loopy cushion

i started this project just after finishing my "grass patty" stool cover...  made the same way, tons of little loops, each consisting of about five chain stitches...  the yarn was a second-hand cotton sweater which i unraveled and the insert was purchased at a local craft store.  this plump cushion now lives on our couch with my happy cactus pillow (i couldn't resist buying one for myself!).  

for the back i single crocheted into the back loop of each stitch...  not following a pattern, i increased as needed, trying to keep the circle fairly flat, but knowing any lumps would smooth out when stretched over the pillow insert.



the back and front are crocheted together with a chain stitch:

grass patty (stool cover)

a recently finished project...  this crocheted stool cover consists of many little loops (each loop is 7 chain stitches).  the texture is wonderfully nubby and squishy.  "i'd sit on it" says david.

a thing i made

i suppose i could call it a pencil holder or maybe a jar cozy.  at any rate, it's a thing i crocheted out of wool yarn and then felted.  i started out crocheting a flat base and then stopped increasing to make a cylinder.  i switched to the white at some point and added scallops at the edge (like on the trivets)... once felted, they look more like dripping frosting than scallops, but i don't mind.  when it was still wet i folded over the white part and shaped it with the jar inside.  i rather like it.

uppercase #16

the new issue of uppercase arrived a couple days ago.  isn't the cover great?  so much inspiration in these pages.  plus a nice bonus of seeing my crocheted circles in print!  (little sheep is pleased, too).

the original photo & an alternate.  (these crocheted coasters, trivets and mats are available in the shop).

new in the shop: wooly trivets

i crocheted and felted these scalloped circles from 100% wool yarn.  they are soft and thick and are handy to use as trivets, but are also pretty enough to have on display with some other interesting objects.

available here.

a gift + a mess

yesterday i attended a delightful bridal shower for my dear friend/cousin.  twas fun to assemble her gift which included a couple crocheted coasters (with loop) and a short conversation notepad (perfect for notes to her betrothed).

 

also, the (pretty) mess i left on my desk in the studio:

 

finishing

a couple of projects nearing completion.

first, a scarf i've been working on for months.  just another inch or so and then weaving in all those ends.  (blah).

and then a little crocheted rug.  finally found a way to use up a load of (handed down) acrylic yarn.  yay!





i'll share more photos when these are finished.

on another note, our shop has been open for one month and to celebrate we are having a sale on our most popular product: handsoap. enter coupon code HANDSOAP20 to receive 20% off.  (handsoap sets only.  sale ends march 7).

also, this video is great.

crocheted circles

i like crocheting these circles.  not following a pattern, just trying to keep them flat as they grow.  then a little bumpy edge to make them look almost like gears.  i made a set of four yellow ones for coasters and the big red one for under a plant.  the red yarn is from an unraveled cotton sweater. this is addictive, i already made four more (coater-sized) since i took these photos!

notes:  i used a D/3mm crochet hook.  the whole thing is single crochet with a sort of picot edge.  if they do end up a little wavy/bumpy, leaving them under a heavy book overnight flattens 'em right out.  a fun project for keeping hands busy while watching movies!

inspiration

i just spent way too long looking at this etsy pattern shop.  mostly i was looking for faces/expressions/postures to draw.  found lots of those...

  

   

but then i found some things that i'd like to make.  strange that i seemed to be attracted to the crochet patterns.  usually i don't like the dated-ness of crochet-wear, but isn't that dress pretty and the baby outfit cute?  (click on images to see 'em bigger). 

   

and then there's the strange stuff...  floating baby heads and loopy baby bags.

 

and this guy.  i love his style.  is warby parker going to make those glasses next?

all images from here.

 

bear

a new little friend crocheted with the leftover wool from my hat.  i didn't use a pattern, but this book is pretty good.



he likes to sit snugly in crocheted cups.



and wear little bow ties.



a couple of old friends...

crocheted cups

i used some of my unraveled sweater yarn to make a couple crocheted cups.

 

i was pretty excited when i discovered the perfect use for the green mug...  my painting-water jar fits in it with just enough room for some brushes.  now they're not rolling around with the rest of the mess on my desk.  yay!

also, thanks to rita for the sweet post on her new wrist zips!  her hands look a lot like mine.