Just thought I would update you one the progress of the very special snail square. A suggestion from Kate Chiconi inspired me to be a bit more creative with the border for Young at fifty‘s contribution to my masterpiece, and to have a permaculture garden theme – not quite as formal as I first proposed. So, I have made some leaves:
A snail surely need a snack!
And I have embroidered some stems:
Rambling stems
I just need to combine the elements now… but that will have to wait until I’m back from my latest teaching gig!
To entertain me in the evenings whilst I am away, I’m going to make myself a pair of slippers… having completed those for Mr Snail-of-happiness, I couldn’t bear to be without some myself. I’m making them with slightly softer wool (this is from Texere), but for added strength, I’m incorporating a strand of sock yarn. I have chosen a self-patterning yarn, to add variety. I think this combination is going to be a little more gentle on my fingers, but may not be so hard-wearing… time will tell.
The beginnings of another slipper
Oh, and I should mention the arrival of more squares this morning… they are up on the masterpiece page (with links), but here’s a little preview:
From Willow
From Kate
The Snail of Happiness 
judilyn
/ February 25, 2014I saved your post about the slippers! One of these days, I am going to fire up my latent crochet muscles and make something !!! I haven’t produced anything for nearly fifty years – my how time flies! ;->
Virtual hugs,
Judie
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 25, 2014I’m sure it will all come flooding back to you. There is one main stitch for these slippers and once you can do that, they are really quite straightforward… I think I can now even remember the pattern without looking!!
x hugs x
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Nice piece of work
/ February 25, 2014You’re getting some beautiful squares there! Can’t wait to see the finished masterpiece.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 25, 2014I did spent part of last night sewing. When I’ve worked on it a bit more, I will post some pictures… I’ve just been distracted by slippers and the snail!
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katechiconi
/ February 25, 2014That is going to be a very happy snail once all those leaves are in place!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 25, 2014Perhaps there should be little bites out of some of them!
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katechiconi
/ February 25, 2014Great idea, you could embroider little teeth marks!
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youngatfifty
/ February 25, 2014ha ha ! ITSA !!!! I can hear you murmur something else under your breath 😉 That snail is sure turning out to be an attention seeker 😉 On a serious note, it is already looking stunning with the stems on the border. The different leaves are lovely.
I love the yellow and brown square by Kate. Beautiful pattern. Is that knitted ?
It pleases me to see the snail being adopted so lovingly and being given a lovely home 😉 I envy the attention TS is getting 🙂 Thanks for the updates.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 26, 2014Yes, Kate’s square is knitted – I expected a crochet creation because she was my crochet teacher!
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gentlestitches
/ February 26, 2014I enjoy your updates very much! 😀
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 26, 2014Thank you! Full Masterpiece update soon!
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Jacquline
/ February 26, 2014I love the pattern on that square from Kate. So cool
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 26, 2014It really is lovely… I have such talented friends!
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