I Make Things

[ladysprite]

I'm a crafter. I like making things. And I like making things for people - which is a goodness, because otherwise my house would be even more overflowing with crocheted bits and bobs, scraps of needlework, altered books, scrapwork, and goodness knows what else than it already is. Also, making things for other people gives me the opportunity to try out new patterns and ideas that I wouldn't bother putting the effort into for myself, or that I'm just not personally interested in (I have no need for baby dresses, however adorable and fun to make they may be).

So when one of my oldest and dearest friends from college announced that he was getting married, I knew it was an opportunity to make something glorious. He's one of the most colorful, creative, and genuinely weird-in-the-best-possible-way people I know, and I wanted to find something that reflected just how unique he is, while still being... well, generally nice, and pretty, and something that would suit his bride-to-be as well. And I went on a hunt, and I found the perfect pattern.

It was for an afghan - a granny square afghan. Simple, right? Except this one was made up of about 1100 tiny squares, in over a dozen different colors. It should have been egregious, but the pictures of the end result were glorious. So I asked myself how hard it could be, and started in. That was in November. The wedding was in December.

I just finished the project about a week ago. And... well, I have to share.




Spread out in the sunlight, to better share its technicolor glory


And a different angle....

I am more proud of this, I think, than of anything else I have ever made. God knows it took me longer than just about anything before it.

Oh, and while I'm engaging in sheer unmitigated vanity and forced picture-sharing, I have a cute new hat, and it looks utterly smashing with the handmade peacock-feather clip I bought at the local art festival -


See?

Comments

[jtdiii.livejournal.com]

He is a very lucky man. lovely work!

[virtualvirtue.livejournal.com]

1. Oh...my...word. Gorgeous afghan!
2. Very pretty hat -- with equally pretty wearer. :-)

[tikva.livejournal.com]

That afghan is amazing, and so are you.

[wcg.livejournal.com]

Beautiful!

[janetmiles.livejournal.com]

Oh, my goodness that afghan is lovely!

And you look delightful in the hat, too.

[deguspice.livejournal.com]

The shading on the afghan turned out well.

[catalana.livejournal.com]

That is gorgeous! And I love you in that hat!

Oh, and I'd sure love to see some of your altered books some time, if you ever wanted to show photos...I'm just learning about them, and they sound way cool.

[starcat-jewel.livejournal.com]

Wow -- that's an impressive achievement. Doing the squares alone would be hard enough, but then fastening them all together! I've heard my knitting friends say that putting all the pieces together is their least favorite part of the work, and this one has a shit-ton of pieces. I could never even contemplate doing something like that.

And you were right, the results are definitely worth it.

[citabria]

Oh my goodness that's absolutely amazing! You're absolutely amazing! What a magnificent gift!

You're also quite smashing in that hat. :)

[joannahurley.livejournal.com]

Wow. That came out very nice!

Also, love the hat.

[cristovau.livejournal.com]

..."one of the most colorful, creative, and genuinely weird-in-the-best-possible-way people I know"

It sounds like you and he have a lot in common. It is good to see you showing off your colorful peacock pride. I always knew you had colorful plumage.

[gmkieran.livejournal.com]

Beautiful!!!! Thank you for sharing!

[pagawne.livejournal.com]

That is wonderful. It just seems to glow. I hope they enjoy it for many years.
Love the hat and the clip.

[mermaidlady]

So beautiful!

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's quite the Afghan. ANd nice hat, too.

[evcelt.livejournal.com]

Lovely!

The hat is quite nice, too. Good pic of you...

[ladymondegreen.livejournal.com]

That's beautiful. Congratulations on finishing it.

I am also amused to note that your hat appears to be crocheted.

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous!

[mamatiger.livejournal.com]

Oh wow, how pretty!! It's not the tiniest bit vain to feel proud of such an accomplishment, because it's stunning. (I hope you gave them instructions on how to care for that afghan so it lasts a lifetime like it ought to!)

Also, darling hat, adorable pose!

[felis-sidus.livejournal.com]

Ooooooh!

[alexx-kay.livejournal.com]

Pretty x 3 :)

[surakofb5.livejournal.com]

Oh, WOW!

[interactiveleaf.livejournal.com]

The afghan is stunning, and the hat looks good on you. Nice feather, too.

And related to the feather is a link I think you'll find interesting: Why You're Wearing Feathers Right Now (http://social-creature.com/why-youre-wearing-feathers-right-now). Apparently there's a shortage.