Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

I have been all day reading about and posting on the website of Still Waters Lavender (www.stillwaterslavender.com):  so much to learn that it frazzles the brain.  Three "old" products still stay on the website:  standard lavender wands, chicken moth repellents (can't seem to keep them in stock) and dried lavender buds for sell.  In the "Dried Lavender Buds" category, there are angustifolia (aka English Lavender):  'Folgate' (this is my husband's favorite lavender), 'True Hidcote', 'Miss Katherine' (a sweet-tasting lavender), 'Sachet' (I've used all this in my sachets this year so have none to sell), 'Purple Bouquet' (beautiful wreaths), and 'Melissa'.    Lavendula x intermedia:  'Grosso' (wonderful in sachets, potpourris), 'Gros Bleu' (these are deep blue and beautiful next to the 'Edelweiss'), 'Edelweiss' (a white lavender) and beautiful 'Impress Purple' (I just liked walking by this one in the field).  I also posted three new items Still Waters Lavender will offer this year:

1.  Provence Lavender Wand:  I first saw these in Seattle at Pike's Market.  Beautiful and different and I couldn't get them off my mind... I had never seen anything like them and I couldn't figure out how to make them.  Finally, I found instructions on how to make them and, voila!

2.  Linen Pillows:  Did you know you can use your printer to print on fabric!  I didn't until this summer and it is so much fun.  Find a saying, buy some fabric and you're on your way to creating some personal and fun items for your home.  Add in lavender and, not only is it personal and fun, it's downright good smelling!  I made one for a friend who had lost a much beloved animal.  She cried, I cried:  it was a joy to make and, I hope, a loving remembrance for her.
3.  Hardanger White-on-White Lavender-Filled Sachet/Ornament:   Hardanger is beautiful and practical!  It is also unforgiving!  If starts out as a simple whip stitch but, if you are off one little thread, then it's time to start unraveling because it has to be accurate.  I love to look through the Hardanger books because of the most exquisite beautiful patterns and photographs of the finished product.  There are stitches I never will learn, hand crafted by women of unbelievable talent.  However, there are some simple stitches I do and I made them into sachets/ornaments filled as full as I could get them with 'Grosso' lavender.

Now that I look at the title of this post, perhaps I should revise the saying to be more accurate:  "some things old, some things new, ideas borrowed and lavender, too".

How to Crochet a Christmas Lavender Ornament

The doll on the left is crocheted with doublestitch;
the doll on the right is crocheted with treble stitch.

Supplies Needed:  Crochet Thread #5,
Crochet Needle #5, Dried Lavender on Stem
 and Scissors

Glue and Wooden Beads

Body: chain 15. Close with slip stitch. Then three rows of treble crochet (or double crochet). Then five rows of chain 5 (4) and single stitch in loop.

Arms: Tie about 18 inches of thread around bead and 9 chain stitch crochet both threads.

Tie the thread off by pulling it through the loop and then fasten on either side of crochet body.

Hat: 5 chains, join with slip stitch. Then chain 4 (3), and 19 treble crochet (dc) twice. two chains then sc in next treble crochet (dc), sc. Finish row. Then rows 5-9 are treble crochet (double crochet) in each sc making two rows. This is the brim. For the hanger, chain 40 and attach to top of hat. Be careful where you place the hanger because the ornament will tip too much if placed too far back. Glue the hat onto a wooden ball.

Take a bunch of lavender, tie it off and place in skirt. Take a short piece of thread and tie around doll, tie down arms to side and tie ends into a bow. Break off the extra lavender stems and apply glue. Tie a small length of crochet thread around the arms and tie a bow.  (This holds on the lavender as well as holds the arms down.)

 We are now ready to assemble the head to the body. Let dry and, voila, a Christmas ornament!

Not only the varigated purple and purple, but try other colors of thread!