Win, Win, Win - The Love and Kisses Cushion Christmas Tutorial

I am just a bit excited, last week I got a package through the post... it contained three balls of Debbie Bliss Donegal Tweed Luxury Aran.  A couple of weeks ago, there was a post on Totally Tutorials asking for volunteers to create something, along with a pattern for how it was made for Abakhan, do take a look at their site because the wool has been a joy to work with and comes in lots of fab colours.  

Now dear reader, I thought I can do that... I can knit, I am sure I can think of something... after all knitting is just sticks, string and a bit of counting when you take it down to basics.  So I started planning, not enough for a sweater but too much for a hat, not quite sufficient a vest... possibility of a sock and a half, now I know everyone has one foot smaller than the other but really?

Then it came to me, perhaps a bag that could be felted with a real show off collection of cable techniques but honestly this wool is just too nice to felt, it needs to be stroked.  I remembered some of the squares that we had knitted and crocheted for the Mumsnet blankets, hearts for love are really popular but if you have love, you must have kisses which is how this cushion was inspired... 

You will find on the front of the cushion hearts and kisses picked out in bobbles, 

on the back a little suprise in the shape of another textured heart ,

and it all closes with a twisted rib button band which gives a nod to the cables of its Aran antecedents.  If you think that the buttons look rather lovely, you are so right, I used some of the fabulous buttons from Incomparable Buttons... actually I have a stash of these little beauties which I thin always raise the game when you use them.

Now if you are wondering why there are three wins in the title, whip down to the end of the post and you will see who the winners of the bowmaker are from last week's post.  So let's get started, you will easily finish this before Christmas, in fact if you have children going off to college or Uni, you really do have time to make this for them before Fresher's week starts.  Crack on, you will need:

1 pair of 5mm needles
3 ball of Debbie Bliss Donegal Tweed Luxury Aran
2 large buttons
Scissors and a bodkin or tapestry needle
14" cushion pad

Abbreviations:

K = Knit or garter stitch
P = Purl
Sts = Stitches
M1B - Make one bobble, knit into the front of the stitch, purl into the front of the stitch, knit into the back of the stitch (three stitches), turn work around and purl just these three stitches, turn work around again so that the front is facing you, knit one, knit two together and pass the first stitch from the bobble over the knit two together stitch (one stitch)

Cast on 54 stitches.

Row 1 - K2, p2 to the end, k2 remaining stitches (this is the reverse side of your work)
Row 2 - P2, K into the second stitch and then K into the first stitch, (this creates your twisted rib which looks like a mock cable stitch) Repeat until the last 2 stitches, P2
Repeat these two rows 3 more times and knit row 1 again (9 rows in total)

Row 10 - With the right side facing, K25,  (K1, P1) twice, K25
Row 11 - P25 sts, P1, K1 twice, P25 stitches
Repeat rows 10 and 11

Row 14 - K12, M1B, K12, (K1, P1) twice, K2, M1B, K7, M1B, K3, M1B, K7, M1B, K2
Work all odd rows as Row 11
Row 16 - K10, M1B, K3, M1B,  K10, (K1, P1) twice, K4, M1B, K3, M1B, K7, M1B, K3, M1B, K4
Row 18 - K8, M1B, K7, M1B,  K8, (K1, P1) twice, K6, M1B, K11, M1B, K6
Row 20 - K6, M1B, K11, M1B,  K6, (K1, P1) twice, K4, M1B, K3, M1B, K7, M1B, K3, M1B, K4
Row 22 - K4, M1B, K15, M1B,  K4, (K1, P1) twice, K2, M1B, K7, M1B, K3, M1B, K7, M1B, K2
Row 24 - K2, M1B, K17, M1B,  K2, (K1, P1) twice, K to the end
Row 26 - K2, M1B, K17, M1B,  K2, (K1, P1) twice, K2, M1B, K7, M1B, K3, M1B, K7, M1B, K2
Row 28 - K2, M1B, K17, M1B,  K2, (K1, P1) twice, K4, M1B, K3, M1B, K7, M1B, K3, M1B, K4
Row 30 - K2, M1B, K9, M1B, K9, M1B, K2, (K1, P1) twice, K6, M1B, K11, M1B, K6
Row 32 - K4, M1B, K5, M1B, K3, M1B, K5, M1B, K4, (K1, P1) twice, K4, M1B, K3, M1B, K7, M1B, K3, M1B, K4
Row 32 - K6, M1B, K1, M1B, K7, M1B, K1, M1B, K6, (K1, P1) twice, K2, M1B, K7, M1B, K3, M1B, K7, M1B, K2

Row 34 - K25 sts,  (K1, P1) twice, K25 sts
Row 36 - - K25 sts,  (K1, P1) twice, K25 sts
Row 38 - K1, P1 to the end
Row 39 - P1, K1 to the end

Row 40 - K1, P1 to the end
Row 41 - P1, K1 to the end
Row 42 -  K25,  (K1, P1) twice, K25
Row 43 - P25 sts, P1, K1 twice, P25 stitches
Row 44-  K25,  (K1, P1) twice, K25
Row 45 - P25 sts, P1, K1 twice, P25 stitches

Row 46 - K2, M1B, K7, M1B, K3, M1B, K7, M1B, K2, (K1, P1) twice, K12, M1B, K12
Work each odd row as row 45
Row 48 - K4, M1B, K3, M1B, K7, M1B, K3, M1B, K4, (K1, P1) twice, K10, M1B, K3, M1B,  K10
Row 50 - K6, M1B, K11, M1B, K6, (K1, P1) twice, K8, M1B, K7, M1B,  K8
Row 52 - K4, M1B, K3, M1B, K7, M1B, K3, M1B, K4, (K1, P1) twice, K6, M1B, K11, M1B,  K6
Row 54 - K2, M1B, K7, M1B, K3, M1B, K7, M1B, K2, (K1, P1) twice, K4, M1B, K15, M1B,  K4
Row 56 - K25, K2, (K1, P1) twice, K2, M1B, K17, M1B,  K2, (K1, P1) twice, K2, M1B, K17, M1B,  K2
Row 58 - K2, M1B, K7, M1B, K3, M1B, K7, M1B, K2, (K1, P1) twice,  K2, M1B, K17, M1B,  K2
Row 60 - K4, M1B, K3, M1B, K7, M1B, K3, M1B, K4, (K1, P1) twice,  K2, M1B, K17, M1B,  K2
Row 62 - K6, M1B, K11, M1B, K6, (K1, P1) twice, K2, M1B, K9, M1B, K9, M1B, K2

Row 64 - K4, M1B, K3, M1B, K7, M1B, K3, M1B, K4, (K1, P1) twice, K4, M1B, K5, M1B, K3, M1B, K5, M1B, K4
Row 66 - K2, M1B, K7, M1B, K3, M1B, K7, M1B, K2, (K1, P1) twice, K6, M1B, K1, M1B, K7, M1B, K1, M1B, K6
Row 68 - K25, K2, (K1, P1) twice, K25
Row 70 - K25, K2, (K1, P1) twice, K25

Work 4" in stocking stitch.

Row 1 - (right side facing) K19, P3, K9, P3, K20 
Row 2 - P19, K5, P7, K5, P to end of row
Row 3 - K18, P7, K5, P7, K to end of row
Row 4 - P17, K9, P3, K9, P to end of row
Row 5 - K16, P11, K1, P11, to end of row
Row 6 - P15, K25, P14
Row 7 - K15, P25, K14
Row 8 - P15, K25, P14
Row 9 - K15, P25, K14
Row 10 - P15, K25, P14
Row 11 - K16, P23, K15
Row 12 - P17, K21, P16
Row 13 - K18, P19, K17
Row 14 - P19, K17, P18
Row 15 - K20, P15, K19

Row 16 - P21, K13, P20
Row 17 - K22, P11, K21
Row 18 - P23, K9, P22
Row 19 - K24, P7, K23
Row 20 - P25, K5, P24
Row 21 - K26, P3, K25

Row 22 - P27, K1, P26

Work 5 1/2" in stocking stitch.

With reverse side facing work as follows:


Row 1 - K2, p2 to the end, k2 remaining stitches (this is the reverse side of your work)
Row 2 - P2, K into the second stitch and then K into the first stitch, (this creates your twisted rib which looks like a mock cable stitch) Repeat until the last 2 stitches, P2

Repeat these rows twice and work row 1 (7 rows worked in total)

With right side facing, work 14 stitches as row 2, cast off 6 sts, work 14 stitches in pattern, cast off 6 sts and  work remaining sts in pattern.

Next row, work 14 sts in pattern, cast on 6sts, continue to work in pattern across next 14 sts, cast on 6 more sts, work across 14 remaining sts in pattern (54 sts)

Work 4 more rows in pattern (row 2 then row 1 twice).

Cast off 54 stitches.

To make up, place right sides together, lay the end with the buttonholes just where the pattern starts and fold the button band so it lies over the top of the button band.  Now sew down each side with a mattress stitch.

Turn inside out and sew buttons in place on the button band and pop your cushion into your cushion.

And there you have it, your cushion made with love and kisses, courtesy of Abakhan.  I am also going to do a chart version of this pattern in a PDF format, if you find it easier to work from a chart, please drop a note to my email address which is in the paragraph below.

Right, so drum roll the winners of the bow maker are: Adaliza and Kathy Said...  I have sent a note to Adaliza but if Kathy said could drop me a note to roslet@hotmail.co.uk, I will be able to send the bowmaker to her.

Finally... yes, it is Handmade Monday time, so let's go and see what has been happening in the big wide world of crafting... and if you have not seen it, go take a look at this month's Craftseller which features a great article by Wendy Massey, who hosts Handmade Monday, on how to get the most out of your craft blog.

Let's Quilt While We're Ahead - The Log Cabin Cushion

We have been doing quite a few projects recently that have used some quilting now it's time for us to venture into some proper quilting blocks and I thought we could start with a nice easy pattern, Log Cabin which is also known as Cathedral Steps.  It is a great block to start with as it gets you used to cutting and sewing accurately.  I know that the purists may say but you are using a machine but sometimes you need some instant gratification and later we will move on to hand sewing quilting blocks... but lets learn to walk before we embark on a marathon.

So let's get started, you will need:

A selection of fat quarters (I have a pack of six quarters and I know that I can get 3 cushions from this)
1/2 metre of plain contrasting fabric
Wadding
Rotary Cutting Wheel
Self Healing Mat
Rotary Cutting Ruler
Thread
Pins
Cotton
Small scissors
Fish Knife
Cushion pad
Iron (dry not steam)
Ironing Board
Zip - I am using a 9" zip for a 12" cushion pad

Before you start, iron every piece of fabric flat... although it may look flat, it will need pressing.

If you are using fat quarters, cut along the 22" side as this will give you the longest strips of fabric.  You need to cut your strips 1 1/2" wide - in quilting we use 1/4" seam allowance - you may hear this called a scant 1/4" seam allowance because it needs to be really accurate and this is a fine seam allowance.  Very often you will find that the distance from the needle to the edge of the foot is a quarter of an inch, or else mark it up on the plate of your machine so you can use that as a guide.

Now a safety warning, Rotary Cutter are very dangerous, incredibly sharp, always cut away from yourself... and do not let me catch you leaving the safety catch off or woe betide you... say to yourself, "cut and close."


From your first strip, cut a square 1.5" x 1.5" which will make a square 1" square when you have sewn up the seams.  

From your next strip cut another square exactly the same size, and sew it to your first strip, Iron the seam closed to the outside - do not use steam as this can distort the fabric and stretch the seam.  

Now cut two pieces the same length as your two squares and sew them on each side and press the seams to the outside.

Next cut a length that fits across the top and sew it across the top - you have created your first round.  Remember when you cut, to measure twice so you cut once.  You will make mistakes and even after all this good advice that I dish out, I still lose concentration and make mistakes.

Now repeat this in the the same manner - ie, the short piece is always on the same side and the two medium pieces on the sides and the longest piece always in the same place... do be careful because it is easy to muddle them up (says the voice of bitter experience).

Continue until you have a square slightly bigger than the cushion pad you want to use. 

We are then going to add a final round but instead of 1.5" we are going to 2" strips to finish off the cushion.

Now cut a piece of wadding that is 2" larger all round and a piece of cotton that is an inch larger all round.  You are now going to make a sandwich with the plain fabric at the bottom, next the wadding and finally your pieced piece of quilting.  

Starting from the centre and using flat headed quilting pins, pin the sandwich together.


Next we are going to stitch in the ditch - this means sewing close to the seam,  Remember how we ironed all the seams to the outside, we are going to sew on the other side of the seam where there is the least amount of fabric (you are only going through three layers and not five!).  Again I have used my foot for guidance but this time, I used the inside of my foot as the guide, keeping it running along the seam.

Start in the middle square, when you come to the corner, leave your needle down in the fabric, lift the foot, turn your work by 90' and lower your foot sew down the next side and repeat until you have sewn all four sides.  Trim away the excess wadding and fabric


Measure your quilted square, and add 1.25" to one side (to allow for a 5/8" seam allowance), so if the cushion is 16" square, you need to cut a piece of fabric 16" x 17.25"... Now cut it in half, so that your pieces  measure 16" x 8.5/8".


Now insert your zip - You want it to sit in the middle, which is just a quick bit of subtraction and division - your zip is 9" long, take that away from 16 = 7, now divide it by 2 = 3.5".  This means you will need to mark  in 3.5" in from each side and sew a seam at each end up to this point.  And now you can press the seam OPEN!  

Pin your zip in, remembering to place one side snugly against the teeth of the zip to ensure that the zip is well hidden.  Open the zip fully - this will be important - believe me!

Pin the wrong sides together and sew a 1/4" seam all the way around.  Cut off the corner triangles, so that when we turn the cushion we will get sharp corners.  Remember how I told you to leave the zip open, well that is so we can turn the cushion right sides out, it is a swine to try and undo a zip from the wrong side.

Use your fish knife to create your sharp corner - fish knives are brilliant for this, they have no sharp blades so will not cut your stitches and the soft point of the tip will tease out the point - I am so glad I found another use for them.

Press the cushion and pin the final round together - we are now going to sew around the inside seam, to create an Oxford style cushion with a valance running around the cushion using a seam allowance of 3/8". Sew in your loose ends and sit back and enjoy your cushion.

If you want to you can totally change the effect by working two sides in one fabric, and the other side in another fabric, which really does create the Cathedral steps effect.


I have also thought that it might be nice to give this cushion away, so if you leave a comment on this post during this week, I will pull a name out of the virtual hat next Sunday morning and be in touch to send it to you.


Right, time to take a look at Wendy's Handmade Monday and see what everyone has been making over the last week.


What's that... did I buy... err yes, just a little sock skein.  And no, Pierina found a rather lovely Debbie Bliss pattern but she is threatening to make my pink cardie if she finishes her project first...

This is a fabulous hand dyed skein from Chile... soft as an angel's breath... and the last in the shop :)


Good luck with winning the cushion!

This way lies madness...

You need to know this about me, I am a competent knitter, honestly I really am.  In fact just to build myself up a tad, even Jo at one of our LYS said that my Kitchener stitch on the socks I made last week is exemplary.

So when I saw the new Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace book, I knew it was for me, nothing took more than four balls and I can do lace, I mean I have done it before… successfully.  But hey it's been a couple of years so, best to start small I thought and descended on this lovely little collar.

Do not be deceived by this evil piece of knit wear… OK so maybe starting it on the train was not a great move… nor perhaps continuing in the back of a London taxi whose driver was only satisfied when he found each and every cobbled street left in the City.  I feel this explains why I had to frag (for you none knitters… this is heartlessly ripping it back to where you made the mistake) it back three times on Monday, but I do have perseverance in spades.  Then I got as far as two pointy bits of the collar and then I mucked it up again.

I have started yet again, I will not be beaten, I will win… and you will get updates, whether you want them or not… the pain will be shared!

So if you see a woman on the 07:20 to Fenchurch Street, who seems to be moving her lips in prayer, look kindly upon her, especially if she sighs deeply and starts to frag back, once again...

More Squares and a Funky Flower

I was off to the Post Office early this morning to post off a few more squares for the Mumsnet blankets today, all knitted in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino.  

Lambs' Tails, Sisal, Hearts and Squares  (clockwise from top left)

I particularly like the pink Lambs' Tails square which was designed by Nicky Epstein.

I then spent the morning at the Wool Shop and discovered another book by Nicky on Crocheted Flowers... and I just happened to have a hook with me... and so I made this little flower for my friend Deborah who is hosting a dinner party for the girls tonight... and it always a great evening there :)

Can you guess what is in the middle... well I have to find some way of using up my jar of marbles, dont' I?

Use it or lose it - Bodkins of Thundersley

I wrote earlier in the year about using local shops... but I left a recent discovery off the list.  Tucked away in Thundersley village is a proper wool shop called Bodkins.  Over 50 years old and with everything that you did not know you needed in there and I think it has the potential to be my bank manager's nightmare.


Whilst looking around, we got to chatting about how independent wool shops were disappearing and I was really shocked to learn that if you excluded the shops in Leigh-on-sea and Southend the next nearest shop as the crow flies is in  Erith in Kent but I bet it is not a patch on Bodkins!


Here is the web link: http://www.bodkins71.co.uk/ and below are some pics I took on my trip there

Now you know that this is going to be good because...

You start to dribble when you see what they have in the window, Rico,
 Debbie Bliss, Eco wools, Sirdar, Sublime... let me into the shop... NOW!

The owner, Jo had escaped from behind the till and was sorting out piece of Mini Pompom work for a customer...  it looked as though she was knitting up Rainbow Puffed Rice

Just look and lust!

My official driver for the trip - aka as my lovely sister Annette, and yes, she bought the pattern and wool so far she has only completed the front but it is only 12 hours later

And the great thing about the shop is there is something for everyone's price range and we are not talking the dreaded Chemist's shop wool

I bet you are all wondering whether I bought anything, well here it is but missing two balls cos I have already knitted up a bag from Nicky Epstein's, Knitting Block by Block which I will blog about soon

From designer wools, via mid range to affordable wools, this shop just rocks and the service is brilliant.  I haven't even mentioned the buttons, ribbons, threads, pattern books, there is just so much in one little shop.  Where can you stand and chat, swap sloe gin recipes, debate the erratum slips in books, to say nothing of knitting porn, you know when you just look at books and dribble?  Do you know when I grow up or when I win the lottery, I am going to have a shop like this, I wonder if I should check my ticket now?


PS - There is even free parking, it really doesn't get much better than this, does it?