Added a new photo page on my Blog with various pictures of my Architectural adventures over the years with fibre. I had the honour of designing for various galleries which often included my architectural pieces some shown here. My love for architecture began while taking Interior Design. Since then it has been a passion for me to create designs with knitting and crochet that are inspired by the amazing artists, designers, architects and all the people involved in making such extraordinary buildings of the past. This is a small sample of the many designs I have created with an architectural theme. You can link to the page below that shows more of my architectural designs.
I hope to pattern some of these designs and other crochet patterns with an architectural essence this year. A wonderful customer has recently sent me various photos of beautiful cathedrals etc. in France and I am looking forward to using them for a new architectural inspiration and creating a new crochet pattern from these wonderful photos. Thank you Marie for sending them to me. I really appreciate it! It is great having photos from your travels instead of relying on the internet. Here are a few of the inspiring photos below:
One day I hope to travel to France and other European locations. Fun fact: We do have a small piece of France on the East Coast of Canada! It is a French Territory. You can read more on these links below.
Enjoy the inspiration in your life today. You never know where it will come from. Perhaps someone who lives in another country will help direct you in your newest adventure like my renewed inspiration to design architectural crochet pieces because a customer was so kind to share their travel photos with me. I can’t wait to begin designing with these photos and other architectural features from buildings of the past.
Various crochet patterns by Valerie Baber Designs are available at:
Follow me on my Instagram, Twitter and here on my Blog for the newest patterns, free patterns, weaving adventure, crochet journey and other fiber related items.
Stained Glass Window Scarf is based on the Stained Glass Windows of past Architecture with a trim reminiscent of Gothic Style Architecture. As I continue to work on my Architectural journey with yarn and needles I am inspired by many different styles and designs of the past that continue to influence us today. In previous designs I have concentrated on the Stone Tracery on Gothic Architectural buildings. This year I will be concentrating on the Stained Glass with an undertone of Stone Tracery and other aspects of design. I have always loved Stained Glass and even took some course on Stained Glass for a couple of years. I know the depth and extreme talent, patience and skill it takes to make and design a window like this. It is very time consuming and you need to be a perfectionist to achieve the finished product. I can tell you having made Stained Glass in the Past that is much easier to crochet it like I have. I love both working with glass and with yarn, but now that my designing is in yarn again I just had to let my inspiration go in this direction. SEE MORE PICTURES BELOW. At the bottom of these pictures you will see the underside of the Stained Glass Window showing 3 buttons you can use to fasten this design where you like.
This is my first try at Stained Glass with yarn and there is definitely room for improvement and fine tuning so pop by again to see how I improve and enhance this stained glass crochet. I will be selling a few down the road and will let you know at that time where. This is just the beginning of this adventure so come along with me and join in the journey by following my Social Media where I will post new blog posts and listings in this Collection and more.
This scarf was made with beautiful www.sweetgeorgiayarns.com in the dk weight Super Wash Merino wool on the base of the scarf. The metal trim around the “crochet glass” pieces was done in the exquisite Cashluxe Spark yarn in the Slate colour way. It has a lovely sparkle to it that shines in the light giving that perfect metallic essence. The Stained Glass pieces were done in www.malabrigoyarn.com Rios yarn that I had on hand. I love combining different yarns from different companies at each is unique especially when it comes to hand painted yarns like these. Each skein of hand painted yarn is done perfectly just for you to expand the Artistic journey for the item you are making.
A Desperate Fortune Scarf and hand warmers designed for Author Susanna Kearsley and her newest book “A Desperate Fortune”. This one of a kind design was designed from the inspiration that Susanna used for her newest book. Take a trip into the past and present with this extraordinary book with a cryptic journal from the past telling a secret story in the present day of this written book. A fabulous read that includes suspense, deception, allegiance and love that will entice you through each chapter with plenty of visually written moments. Plenty of twists and turns to entertain you throughout the book and as always a surprise ending. I absolutely love this book, it is a must read so add it to your list soon.
I am fortunate that Susanna is a most wonderful friend and I thank her for asking me to work with her on this wonderful adventure. Like the two women in her book working separately, yet together though they lived far apart in time and Susanna and I in distance. It is a true pleasure being a friend of Susanna’s and I am so very proud of all she has done and continues to do. Awesome job my friend on your newest book!!! One of my new favourites by far!
The A Desperate Fortune collar style scarf (small scarf) and hand warmers are available for purchase together or separately at http://www.valeriebaberdesigns.etsy.com takes about 1 to 2 weeks to make. See more information about them at my Etsy store.
The present day character Sara wears various scarves through out the book and originally I thought of designing a scarf that included these various scarves. The Architectural descriptions in Susanna’s latest novel were speaking louder likely since I have been greatly inspired by Architecture of the past in my work this past year. I couldn’t wait to begin this newest member of my Architectural designs just for Susanna. Below are some pictures of the building Susanna was influenced by in her description of the building in the book. Susanna’s description: “The building with the windows is the chapel inside the old chateau of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, in France, which once housed the exiled Stuart kings of Britain and their courtiers. For me, having written for several years now about these people and their lives, actually getting to stand on this spot was a very moving moment, as this chapel would have been at the centre of their daily routines”.
You can read the first two chapters of this wonderful book here:
I began this journey into the past for the A Desperate Fortune Scarf with a crochet base of a light coloured stone as shown in the pictures above. Adding green at the bottom for the stained glass effect that the stone tracery would be adhering to down the road. You can see more of the progress in the pictures below as I design the stone tracery and add the brick colour to the scarf and hand warmers. There are two brooches that accent this scarf so you can wear it in various ways and use them to fasten the scarf. The are both Stained Glass Rose windows that were designed for these wonderful Architectural buildings of the past.
A Desperate Fortune Scarf
For the “A Desperate Fortune” scarf I used beautiful yarn from SweetGeorgia Yarns, a Canadian Company, who dyes yarn in wonderful colours that portray their local area and Canada. A fitting yarn to use since both Susanna and I are Canadian. The colours were perfect for this design with the light stone colour being the Birch colour way, the stained glass is the Woodland Colour way of greens and the brick is done in the Terra Firma colour way. All yarns were by SweetGeorgia Yarns in the Superwash Merino wool blend. SweetGeorgia yarns are as noted in the name, SWEET! One of my favourite yarns to work with, luxuriously soft and the colours are truly fantastic. I recently took a visit to Vancouver and popped into the store to see the latest colours and newest yarns for this year. They are even more delectable and wonderful than ever. I can’t wait to use them in my next series of designs.
I am off to work on some new Architectural designs and new designs for Fall. Come back soon to see my latest as well I am restarting my Architectural project as there was so much inspiration in my research that I have decided to go a different direction. I will blog my start on that very soon. Have a most wonderful day today.
Decontructed Stained Glass Rose window hand warmers
Scarves at the Alberta Craft Council
Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!! I wish this to all of you (a little late on the Christmas part). Hope you are all having a wonderful time with family and friends.
The weeks before Christmas I was busy designing a few new pieces, orders and a TV interview with Breakfast Television in Edmonton and an interview with Han TV (both thanks to the Alberta Craft Council) that will be posted at a later date. As mentioned in my previous blog the Alberta Craft Council had asked me to be the Artist Spotlight for December and I am truly thank for for this opportunity as it helped me think out of the box and begin my Architectural Collection as you can see from some of my latest pieces above. You can check out my interview on Breakfast Television below which shows some of my work at the Alberta Craft Council.
If you haven’t been to the Alberta Craft Council check out these next two videos showing a tour of many of the works of Art at the Alberta Craft Council Gallery store.
The Alberta Craft Council is a wonderful place for unique local made gifts with all price points and styles of Artwork. It has various galleries to view as well while you are there. A great place to select hand made gifts and support your local community. Check it out soon it will amaze you!
Artist Spotlight
Han TV interview
Breakfast Television Interview
Breakfast Television Interview
Thanks to the Alberta Craft Council for their continued support and to Han TV and Breakfast Television for the wonderful opportunities the give to Artists throughout the year.
Have a wonderful New Years and year to come! All my very best, Valerie
I wanted to thank the Alberta Craft Council Gallery for giving me the opportunity to be the Artist Spotlight this month at such an amazing venue. You can see more about the Artist Spotlight here: http://www.albertacraft.ab.ca/artist-spotlight/ I appreciate this wonderful opportunity to spread my wings and design something new this year. It may not be new here on my blog, but the inspiration for finding something special for the Artist Spotlight this month was the starting point of my Architectural Collection I have been busy working on this fall. I wanted to design a group of designs that were different from my past ones, so I went to the past era’s to find my inspiration.
Gothic Inspired Architectural designs is my newest collection. For years I have been inspired by the amazing Architecture of the past. While taking my Interior Decorating and Interior Design the one group of courses I couldn’t get enough of were Art and Architectural History. The fact that one building can take various decades and more to complete with various architects, designers, painters and the many people it takes to achieve these greatly detailed features of the architectural buildings of the past. I could go on and on about this subject, but it would take a life time to talk about it all.
Above are some of my most recent Architectural designs in the Stone Tracery collection including some One of a Kind pieces. The first Gothic Cathedral Shawl Scarf is made with a “stone wall” effect on the base of the scarf in dark stone colours with crockets and tracery around the edge as seen on Gothic Architecture. Each end is finished with a rose window effect, showing the outside view of these amazing buildings of the past. I have added two brooches to this design to accent and fasten the piece where you want. The first is the Gothic Cathedral brooch in the shape of a cross as Gothic Cathedrals were usually built in that shape during this era. The second brooch is one of my Stained Glass Rose windows which was also a predominate feature on buildings during this time period. This one of a kind piece and some of the other designs are available at the Alberta Craft Council Gallery at http://www.albertacraft.ab.ca or on my Etsy store at http://www.valeriebaberdesigns.etsy.com. The other scarves are various examples of my other work in this section of my Architectural Collection. There are others in this collection too as I continue to evolve this venture into new and exciting designs.
Stained Glass rose window long scarf
Stained Glass rose window long scarf
Stained Glass rose window long scarf
Stained Glass rose window scarf
Stained Glass rose window scarf
Stained Glass rose window longer scarf
Stained Glass rose window earwarmer
Stained Glass rose window
Stained Glass rose window scarf
Stained Glass rose window scarf
Stained Glass rose window scarf
Stained Glass rose window scarf
Stained Glass Rose Window Scarves
Stained Glass Rose Window Scarf
Stained Glass Rose window scarf
Architectural collection
Gothic Stained Glass Rose Window Scarf
Stained Glass Rose Window Scarf
The Gothic Stained Glass Rose Window Scarf is inspired by the architectural features of the Gothic Cathedrals of the past. These sculptural Gothic Stained Glass scarf has an embellished Stained Glass Rose Window which was a prominent feature on Gothic Cathedrals and buildings of that era. As I chatted about in my previous blogs I adore vintage buildings and the amazing and exquisite architecture of the past. Stained Glass windows have always caught my attention in these beautiful buildings of the past and current. Perhaps that is why about 10 years ago I took classes on Stained Glass and made various pieces for my home. The time, skill and artistry that goes into designing and making one small window is an enormous task, but worth every moment when you see the light dancing through the wonderful colours of the pattern.
Gothic Architecture incorporates many stained glass windows as the flying buttresses used in design made it possible to have many more windows than previous architecture design. I believe this is a big reason why I love this Architecture so very much. A stained glass window has two sides with different effects on each of them. I have tried to portray this in some of the Gothic Stained Glass Rose Window Scarves above. I have others I have designed including ear warmers, longer and smaller scarves as well that you can see at the locations listed at the bottom of this blog.
The last picture is designed with the half of the view of the Rose Window from the outside looking in the the elaborate tracery of stone and a hint of the colours of stained glass beneath. The other side of the Stained Glass shows the view of from the inside of the cathedral with the more vibrant colours dancing about and the detailed metal pieces holding the work together. Tracery and elaborate stone features were an exquisite feature of these beautiful works of art. This design is done on a vintage essence base which adds to the overall effect.
The metal buttons on many of the the scarves are reminiscent of the Quartrefoil shape often seen on the Gothic Inspired Cathedrals and buildings or have a stone tracery effect.
Thank you again to the Alberta Craft Council Gallery for asking me to be the Artist Spotlight for December. I am truly thankful for the continued inspiration and guidance you as a group give myself and many other Artists in our careers. We couldn’t do it with out you. The opportunities that you have given me are outstanding and always interesting to do helping me grow and expand my creativity. The amazing contribution you give to the community is outstanding and a true blessing in each of our lives. Thank you for all your hard work in helping us grow and succeed in our ventures and the Art and local community. MANY THANKS!! 🙂
If you are looking for that amazing and unique gift that is something special for those you care about pop into the Alberta Craft Council for a vast array of wonderful locally made gifts. Many items to choose from and while your there take some time to check out the amazing Art pieces in the various gallery sections. It’s a wonderful place to be inspired and enjoy the beautiful Art work of many Artists. I recently went to their “Twas the Night” and found wonderful gifts for some of my favourite people. I have many other design styles there as well to choose from. All kinds of price points too that are perfect for gift giving. Have a wonderful day today!
The Stained Glass Rose Window Scarf is one of my newest designs in my Architectural Collection. As I chatted about in my previous blog https://intricateknits.wordpress.com/2014/07/14/architectural-inspired-scarves-gothic-cathedrals-stained-glass-stone-walls/ I adore vintage buildings and the amazing and exquisite architecture of the past. Stained Glass windows have always caught my attention in these beautiful buildings of the past and current. Perhaps that is why about 10 years ago I took classes on Stained Glass and made various pieces for my home. The time, skill and artistry that goes into designing and making one small window is an enormous task, but worth every moment when you see the light dancing through the wonderful colours of the pattern.
I have been thinking of designing a knitted version of Stained Glass for a while now and this is one of my first tries. Gothic Architecture incorporates many stained glass windows as the flying buttresses used in design made it possible to have many more windows than previous architecture design. I believe this is a big reason why I love this Architecture so very much. A stained glass window has two sides with different effects on each of them. I have tried to portray this in this scarf and the Gothic Stained Glass Rose Window Scarf brooch below. Gothic Stained Glass Rose Window Scarf
The base is done in a stone coloured hand painted merino wool and other various colours of the same for the stained glass. I have done a crochet trim of crockets that are often seen on Gothic Architecture with pointed arches around the window. The Stained Glass Rose Window scarf is designed with the part of the embellishment reflecting the elaborate stone tracery in a floral shape representing the view of the rose stained glass window from the outside of the building. A small section shows the view of the stained glass window from the inside of the building with the beautiful stained glass colours and the “metal” pieces holding the glass together. Accented with a beautiful metal bronzed button that gives the look of the stone tracery seen on the Architecture of this era. A metal clasp adorns this scarf so you can open the “Stained Glass Window” and wear this Architecturally designed scarf.
Tracery and elaborate stone features were an exquisite feature of these beautiful works of art. This design is made with a stone coloured base of beige and neutrals in a hand painted merino wool. The Stained Glass window is accented with pointed arches and crockets seen on most Gothic Cathedrals and buildings of that era. I have added a small clear button on the back of the window to help secure the scarf.
Gothic Stained Glass Rose Window Scarf Gothic Cathedral Scarf Vintage Stone Wall Cowl Scarf
Gothic Inspired Architectural designs is my newest collection coming for Fall 2014. For years I have been inspired by the amazing Architecture of the past. While taking my Interior Decorating and Interior Design the one group of courses I couldn’t get enough of were Art and Architectural History. The fact that one building can take various decades and more to complete with various architects, designers, painters and the many people it takes to achieve these greatly detailed features of the architectural buildings of the past. I could go on and on about this subject, but it would take a life time to talk about it all.
These are the first 3 pieces of my Architectural Collection. I am currently working on other Architectural inspired designs I will be adding soon to this collection. They will likely continue to be a big part of my designs in the future. These were all inspired by the Gothic style Cathedrals and buildings of that era. Some of the most elaborate of all the past architectural buildings.
Gothic Stained Glass Rose Window ScarfThis first is the Gothic Stained Glass Rose Window Scarf. The Gothic Stained Glass Rose Window Scarf is inspired by the architectural features of the Gothic Cathedrals of the past. This sculptural Gothic Stained Glass scarf has an embellished Stained Glass Rose Window which was a prominent feature on Gothic Cathedrals and buildings of that era. Can be worn with or without the brooch.
The brooch is designed with the half the brooch being the view of the Rose Window from the outside looking in the the elaborate tracery of stone and a hint of the colours of stained glass beneath. The other side of the Stained Glass Brooch shows the view of from the inside of the cathedral with the more vibrant colours dancing about and the detailed metal pieces holding the work together. Tracery and elaborate stone features were an exquisite feature of these beautiful works of art. This design is done on a vintage essence base which adds to the overall effect.
Two metal buttons on the scarf are reminiscent of the Quartrefoil shape often seen on the Gothic Inspired Cathedrals and buildings.
Gothic Cathedral ScarfThe second scarf is the Gothic Cathedral Scarf and is inspired by the architectural features of the Gothic Cathedrals of the past. This sculptural Gothic Cathedral scarf has an embellished cathedral brooch designed with the pointed arches and crockets often often seen on the great spires used on these amazing cathedrals.
The brooch is in the shape of a cross in retrospect of the usual architectural design of the Gothic cathedrals. Tracery and elaborate stone features were an exquisite feature of these beautiful works of art. This design is done on a vintage essence base which adds to the overall effect.
Two metal buttons on the scarf are reminiscent of the Quartrefoil shape often seen on the Gothic Inspired Cathedrals and buildings.
Vintage Stone Wall Cowl ScarfThe third scarf is the The Vintage Stone Wall Inspired Scarf and is inspired by the architectural features of the Castles, Cathedrals, Homes and other buildings of the past. This Vintage Stone Wall Cowl scarf gives the essence of the texture and various colours of the elaborate and beautiful stone features, walls and more of the past Architectural buildings.
Perfect to keep you warm and cozy with the hand painted merino wool and accented with two wood buttons that reflect the amazing tracery of stone on these wonderful architectural designs of the past.
This is just the beginning of the Architectural Collection so pop by soon to see what is new…..
