Growing Cushion

So my lovely cushion cover is steadily growing.  I hope to have the bottom side finished in the not-too-distant future.

Cushion Cover

I'm really liking the stripes with the heathered blue and cream--very pretty.  The section I'm working on will wrap 'round the top and bottom.  Then my plan is to make a narrow ribbon in single crochet to cover the sides.  I'm hoping to attach the sides to the main section with crab stitch--a nice little detail.

Cushion Cover Detail

There's a quarter left to go before the main piece is completed.  The sides shouldn't take too long to complete since they'll be narrow and short.  Once I finish this prototype, the next two cushions shouldn't take too long (famous last words?  Hope not).  Besides, re-doing the whole project will help me refine my pattern notes. 

Once completed rest assured I'll be posting the pattern here for free.  I can't believe others haven't had the same idea percolating in their heads.  And I know I've come across patterns online for chair covers.

Later,

Cushions and Frogs

Don't get it?  Think "ripit, ripit, ripit".  Ah yes, the frog pond.  Buoyant with my recent FO, I decided to tackle some WIPs that had been piling up, in particular my beloved sofa cushion cover.  The chesterfield is looking mighty, mighty sad--at least the cushions are.

My most recent attempt at creating a cushion cover ended up in the frog pile.  It just wasn't working out on many levels:
1) scratchy yarn (think hot humid summer days, bare skin and scratchy wool--me thinks not a good combo).
2) also not enjoying the stitch pattern (and the wee boo-boos). 
So I frogged the whole thing--ripit, ripit, ripit.

Instead I found some acrylic that was softer in feel.  Also found a ripple stitch pattern that I'd used in a Bernat project (once memorized, the pattern was quite relaxing).  Psyched to make this project work, I actually did some math (I know!  How weird is that?) to figure how long to make my foundation chain. 

New and Improved Cushion Cover

Once started, the project grew fairly quickly. . . until I started a couple of new projects: another pair of socks and my next Bernat project.  Actually I need to finish the later ASAP (there's a baby involved and it would be nice to have the project completed before mom goes on maternity).  For now my cushion cover will have to wait--but not for long ('cuz the sofa is very, very sad).

So much to make.  So little time ('cuz I waste it over on Facebook playing in my wee virtual restaurant, but 'nuff 'bout that.  It's a healthy obsession, right?  Wait.  Don't answer).

Hope your weekend is a good one :)

How Goes the Crafting?

Remember those worsted socks?  One of them should have been finished by now.  I had turned the heel and was working on the gusset decreases.  And it was working up quickly. But it's on hold for the moment.

Sock in Progress

Why?  Well, mainly I've been working obsessively on my Bernat projects (by the way, the blog has started updating.  You can check out my newest post here ).

Also, I'm keen on finishing my sofa cushion cover.  Right now, it's my new carry-along project.  And carry it everywhere I have! I've also decided to add a little striping for interest (visually and for myself).

Cushion Cover

But I made a classic rookie mistake.  Can you spot it?

Unintentional Increases

See how the edges gradually increase.  That's not right!  Did I frog it?  Nah.  Since it's a prototype, I decided to live with the big boo-boo.  When it's finished, I can place the more narrow section towards the back of the cushion where it won't be noticed.

How goes your crafting?

Sofa Cushions

The thing about a nice comfy sofa is that it gets used. A lot.  Even if its a well-built sofa (custom-made by my second cousin in his furniture shop back in TO), with frequent use the fabric eventually begins to wear.  A sofa cover can hide the wear-and-tear, but then it too becomes worn (personally I'd like to blame the kids for all the wear-and-tear).

Then the light bulb goes on.  The one in my head (hey, it happens every now and then).  While looking through my pattern booklets, I came across this design for a chair cushion.


Chair Cushion That Inspired My Light Bulb Moment

 Now the pattern is for a 16x16" chair cushion, but it could work for a sofa.  My sofa cushions are 21x21" and thicker, but if I adjust the number of stitches it can work.  I'll just make the band that connects top to bottom thicker and leave the back open (maybe use a couple of simple ties so that the cover stays on the cushion).

Then I started hooking.  I'm using some lovely Briggs and Little Heritage in blue heather (which had been gifted to me  at Christmas and I had hoped would become a lovely cardigan, but alas this woolly goodness was meant for greater things).

The Start of a Sofa Cushion Cover

If knitters and crocheters can "yarn bomb" trees, lamp posts, statues and bridges, then surely I can make a sofa cushion cover. 

Here's hoping ;)