Summertime Mandala Cushion

Summertime ...

Strawberries and cream, Wimbledon on the telly, ice-creams, suncream, picnics and ...

... tempestuous rain, floods and turning on the heating.

Yes, if you live in the UK then you'll know that we're not really experiencing the summer of dreams, but a rather cold, wet version, which no-one is very keen on. So in an attempt to banish all miserable thoughts of our dreadful summer so far, here's a rather lovely (if I say so myself) colour palette using Stylecraft cotton (I've blogged about before here) which will give you ALL the summery feels.

Now, if truth be told I love a Mandala, but I'm never exactly sure what to do with it once I've made it - I've seen some lovely versions attached to hoops and hung on the wall, but I fancied something a bit different. And as I have practically NO cushions in my house (same goes for blankets and shawls, in case you're wondering) I thought I'd make a new one, and combine the two. Especially as I found a plain cushion cover in Hobbycraft for a total steal at £2 (find it here). 

Summertime Mandala (UK Terms)

Pattern Notes: 

Most rounds begins with a treble stitch, so make the first stitch of yours a chain of 2 or 3, depending on which you prefer. Some rounds begin with a tr2tog or tr3tog cluster. For the treble two together (tr2tog), make a chain of 2 and a treble stitch, for the treble three together (tr3tog), make a chain of 2 and then a standard tr2tog.

For rounds beginning with a double crochet stitch, make a standing double crochet, or chain 1, (doesn't count as stitch) and make 1dc in the same space.

At the end of each round, slip stitch to the first st of the round to join.

You'll need: 

40cm x 40cm plain cushion cover
Stylecraft Classique Cotton DK in Ivory (3665), Shrimp (3674), Peppermint (3691) and Apricot (3962)
4mm hook
Needle and thread in matching colour.

Rnd 1: In Ivory, 10tr in magic ring or ch4 (counts as 1ch + 1tr), 9tr in 4th ch from hook. (10 tr)
Rnd 2: In Apricot, 2tr in each st around. (20 tr)
Rnd 3: In Peppermint, 4tr between each 2tr cluster around. (40 tr)
Rnd 4: In Shrimp, *2tr between 4tr cluster, sk 2 sts, 2tr between stitches; rep from * around.
Rnd 5: In Apricot, 3tr between each 2tr cluster around. (60 tr)

Rnds 1 - 9

Rnd 6: In Ivory, 1dc, 3ch between each 3tr cluster around. (20 dc, 60 ch)
Rnd 7: 4tr in each 3ch-sp around. (80 tr)
Rnd 8: In Peppermint, *2tr between 4tr cluster, sk 2 sts, 2tr between stitches; rep from * around.
Rnd 9: In Apricot, 2tr between each 2tr cluster around.
Rnd 10: In Shrimp, 1dc, 2ch between each 3tr cluster around. (40 dc, 80 ch)
Rnd 11: 3tr in each 2ch-sp around. (120 tr)
Rnd 12: In Ivory, *1tr between 3tr cluster, sk 1 st, (1tr, 1ch, 1tr) in next st, sk 1 st; rep from * around. (120 tr, 40 ch)
Rnd 13: In Apricot, (tr2tog, 2ch, tr2tog) in each 1ch-sp around. (80 tr2tog, 80 ch)
Rnd 14: In Peppermint, (tr3tog, 2ch, tr3tog) in each 2ch-sp around. (80 tr3tog, 80 ch)
Rnd 15: In Ivory, *1dc in 2ch-sp, (4tr, picot, 4tr) in next 2ch-sp. (160 tr, 20 picot, 20 dc)

Rnds 8 - 15

Fasten off and weave in ends. Stitch to middle of cushion and enjoy!!

That's it - it couldn't be easier! And you don't have to make a cushion - you could use your mandala to decorate a plain tote bag, t-shirt, the back of a denim jacket... or it could just lie on a table, looking pretty.

Look what happens when I say 'Biscuits' ..

[Do note the sun was actually shining for the photos today - but we all know it's going to pee down tomorrow ...]

Enjoy,
Sarah x

The one with a bobble stitch cushion

I've been meaning to get this pattern out for months, I tell you. It's one of those which has been lingering in my design book, waiting for me to take some photos and make a YouTube tutorial to accompany it.

And I've finally done it.

It's not at all difficult and involves a hook, yarn, some double crochet and some bobble stitches. 

And a few buttons.

And a cushion that measures 45cms*

* ok, that's a teeny lie. I used a 45 cm cushion, but this pattern can be easily adjusted for any size- see under the pattern for how to do it.

Onwards.

Bobble Stitch Cushion

Pattern written in UK terms

ch = chain

dc = double crochet

yoh = yarn over hook

To make the bobble stitch:

1) Yoh, hook into stitch, yoh, draw yarn through stitch.

    Yoh, draw yarn through first 2 loops (2 loops on hook)

2) repeat (3 loops on hook)

3) repeat (4 loops on hook)

4) repeat (5 loops on hook)

5) repeat (6 loops on hook) 

6) Yoh, draw yarn through all loops.

You need:

Hook and yarn (what ever you fancy here. I used 4 x balls of Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick in Glacier (shade 105) and a 12 mm hook.

Cushion

Buttons (I used 4 x 2.5cm)

Pattern

Both sides of the cushion are crocheted in rows. At the beginning of each row, turn your work and ch1.

Front of cushion (make 1)

Foundation chain: ch31

Row 1: dc in each st across row (31 sts)

Row 2: dc 3, *bobble in next st, dc 3* repeat from * to * across row

Rows 3-5: dc in each st across row (31 sts)

Row 6: dc 5, *bobble in next st, dc 3* repeat from * to * across row, until you have 5 sts left, then dc 5.

Rows 7-9: repeat row 1

Rows 10-37: repeat the pattern: row 2, then x3 rows of dc, then row 6, followed by x3 rows of dc 

Back of cushion (make 1)

Foundation chain: ch31

Rows 1-37: dc in each st across row (31 sts)

To make up:

Align the front and back pieces with wrong sides together with the bobble side facing you, right-way-up. Beginning at the top left corner and working in a clockwise direction, dc three of the sides together. You will need to put 3 dcs in the corner stitches. Stitch a few buttons along the top of the cushion, on the wrong side of the bobble edge. Use the spaces between the stitches on the back piece as button holes.

To adjust this pattern to fit any cushion, you need to alter the width and height of the front and back panels. To adjust the width, make sure your foundation chain is a multiple of 4 and add 3 more. To change the height, simply add or subtract the total number of rows. 

Simples.

Enjoy all your crafty endeavours this week,

Sarah xx

Fungi fun

So I couldn't just stop with the little guys.

No, I had to go bigger.

Much bigger.

Big enough to be a cushion, in fact.

Hope you like it.

If you'd like to make one of your very own, then the pattern is available in my Etsy shop, just over there in the left sidebar.

Go on.... 

Go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on ......

(sorry, had a Mrs Doyle from 'Father Ted' moment there)

Anyhoos, happy weekend to you all 

Sarah xx

Feeling Smug

Yes, I am feeling super-smug at the moment, for I have actually completed a project.

 

It's been a nice little school-holiday-kinda-thing - you know the sort you can pick up, make stitch, put down, wipe small person's nose, feed cat, wipe cat food off small person (who has insisted on 'helping' to feed aforementioned feline), pick up again and make next stitch.

 

 

 

No counting of rows, no masses of yarn to carry around, no complicated new techniques to learn.

 

And so, my very first crochet cushion is made:

 

I have to admit to feeling very pleased with myself and was surprised by how easily it came together. I love the pattern (available here), with its circle in the centre and the white edging looks very summery (I'd like to do another surrounded in dark grey for the winter, I think).

I like the buttons which close the back too (two small people + feline = wash-ability).

 

 

Here it is in situ . On the chair where it will live:

 

I have had a slight crisis where a few of the stitches have come undone. I suspect the problem is the knotting coming unravelled somehow - I blame the small people and the feline for actually using the cushion, rather than moving it off the chair when they sit down (do they know nothing??!!!). Anyhoos, all has been rescued and swiftly mended before too much unravelling has occurred.


 

 

I think for my next cushion I will use something a bit more acrylic or wool-based- my only criteria is that it must be affordable and washable. Any suggestions great fully received, as always.

On a complete change of subject, can I say how marvellous Instagram is. I have fallen for its simplicity. I love to see what other people are up to and share my photos too. It's like mini-blogging. And if I like what someone has posted, I can click 'like' so they know, or I can write a comment if I have something to say.

 

 

As much as I like blogging, I am finding I have less time to comment on as many posts as I would like, which I don't feel is fair on you all. Really, I'd like to be able to press a little 'like' button to let you know that I've read and appreciated your post- that all your hard work and creativity is acknowledged and that you are very much a part of my blogging journey.

 

 

So a big thank you for taking your time to be here.


I really, really appreciate it.

 

 

Have a great week.


Xx

 

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Of Knights and Ninjas

Finally.

I have managed to wrestle the iPad from the kid's grubby mitts for long enough to actually write a post!

[I am totally looking forward to a return to routine. Don't get me wrong, I love the holidays- but things just get a little, well, bonkers.]

Wait a sec.... What's that? I can hear the sound of marching feet...

Hey! It's the crochet Korknisse Knights, or Korknightsse, as they like to call themselves.



Hello, fellas! How are you?



What, you haven't got any weapons yet? Well, be careful, won't you?



But who's that?

Watch out, Korknightsse! Behind you...

.... it's the Korknisse NINJAs!


They're a deadly and dastardly duo..

You naughty little blighters.



Ok, so the knights and ninjas are free patterns from the lovely Lucy Ravenscar's blog. The knights were made for my nephew, who is doing something 'knight-ish' at school in Sept and the Ninjas for my son, who has demanded 'hundreds more'.

Good excuse to drink more wine, methinks.

Mwaaa haaaaa haaaaa!

Oh, and the crochet cushion cover (pattern from here) is coming along nicely...






Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

X

 

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