Hello Lovelies!
How are you all doing? I hope that your preparations for the holiday season are going well?
I'm jolly excited that I just have 4 more days left at work before I fly home to England to spend the first Christmas in 7 years with my family! EXCITED is actually an understatement!!
I've been rather organised this year with buying all of my Christmas presents for the family, and I'm extremely proud to say that I'm done.......nothing left to buy or organise. This is a rather nice feeling, especially when I head into the city and see how manic it is with everybody rushing around. I feel like I can relax a little and I'm gearing up to fully enjoy this Christmas.
Even though I'm not actually spending Christmas day here in Stuttgart, it was still important for me to buy a tree and decorate the apartment. The build up to the big day is important to me, it creates excitement and focus throughout the dreary, dark and cold months. I for one, am grateful for that focus throughout the Winter.
As part of my christmas decorating, I (of course) wanted to crochet some little Christmassy projects! I had the idea to crochet an angel, maybe to sit on the top of the Christmas tree? I worked for weeks on this little project trying my best to perfect it.
I started with forming a simple crocheted head, that moved down to the angels shoulders and on to her white dress. I formed the dress around a toilet roll tube for extra stability and to help in maintaining a nice cylinder shape.
I increased my stitches as I worked further and further down the dress and finished off my rounds with a simple picot edging.
I made her some skinny little arms that extended into bell shaped sleeves, which concealed her dainty little hands.
I fashioned her a cape, to keep her warm throughout the Winter. Adding golden edging and some shiny diamonds for an extra special touch.
Of course she needed some hair! Golden hair seemed most angelic, so I went with a cute blond bob.
At this stage I was SOOOOOO pleased with how angelic she was looking. She looked very regal and for a crocheted angel, she was simple yet sophisticated!
It happens from time to time with a project that you just can't reproduce what you have in your head. Sometimes the outcome turns out better than you could have imagined and sometimes...well...lets just say it doesn't quit go to plan. It was the latter for this project.
I struggled to finish this little angel off. I played around with her facial features trying out different eyes and mouths, but honestly wasn't over the moon with any of them.
The same for her wings....
I designed many types of wing, experimenting with a circular based wing:
And trying a more triangular shaped wing:
I finally settled upon her features and decided to go with an already existing angel wing pattern by Michelle Kovach. This wings turned out perfect and I'm very happy with how they look!
I still think that angels facial features are not quite right. She doesn't quite look how I wanted. I feel like she is verging on Postman Pat in drag, which is not quite look I was going for!
How are you all doing? I hope that your preparations for the holiday season are going well?
I'm jolly excited that I just have 4 more days left at work before I fly home to England to spend the first Christmas in 7 years with my family! EXCITED is actually an understatement!!
I've been rather organised this year with buying all of my Christmas presents for the family, and I'm extremely proud to say that I'm done.......nothing left to buy or organise. This is a rather nice feeling, especially when I head into the city and see how manic it is with everybody rushing around. I feel like I can relax a little and I'm gearing up to fully enjoy this Christmas.
Even though I'm not actually spending Christmas day here in Stuttgart, it was still important for me to buy a tree and decorate the apartment. The build up to the big day is important to me, it creates excitement and focus throughout the dreary, dark and cold months. I for one, am grateful for that focus throughout the Winter.
As part of my christmas decorating, I (of course) wanted to crochet some little Christmassy projects! I had the idea to crochet an angel, maybe to sit on the top of the Christmas tree? I worked for weeks on this little project trying my best to perfect it.
I started with forming a simple crocheted head, that moved down to the angels shoulders and on to her white dress. I formed the dress around a toilet roll tube for extra stability and to help in maintaining a nice cylinder shape.
I increased my stitches as I worked further and further down the dress and finished off my rounds with a simple picot edging.
I made her some skinny little arms that extended into bell shaped sleeves, which concealed her dainty little hands.
I fashioned her a cape, to keep her warm throughout the Winter. Adding golden edging and some shiny diamonds for an extra special touch.
Of course she needed some hair! Golden hair seemed most angelic, so I went with a cute blond bob.
At this stage I was SOOOOOO pleased with how angelic she was looking. She looked very regal and for a crocheted angel, she was simple yet sophisticated!
It happens from time to time with a project that you just can't reproduce what you have in your head. Sometimes the outcome turns out better than you could have imagined and sometimes...well...lets just say it doesn't quit go to plan. It was the latter for this project.
I struggled to finish this little angel off. I played around with her facial features trying out different eyes and mouths, but honestly wasn't over the moon with any of them.
The same for her wings....
I designed many types of wing, experimenting with a circular based wing:
And trying a more triangular shaped wing:
I finally settled upon her features and decided to go with an already existing angel wing pattern by Michelle Kovach. This wings turned out perfect and I'm very happy with how they look!
I still think that angels facial features are not quite right. She doesn't quite look how I wanted. I feel like she is verging on Postman Pat in drag, which is not quite look I was going for!
I wrote down the pattern as I went along, with the hope of sharing it with you all.
However, I'm going to hold off on publishing the pattern until I am totally happy with her. I want to be proud of my finished pattern and be able to say she is truly how I want her to look and at this stage, I'm just not there. I know I'm being dramatic, but I know when something can be better. So.... hopefully for next year I'll deliver you a rather charming Christmassy Angel pattern, at least that gives me some time to fully figure her out.
Despite not being quite the finished project I was hoping for! She is fun and definitely has Christmas spirit. She's homemade and from the heart, which I think are important characteristics for anything, especially at this time of year. So even though she's not quite what I wanted, she's still sitting proud and happy along with all of my other decorations!
You can read an updated and revised version on our new blog.
Click here to read this post in full at it's new home!
Perhaps some simple embroidered eyes and mouth would look good. Have a look at some pics of Waldorf Dolls. Good Luck! The crochet design for your angel is lovely.
ReplyDeleteMaybe try lowering the eyes, no nose, and a paler mouth? You could embroider closed eyes, as if she's praying . . . I actually like her with no features!
ReplyDeleteThat's Sooooooo pure and lovely: keep it pure and simple! two curves for the eyes like an amigurumi and no mouth at all needed. This project is perfect!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful angel! It inspired me to start my own. Looking on pinterest, most crochet angels don't seem to have any face! Or what about just simple black bead eyes and a bit of blusher for pink cheeks, with no nose or mouth?
ReplyDeleteI like her just the way she is. Have a wonderful time with your family. :-)
ReplyDeleteFor the features maybe used embroidery stranded cotton (floss). The eyes are too googlie and the mouth just too thick. I think a line of curved stitching using say two strands of embroidery thread, to give the effect of closed eyes and then red or pink for the mouth (remembering less is more). The features should be delicate. It is tricky though because of the texture of the crochet. Also you can put a slight blush on her cheeks with just a touch of lipstick (put on your finger tips first). I would try to give her some features though rather than none. I am always disappointed when I see that!
ReplyDeleteI loved it with outfacial features but if you really want to make some then I would prefer a simple curved embroidered line for closed eyes and mouth. After reading the previous comments I saw that others say the same! Anyway you didn't really ask our opinion but hopefully you are interested in reading it. The whole crochet pattern looks lovely! I would also prefer the hair a bit longer and curved to the outside as this you have made reminds me a bit of a helmet! But I really adore it so hopefully you will give us the pattern at some point! Have a great holiday in England! AriadnefromGreece!
ReplyDeleteShe's gorgeous, I'd personally have left the face blank, but then again I like fairly sinister/creepy things, a faceless angel definitely falls into that category. She does look very cute with the face too though. x
ReplyDeleteHm, I think it could be a combination of the hair and the eyes. What about curls and similar eyes to this elf on the shelf (which I'm totally going to make next year, how cute is this?) http://www.seriouslydaisies.com/2012/12/meet-elfie.html
ReplyDeleteAnd maybe add a halo?
Heidi
Matt, your angel is super sweet. You did a great job. I second the suggestion of embroidery for the facial features. It's a little softer for such a small head. Merry Christmas. Have a great holiday with your family.
ReplyDeleteAngel is lovely,beautiful details,wings,body,arms,skirt,love the bell shaped sleeves.You did a great job!Maybe change the mouth and add eyelashes.Looking forward to a pattern,hope it wouldn't be for Christmas next year.=o)Happy holidays!!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with having no facial features. Your creations are very beautiful and upscale to say the least! Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas with your family!
I love your angel! I would add some curls to her hair or maybe a ponytail on top?
ReplyDelete((hugs)), Teresa :-)
❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
*M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
She is lovely, but maybe eyes closed with simple lines and no other features?
ReplyDeleteMerry Xmas. Have a peaceful one
Jx
She's lovely. My only suggestion would be closed embroidered eyes and a pink mouth to give that angelic feel, but she's still lovely. It is frustrating when you can't quite get your hands and your brain to cooperate over something. Have a lovely Christmas with your family xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful beginning!!! I like her without any facial features and if she were mine I would give her bangs with a soft subtle color and add a hood to her cape. But that is my vision isn't it? :o) Just some ideas to help you create her to YOUR liking. Look forward to seeing her transformation....Happy Crocheting!
ReplyDeleteYour Christmas Angel is wonderful... Have a nice holidays with your family.
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth, I agree with the closed eyes, or smaller ones (maybe just french knots?) and a smaller paler mouth. But otherwise she's gorgeous! Hope you end up happy enough with her to grace your tree, and happy Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI would go for either black safety eyes, or, most probable very simple embroidered eyes and a hint of a mouth. Just one stitch.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Ilse
I don't know that I have ever commented before, Matt, but I love your dear little angel (and many previous posts as well). I was going to say what others have already said. Less is better. Maybe just a suggestion of facial features, such as 1/2 moon lines for eyes and a small bullion stitch mouth as though she is singing/praying.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Christmas.
Yep, I woule say no facial features either! She reminds me of the willow tree ornaments by demdaco and those are massively popular in the UK! I think she looks very serene with a 'blank' face but if you really feel she's missing something, I would just go with embroidered closed eyes. either way, she would be beautiful.
ReplyDeleteTry putting the eyes further apart and lower on the face (think hello kitty, if that helps) and just leave the mouth off. Does that work? Try smaller eyes, just black glass eyes like the ones you have, but smaller. (so no iris) Better?
ReplyDeleteShe is still beautiful. If you want to change her face, go for the eyes further apart, and no mouth... She might need a mouth, but try it :-) x
ReplyDeleteShe is beautiful! I do hope you share the pattern, because I would love to make her for myself!
ReplyDeleteI also like her with no facial features, and I love the idea of just embroidered "closed eyes"
Matt, I love your site and love your angel...i think a good thing about a crochet pattern is that everyone can do what they like with their angel....whatever speaks to them...i like the angel as it appears at the top of the page. no facial features and no wings. It makes me feel as though she/he is a mysterious visitors in our presence. I look forward to seeing your pattern..
ReplyDelete