How I Crocheted My Round Cushion

Ok, here we go.  For those of you who asked, this is how I crocheted my round cushion ...

The only stitches you will need to know for the circle are:-

Chain

Half Treble (or Half Double in US terms)

Slip Stitch

If you'd rather skip the picture instructions, do please nip to the end where you'll find the pattern without.

***

Chain 2.

9 half trebles in second chain from the hook.

Slip stitch to first half treble to close the circle.

A small tug on the starting tail of yarn will close your circle nice and tightly.

Chain 2 (counts as one half treble) and half treble in the same stitch.

Two half trebles in each of the following stitches in the round.

Slip stitch in the space created by the chain 2 at the beginning of the round.

Chain 2 (counts as one half treble) and half treble in the same stitch.

*One half treble in the next stitch.  Two half trebles in the next stitch.*  Repeat ** to the end of the round, ending with two half trebles in the last stitch.

Slip stitch in the space created by the chain 2 at the beginning of the round.

Chain 2 (counts as one half treble) and half treble in the same stitch.

*One half treble in the next two stitches.  Two half trebles in the next stitch.*  Repeat ** to the end of the round, ending with two half trebles in the last stitch.

Slip stitch in the space created by the chain 2 at the beginning of the round.

Chain 2 (counts as one half treble) and half treble in the same stitch.

*One half treble in the next three stitches.  Two half trebles in the next stitch.*  Repeat ** to the end of the round, ending with two half trebles in the last stitch.

Slip stitch in the space created by the chain 2 at the beginning of the round.

Chain 2 (counts as one half treble) and half treble in the same stitch.

*One half treble in the next four stitches.  Two half trebles in the next stitch.*  Repeat ** to the end of the round, ending with two half trebles in the last stitch.

Slip stitch in the space created by the chain 2 at the beginning of the round.

Chain 2 (counts as one half treble) and half treble in the same stitch.

*One half treble in the next five stitches.  Two half trebles in the next stitch.*  Repeat ** to the end of the round, ending with two half trebles in the last stitch.

Slip stitch in the space created by the chain 2 at the beginning of the round.

Do you see the pattern emerging?  Each round, you will simply increase the number of half treble stitches in between those with two half trebles.

You may also notice that you will always be performing your two half trebles in the middle of the previous round's two half trebles.  Follow the stitches along the arrows - they're all two half trebles.  Does that make sense?

Continue until your circle is large enough for it's purpose!

***

Simple Written Instructions

Chain 2.

9 half trebles in second chain from the hook.

Slip stitch to first half treble to close the circle. (9)

A small tug on the starting tail of yarn will close your circle nice and tightly.

Chain 2 (counts as one half treble) and half treble in the same stitch.

Two half trebles in each of the following stitches in the round.

Slip stitch in the space created by the chain 2 at the beginning of the round.

Chain 2 (counts as one half treble) and half treble in the same stitch.

*One half treble in the next stitch.  Two half trebles in the next stitch.*  Repeat ** to the end of the round, ending with two half trebles in the last stitch.

Slip stitch in the space created by the chain 2 at the beginning of the round.

Chain 2 (counts as one half treble) and half treble in the same stitch.

*One half treble in the next two stitches.  Two half trebles in the next stitch.*  Repeat ** to the end of the round, ending with two half trebles in the last stitch.

Slip stitch in the space created by the chain 2 at the beginning of the round.

Chain 2 (counts as one half treble) and half treble in the same stitch.

*One half treble in the next three stitches.  Two half trebles in the next stitch.*  Repeat ** to the end of the round, ending with two half trebles in the last stitch.

Slip stitch in the space created by the chain 2 at the beginning of the round.

Chain 2 (counts as one half treble) and half treble in the same stitch.

*One half treble in the next four stitches.  Two half trebles in the next stitch.*  Repeat ** to the end of the round, ending with two half trebles in the last stitch.

Slip stitch in the space created by the chain 2 at the beginning of the round.

Chain 2 (counts as one half treble) and half treble in the same stitch.

*One half treble in the next five stitches.  Two half trebles in the next stitch.*  Repeat ** to the end of the round, ending with two half trebles in the last stitch.

Slip stitch in the space created by the chain 2 at the beginning of the round.

You should see the pattern emerging.  Continue with each round, simply increasing the number of half treble stitches in between those with two half trebles.

To make my cushions, I simply crochet two same-sized circles this way and then double crochet (single crochet US) them together.

***

If I can offer a couple of additional tips:-

Try and ensure your slip stitches aren't too loose - if they're the same tension as your crochet stitches, they will be less noticeable.

I also always crochet my circles a little smaller than the round cushion pad I'm using - again, it adds to a neater and more even finish.

I do hope that helps.

Do please let me know if you get stuck or see any glaring booboos!!!

Happy hooking my friends.

xxx

Edited to add : I used this pattern to make the leaves and this pattern to make the rose.

Easter Tree

Looking back through last year's pictures, I notice I'm a tad early with my Easter tree this year!  Impatience?

Aah well.

I selected a few choice branches from my lilac in the garden again and plonked them unceremoniously in a jug of water.  The tight buds have already started to unfurl in the warmth and light of the lounge.

I do love a living and breathing Easter tree.

I feel sure one year I had a bunch of pussy willow in a jug but the furry buds (catkins?) gave me the heebie jeebies.

If you've been following me for a while, you may recognise a couple of favourite decorations adorning the branches.

There's Miss Buttercup who I bought from the lovely Jooles at Sew Sweet Violet ...

My Cath Kidston egg which, I think, originally had a soap in it ...

My lovely Gisela Graham bird ...

But, wait!!!

Be still my beating heart ...

Did you ever see such a pretty egg?

And there's not just one.  Oh, no, no, there are three in the set and they're from Greengate.  A little Easter gift to me from me!

I think the red one is my favourite.  Or perhaps the blue.  Maybe the green.  No, definitely the red!

Thank you so much for all your lovely comments on my round crocheted cushion.  Quite a number of people have asked me for a pattern so I'm writing up a sort of 'how to'.  I hope to finish it tonight and will post it as soon as.

Before I go, Blondie daughter has joined the Girl Guides.  She absolutely loves it!  It's only her second meeting tonight and she has been asked to take some cakes for a sale.  Ugh!  As you know, this mummy doesn't DO cakes (remember this???) so I should like to take this opportunity to offer up a big thank you to whoever it was that first came up with the idea of ready-made fairy cakes, ready-made butter icing and stick on decorations!!!

xxx

Edited to add ... Blondie daughter has asked me to point out that she decorated the cakes by herself, on her own, with no involvement from me whatsoever.  I wasn't even allowed in the room at the time.  Didn't she do well?!

Another Cushion?

Why yes.

Another cushion and this time it's round.

I've actually made a couple of these now; they're so relaxing and rhythmic to crochet.  It's just my favourite half trebles (half doubles US), joined at the end of each round by a slip stitch.  Of course, if you slightly stagger where you join your rounds and/or new colours, there is much less of a visible 'seam' but I don't think it detracts at all when the cushion is just one colour.

I'm still having a love affair with the Rooster Almerino yarns - here I used glace, strawberry cream and gooseberry dk.  Even the names of the colours are a joy!

Oh, and an adorable Attic 24 may rose and leaf again.  Naturally.

The rear view!

Pretty huh?

xxx

Edited to add : pattern now here!

Roses

I'm lucky to have a surfeit of flowers adorning mantels and windowsills at the moment.  It was our 15th wedding anniversary yesterday.  It seems quite hard to believe in some ways but, truthfully though, I can't really remember the time when I didn't have D beside me in life.  I adore that man of mine.

When, as two love-struck twenty-somethings, we were setting the date for our wedding, the prospect of Valentines Day falling on a Saturday was too much to resist.  Romantic?  Yes, I guess.  With hindsight though, perhaps not such a good idea.  We've taken to going out for a celebratory meal a little before or after the date and get a bit sniffy about sharing 'our' day with everybody else!

D bought me 15 red roses.  Apparently the rose is the flower associated with fifteen years of marriage.

We had a posy of daffodils from Blondie Daughter and tulips from my Mum In Law.

And that cheeky teenaged son of mine?  Well, lest we should get carried away by hearts and flowers ...

Ha!  And I always thought I was unphotogenic!

I hope you felt loved yesterday.

xxx

Just Add Cream

I'm decorating like a mad thing at the moment.  The weather doesn't lend itself to venturing outside for long periods of time so, here I am, wielding my brush and roller.  I've nearly finished the lounge.  It was a pale green and is now a very grown-up cream.  Gosh it's so lovely and light.  I get terribly immersed when I'm decorating and very boring conversationally.  I fear if you and I bumped into each other on the street, I'd have very little to say of interest.  I'm sure you'd shift uncomfortably from one foot to another and then make your excuses before legging it!

(A bit of a rushed and grainy photo but it hopefully shows I'm getting there!  Yup, the telly's on - can you tell it's half term?)

As I say though, I am now nearing the end and my mind is turning to accessories.  I am not afraid of whimsy and find it's presence in my life very pleasing indeed.  I'm thinking jaunty strings of (naturally) crocheted bunting (using my own pattern with the addition of easy peasy daisies), jugs of spring flowers, framed prints and postcards, strings of fairy lights and stuffed hearts.  They all delight me.

I particularly adore tulips.  When I saw this post of Lucy's, I fell head over heels in love with her new mosaic tile and hotfooted it straight over to Felicity's shop on Folksy for a look see.  This morning, my very own tulip tile came thudding through the letterbox.

I'm tickled pink with it.

On the crochet front, I have quite a bit more to show and tell but will save that for next time.  What I will say though is that I haven't been able to stop popping back and looking at this gorgeous blanket.  Everything about it appeals to me big time and I may have accidentally-on-purpose made sure my aran yarn stash is fully stocked.  Just in case ..!

Hope all's well with you.

xxx

Crochet Scarf And In Praise Of Others

Just before Christmas, I rather fancied swaddling myself in some festive colours.  I really don't suit a harsh red so this 'very cherry' shade by Sublime is perfect!

The scarf is simply alternate rows of trebles and doubles to give a ribbed effect, with a cream scalloped edge.

By the time I'd finished it of course, Christmas was over and done.  I don't know about you but my thoughts are most definitely leaning towards Spring now.  I hope the addition of the Attic 24 May Rose has made it a little more blossom and birdsong than Hohoho!

It looks lush with my new coat, even if I do say so myself!

One of my many New Year's Resolutions is to keep my crochet and yarn more tidy.  I admit, I am a messy creature and tend to leave little piles of yarny detritus in every room.  It's not such fun when I'm desperately looking for my 5mm hook or tapestry needle.

I stumbled upon a much-longed-for handled basket whilst shopping in Mevagissey.  Just the job for my current works in progress!

My hooks?  Well, I now have the prettiest hook roll ever.  Look ...

It was made for me by one of my lovely new Instagram friends, Rachael.  Rachael sews so beautifully and has a Folksy shop here.

If I can't make my own pressies, I'm a big fan of Folksy and Etsy when it comes to gift-giving.  Here are a few of my favourite purchases ...

1. Westie Brooch from Alex McQuade  2. Flower Brooch from Buttercup Boutique  3. Christmas Tree from Raven's Stained Glass  4. Birdie Brooch from Buttercup Boutique.

So many talented people out there.

xxx

A Cornish Christmas

We returned last night from a week in Mevagissey, Cornwall.  The four of us and my lovely Mum In Law.  A wonderful friend let us stay in his beautiful home whilst he Christmassed with family elsewhere.

His house is built high up into the rocks; the view of the harbour is breathtaking.  I lost count of how many hours I sat out on the deck, swaddled in coats, just drinking it in.

D and I were so loathed to shut it out, we slept with our bedroom window wide open.  We even loved being awoken by the chorus of seagulls early every morning as the fishing boats departed.  (Brazen creatures though aren't they?!)

We didn't venture so far during the week.  We strolled around the narrow streets of Mevagissey town a few times (loveliest little independent shops) and walked along the coast to nearby Portmellon and Gorran Haven, seeking refuge in cosy pubs when the rain beat down.

We ate, drank, chatted, watched television (still reeling from the end of Downton Abbey), played new board games, squabbled a bit, and I crocheted.

Sounds wonderful doesn't it?  It was.

I do so love coming home though.  We've been feeling a bit 'in limbo' for the past few months whilst we've been contemplating our future.  For various reasons, we've been umming and ahhing about whether to up sticks and move away from Leicestershire and start afresh down south.  I'm sure you can imagine how complicated it would be.  However, we have finally decided to stay put.  We've made plans, exciting plans, and I feel a renewed optimism for the future.

2013 eh?  Bring it on!

I do hope your Christmas was merry and bright.

xxx