Crochet windmills - perfect for the garden

So, summer is starting to feel as though it is starting to come to an end with the very hot weather having passed and the rain giving the gardens a much needed drink. The grass is starting to look a bit greener rather than the brown look it has had for what has seemed like ages.

It has been nice to be able to go out in the middle of the day again as I really couldn't cope with the high temperatures and only ventured out first thing or late in the afternoon. I am really lucky to live quite close to the seaside and the gift shops often have lots of bright coloured windmills ready to put in the sand or on top of a castle. I loved the idea of these bright flashes of colour and their simple shapes.

The crochet windmills have been made using double crochet and lots of decreases. The first one that I made I used just one single colour, and sewed a big white button in the centre. This is not only a lovely decorative feature but it also serves to cover up where the pieces join in the middle. I was really pleased with the first one but wanted it to stay in the classic windmill shape rather than go flat. I first tried to use some spray starch. This worked to a degree. It held some of its shape but not as well as I had hoped it would. I then thought I would experiment with watered down PVA glue. An old favourite. The windmill was put in a bath of the mixture and then squeezed out to get rid of the excess. It took a good couple of days to dry out but once it did I was really happy with the result. It held it shape really well. Just the effect I wanted.

With the prototype basic shape completed next was to experiment with colour combinations. The possibilities are endless. I also wanted to experiment with different sizes, this would allow me to create a double windmill which I think looks really cute. Once they were completed I glued them onto a garden cane, added ribbons and covered the area with a circle of felt so the back looked neat and tidy. I think that they are perfect for putting in the garden to add a splash of colour and also for having inside to brighten up a room. I have used a small metal bucket with some oasis inside which has then been covered with decorative glass pebbles.

I have loved making these as they use up some more of the yarn mountain. The only downside (apart from getting very gluey!) is the time it takes to dry. I can be impatient at times especially when I wanted to add the pretty ribbons and they were too wet still. They were definitely worth the wait though.