Around a year ago I decided it was high time I learnt to crochet and thanks to Attic 24's lovely free patterns I dipped my toe in the hooky water so to speak. I have come to love crochet – it has a different pace to knitting and whilst my crochet standard isn't up to that of my knitting, I'm pleased with my efforts so far.
I started making this set of cushions last May and after making three my enthusiasm kind of petered out and the last one got stuffed in a bag half finished. At the end of last week I decided to unearth it again and try to get it finished. I've still got about 6 rounds to go but so far it's working out well I think – a bit of a mishmash but then I'm still learning and getting better as I go. I like the simple repetition of this project and it's nice to be using my great-grandmother's bone crochet hook.
These are completely cheaty cushions by the way, I'm only making one side which I'm stitching onto some old cream fabric cushions that I already had – a quick way of having some nice new cushions without having to make the backsides!
I'm still working on my one a day blanket too and there's lots of knitting going on – an update of that next I think!
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PS: Thanks so much for the kind words on the previous post. As a parent, going with your instincts is the best way to go. I think I lost my way because recently there have been so many people involved with our family and Toby and all of that well-meant advice (some of it conflicting) just ended up overwhelming and confusing me! Toby himself didn't help because as soon as I thought I was understanding a trigger to his behaviour or an obsession, he'd change.
Still, co-sleeping is clearly helping at this moment in time and this whole episode has helped me remember that flexibility is the answer to staying sane – hope I remember that when Toby changes tack again!
little cotton rabbits 
Your cushions are lovely, the white works very well. I’ve very recently learnt to crochet and have embarked on a granny square blanket. I don’t know how long it will take me, but I’m really enjoying it, it’s so different to knitting. Glad to hear you’re getting a little more sleep with your new sleeping arrangements. It’s a case of trying anything to see if it works.
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Your cushions are lovely Julie, I really love that shade of blue your using (no surprise there then!). Good idea to re-use your cushions as backs too. It’s also lovely that they co-ordinate but are all different.
So glad that the sleeping arrangements are helping!
Have a good week. 🙂
Vivienne x
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Gorgeous cushion covers! Yes I agree, flexibility is the key. If families were that easy to understand and raise they would come with a handbook, so the only people who really know are the ones who live with them.
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Love your cushions!! They are so cute! And who cares if they are ‘cheaters’ ones… no one looks at the back anyways!
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Oh Julie, those are beautiful – and you’ve made me feel so much better – I only make one side and sew to cotton covers too!
All the best.
Tracey x
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I adore your crochet hook and how lovely that is was your grandmothers. Your crochet is lovely too, I like the calmness of the white. Nice to see your photo in your header now, I’ve been chatting for ages and now I know what you look like 🙂
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Love the cushions!
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Your cushions are lovely. I have my grandmother’s bone needles and my mother’s metal ones. I enjoy the feeling of continuity it gives me to use them.
I like seeing your picture, too.
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So lovely! I love your work.
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Julie, I think one thing we have overlooked with you, YOU take lovely photographs!!! We enjoy your work even more with the thoughtful photos. The outside ones are just as composed so we see what we are meant to see. You also have a talent in that area. So, what is your daughter up to in all this?
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Fab crochet creation there, love the colours!
Kiddies are little mischiefs aren’t they, I was only saying to a friend about how you work them out and then they change and when you have another kid you think ‘yeah I have got this sussed now’ only to realise they are completely different from your last child 🙂 If only they came with some sort of manual! xxx
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Love the cushions…the colours are really fresh and bright!
My admiration for your adaptability is second to none. I’m glad you trusted your own instincts about what fits you guys best with Toby! It’s amazing what we can cope with if we just can get enough sleep…your sleeping arrangments with Toby sound great!
Just cling to the fact that Toby feels safe with you and H, and that you keep him secure….so what you are doing is right for you all!
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I love these. It makes me want to try it! Your colors are beautiful and calming.
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Attic 24 is pretty darned seductive. I want to make her birds. I want to = I want to. I feel like my life is leaping from rooftop to rooftop – always landing right on the edge and then having to pull up, climb, run and leap again. TOO MANY CHOICES – most wonderful. And then REAL LIFE. Ah well – one roof at a time. And HURRAH for the intelligent cheaters! Everything you put your hand to blossoms. You know, that’s a great and merciful gift, to couple challenges with such joy in skill.
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Lovely crochet, lovely colours. I’m new to crochet and I’m enjoying it so far. My aim was to learn how to make a granny square and now that I can it seems magical!!
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Julie – what lovely cushions. The colours are beautiful and complement each other so well, the designs are a joy and I know lots of people who would love to own/create these be they ‘cheaty’ or otherwise!!! I do hope the new sleeping arrangements are helping you all to feel a little more rested. Sometimes you just have to go with your own instinct and know that it comes from your heart. You are all in my thoughts. Take care, JennyH.
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Beautiful cushions, am now toying with the idea of bumping them up my ever increasing list.
My Mum gave me the advice that always go with my initiative when I had my first child. When the Educational Social Worker became involved due to Will’s behaviour (he has ASD) he said that was the best advice he had ever heard and told me to listern to my Mum! When other people become involved however well meaning they get to go home to their own lives.
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Your colour choice is lovely so calm and soft.
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Hi Julie, The cushions are looking great – well done. I have also been inspired by lucy and started crochet too! It’s a great feeling to complete something so completly new isn’t it.
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They’re beautiful Julie. I love the colors you’ve chosen. And you’re an amazing mother Julie! Hugs!
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Attic 24 has a lot to answer for! Although I knit and sew constantly, I find crochet doesn’t come easily to me & I haven’t progressed far from Lucy’s Teeny Tiny Flowers. However, I shall continue to admire your cushions and they shall spur me on to persevere!! I hope some calm has come your way this week.
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so glad the new sleeping arrangments are helping a little x
I love your cushions and that is a fab idea to use an old cushion as a base, must remember that. I am new to crochet too and loving it.
thank you so much for your lovely comment on my blog, you really made my day :o)
j x
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Such pretty and comfy-looking cushions Julie – ideal to squish when watching something a bit scary on TV!
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I use my Grandmother’s hooks too, a comforting feeling to be using them, lasting links.
Cushions colours are so soft and gentle. Comfy cushions, I feel relaxed already.
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I guess you probably know but thought I would comment just in case but your blog is mentions in the magasine ‘simply homemade’ the latest issue – page 34 under inspirational blogs 😀
Keep up the lovely work.
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Lovely cushions. Crafting must help a little when your life is so unpredictable. I don’t think I could cope as you seem to do.
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Julie,
Firstly I think with the beautiful crocheting you’ve been doing you should update your about me page to so you are a knitter and crocheter (if thats the write term)?!
Secondly (and I think far more importantly) you are a true inspiration. Someone who deals with everything life has to through at them and still manages to be so wonderfully creative. Please keep going and enjoying what you are doing. Clearly your work is loved and I certainly love reading your blog.
All the best to you and your family,
Helen
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What lovely colours you have chosen, very cool and calm. You are doing very well considering the short length of time you have been crocheting. Well done
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Hi,
I have knitted three little rabbits from your pattern: “Teeny tiny knitted toys”.
Thank you for the pattern!
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Julie, I love your cushion covers. I read Attic, too, and although I admire the lively color mixes she uses, it’s nice to see your calmer choices (really, it’s just more the colors I choose, probably, so I think they’re perfect!).
So glad you’ve reached a calmer place with Toby. Maybe sometimes when you feel frantic it would help a little to think of other women also awake in the night, trying to find the right path forward. I’ll send kind thoughts your way, but our time zones are off sync (I live in Oregon)so look for some good juju at about elevenses time. Kate
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LOVELY CUSHIONS.x
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Yay! You put your photo up!
How fun that you have your grandmother’s crochet hook! I am my grandmother’s seed beads. Hundreds of them. Someday I’ll figure out something to do with them…
The pillows are just lovely. I really like the colors you chose.
I’ve been thinking about you and Toby. 😀 I always am. I was telling my husband the other day about the latest incidents. Our hearts go out to you. As he said, when your sleep is disrupted, it makes everything that much harder. He says this having lived this ourselves…. As I thought about the co sleeping I had a thought though. When Levi was a newborn and sleeping in bed with us (I know, we’re not supposed to sleep with our babies… I did.) he would do the oddest thing. None of my other babies would do this! From the very beginning, he would wiggle his little body until he was pressing against mine. Worried I’d roll over on him, I’d place him back in the center of the bed all wrapped up in his blankets. Next thing I knew, he’d have made it over to my side of the bed smashed up against me. I always had to carry him. For years. When we finally got him his dog, things started to settle down for him at night. His dog sleeps in his bed. Here’s what I wonder……. I wonder if these kids, as much as they won’t let us actually ‘hold’ them, look us in the eye, etc. If they really need that human touch contact or it does send them reeling. I remember one of Levi’s PT’s saying that I was the center pole in Levi’s life. That is why he clung to me so much. Maybe the same with you and Toby? If Toby is anything close to the thrasher that Levi is when he sleeps, are you getting any sleep with him in your bed? 😀 Another thought/idea. My neighbor put her daughter’s twin bed next to hers. Jammed it right up next to hers. Her daughter still slept in her own bed but because it was next to hers, she was right there…..
Always in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Rachel R.
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I think your last cushion is my favourite! I am strictly on a knitting diet at the moment having allotted too much time to the dark hooky art recently. But I can hear my hooks calling my name when I see your lovely work! Must. Be. Strong.
Pen x
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So happy to hear that SOME Moms are still
“stubborn, uncaring, etc.” in raising their
kids!! I was mother of 4 girls, 2 boys!!
I also had stepdaughter & son who of course made my life miserable….oh well they are
grown now and the Lord helped me turn out some really good ones!! Thanks for your nice free patterns…I enjoy knitting & crocheting….love your pillows…may do what you did!!! PRETTY!!
I live in Connecticut, USA…have friends over there!! God Bless you and your family
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hola amiga
me encontré con tu pagina por casualidad y desde entonces te sigo, te felicito en tu fortaleza por la enfermedad de hijo
que Dios te bendiga
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I have enjoyed your website and your wonderful knitting. I have looked at your work for several years now. My sister died of cancer last May. During the last few months of her life she asked that I knit a cupcake for each of her friends – quite a lot of cupcakes. So we talked about colors and decorations for the tops for each person – I had knitted several of your Christmas cakes while I was with her the December prior to her death – she was already ill. I found small plates at second hand shops in her area (she lived in Nevada) and we had some pleasant hours getting them ready. After her death and the scattering of her ashes we shared both real cupcakes and wonderful knitted ones. I think it made her happy to know that she had chosen something carefully thought out that would be a pleasant remembrance of her – not we will ever forget her. Thank you for making it possible. She was just 65 years old.
Thank you, Judy
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I’m loving your blog. I found it today through pinterest. Your rabbits and other animals are lovely. I have recently started knitting again and am trying to get 15 hats knitted for Christmas this year. Nothing as lovely as your fair isle hat that I say on one of your posts. Wow. maybe someday.
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