exquisite, how clever you are! I didn't guess :-D It looks absolutely stunning, and you've inspired me to think on something like that for my old bike too! Love it.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Your bicycle seat cover is perfectly lovely! and it looks perfect on that lovely blue bike...
    Lov-er-ly!

    ReplyDelete
  57. I love it, you are very clever!!!

    ReplyDelete
  58. It's fab!. No, I couldn't guess what it was to become but at one point I wondered if it was becoming an egg, lol! The end result is delightful. I look forward to seeing any basket embellishments that you may choose to make.
    Tracey xx

    ReplyDelete
  59. jackie u are my living saviour!! i have wanted to make one of these for my bike ever since i saw a picture of a yarnbombed bycycle. i thought i would do the same to my own. now i can make a start. you did keep me guessing with what you were making right to the end. first i thought was it bunting then a bag or a dreamcatcher! its great i cannot wait to get started on my ownxx

    ReplyDelete
  60. I love your bike and what a snazzy seat cover you've created. Absolutely gorgeous. Nice work. :) That's a good pattern for a tutorial if ever there was one. :)

    ReplyDelete
  61. Impressive! I had to come back & tell you that my husband is really impressed that your tires have lasted so long. Beautiful bike.

    ReplyDelete
  62. that is so much fun, I love it! oh basket next please, Heather x

    ReplyDelete
  63. I SO wish I still had my old bike from 1986, it was like yours, a beautiful metallic blue Raleigh Wispa, I loved it very much. you should look at this month's Simply Crochet mag, out in the shops on Thursday, guess what's on the front cover?
    jacquie your bike seat is Amazing, well done! xxxxxxxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  64. Jacquie I just wanted to thank you, thanks to your blog I had some readers of my first post yesterday :) Very exciting :) I have added a link to your blog on my blog - does that make sense ?

    ReplyDelete
  65. Demais a sua ideia. Tenho um ciclista na família e com certeza ele vai gostar desta novidade. Até mais!!

    ReplyDelete
  66. What an idea! Great job :) Loved the post.

    ReplyDelete
  67. Love this granny square bike seat. Makes me wonder why I didn't think of this years ago when we used to ride our bikes and later on riding my stationery bike to get my figure back. A padded one since my bottom would get sore from all my riding. Never did keep my figure, naturally I blame all those babies of mine and now I blame them again since they keep having grandchildren. I'm a cuddly grandma and my grandson (one of them) said so. Naturally he got a big hug for that. Gotta love me just as I am.

    ReplyDelete
  68. What a novel idea! and I just love your bike too! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  69. What a brilliant idea. Love it, x

    ReplyDelete
  70. This is just too beautiful, fun and perfect Jacquie, I love it, what a talent you have!! xox

    ReplyDelete
  71. I actually just made a large granny circle/square. I found youy blog while looking for ways to add it to the seat. Thanks for this idea. I may have to resort to something like you did. Come follow me and ill post my results soon! Thanks.

    ReplyDelete

I always love to hear from you , thank you for taking the time to leave a message.