When I scroll through the photos on my phone and computer, I see a pattern in how I work, and it’s a bit of an odd one …
I already told you I’m not a monogamous crafter – there are always at least 5 projects laying around in my studio asking to be finished (‘pretty, pretty please, Marianne … ?’).
The main reason for this is ‘the call from the creative brain’ to “just” give this new idea a try. Also, sometimes a project is simply too big to carry around (e.g. the “Graig&Karl”-blanket), so it has to stay up in the studio and can’t be worked on in the evenings, when I like to spend time with the family downstairs.
Since I’m never nót crocheting, an easy-to-carry-around project is begun quickly then.
Other times, I finish a project and forget to take pictures, quickly moving on to the next wip, and after that I completely forget to post the fo (‘finished object’).
It usually happens when I’m ticking off multiple wips almost at the same time – a sheer coincidence, but it hás happened several times already.
I’ve made a note to post the fbfo’s (‘finished but forgotten objects’) here as well.
It feels good to report I’ve made good progress on several wips since my last blog post!
I’m f i n a l l y done with the “Lemvig Shawl”-pattern ↓, and its being tested as we speak!
The “Jenny’s Flower Granny Square”-cushion cover with its flowers joined with black is ready as well, and I’m telling you: it’s such a pretty duo with the off-white version. I’ve used the same fabric in the envelope-style cover for both cushions, thus making them a nice set. Both have been listed – seperately – in the shop, so if you don’t want to crochet one yourself (pattern here), there are now two ready-to-go versions for sale as well.
However: right now the main ‘ta-dah’ goes to the “Leaves Punch Needle Cushion” that is finished, and I can’t help myself: I soooo love how it turned out!
It’s prominently – and proudly – sitting on top of my ikea-cupboard, and I find myself smiling every time my eye catches it…
It all started with the huge 50 cm embroidery hoop I got during one of my visits to the G. Brouwer&Zn-warehouse, the arrival of my Amy Oxford punch needle, the perfect fabric (a jute/linen, found here), and the monstera leaf pattern I made for one of my “Punch like a Pro”-workshops.
I made smaller and bigger versions of the monstera leaf, added different leaves, gathered all the green yarn I had in my stash, and … began punching.
Thís definitely was an ‘in-between’-project – I always brought it with me to my workshops, to show people the ultra-cool things you can do with a punch needle, some fabric and yarn once you’ve mastered the craft. I think it was the workshoppers’ enthusiastic response to the leaves-project that made me want to finish it. And now it IS, and I could not be happier with it!
Maybe I’m so pleased with it too because it brings together my two real crafty loves: crochet & punch needle – you see, I crocheted the back of the cushion, and added an also crocheted pom-pom border to sort of frame the cushion.
After I finished the punch needle front, I hand stitched a seam all around it. After that I crocheted the back, of course using the same colors that were in the front, and then I picked a dark green to crochet my pom-pom-border. The pom-poms were hand stitched to the front of the cushion, after which I hand stitched the crochet part to the front-with-pom-poms, leaving an opening of about 25 cm, so the insert can be removed, and the cushion can be washed. I crocheted ribbons, tied them, thus closing the opening.
As always I had a hard time deciding what side of the punch needle part should be the front … I loved the flat stitches, but the side with the loops was beautiful too. A quick poll on Instagram (fun!) made me bite the bullet and go for the non-loopy side. Now that it’s finished, I have absolutely no regrets –> it turned out just perfect.
There’s only one thing … I soooo want to start another big punch needle cushion (definitely going for the loops on the front this time) …
What would you do? Just go for it (bye-bye wip-list), or stick to the program? Are you a one-project crafter, or a multi-project person like me?
Whatever you are: I’m wishing you many hours of happy making!
Love,
Marianne xx
Hallo Marianne, wat een prachtig kussen! Maar de sjaal is mijn favoriet! Ik hoop dat daar spoedig een patroon van komt.
Vriendelijke groet
Dánkjewel, Tineke! Blij met je mooie complimenten! Het patroon van de omslagdoek is klaar en wordt op dit moment uitgebreid getest – het komt zo snel mogelijk in m’n winkel! Marianne xx
Hi Marianne. I love love love your punch needle cushion. The crochet backing was a stroke of genius I think. I’ve been looking a lot lately at punch needle projects on the net and finally ordered my own punchneedle so I can have a play over Christmas. Can I ask you please what thickness of yarn you used for your project and needle size? Kind regards Dianne
Hi Dianne! Thank you so much for your more than lovely compliments! Oh, I’m sure you’ll love punch needling! For this cushion I used my Amy Oxford #10 Regular, and all kinds of (green) yarn, but mostly DMC Natura XL, and Durable Cosy. Marianne xx