....for my patchwork coverlet mostly came via this very colorful afghan I picked up at a thrift shop, sometime in the last year. A myriad of many-colored yarns was used to make this crocheted little gem; every time I look at it, I wonder whether its creator carefully preplanned the color scheme before starting it, or simply went along as scraps of yarn were uncovered around the house... Do you find yourself asking similar questions when you pick up a thrifted handmade treasure? I'm always doing it --- part of me also feels sad that such beautiful creations are no longer with their original owners...
In this case, I'm thinking that the afghan was a merry-go-along-as-you-find-yarn-scraps project because there are so many non-repeating little bits of different colored yarn in this piece. Amazingly, it all works together beautifully and the colors... oh, the colors -- what a joyous jumble!...
Because I love his afghan so much, I decided to draw inspiration from it when I started putting together my latest patchwork design (also meant to be for my daughter Alexandra's bedroom, which is painted in a very light shade of pink). The first thing that struck me when I looked at the afghan was the wide range of colors in it; without this afghan as inspiration, I would have undoubtedly put together a safer, more conservative, more controlled color scheme. For one, I doubt I would have thrown in the lavender print in there along with the pink and the very sharp red one; I'm not normally big on combining shades of lavender/violet with pinks... But, I think, with the strong reds and greens as well as the black/grays, it works well, giving it more of an old, scrap patchwork feel...
In the past, whenever I've put together one of these patchworks, I probably used half of the number of prints I used this time; for a coverlet of this size which is made up of 8 x 11 squares, I would have used about 12 different prints as opposed to the 24 I used this time -- twice as much! The afghan with its absolute riot of colors inspired me to be freer with my choice of prints as well as push the constraints I usually impose on myself -- I've always thought that for the design to work, I needed to use at least 6 squares of the same fabric -- not true, a 2-3 square repeat may also work! By incorporating more colors and prints, I think the overall look becomes a bit edgier, scrap-like, perhaps more bazaar-style...you know what I mean, right?!...
Drawing inspiration from my treasured afghan has surprised with an invaluable learning experience -- it made me think out of my usual "safe box"... and that's always a good thing!...
It really looks wonderful. So colorful and bright. Really really love the colors you use!!!
Posted by: simone | October 17, 2008 at 03:24 AM
Thank you so much for sharing your inspiration here, it makes for very interesting reading and is inspiring in itself!
Posted by: sarah | October 17, 2008 at 04:38 AM
The colors are beautiful... they made me smile, thank you!
Posted by: Kate | October 17, 2008 at 09:48 AM
Oh such beautiful colors - much like your flower afghan which I dearly love. I hope you are still planning in sharing the directions for the flower squares with us. Really you should consider writing a book - I know you would have many interested buyers!!
Posted by: Anne | October 17, 2008 at 01:31 PM
Your coverlet is SO BEAUTIFUL! All those gorgeous bold colours :)
Thanks for popping in and saying Hi yesterday. That was so cool, seeing that you came 'round from Decor8!
Posted by: Lilli | October 18, 2008 at 08:00 AM
Love this! or rather these. Don't you love it when you dare!
Posted by: mary jane | October 21, 2008 at 04:59 AM
Oh I LOVE the bright colors!
Posted by: Melissa | October 21, 2008 at 06:11 AM
It's a good mantra which I like to use - "If in doubt, add another colour" - perfect! t.xx
Posted by: kitschen pink | October 21, 2008 at 02:53 PM
I am so glad you´ve wrote this about the scraps and lots of colours, because I am also often more on the 'safe' side. One part of me wants to play with all of the colours I have, but there is also always a voice in my head which tries to tell me to stay with just a few. Therefore I am often uncertain, most of my blankets or cushions are only made in my mind, too dull with only the few and too bold with all of them for a real life. But your post encouraged me a lot, your blankets look definitely stunning and gorgeous, both of them!
Posted by: Krawuggl | October 22, 2008 at 05:05 AM
ohh my goodness.....i love all of the colors!!! this is so bright, exactly how i would have made it....if i could knit or crochet. happy thursday!
Posted by: nathalie | October 22, 2008 at 04:58 PM
Oh, gorgeous colors!
Posted by: Leigh | October 22, 2008 at 06:41 PM
oooooooooooooh what a beauty...this colours let me fly!
thanks, love from germany, silke
Posted by: Tausendschoen | November 06, 2008 at 10:31 AM
So beautiful colours.... it looks great... :-)
Best regards
Iris
Posted by: Iris | December 02, 2008 at 10:55 AM
So beautiful colours.... it looks great... :-)
Best regards
Iris
Posted by: Iris | December 02, 2008 at 10:55 AM
So beautiful colours.... it looks great... :-)
Best regards
Iris
Posted by: Iris | December 02, 2008 at 10:56 AM
What a great find that Afghan was.............. wonderful that it inspired your quilt, which is, quite simply, absolutely beautiful!
Love vanessa xxx (do you mind if i knit)
Posted by: vanessa | May 11, 2009 at 04:31 PM