I had to have a little break from all this virtuous ufo finishing... (actually some of them are so old that it's like working on a new project!)
A tiny eggcup found in a charity shop provided the required inspiration:
Yes ok, I didn't really need a new pincushion... but do you only make things you need?
I didn't think so. "I make because I am" or something like that..
And now back to virtuous work.
Sigh.
2012 it's officially the year of the cushion; I don't seem to be able to stop making them..
This combined with my desire to get rid of/finish off as many ufo as possible resulted into this:
The top had been sitting in a box for a couple of months now it was only a matter of sewing the back and stuff it.
Yeah. Easier said than done. First of all the size of cushion pad I had in my head doesn't exist... apparently. Mmmmhhh I'm sure I have used that size before but anyway the store didn't stock it so I took the closest size and came home.
Now, I realise - with hindsight, which is a wonderful thing, don't you think? - that I could have 're-size' the pad myself before trying to squeeze it into the cushion... but I didn't. Wouldn't you have at least tried?
'Trying' to stuff the one inside the other was, how shall we say it... impossible? The same as if I tried squeezing myself into my favourite of pair teenage jeans nowadays three decades and kids later... (pale blue Levis, very soft and worn, very lucky jeans they were too)... it just wouldn't happen. So the pad got the equivalent of a drastic liposuction (maybe I should to?) and got down to the same size as the cover. Bob's your uncle.
There's something very comforting in the expanse of a granny square.
Don't you agree?
It's bright and zingy
and totally Norolicious
1 ball of Noro 'SEKKU' (lost the card, don't know the shade... sorry)
3mm crochet hook (this yarn is reeeeeaaaalllyyy thin)
It's a simple granny triangle
with slightly elongated sides for better performance around the neck. I simply used trebles instead of doubles here at the beginning of the rows (or treble and double-trebles, depending which terms you use!)
It's spring, right?
I can hardly believe it myself, but I had never crochet a 'granny square' type cushion before.
Ever.
And I guess if I'm honest the thought of weaving in all those ends was the only reason I didn't. So many changes of colour... so many ends. Scary.
Then one night Mr M was out on a business dinner I sat at my desk to watch an episode of 'Sherlock' on the BBC iplayer (incindentally... what a great great show; great story lines, great acting, beautifully shot) and found myself with a crochet hook in my hand and a bag of left over cotton yarn.
The granny circles were made really quickly and weaving the ends as I went turned a potentially boring job into a nothing. (note to self: doh. Will I ever learn? It's nice to hold on to the thought that one day I will though.)
By the time Sherlock solved the case I was done.
The white joining part took a bit longer, I just did a bit then and there... but all in all it was surprisingly fast.
I don't exclude the possibility of making more - regardless of the zero level of appreciation from the nearest and dearest - but next time I'll choose a pattern less 'holey', and go down a size in crochet hook. I like my crochet fabric to be firm, and this is a tad too soft for me.
In the meantime... my sewing chair has got a whole lot more comfortable.
Toodles ya'll.
The boys have gone - reluctantly - to school.
Lilli and I took a walk up the hill and I'm having a peacefull cup of coffee whilst she's resting on her cushion.
Radio 4 is mumbling something in the background, but all is calm.
The perfect time to show you my latest crochet project: "Calm Cowl".
(Pattern here).
I actually finished this in the run up to Christmas when life was everything but calm and the weather has been so warm this winter I've only attempted wearing it once and ended up leaving it in the car. This baby it's warm.
Crochet hook: 5.5mm
Yarn: Viking Eco-Alpaca, bought in Stockholm in October. It sheds a little but it's so very soft and chunky. The tapestry stich is new to me and I totally love it. I think it looks very different from your normal crochet stitches.
I wish I had another skein or two (I only had three) to make it deeper, but even like this it's a very substantial scarf.
And now I really must go and make my bed! Have a good day.
ok, so nobody pointed out that yesterday's post had the totally wrong title???? you let me made a fool of myself!
I've changed it now...
Anyway, I wanted to show you the cushion yesterday but didn't like the photos so in the end I didn't. I thought today the weather might be a little better so I could re-take them but it isn/t. At all. So I'm stuck with the original ones.
Just use your imagination a little
This time I surpassed myself and learnt how to sew a cushion with a zipper
I know. I'm a genius.
But you shouldn't feel shy in my presence. We're all equals. (Some more than others, that's all!!)
If I hadn't spilled tea all over my desk soaking my notes I could even tell you where I got the tutorial from... as it is I'm unable to.
(Now I have to go and de-mushroom No 2's swimming bag/towel/etc. that had been abandoned at school wet for the past 5 days. Wish me luck. Boys eh? If it's not mud it's fungi!!)
Waiting
November to me always feels like waiting.
Which is ridiculous because it's always one of the busiest months of the year.
It just does.
I've reserved a table at a local craft/Christmas market in December.
AAARRRRGGGHHHH.
So I've started sewing some stuff...
... like this cushion.
Grey wool and aqua crochet doily.
(I think I want to keep it).
Mrs P was No 1's teacher last year.
Great teacher.
And a knitter.
When her mother died Mrs P was left with lots and lots of yarn (I think she used to make traditional Scottish lace shawls and sold them...) and because she knows I love knitting too she gave me a huge bag of it.
Just like that.
So I crochet a scarf for her using her mother's wool. It's soft and chocolate brown...
and hopefully she'll be reminded of her mother and of how much I appreciate the work she did for No 1 last year.
Thank you Mrs P.
What? two finished projects in a week?
Shocking, I know.
Wingfeather Shawl (mine on Ravelry here)
3.5mm hook.
Yarn: one Crazy Zauberball, bought in Stockholm on a whim (when you're on holiday, the yarn diet doesn't count)
It's very similar to this 'baby' I crochet last year, and there's a reason for it: my darling mother went on and on and on about it that I had to give it to her to stop her.
Perfect size, can be worn on the shoulders or bandana style.
The stitch pattern is based on the US treble stitch (UK double treble) which makes it very soft and airy. It won't be too bulky around your neck.
And the colours... where do I start?
It reminds me of a Robert Frost poem, do you know what I mean?
