Links to the Java Peacock Feather Pattern and the Free Instructions:

Java Peacock Feather pattern on Etsy
Java Peacock Feather pattern on Ravelry
Free join-as-you-go blanket motif instructions on Ravelry by Cassie1979

Popcorn Cushion Pattern

Hi everyone. In my previous post I already revealed this very squishy popcorn cushion cover and today it's time to share the pattern with you. It's a very beginners-friendly design with a striking result. It's so tactile! I'm going to use it as a yoga cushion; very soft on the you know what ;-)

I'm so excited writing this blog post because Scheepjes has just released issue 2 of their fabulous Craft Book-a-Zine YARN. In it you'll find crochet, knitting and sewing patterns accompanied by the most wonderful photos. It is really something different and I'm not just saying that because one of my designs is in it ;-) As some of you may know, I've been collaborating with Scheepjes as a blogger and designer for over a year now and I'm so proud that together with a fabulous group of other bloggers and designers, we have put together a wonderful collection of designs.

You may have seen the first issue of YARN that had many light and breezy patterns all linked to the overall theme of the SEA. This time the theme is Midnight Garden and it has many romantic, bohemian-style projects in blues, greens, mustard gold and pastels. But it's not only the projects that stand out, the photography and graphic design of YARN are also very special, creating a dream-like atmosphere that really sparks inspiration and creativity.

The photo below shows my contribution: The Firework Coasters. The yellow in them is really going to stand out when you use them as coasters for tea lights.


Other projects below are a gorgeous lapghan and several stunning shawls. These are just a few sneak peeks; you'll have to see the book-a-zine yourself to get that 100% dream-like feel.


Let me just give you a bit more information about YARN in general. It's a bi-annual publication (April/October but this is not set in stone) published by Dutch yarn manufacturer Scheepjes. Each issue has one specific theme and caters to crafters in general, not just the yarn lovers amongst us. Original sewing designs are also part of it as are interviews with artists who create very special work.
Scheepjes has really thought things through and at the back of the book has provided pages where you can write down notes, stick your swatches and loop yarn through specially punched out holes!

YARN is available in both Dutch and English and it shouldn't be difficult to get your hands on a copy because there are many outlets that sell it. Below I'll provide some links, also the the first issue in case you'd like to have a look at that one too.

YARN 2 available at WoolWarehouse and Deramores (both international shipping)*


YARN 1 available at Deramores and WoolWarehouse (both international shipping)*
*The affiliate links in this post support giveaways, free patterns, discounts and the running of this blog. By purchasing the book-a-zine or any yarn through these links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thank you! 

Here it is, the squishy result of the heap of popcorns I showed you in the previous post. I made a super soft cushion cover with 4 large squares on each side. It's so soft because I used Merino Soft Brush, a new yarn in Scheepjes' Merino Soft line*, a yarn you may already be familiar with because it was used in The Last Dance on the Beach CAL. But now there is a lovely new addition with little flecks both dark and light brushed through the main colour. It's 50% merino wool, 25% microfibre and 25% acrylic and comes in 50gr/105m balls and it's suitable for 4 to 5mm hooks.

The cushion measures 45 x 45cm / 18 x 18inch and as you can see in the pic below, I alternated the colours. I think I like the colour order in the pic on the right best but I always like to make two different sides when making a cushion cover.

I'm going to use it as a meditation cushion because I can't get used to the hard round ones that seem to be standard yoga and meditation equipment. It's nice and soft (did I mention that already?) and firm enough to sit on. Next week I'll share the pattern with you. Hope you're in the mood for popcorns and Merino Soft Brush. It's available at WoolWarehouse and Deramores (international shipping).*


* Thanks to Scheepjes, who supplied the yarn for me to try out. As always, any opinions expressed are my own. The affiliate links in this post support giveaways, free patterns, discounts and the running of this blog. By purchasing yarn through these links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thank you! 

Who's up for some TV detectives and a whole lot of popcorn?

I've been "watching" DCI Banks while working on quite a few rounds of relaxing popcorn stitches. You know what I mean with the inverted commas, right......I mainly heard him and missed some of the plot but that doesn't matter. Somehow, it's extremely relaxing to have a great British series playing in the background while working numerous trc 5 (US) and turning them into popcorns.

I really wanted a project with long rounds and not a lot of counting. Any idea what I'm working on? Well, obviously I'm making squares, but what are they for? I can tell you that they're really really soft because I'm using a new yarn in the Scheepjes Merino Soft line called Brush*. It has lovely flecks of tweed but for the rest, it's exactly the same as the regular Merino. It glides through your fingers and I for one couldn't stop crocheting.
So far, I've only these two pics to show you. The design is very versatile because you can make squares of either 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 rounds. No, it's not confusing at all; it's just a question of what you prefer. For my project, I'm making 8-round squares. I'll show you the end result next week and of course I'll share the pattern here as well.

If you'd like to try this super soft yarn yourself, it's available at WoolWarehouse and Deramores will stock it soon too*.

* Thanks to Scheepjes, who supplied the yarn for me to try out. As always, any opinions expressed are my own. The affiliate links in this post support giveaways, free patterns, discounts and the running of this blog. By purchasing yarn through these links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thank you! 

For the last few months I have been working on quite a few new designs for my shops without actually having published any. Or rather, without actually having finished any. Once I'd started on something new, the ideas started flowing and of course I had to go with those and before I knew it, I had about 8 WIPs and hand-written notes everywhere. Until yesterday that is, when I finished the pattern writing for a new peacock feather which I named "Pavo." I have five more peacock-related patterns in the making and one flowery one, which I all plan to have in my shops before the end of the year.

"Pavo"

But first it's time to introduce "Pavo." I derived the name from the Latin name for the Indian or Blue peafowl, Pavo cristatus (and by the way, it's very fitting I think that this Latin name has my own name in it!).

It's a cute feather that measures about 6 x 8.5 cm / 2.4 x 3.4 in and can be used as an applique on hats, shawls, tablet sleeves, notebook covers, box lids and presents. Of course, you can also make a garland of as many feathers as you like. The pattern includes instructions how to make one. Talking about the pattern......just read on because there's a nice free bonus when you buy it in the next few days.

2 for the price of 1
To celebrate the fact that after about six months, I can finally show you a new peacock feather design, I've decided to give you a free bonus pattern - also a new one - when you buy "Pavo." It's a Little Feathers Garland, inspired by birds of paradise.
Both patterns include clear written instructions and photos, details on the Scheepjes Catona yarn + colours I used, both US and UK crochet terms and links to instructional videos for the magic ring and invisible join.
This offer is valid until Monday 3 October, 12.00 midday (GMT+1) and you can find it in both my Etsy and Ravelry shops.
If you'd also like to use Scheepjes Catona to make the feather and garlands, it's available from Deramores and WoolWarehouse *(international shipping).













*The affiliate links in this post support giveaways, free patterns, discounts and the running of this blog. By purchasing yarn through this link, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thank you! 

It's been a while since I crocheted anything non-peacock related so today I decided it's time for something completely different. I love working on my peacock designs, but it's not something I can do while watching TV. I really want to crochet something that doesn't require a lot of counting and that has rounds that take a while to finish. And besides, I have a few episodes of Poldark on the hard disk recorder, so I really need this new project ;-).

Today I'll just show you the yarn I selected for it and will keep you updated on progress once I've actually started what I have in mind. And I'll share the pattern here on my blog! The yarn is Scheepjes'* Merino Soft Brush, a brand new addition to the regular Merino Soft line you may be familiar with through The Last Dance on the Beach CAL. It's the same soft mixture of 50% Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Micro and 25% Acrylic but the Brush version has lovely soft tweed flecks "brushed" into it. I'm really looking forward to making something soft and squishy.