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08/03/2014

Moroccan Inspired Throw for my Dad


Throw in progress inspired by Zellige terracotta tile work as seen in Moroccan Architecture, especially the cities of  Fès and Meknes. In this ancient art form, terracotta tiles are covered in enamel and chips are set  into plaster to create the most beautiful geometrical patterns. The art of Zellige dates back to the 14th century and was historically a statement of luxury (homes) and sophistication (inhabitants).

Yarn:   Vinnis Nikkim and Vinnis Bambi. I am using 16 different shades of blue and grey with old gold as an accent to lift the palette.  The squares and the throw will be edged in Stone.
Each square measures 17x17cm

Pattern:   Circle of Friends (Ravelry by Priscilla Hewett) or PDF Link

Tip: Remember to turn around the work for the bobble rows, the wrong side should face you so that the bobbles are pushed to the front (right side). All other rounds are hooked as usual. 

Thank you for the e-mails I have received regarding this project.  I have amended the posting to include a link to the PDF pattern in addition to the Ravelry link and also added a tip above.  Rachele of BabyLoveBrand demonstrates an interesting joining method for this square.  I will not be using this method, but it is beautiful nonetheless. Since I would like to stay as close as possible to a Zellige look and feel, I will simply single crochet around each square as per original pattern and join with a slip stitch at the back.

This is a very, very special throw. I am making it for my (still highly active) dad for his 70th birthday.  He loves fiddling with his fingers and I chose a pattern with texture as I know he will rub and roll the bobbles between his fingers all the time. He absolutely loves blue and furthermore has a great passion for measurements and figures. It is second nature for him upon entering any space to immediately calculate floor area and volumetric dimensions! 

As soon as he receives his blanket, he will analyse every square, calculate the number of stitches and ponder the yardage of the yarn used.  To keep him even more busy, I am going out of my way to ensure that every square is unique with regard to the color combination.  My dad enjoyed his travels to Arabia and looking towards Islamic design for inspiration came naturally to me. With this design process, I am able to create something that will always be a reminder of the special bond that exists between the two of us.

 See my previous posting about our travels to Morocco.

xxxxxx  

I will resume conversations about my love affair with Paris and Istanbul in a later posting where I will show you more of my yarn shopping (the Pierrot French Linen and newly launched bamboo/cotton Imagine yarns available from I love Yarn).
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!



29 comments:

  1. Beautiful inspiration, beautiful work, beautiful photo :-)

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  2. Oooh, what a beautiful colors ♥

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  3. Gorgeous colors!
    Sheila
    http://sheilazachariae.blogspot.com/2014/02/cath-kidstongreengate-inspired-bakeware.html

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  4. Lovely colours and a really beautiful pattern !

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  5. BEEEAUTIFUL. I don't know your Dad but I have a feeling he will love it. :)

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  6. such sweet thoughts behind a great gift! You dad is a lucky guy!!! ;oD
    xxxxxxx Ale

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  7. I love your interpretation and thanks for sharing your photographs from your travels. The precision, intricacy and layers of the patterns and designs to be found in islamic-inspired architecture are inspirational.

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  8. Wow~!
    Beautiful Colors ♡
    Lovely Motif :-)

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  9. gorgeous pics Magda! and love your painting way with the hook....staying tooned :)

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  10. So beautiful! I love the colors, the pictures, the yarn all very much. I keep looking at the pictures. Inspiring. I even showed it to my husband... And nice story of your father. He must love this. Lovely circle pattern. It looks much better in your colors than the ones on ravelry.

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  11. Hello Magda,
    It is intriguing to see how you have translated your inspiration(s) to your crochet work. I am sure it is a joy to design and make this blanket for your father.

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  12. The photos of Morocco are amazing!!! and your translation to the blanket is perfect. It is going to be a work of art...and love ♥
    Ana BC

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  13. absolutely beautiful! the colors, the photography, everything!

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  14. I just love the colors! and of course the vinnis ;-) What a great gift!

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  15. Thank you so much for all the lovely comments, I am so happy with how the pattern and colours are supplementing one another, and my idea of what I would like to achieve.

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  16. Such beautiful, calming colours and I love the pattern. X

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  17. Beautiful work - nice blog! Just discovered it and looking forward to more posts.

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  18. Such a beautiful project to be working on. The colours are divine and it is wonderful to see your project taking place alongside the inspiration for it.

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  19. Such a beautiful project, I just love Morocco and I can't wait to see how this evolves. Beautiful inspiration! xoxo

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  20. Absolutely breathtaking! I've been looking for just this sort of inspiration for ages and have never found a yarn with such a subtle range of colours before. Looking forward to seeing more progress reports!

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  21. That is absolutely stunning. Those colours, your photography, and your combination of images - just those squares of 9 pictures are so perfect you could hang them as they are.
    Can't wait to see how beautiful the finished article must turn out!

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  22. Your blanket is lovely! This is such a touching post, I was very close with my father. Thank you for sharing.

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  23. WOW! I am in awe of what you've done and the way you were inspired to do it. This is a beautiful throw. Stunning. I’d love for you to come link up at this week’s Off the Hook!

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