Dala horse …
02/01/2013 § 7 Comments
I love, LOVE, L O V E these traditional Swedish horses …
Here’s my little collection that I wrote about way back here.
Imagine my excitement when I was mooching in Ikea just before Christmas – there I found wonderful, solid wooden dala horses, just waiting to be decorated. I couldn’t resist treating myself to one!
I was drifting off to sleep the other evening and I had an idea. Rather than use paint or decoupage, I thought it may be fun to decorate my horse with crochet.
On a very wet and windy New Year’s Eve afternoon, I curled up on the sofa to watch Gone with the Wind – it was going to be a long haul in front of the fire, with the candles alight and the final evening with our Christmas tree (we take down the decorations on New Year’s Day)! I had a ball of soft grey 4-ply wool just waiting for something special and what better than a Dala horse.
I started with a tight 5 ch circle into which I made 10 dc’s – this was the nose. Then off I went – made it up as I went along and by midnight I was ready to sew it all together – from nose to tail, ears to tops of legs is all one piece; the legs were made separately from the body. Don’t ask for a pattern – it was made up on the hook and was quite a challenge but lots of fun! It certainly kept me out of mischief for hours and hours.
Tonight I’ve started decorating it. I decided to go with simple chain stitch flowers in soft colours.
Here’s my crochet Dala horse, so far …
and dashed difficult it is to photograph too! I took some without the flash, but wobbled too much so they’re out of focus! I was also disturbing our youngest – worn out after a day choosing a winning giveaway number …
I’m hoping to finish my dala horse tomorrow. I may have to make another visit to the big blue & yellow store to treat myself to another one (or two) – wouldn’t it look smashing in red – and a patchwork one too!!! I love holidays – time to let my imagination run riot!
Night, night Belle – I’ll see you in the morning!
Adaliza x
Wow, what a creative start to 2013! That was a fantastic idea you had – it is stunning!
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Thank you! Not quite finished with it yet – still having lots of fun!
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Ooh, I feel a trip to Ikea is needed! 🙂
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Any excuse – eh? They’re £7.50 and I reckon a bit of a bargain. Really chunky and heavy and standing about 10″ high. Can’t wait to finish the grey one and start another! Have no idea what to do with them then though!
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I love your horses ,you made them so quickly too it would have taken me ages!
Sarah x
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I live in Sweden and saw your croched dala horse and I love it! I think it is a pity that you dont have a pattern for the horse. Anyway I love it!
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Hi Rebecca, thanks for dropping by. I made it up ‘on the hoof’ and crocheted, while fitting it over the wooden horse! I haven’t felt the need to do a 2nd one!!!! It was a challenge for a winter’s afternoon. Glad you like it!
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