inspiration for Sunflower on a Grid

I met a lady on Ravelry who has already crocheted several flowers from Crochet Bouquet, including the “Sunflower on a Grid.” (Her Ravelry tag is iCrochetiCreate.)

I worked out the pattern for that flower on the long drive from our house to Alpine, Texas. My husband went to a conference there, and I got to tag along. * I crocheted and ripped and crocheted some more and took notes. * Rep bet *s several times.

Finally the proportions were just right, and I crocheted it all in black Euroflax Sport. Why black? Because the inspiration for this flower was all black.

crocheted sunflower on a grid

The Grammar of Ornament, by Owen Jones (Dover Publications), is one of my favorite design books. Right there on the bottom right corner of “Plate 1: Ornament from Oceania,” is this design, which looks like it might have been from a piece of bark cloth. I have admired those flowers and the colors for years. “Sunflower on a Grid” is my interpretation of that design.

The black flower didn’t make it into the book, because black is very difficult to photograph. Sometime in the summer, I’ll post a project that uses the black “Sunflower on a Grid” and takes advantage of the grid for a special effect.

Workshop and Book Signings: Hope to See You There!

I’m teaching a crochet flower class at the Estes Park Wool Market, June 13, 2008, in Colorado. We’ll practice several unusual crochet techniques from Crochet Bouquet, including how to use padding threads. By the time we’re done, you’ll have a bunch of pretty crocheted flowers. Check the sidebar for more information.

Crochet Bouquet book signings:

  1. Dublin Public Library, May 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dublin, Texas.
  2. Hastings Books, May 24, 1 to 4 p.m., Stephenville, Texas.
  3. Showers of Flowers yarn shop, June 10, Denver, Colorado.