On Sunday morning, January 22, at 4:30 AM the new hand crocheted curtain was hanging!
Mega Task Crocheting DONE
Photos taken later on Sunday, after I'd slept a couple of hours...
They also are perfectly in length, not touching our Delftware houses that we earned by flying KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (we got often an upgrade with our Royal Wing cards!).
On January 11, on my sister's 67th Birthday in heaven, I started...
'ONLY' 12 segments with Fleur de Lys to go and crocheting at a rapid, robotic pace without errors would yield one Fleur de Lys every 6.5 hours...
BUT how can a human being work without any errors?!
Impossible and I had to undo many times 2 rows.
You only 'spot' the error on the returning row... Arg.
It teaches patience and concentration!
Since it was such a Mega Task, I was determined though to have it hanging by Sunday!
It became heavy and harder to handle.
See the cone to the left, on the floor?!
Days were dark and the artificial light had to be used.
After breakfast, getting dressed and barely time for doing anything with my hair, I sat there.
Husband Pieter was the Chef for that time... He did well!
Using 2 sticky notes taped together I moved up, row by row.
On the left I wrote: 8 l (lossen in Dutch) for the 8 Chain Stitches it would take to add on.
I must say that the directions were POOR!
Lots of errors in this drawing too. Where I marked with the pen, bottom right, those should be openings for creating that wide V-shaped stitch.
3 Chain Stitches and 1 Single Crochet done inside the 5 Chain Stitches of alternative rows!
So not 'around' but I did make those Single Crochets inside the Center Chain Stitches!
Harder to do but looking a lot neater.
One X stands for 4 Double Crochet and two XX = 7 Double Crochet etc.
For those that love this pattern:
Starting out on 156+3 (for Double Crochet at the beginning!) Chain Stitches and make your 1st Double Crochet inside the 4th Chain Stitch = 157 Double Crochet total.
At the end for adding XX you make 8 Chain Stitches and insert into the 4th for making Double Crochet = 7 added total.
12 Fleur de Lys done!
I had to sew on the 11 brass rings, that I have from my dear Mom, old ones for curtains that hung from a thinner rod.
Then I proceeded to launder them in short cycle and pressing the pointed area.
Should have pressed the entire Fleur de Lys however...
Had to use the hammer for first putting the 2 lower brass nails on the sides.
So they got hung wet and stretched up into perfect shape.
Love the quality of this 100% Egyptian Cotton by Lizbeth in a 6-cord Cordonnet!
Love the quality of this 100% Egyptian Cotton by Lizbeth in a 6-cord Cordonnet!
Next day my left index finger and middle finger were still red and very tender from working with that steel crochet hook over 100+ hours!
My tip of the thumb is still kind of numb and index and thumb feel like a mix between callous and blister...
Before I fell onto the mattress, I wrote this for Pieter:
Bid maar voor mij.. In English: Pray also for me... meaning that I would not join him to Church!).
Pieter wrote in Dutch: Jij bent een verbazend iemand!
Pracht resultaat!
English: You are an amazing person!
Splendid result!
It will take a while before I will create the smaller, half sized one and even that will take 50+ hours.
So happy that I had enough thread and that my design worked out perfect for these windows at this scale.
Hope you like them too.
Catching up on lots of things...
Related link:
{After 40 years Something's Gotta GIVE...} | previous post by me about the reason and the start...
{Our Veranda} | previous post by me
{Fleur de Lys in our Veranda} | previous post by me
{Fleur de Lys in our Veranda} | previous post by me
My 2nd Fleur de Lys Crocheted Curtain is Hanging | newer post by me
Happy New year,Mariette,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great job! Yes, you had to be very patient to complete the task, but your efforts make your room so bright, comfortable and cozy! I loved all the photos You have shown. I hope 2017 will be full of happiness for you and your husband.
Dearest Tomoko san,
DeleteThank you so much for your kind words and yes, I was so happy when I got this DONE. One more, half this size but I let my hand first fully recover...
Wishing you and yours a likewise happy and healthy 2017!
Hugs,
Mariette
Dearst Mariette,
ReplyDeleteWOW .. your crotched curtains are gorgeous!
I can believe, that this was a really hard work!
Hope, you hand feels better soon!
Hve a lovely new week,
sending Love and hugs and blessings,
Claudia xo
Dearest Claudia,
DeleteThank you and yes, this was indeed a WOW job completed.
My hand will slowly feel better and the other one I will not go at in this pace. No need as it is not torn like the large one.
Hugs and happy week to you.
Mariette
Hello Mariette, I agree with Pieter's assessment--you are indeed an amazing person! And how nice that you could incorporate the heirloom brass rings from your mother. The curtains are beautiful, I love the way they filter and soften the sunlight, and I am in awe of your talents.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Dearest Jim,
DeleteThank you and believe it or not, when I got up on Sunday the 22nd of January and looked at it by daylight I myself was amazed too. It is always a risk for calculating such a pattern and then starting!
Those brass rings are in the very same spot as for the other curtain, no doubt I had to incorporate them.
Now the callous has to shed off my thumb and index finger and than I can repeat this in half scale...
Hope your Chinese New Year has started off right.
Hugs,
Mariette
Wow, Mariette, you worked super quick to finish this amazing curtain. It looks fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteTake it slow now with the other curtain, you don't want to damage your hands.
Have a lovely week.
Dearest Sami,
DeleteThank you and for such an almost overwhelming task there is only one remedy; getting at it!
My hands will be fine once the callous peels off and I promise the 2nd one I don't go at it the same...
Hugs,
Mariette
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeletedas ist Geduldsarbeit.
Viel Ausdauer wünscht dir
Elisabeth
Liebe Elisabeth,
DeleteDie Ausdauer hatte ich und nochmals wiederholen für eine halbe Länge.
Lieber Gruß,
Mariette
I echo Jim's thoughts Mariette - you have done a wonderful job with the crotched curtains, they look very attractive.
ReplyDeleteI can appreciate how tender and painful your hand and fingers must feel, and you are wise to give them time to recover.
Dearest Rosemary,
DeleteThank you and I'm elated too that the quality thread proved to be enough and also that the pattern assessment worked out perfect. With perseverance I got it done and am glad that my thumb and index finger did not blister, only a layer of callous that will peel off. I sure wait for it to fully recover before I tackle the 'half-sized' version for the other side.
Hugs,
Mariette
Very good job Mariette, it's very difficult and very long.
ReplyDeleteHUgs
Dearest Nathalie,
DeleteThank you and yes it is all about concentration and perseverance.
Hugs,
Mariette
Wow, Mariette, congratulations on accomplishing such a major task! Your curtain looks amazing!! It sounds very complicated work to me...it would be really impossible not to make errors. You are very patient person! And your husband Pieter is so supportive, cooking and his memo to you is so sweet! I hope your fingers will heal soon. Please rest well now :-)
ReplyDeleteDearest Tamago,
DeleteThank you and I have to admit that by doing this for a good ten days, I did neglect our kitties... Barty is showing signs of stress, he has spots where he over-groomed and it is sad, knowing that they are so used to sitting on my lap in the evening. I did not go to my iMac at all and of course with that white thread I could not allow any of them to come near...
Thumb and finger will soon shed the callous and I can start over again but not at this pace! Never again...
Hugs,
Mariette
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeletewas für eine herrliche Arbeit. Das erfordert
Geduld und höchste Konzentration. Gratulation.
Einen schönen Restabend wünscht Dir
Irmi
Liebe Irmi,
DeleteJa Du sagst es treffend und besonders erforderte es die höchste Konzentration; ohne zu reden miteinander oder Fernsehen... Da bezahlt man mit einen Fehler und muß man es ausziehen.
Ganz lieber Gruß,
Mariette
Wat een klus..en wat een mooi resultaat, je bent inderdaad een verbazend iemand...om zo'n megaklus in zo'n korte tijd te doen. Het is niet gek dat je handen rood zijn..en ook nog met zo'n ijzeren haaknaald, tegenwoordig zijn ze ergonomisch en van zacht rubber enzo...
ReplyDeleteIk heb ook nog gewoon van die ijzeren hoor, als je niet beter weet :) Maar je gordijntjes zijn in ieder geval super mooi, de Fleur de Lis komt ook terug in de bekleding van je stoelen zie ik. De andere 'helft' gaat ook wel goed komen, niet te lang wachten want dan blijft het misschien wel liggen...
Ik ga ok weer haken, een vestje voor de zomer van linnen garen...en een hele mooie sjaal,van Scheepjes,de Hygge Cal..dan krijg je elke weék een stukje patroon, dat werkt voor mij heel goed net als bij het borduren... deze. http://www.debreibar.nl/Hygge-Rainbow-pakket-Scheepjes-Cal-
2017?gclid=Cj0KEQiA5bvEBRCM6vypnc7QgMkBEiQAUZftQDl53Eo_CF2Yj0rpyWwA70pGvl-F1-EPxM8mzR_SEQcaArAR8P8HAQ
Beste Marian,
DeleteJa, dat was met recht een 'klus' maar ik ben er verguld mee. Pas na bijna 2 weken komt er een laagje eelt dat verdroogt en er straks af kan pellen. Daarna kan ik weer... Maar niet meer in dit tempo. Ik wilde het persé weten dat ik voldoende garen had. Anders had ik een reuze probleem aangezien het uitverkocht was en ik niet 6 x $ 90 wilde bestellen omdat ik er niets mee kan doen. Uit Colorado had ik de laatste 3 kg klossen à $ 75 dus daar was ik blij mee. Graag had ik crème gehad maar dat kon ik ook alleen met 6 klossen bestellen... Jeetje!
Is de punt van die ergonomische haaknaalden ook van rubber? Ik vraag me af of dat ook goed glijdt.
Ja, de hele veranda is met Fleur de Lys omdat dat pas later is gedaan en die gordijntjes van 40 jaar geleden pasten nu eenmaal goed en waarom wegdoen? Nu moest ik wel maar kon ik ook eindelijk de Fleur de Lys.
Voor de rest brei of haak ik niet veel meer. Linnen garen is wel heerlijk om mee te werken!
Liefs,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette, that was indeed a Mega Task!!!! You are so talented, my friend and you have accomplished such a beautiful work! I only hope your fingers already feel much better!!! Don't hurry to start the second part of the work!!!
ReplyDeleteMany hugs and have a nice new week!!
Dearest Marie-Anne,
DeleteYes, it was indeed quite a challenge but it worked out perfect!
Now my thumb and finger after they peel off the callous, I'm good to go again but at a much calmer pace. Knowing that I have sufficient thread and that it works out well, no need to rush.
Hugs and happy weekend.
Mariette
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeleteYou having a robutic the crocheting pace almost long time of 6-5 hours, impossible many time.
You hang wet and stretched up into perfect shape Husband Pieter's was the cheb for that time.
Have a happy time!
Dearest Michiko san,
DeleteYes, I did indeed act like a robot for those 11 days and with good results.
Pieter managed also very well for being the Chef of the home.
Sending you hugs,
Mariette
Dearest Marietta,
ReplyDeleteIt was well worth your time and effort, even with stiff red hands. There is something so satisfying about a project that is well done and beautiful.
We're supposed to get snow.....maybe....*s*
Dearest Suzi,
DeleteThank you and the perfect time for tackling such a project is winter time. Hands will recover and even though I've never had any callous in those spots, I guess it will peel off and I can buff it out. Than, starting again to make half this length at a 'normal' pace.
You for sure will have winter in your region for a bit longer than we here.
Hugs,
Mariette
Oh my Mariette! This is unbelievable! Such beautiful work and accomplished in record time. You are a determined woman. Your curtains are gorgeous. Congratulations on a job very well done! xo Deborah
ReplyDeleteDearest Deborah,
DeleteWell, it is done and by now, I'm accustomed to it! Thank you for your kind words and I am proud for having that determination still in me. It proves that we all can accomplish the impossible if we really use the will power to do so.
Hugs,
Mariette
Ma Chère Mariette,
ReplyDeleteI am, as always, in awe of your talent and perseverance. I have trouble sewing on a button. Mme Mère, as you know, was a magnificent seamstress, and she despaired of me. Still, I know excellence when I see it, and this qualifies as a truly magnificent piece of work.
Grosses bises,
M-T
Dearest Marie-Thérèse,
DeleteThank you but each one of us for sure has some talents; all individually and if we have to use them we sure can and should. Both of us are very pleased with this result and Pieter has for the first time ever seen me produce this. When I did some for friends, he was never around at the time he worked and traveled for Campbell Soup.
Hugs,
Mariette
It quickly did. I admire you as a model. Beautifully looks in the window. I hope thumb no longer hurts. Regards.
ReplyDeleteDearest Giga,
DeleteYes, I wanted to get over with it. The best way to go at it. My thumb does not hurt anymore and it was only a bit numb and now callous is forming and will eventually peel off.
Hugs,
Mariette
Wow! Such beautiful work. I can't imagine how you managed to finish so quickly. That is quite a large window and they look amazing and fit perfectly. Perhaps it would take me a year to complete, or not at all since I am pants at following those types of patterns in crochet -- I could cross-stitch it though. :) Take a break now and let your fingers heal. Happy February, Tammy
ReplyDeleteDearest Tammy,
DeleteThank you and how to do it so quick? I pushed myself really hard and once I'm determined in doing something; there's no stopping. It is break time for that and I only plan for having the other hanging by the end of March.
Enjoy the special month of February and sending you hugs,
Mariette
Oh, these are exquisite, my dear Mariette! Such beautiful and intricate stitches. They must looks so pretty outside looking in, too! Especially at night with the lights on. These are true heirlooms. Hope that your fingers heal soon. Sending admiring hugs xo Karen
ReplyDeleteDearest Karen,
DeleteThank you very much for your kind words. I've not yet looked on the outside when the lights were on. It is pretty high in the back of the house, two stories in fact so it is not easy to 'look' in.
But so far I'm very pleased with the fact that I had enough thread and that the design worked for that width. Also maintaining an 'even' hand for that long... It all went well.
You appreciate this more because you know yourself how to create lovely pieces!
Hugs to you,
Mariette
You my dear are amazing!....and they look beautiful! janey
ReplyDeleteDearest Janey,
DeleteThank you dear and I'm very satisfied.
Hugs,
Mariette
Che magnifico lavoro cara Mariette...bravissima!!!chissà che stanchezza ma ne è valsa la pena:-))
ReplyDeleteUn abbraccio stretto stretto,baci dall'Italia♥
Anna
Cara Anna,
DeleteGrazie ed infatti la stanchezza è rapidamente dimenticato con un risultato del genere. Siamo entrambi molto soddisfatti.
Un abbraccio forte,
Mariette
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeletewow...was für eine Arbeit. Da hast du etwas ganz tolles für euer Heim geschaffen.
Handarbeit liegt mir persönlich weniger, aber ich bin stets beeindruckt über die Dinge die andere so erschaffen.
Das hast du so toll gemacht und es passt wunderbar ans Fenster.
Ganz liebe Grüsse an dich
Julia
Liebe Julia,
DeleteDanke für deine Wörter hier!
Jaja, wieder mal eine riesige Arbeit geschafft für unser Heim und wir sind beide froh damit.
Gott sei Dank habe ich es früher gelernt in der Schule und von meiner Mutter sonst würde man es nie schaffen.
Lieber Gruß,
Mariette
Droga Mariette prześliczna ta firanka.Wzór cudowny.Kosztuje to pracy ,cierpienia a efekt jest nie smakowity.Ja też zaczęłam robić firanke dla koleżanki.Serdecznie pozdrawiam.
ReplyDeleteDziękuję tak dużo drogi Malgorzata i cieszę się dowiedziałem się tego jako dziewczyna. I teraz jestem dumny, że nadal można. Pierwszy rozwój i projektowanie i obliczenia, ile przędza została większość pracy... I następnie haki sam!
DeleteMiłość,
Mariette
Stupendo lavoro, meraviglioso! E bellissima la resa in questa finestra,con un paesaggio molto bello sullo sfondo.
ReplyDeleteCara Clara,
Deletegrazie mille per le tue parole e anch'io sono molto contento.
Un abbraccio grande,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette; Wow, Wow your effort finally fulfilled. Congratulations and the room in your picture looks so GORGEOUS with your intricate stitch work☆☆☆
ReplyDeleteOh, how hard it must have been tackling with "steel crochet hook"!!! Wishing your fingers heal SOON and your patience is amazing.
So sorry for my blared comment And Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Dear friend.
Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend, xoxo Miyako*
Dearest Miyako,
DeleteThank you so much for your kind comment, taking a break from crocheting for a while and hope to have the other one hanging by the end of March.
Hugs to you loyal friend from Japan!
Mariette
Good Morning, Dearest Mariette; OMG, my using software did it again! I meant "belated comment" (^^;)
ReplyDeleteHoping your fingers condition is getting better.
Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako＊
Dearest Miyako,
DeleteDon't ever worry!
My fingers start shedding the callous so they will become smooth in a short time; no doubt.
Will do the other one in a slower pace, that is not crocheting for hours on end.
Sending you hugs,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette
ReplyDeleteA work of art and a family heirloom in future years.
I can imagine the concentration played havoc with your eyes and the hook and cotton hurt your fingers.
Well done!
The curtains look beautiful on the windows. Am I right in thinking your pattern originated in Holland?
A feast for the eyes and I hope to see it as part of your blog header too!
Love and big hugs😇
Shane xxx
Dearest Shane,
DeleteThank you and yes, such work sure can become a family heirloom as it will last a very long time when using such quality thread.
It is a great therapy too as you truly MUST concentrate on the pattern, thus blocking all other thoughts.
The pattern originated from Germany as Burda magazine has been also published in other languages than German. This was the Dutch version of Anna Burda.
Fleur de Lys (Fleur de Lis) of course is the French lily and is very popular in home décor.
Sending you hugs,
Mariette
ich folgte dem Link 🤩 wow! wunderschön gehäkelt! ach guck, da sind sie wieder, die kleinen holländischen Häuschen, ich bin ganz verliebt in sie ;-))) Woraus sind sie gemacht?
ReplyDeleteLiebe Grüße von Traudi.
Liebe Traudi,
DeleteDanke sehr, es war wirklich einen Mega task aber ich habe es geschafft.
Die Delftware houses sind aus Porzellan und die haben wir bekommen von KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, jedes Mal wo wir Business Class fliegen dürften als upgrade auf unsere Royal Wing Card. Wir haben ja beide über 1,500,000 Meilen geflogen... damit hat man viele Strecken wenn unterwegs von Atlanta ganz durch nach Jakarta oder Delhi.
Wenn du auf das Label Delftware houses anclickst dann kannst du mehr darüber lesen.
Ganz liebe Grüße,
Mariette