Tuesday 14 February 2017

The Birkenhead Square




Hello All, and I hope this finds you in good spirits! 😊 Last week was quite a rough one for me, seeing as our ongoing renovations seem to never end. It's becoming a tad tedious I must say. Thankfully, amidst all this tedium there is always a bit of hooky to look forward to. This latest piece has, in part, been staring at me since I published The Darling Dahlia Square last year. I really am in love with the central flower and every time I look at it, my mind begins raveling out all sorts of designs.




The trouble is, how do you pick just one? One of the designs that came from this was the extended version of the Dahlia square which was the Dahlia Mandala.  So many have asked about a pattern and in fact, I do have one written down and will shortly begin work on it. Here I am waffling on again...I could speak Crochetnease all day long given the chance.😃



Onto The Birkenhead. Many of you may already know about the famous story of  HMS Birkenhead? And about its ill-fated sinking just off the coast of Gansbaai, South Africa. I don't think it was called Gansbaai ( Goose Bay ) then, seeing as this happened in February 1852. What has captured my imagination about this event is the incredibly gallant behaviour of all the men on board. I've read that the phrase " women and children first" was first uttered on this beleaguered vessel!




I wanted to create a square in honour of these valiant men. Almost all of them died at sea that day, either drowned or eaten by sharks which, it is reported, swarmed in their hundreds around the helpless Officers and Sailors. At the subsequent investigation into the sinking of HMS Birkenhead, survivors spoke of the incredible calm, and quiet discipline displayed by the entire crew who probably knew already that their fate was sealed. Such courage!



Also, a little nod at the name is that our house is 116 years old, and it's called The Birkenhead Cottages ( there are two attached cottages, a large one and a smaller one ). We have a framed limited edition print of an artist's rendition of The Birkenhead. on our wall! I can see it from my tiny craft room, and the colours are the ones I chose for one of the colourways. Although this is a tragic story, it is also one that garners much admiration and respect for the best qualities in human beings often displayed under incredibly trying times.




In a way, I see this also as a metaphor for our lives. We are all in our little ships, chartering our courses through life's storms, doldrums, or clear and sparkling seas, yet even our best course sometimes hits a hidden rock and we learn so much about ourselves by the way we cope with these unforeseen pitfalls. I like to think that like the flower in the centre of this square, surrounded by churning waves,  somehow our spirit shines through, even in the darkest of times. 
Oh, look at me, waxing all philosophical now! 😃


Hope your day is filled with all sorts of good things.
xxx































31 comments:

  1. Oh my, only now do I realize you were the person who do kindly sent me the link to your vintagecoloursfridaflowers. To think that I already absolutely loved the squares that you recently published and I had come across. I'm so impressed with what you do, beautiful work. Thank you so much for the patterns, have gone and collected them all just now.

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    1. Hi Afra! Nice to "see" you again! Thank you very much for your kind words! I'm very happy to share the squares and I do SO MUCH enjoy making them! :D I have so many ideas that I'm sure everyone is going to get sick of me sharing them!:D xx

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  2. My Gosh! These grannies are absolutely adorable! The pattern is stunning! Thank you so much for sharing this beauty!

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    1. Thank you so much, Maya!:D I love making these squares! For a long time I've sat on my designs because I couldn't write patterns. This has been, still is, an incredible learning curve and my eagle-eyed pattern tester, Cindy van der Schee... I am indebted to her! More than anything else, through my squares, I've connected with amazingly talented and creative women. Hands down "our" crochet community must be one of the most supportive and encouraging ever! I think I've finally found my tribe! :D x

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  3. Love this square... and even more so after learning of your inspiration! Thank you. blessings ~ tanna

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    1. Thanks, Tanna! :)It is quite a heart wrenching story. I think of the women arriving in this strange country and now without their men. I would love to know what happened to them, how they survived this tragedy.

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  4. Hi. My name is Anne I love this square and have tried to down load the free pattern but I keep getting 1 page and it's blank. Is it possible to get it emailed to me please. amthrift@yahoo.com.au.

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  5. Hi Anne! I've checked the Link several times now and it seems to be working fine! Please try again? It's possible it may take a little longer to download on your side? But let me know? If you're still experiencing a problem I will happily email it through then. :D x

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  6. Hello. My name is Niki and I absolutely LOVE this pattern. The video helps tremendously since I am a "confident beginner"! I tried to download the pdf pattern. Only 3 of the 18 pages were visible??? Have you made a video of the rest of the pattern ? If not, would you please email the complete pdf to me? I would be forever grateful. Thank you in advance. God bless.
    nicolethomas808@yahoo.com

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  7. Hi Niki! Oh dear, I have no idea why this is happening! I've tested the link and it looks to be in order from my side. But I'll email it to you anyway! :D XX

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  8. Hi Heather! That is so interesting! I love joining all the dots when it comes to history. Thank you so much for your kind words too! :) xx

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  9. Many thanks for sharing your OH SOOOOOO PRETTY designs. I love them all and the stories behind them. Your an inspiration Jen
    xx Denise

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  10. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  11. so beautiful,Thanks for providing good idea,Thanks for your sharing.

    ดูหนังใหม่

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  12. Thank you for sharing the beautiful pattern. I can not wait to make this. x3

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  13. I don't see a link to your pattern or an option to purchase.

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  14. Hi Jen, I have tried everything to find a link to this pattern on here and have been unsuccessful. I end up on Ravelry, click on that link and end up right back here. Can I ask you to please email me the PDF. My email is fverster@telus.net. From a Durban expat with love.

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  15. I don't see a link to your pattern or an option to purchase.

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  16. I am not able to find a link to download any of the parterns. I just live the squares. Thank you. My email is joniann.otto@gmail.com

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  17. Hi I've also been struggling to find a link to this pattern. Could you email it to me too? cassandra.s.keegan@gmail.com

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  18. Found the link for you guys hidden in the source code.

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz24LjTM3PJmeGMtN3I2RXZkX3M/view

    Bon apetit!

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  19. I just “discovered” your incredible designs on Ravelry. I’m just awe-struck! I love love love the folk art feeling they convey. I would like to make this, but couldn’t find a link anywhere. Is it still available? I have a nice brown easy chair that needs a pop of color, and your designs are just full of it! Going back to Ravelry now to look at the rest of your patterns. Thank you so much for these unique designs. My poor little pea brain can’t imagine how you come up with your designs. 😊

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  20. Not able to locate link to purchase 2019 version of The Birkenhead Square. When will it be available on Ravelry? Your designs are BEAUTIFUL!!

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  21. Hi Jen, unable to download pattern, could you possibly email the link to me please? Bursting to make it! juanitameal@hotmail.com
    Many thanks

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  22. This says the Birkenhead Square is Free (on Ravelry listing among others). But darned if I can find the pattern! Your work is gorgeous! and I think I've "favorited" all of your patterns on Ravelry!

    IF this pattern is free, please! where is link to actual pattern? I SO want to do this.
    Thank you so much for sharing your creativity with us! Your patterns are AMAZING! and your color choices are right on!

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  23. Hello! I just stumbled upon this pattern and absolutely love it but sadly can not find a link to the pattern that works. I would much appreciate it if you could email a copy to me at joraymer1212@yahoo.com or email me the link where I can purchase it. Thank you so much!

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  24. There's certainly a great deal to learn about this subject. I really like all the points you made.

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  25. I'm looking for the pattern too - it's gorgeous!

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