crafts & knitting

re-purposing

Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)

If you've visited with me before you may remember the tiled blanket that I started back at the beginning of 2013.

 

Blanket2

 

I had plans for it to become a throw for the ugly sofa but things had stalled a bit and by the end of last year it was only this big…

 

Blanket

 

Well it has now been given a new purpose in life and after a few weeks of intense hooking I've finished it and I'm so pleased that it is no longer a throw but something more practical. Before I show it to you though, I'll tell you the story of how it came to be the way it is now…

For quite some time now I have been in denial about the enormity of my woolly stash and it has been getting increasingly hard to tuck it all away out of sight and keep it tidy. A few weeks back it had reached critical mass and after tripping over one of my yarn-stuffed bags one too many times (and once he'd stopped swearing) H decided that something had to be done.

Thankfully he appreciates how happy wool and knitting makes me so he'd never give me a hard time for buying more, though he does roll his eyes every-time the postman delivers a squishy packet. Instead, being a very practical chap, he got out his tape measure, work bench and tools and after a couple of trips to the DIY store he had drawn up plans and assembled materials for a storage bench and some extra wall shelves.

After a week of sawing, hammering, painting and generally making sure everything was robust enough to withstand Toby jumping and climbing on it, he had finished and I had a lovely new storage bench that doubles as a seat at our table. There's loads of room within and I've vacuum bagged all of my intact skeins and balls so that they're safe and take up less space but even so it's already pretty full!

 

Bench3

The question then arose of what to put on the top to make it comfy. We ordered a made-to-measure foam pad and I was looking at fabric to make a cover but nothing inspired me until I spotted the tiled throw languishing in a basket. I thought it would make the perfect cover and now it's finished, it does!

 

Bench2

 

All of which leaves me a clear conscience in buying some lovely new yarn, so I have…

 

Littlegreysheep

 

Little Grey Sheep colour work skeins which are truly beautiful and just perfect for the little cotton rabbit jumpers that I'm pattern writing for.

And of course I've had to start another throw to cover the ugly sofa which I'm determind will one day be pretty, but more of that another time x

……………………………………….

PS: Ooops, I forgot to say in the previous post that I'm only at the Creative Sanctuary from 1 – 3pm this saturday (yarn shop day). I've now updated the details

 

70 thoughts on “re-purposing”

  1. He He ….. what a wonderful man you have there Julie :o)
    Your crochet cover looks perfect and absolutely beautiful ….. enjoy shopping!
    love Jooles x x x

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  5. You have an awesome Hubby Julie , mine has banned me from bringing any more wool into the house and I have ran out of places to hide it too !! Your cover is lovely and the colours are just gorgeous .

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  11. What a clever Hb! 🙂 Your bench is brilliant and your crochet cover, gorgeous!
    A really win, win, situation, you now have a place to store all your stash, you’ve used quite a bit making your cover, so now you have a reason (as if you needed one!) to buy some more yarn!!!
    V xxx

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  14. A beautiful bench cover it is too! Well done Julie, good things come to those who wait and that bench really was worth the wait. A marvelous idea Mr H!
    If it is any consolation, I think we all have our wool stash hidden in every nook and cranny available. If it keeps us happy, well, it just has to be.
    Happy knitting and hooking x

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  15. The cushion cover and bench are both lovely; the H must be as talented with wood and tools as you are with fiber!
    I love all clever storage containers!

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  18. Such a perfectly beautiful bench cover! My life has changed since I discovered your blog and sites. Completed six adorable little rabbits and sixteen hedgehogs – the “just right” gift for all ages. Thanks again, for sharing your skill and creativity – your patterns are so helpful and well written. xo

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  23. That is brilliant. Love it. Feels soooo good to finish a project. How nice you will be a able to see it everyday as well. Looks great. Well done hubby!

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  26. Julie, you really make my day. This blog is my first go to. You are inspirational. Thank you for sharing your life and love of knitting yarn and your family.

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  30. WoW Julie ….Truly amazing both cover and bench well done to you both, such a creative couple you are 🙂 I am loving the new yarn too and cant wait to see the new Little cotton Rabbits Jumper pattern…Julie can I ask you will you be doing shoes at some point for the cotton Rabbits…I really love what you do, and thank you for sharing your beautiful patterns, love to you and your family xx

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  31. Julie that is the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in a long time, I’m not joking. It looks a bit Turkish and very stylish.

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  32. Hi Julie – the storage bench is a fantastic idea and love the crochet seat cushion you have made. Can’t wait to see your new blanket. The new wool purchase is gorgeous, too. Hope you are all well.
    Love Zoe x

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  33. I love both the bench and the cover. I’ve been wanting something similar in my kitchen for a while so I’m sending this post to my hubby as a big hint! Here’s hoping he takes it!

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  37. Perfect – what a very talented couple (isn’t it great when hubby understands our ‘little’ collections – mines fabric!) – looks stunning x

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  38. Oh a woolly storage bench with a beautiful crocheted lid! How perfect and cunning this solution is Julie. SO lovely to have a few spare minutes to visit blogs today. It’s so much gentler than Twitter!

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  47. What a wonderful bench and cover, Julie!!! And I love the new colors you have chosen…looks like something special is in the works!!!

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  50. How lovely! A smashing solution to an ongoing problem. Love, love the colors in the cushion cover. Isn’t it fun to have an end goal that is so fantastic?! Well done by all involved. And well used by everyone, I’m sure :O)
    Robyn

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  51. What a sweet hubby you have (and talented). I love the new cushion! After years of being inspired by your crochet projects, I finally picked up a hook to make me a ripple blanket. My colors are very similar to the ones in your tiled cushion. Its going to be slow going during the hot summer months, but hope to have it done before winter!

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  53. That is so lovely of your DH to build you storage for the yarn! And what a great solution for both storage and those squares! I loved it as a throw, I think it is even more perfect as a cushion cover 🙂

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  55. Hi Julie. I’ve just discovered your wonderful blog through Deramores. I love love love your wee bunnies with the clothes and the story about the cotton bunny was just lovely. I am currently addicted to crochet and am making a crochet elephant but I love your knitted elephants with the clothes so I’ll be popping in again sometime to buy the patterns.
    Best wishes from Carol Harrison

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  56. Wow this is really cute and what a great way to complete your previous project!I think I’m going to have to take a leaf out of your book, my boyfriends forever getting in a huff about all my half finished work hahaha

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  57. Your husband is as gifted as you are. Love the bench and shelves, and how you made them look so bright and cheery. Your new yarn is gorgeous. I do have one question … Do you ever find moth holes in your wool yarn or garments? If not, what do you do to protect against this? Do you vacuum seal all your wool garments when you’re not wearing them? I have occasionally found moth holes in my clothes that are hanging in the closet. I know that cedar lined closets and drawers help, but I was wondering if there’s some easier and less expensive solution to this problem. Moth balls are out of the question due to awful smell. I don’t like any scents in my clothes, even if they’re pleasant scents. Just wanted to tell you once again how much I enjoy your blog and magical knitted and crocheted creations. Hugs, KimmyZ (Ravelry ID)

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  58. It looks like a cross between the inspirational Persian rug and a stained glass window. The two together – the bench and the cover – are a testament to your wonderful coupledom. It’s utterly lovely.

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  61. Since the Creative Sanctuary sells quilting fabric, I’m guessing the ugly sofa really needs a quilt;-) The bench cover is beautiful, but it looks almost as big as a sofa blanket. I sympathize with the creeping yarn stash problem–I have yarn and fabric enough for a commercial textile apocalypse.

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  62. This bench is such a good idea, and the cushion looks so beautiful on the lid! You and your husband are a great team! Anne

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  63. Julie, your crochet cover looks perfect – it’s like that’s what it always wanted to be!
    I think after all that yarn-hungry crochet you were actually very restrained in your lovely new yarn purchase 😉
    xx

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  64. How fun and cozy! Julie- will you be making more animals for your Etsy shop, or are you only going to offer patterns? I was so sad to visit today and not see any of your furry friends for sale.

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  65. That is really beautiful, I love the colours. And a fabulous idea of storing away all your yarn. Wool seems to have a mind of its own in my house, or maybe its my cats who play with it when I’m not looking. Lovely post x

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  67. Really lovely Julie. I’m very envious. My husband is exactly the same about my stash so I’ll have to point him in the direction of your post to see whether there’s any chance of getting something as lovely as yours!

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  68. Your husband and you are so creative ! This storage bench is just wonderful with its lovely cushion.
    I don’t have such a beautiful storage place, but I had to order some of the Little Grey Sheep yarn, so I’ll be all set when your new pattern is published 🙂

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