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      Lampshade, why not!

      July 14th

      Pimp my lampshade?
      Slowly ever, so slowly over the years the house has had additions of the yarny kind smuggled into
      each room of the humble abode.  Why smuggled, well he that I am married to is now a tad exasperated by the quantity and number of such home made goods of the crochet and knitted kind.  At first he was amused and encouraged me with my yarny hobby and smiled at my choice.  Now into our third decade together he smiles not so much at the next produced item, hence I smuggle them in.  Others may tell white lies about dresses and shoes they have bought saying, "This old thing, no, it's been in the wardrobe for ages, you've seen this before."  To my version: "This blanket/pot cover/wash cloth/scarf...(or choose from a vast array of goods that can be crocheted or knitted), no babes, it's been in the house for donkeys, maybe you are only noticing it now as I have moved it from the other room." I say blushing and hoping he doesn't ask where was it in the other room as he cannot quite remember and is trying to 'see' where it previously was...

      This brings me swiftly on to an addition that 'appeared' a few months ago and has only recently been 'noticed' with a wry smile and a "Of course you would" look.  I have covered several lampshades in the past in yarn, admittedly always crocheted, umm, now wondering about a knitted version.  anyway onto this latest crocheted lampshade, the inspiration came from the very clever Kate Rowe Kate Rowe as soon as I saw her colourful take on lampshades I knew I had to create my own version.  What better room to make it for than a teenage room!  Quirky and fun. 


      The crocheted balls catch the lamp light well
       
      Piercing the lampshade with holes for the
      blanket stitch was the trickiest part to this make
       
      Adds a sense of fun in  a teenage room
       
       
      In order to make this I first pierced the lampshade base at regular 1 cm intervals with a bradle and then blanket stitched around the edge. My learning notes from this make would be to ensure that the blanket stitch on the lampshade itself was slightly looser next time, if you look closely you will see that the whole make pulls inwards, so be careful if making your own version.
       
      I then scallop edged using a basic slip stitch, sc, dc, htr, tr, htr, dc, sc, slip stich combination to create the wavy edge on the base of the lamp shade.
       
      Meanwhile I made lots of little crochet balls, use your preferred method or otherwise Lucy at Attic 24 has a great tutorial Little Balls For the hanging length I simply chained the desired length required and slip stitched into each chain to give it more strength and a cleaner finish. Sewed the lengths onto the ball and onto the scallop edging et voila!
       
       
      ♥  Lampshade bling 

      19 comments:

      1. I love the idea of you sneaking things in to the house that you have made and claiming they have been there all along! I am very lucky that in all respects if my husband or I buy something or acquire something we simply say so and that we are both OK with that. We might not always like it, but we are happy to go with it. I hope you have lots more fun sneaking things into the house and around the house. The lampshade looks very pretty and is fun and playful too!

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        Replies
        1. I am as honest as can be Any and John totally knows the game I'm playing and j know he knows so it's all good here. Promise.

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      2. Fun lampshades which are much more cheery than plain ones. The idea of sneaking stuff in and acting all innocenct is very amusing!

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      3. Oh I love it. It really does add a sense of fun. The little balls pattern is great. I used it to make some for my Christmas tree last year. Great idea of yours sneaking things into the house like that. ☺ x

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        Replies
        1. I too Jules have used Attic 24 little balls pattern a lot

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      4. Your post made me smile, sneaking things in. Such a fun item, a lovely addition to a teenage room.

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      5. Ha ha I too am covering the house in wool! I even have bobbles on the lampshade although they are attached to a woolly strip and the whole thing sewn on. Yours look so glamorous. They even look a little bit like cherries . . . x

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        Replies
        1. Shhhh Karen, Phil maybe reading this post but yes cherries are on my mind these days...

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      6. What a great idea; I love it, too! I could make one for my little granddaughter's room. Enjoy your weekend with your yarn :). Pat xx

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        Replies
        1. Ooh yes Pat. Great idea. Would love to see yours

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      7. Love it! I love the guerilla yarn tactics going on in your house!

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        Replies
        1. You know me Phil, where there's a will there's a way...

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      8. Oh Selma! You had me in stitches! My addiction is fabric, and doesn't DH know it! Your tale seems vaguely familiar, somehow! I love your pretty addition to the lampshade and your "cherries", hee, hee!
        Barbara xx

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        Replies
        1. Thank you Barbara but I must say I don't know what you mean about 'cherries' (she says blushing!)

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      9. Deborah Garretty15 July 2016 at 23:28

        Lovely idea and they really add to the plain lampshade. I've given up at any pretence with my DH, he knows I'm a lost cause as far as yarn/fabric/craft is involved!

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      10. Now, that's pretty clever! I love it!

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      11. I think it is so much fun, who could have a problem with it?
        Hugs,
        Meredith

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      I will always read all comments and will try to reply but it may take me a couple of days, do please pop back and lets get a conversation going...