Friday 10 May 2013

Finishing a crochet cushion

Hi everyone, hope you are all well.  I have only just got into crochet although I have been trying to master it since I was 10!  A friend at school introduced me to the delights of crochet when I was in top juniors and I was quickly able to crochet on the round. Unfortunately my friend moved house and school so I was left high and dry.  I could crochet no end of circles but had no ideas about increasing or decreasing.  The result was that all my circles would start to turn under so I had the bright idea of making them into chic little French berets for my dolls.  However there are only so many berets even the most fashionable doll needs and before long I think they must have been thinking 'For goodness sake not another one!'.  I also made them into tiny mats for the table but you can imagine they weren't even big enough for a sandwich plate.  So I gave up the ghost on crochet.

Then, many years later whilst on holiday in Cumbria I chanced upon a lovely craft shop selling fantastic crochet kits and I was particularly taken with a rather nice shopper.  The assistant assured me that even a child could follow the pattern so I duly handed over my money and couldn't wait to start it.  It wasn't long before I was stuck, for some reason I do find it so hard to follow a crochet pattern.  I mastered the stitches ok but the tension was obviously very wrong as it kept growing and growing and growing.  I think I could have eventually made it into a coal sack so I cut my losses and made it up to the best of ability.  It looked ok but nothing like the lovely picture on the front of the kit.  I was determined to use it but the yarn was so rough, more like string, that every time I went out it snagged all my tights - not a pretty sight I can assure you.

I am not one to give up so last year decided I had to overcome my fear of crochet and took someone's advice and had a look on the internet where I found no end of blogs and websites.  I found Lucy's wonderful blog Attic 24 which I visit every day and she gives such wonderful advice and tutorials.  Have a look at Lucy's flower cushion, I lust after this on a regular basis and so want to make one just like it.  It is on my to do list before the end of this year, so watch this space readers.

  I also fell upon some great tutorials on a blog called momof5daughters which gave some great little youtube clips.  I followed one of these to make a flower, watched it over and over with crochet hook and yarn in hand.  After much perspiration and sighing I finally mastered it - wonderful!  I did the same routine with the granny square and now can finally say that I can do this too..................still cannot read a pattern or do anything else but can cope with granny square.  I have made a few cushions and this is my latest which needs finishing.  Here is a close up of my squares, I love doing them but they take time to sew in all the ends so I tend to pick them up when I have a few minutes to spare.


A basket of grannies!






Close up of granny squares




Cushion back - still to be sew up and tidied!




One side of the finished cushion






Well lovely readers it is amazing the effect my blog is having on my motivation and drive to finished things.  I just hope I can keep it up and don't end up in a sad heap on the floor.  I do hope you all have a wonderful weekend and get to do some nice things.  Thank you for popping by, it was so lovely to see you all.xx





13 comments:

  1. Well done for persevering with crochet! Me too...I kept making everything really baggy and it was Lucy's great tutorials that got me sorted out too! I seem to need to be shown things rather than read them, so videos and piccies online have been such a great help.

    I love your cushion-to-be! :) xx

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  2. I think this is the Helen Phillips blog you are wanting: http://helenphilipps.blogspot.com/

    I found your blog via The Quiet Home Blog. Your projects are very nice and I love your choices in color and style.

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    1. Hello Dinahsoar, love your name. Thank you so much for your welcoming comments and information. It is so lovely of you to drop by, I didn't expect many visitors but kit is fantastic to make new friends like you. I shall certainly be keeping in touch.
      Lots of love
      Dorothy
      :-)xxxxx

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  3. Nice blog. I have made a dress see here. Jo x

    http://joeveryday19.blogspot.co.uk/

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  4. Welcome to the wonderful, friendly world of crafting!! I love the colours of your crocheted cushion. I have mastered the basics of crotchet, knitting and quilting, but sadly not blogging!! Yet!!
    I too, found your lovely blog via Tina at The Quiet Home. Heather X

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    1. Hello Rabbitquilter how lovely of you to call by. I really didn't expect many visitors so it is so wonderful to meet you. I tried to find your blog as I have heard of you before so would love to read all about you. I do hope you keep in touch. Have a lovely week.
      Lots of love
      Dorothy
      :-)xxxx

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  5. Hi Dorothy

    Welcome to BLOGLAND. ITs a lovely place to be in. You'll enjoy the journey. There's so much to learn, so much of inspiration all around.

    I reached your blog through Tina. And you know what! She's been my inspiration too to start a blog of my own.

    I too am a beginner in crochet. But am loving it. Your Granny squares look sweet. Waiting to see the cushion all made :)

    Happy week end

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    1. Hi Aishwarya how lovely of you to drop by. I wasn't expecting many visitors so it is especially wonderful to meet you. I did try to find your blog Aishwarya but couldn't find it, would love to read it. I do hope you keep in touch and have a lovely week.
      Lots of love
      Dorothy
      :-)xxx

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  6. Visiting from over at the Quiet Home. Your Grannies look so precious piled in the basket. Don't you just love how they use up every little bit of yarn?

    Blessings,
    Laura
    Harvest Lane Cottage

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  7. Hello Dorothy!

    I found you via the Quiet Home. I also taught myself to crochet last year, and I am just about to finish a cushion, although mine is a ripple. What a lovely blog you have! I shall be popping by again,

    Lesley x

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    1. Hello Lesley how lovely to hear from you. Tina was so kind mentioning my blog as I have been able to meet you. Do you have a blog Lesley? I would love to read it. I hope we can keep in touch, do have a lovely week.
      Lots of love
      Dorothy
      :-)xxxx

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    2. I do, it's at www.calmlycreative.blogspot.co.uk. The "calm" part is more of an aspiration than a reality! Lesley x

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  8. I love the green Dorothy! It's going to be a gorgeous cushion.
    Hen xxx

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