Cottony-cushiony goodness

It's been a whole fortnight since I talked crochet on my blog :: I do like to chatter about other aspects of my life in between times but sooner or later you know there's gonna be some hooky goodness coming from the  Attic24 household. It's inevitable really. 

But before I begin, please if you don't mind can I just mention one or two itsy bitsy blogging-related things? I've been checking in on my stats the past week or so, just to see how things are ticking over, and I was astounded to see just how many people are now regularly hopping to the Attic each day. Its getting quite busy through here! Over the weekend my page-view counter miraculously went past the 100,000 mark. Now to little ol' me, this is hugely incredible. Really :: I am thrilled and excited and loving my little corner of Blogland more than I ever thought possible. So can I just say, to all of you who take the time and trouble to drop in each day, that I love having you visit. You make my day shine.

And also I would like to say, in my bestest french accent,  "Bonjour et Bienvenue" to all the new French visitors that have found their way to me via this blog, as well as what I assume is the french equivalent of the Granny-Along blog. I did love the way that Cecile described my blog as being somewhere to "Flaner dans la couleur" which babelfish translated as "to stroll in the colour". Love that.

So, what's all this today? Cottony-cushiony goodness that's what. I don't suppose you remember way-back in the Spring when I started on this cushion cover? It was a small sort of in-between-afghans project, bridging the gap between the Granny and the Ripple. The pattern is a simple no-seams granny square, and I found it here (scroll down to the bottom of the page). I actually finished the crochet side many months ago, but had been pondering what to do at the back. I didn't fancy crocheting another square (it's quite big, 18inches across), yet I didn't think a fabric back would look right either. And then I had this idea :: I could use an old jumper, preferably one knitted in cotton as opposed to wool, which would match the cotton yarn used on the crochet side (my lovely Rowan handknit DK cotton). So I've been keeping my eyes open during my sporadic visits to charity/thrift shops, and last week I found the perfect candidate. Its a beautifully well worn, soft cotton jumper made by the Edinburgh Wool Mill, and in the perfect colour too.

I used one sleeve and the front of the jumper to make up an envelope-style back, cut slightly larger than the crochet front. I went round the edge with a zig-zag stitch on the sewing machine to stop it unraveling, then pinned the two right sides together and stitched them by hand with cotton yarn. It was a bit rough and ready, but it worked out just fine.

When I cut the front of the jumper, I thought it would be a nice touch to use the bottom ribbed edge, which would save me having to think about the unraveling tendencies of cut knitting here. I then used a contrasting shocking pink cotton yarn and a 3mm hook to crochet directly into the jumper edge :: two rows of single crochet, the second row having little chain loops added in at regular intervals. Button-hole loops see?

 

And where there are button-hole loops, there are brightly coloured buttons. My new button stash to be precise, purchased on Sunday when I visited the northern Knitting and Stitching show in Harrogate. Aren't they delicious??? I spent rather a long time gathering these buttons out of big Pick n Mix bowls of different sized buttons. I meticulously picked out as many 18mm buttons as would fit in my little pick n mix bag (133 when I counted later). I was probably the worst possible type of customer, and I am sorry Mrs ButtonCompany to have taken so much time at your stand being so jolly picky and needy. But I love these buttons very much, thank you.

So I finally stitched this cushion together last night, and am rather pleased with how it turned out.

I especially like the buttony back. And I like the fact (very much) that this cushion is already an immediate hit with the family, that Little Man spotted it as soon as he walked in to the room this morning and came to tell me how much he liked it.

The cushion is made from the same coloured cotton yarn as my hex blanket, which incidentally is coming on a treat. I have not much more to do, maybe 20 or so more hex's and it's done.

And lastly, here we have the view from the Attic24 window :: 11:53am this morning.  See how shiny-happy the weather is here today? It's joyful, it really is, and although it has nothing whatsoever to do with cottony-cushiony things, I just had to share it with you.

Hope you have a joyful, colourful, sunshiney day today too. Got some more colourful goodness to share with you tomorrow, see you then...

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Comments

[Joanne Stocker]

Hello Lucy,
How well the jumper matches your beautiful crochet work!
And, oh, I am ever so envious of your view - and ever ever so happy for you!
I have a question. My husband and I would like to visit Britain next May for three weeks. Do you have any suggestions as to where it is nice (we live in Germany). All the brochures are overwhelming, I am trying to get some ideas from real people...
Hope I am not being too direct.
All the best!
Jo

[susan]

"to stroll in the colour"

yes. this is exactly why i love to visit your blog. i sigh every time i see a new post; especially those with your crochet. i LOVE your use of color. seriously heart-stopping.

your pillow is perfection. absolute perfection.

sigh.

[elizabeth of course]

Marevlous, all that colour! It's brightened me up for sure as it's awful dreary here today. I adore the button-y back. Wonderful!

[farmerjulie]

that is so cute! i just leanred how to crochet and i am loving it. love you blog!
Julie

[Frances]

You are a talented match-maker! The recycling is a grand idea, that really has unlimited possibilities. And those buttons ... nothing quite like them in my button boxes.

Cheers!

[Alessandra]

Oh my Gosh, it's so fun to read your posts - I had to let you know that.
Besides, your photos and your work are just beautiful!!!
I have been following your work on flickr and always liked it, but now I'm hooked here too!!!!
:o)
By the way, love the cushion, might have to make one for myself, if you allow me!?

[mandy]

love the cushion, how clever to finish it off like that, it's just perfect.

[kathy]

Bonjour Lucy, ou si je dis, aime, aime, aime le cusion, c'est splendide! Kathy

[dottydesigns]

I just love all your colourful crochet, i did buy some wool to start to crochet and make a ripple blanket like yours but still no one has helped me to begin!! I am very jealous of all your lovely crocheted blankets, I WANT one too!! love your blog too, I am usually a lurker but do love it and pop by most days. x

[kathy]

Hi Lucy, love, love, love the cushion it is gorgeous and love the back too. You are v. clever. Kathyx

[cathleen]

Perfection, Lucy. The luscious colors of the yarn, buttons, and jumper look very happy together.

[julia]

Gorgeous stuff! I'm getting along very nicely with the flowers and granny squares, and now you throw that one in - what's a girls supposed to do?? Thank you for all your crochet hints, you're so generous to let us all in on the act!
I love it when the children appreciate all my handmade goodies. After the fair last week they went through all the leftovers and allocated themselves bits and pieces (without fighting - miracle!)
Julia xx

[A Thrifty Mrs]

You are so talented. I wish you sold them, because I would buy the lot!

[simone]

That is such a good idea to use the cotton jumper for the cushion backing. I like the way that you put a crochet trim along the edge and added colourful buttons. Fun and funky! Is funky still a fashionable word?!!!

[Marisa]

I have to say i just love the cushion, it really makes me want to sit down and practice what i have learnt then forgotten. And you always have brillant colours just perfect fot the dull old, cold winter days that we seem to be getting. Well done on all your visits, i don't think you appreciate how much we enjoy reading your posts, they always make my day, and to see your photos and be just generally nosey about your life.

[Jen]

I LOVE that pillow, Lucy. LOVE IT. Have you given any thought to an Etsy shop with crochet stuff AND your textiles?? Seriously! I would BUY THEM.

[Lucy Locket-Pocket]

Oh Lucy! That's some really lovely cottony-cushiony goodness you've got going on! I love your cushion (especially the buttony back) and all your crochet is beautiful - such fab colours!

I found my way back to your blog (I think I saw it once before when I first started mine) purely by accident over the weekend but I'm so very glad I did!

Lucy x

[Cláudia]

Hi Lucy!
I love your blog too!
Here on the coast of Sao Paulo where I live is a beautiful day of sunshine too, but we are approaching the summer I love the sun too.
I also love your house full of colors and beautiful things. Thank you for sharing your joys.
Congratulations!
Kisses

[Roanne]

100,000 visits!!!!! that's wonderful :0D I'm so happy I found your blog Lucy and it's nice to think of the possibility of hundreds of people all baking banana bread and orangey biscuits and crocheting lovely coloured things.
I wish I could join in with the crocheting but no matter how many online instructions I look at I just can't get past the first chain. I'm going to ask all the Mums at school and see if anyone can show me because it's very sad looking at all the beautiful things - (especially the flowers) and only being able to make a long string!
Wishing you lots of sunshine today!
Roanne x

[Sal]

Hi there..it's always lovely to see your projects as they are so colourful and cheery ;-)

[Gem]

I love your cushion, so cheerful and comfy looking :) I thought I recognised the buttons too - I was also at Harrogate this weekend. My friend Victoria had a stand there with the most exquisite christening gowns so I was there to give her a hand. I did wonder if any other bloggers would be there so I'm pleased you had a good time :) I think I might have annoyed the button lady more than you - I got over 150 buttons in my little bag!!

[Lace hearts]

How gorgeous that looks - I love it. If you ever get bored of it ... lol.
So, I have to add that cushion to my long list of crochet have to dos! Oh dear, how am I ever going to get it all done! xxx