vinnis colours

Heike June 12, 2020

Turkish Delight Bolster Cushion

Hello friends, I hope you are well.

Maybe you have been able to extract yourself from lockdown in small steps, enjoying some more freedom of movements again. Maybe, like me, you are still not allowed to break free from the constraints and are meant to stay put for some time to come. Whatever the case may be, I hope you are keeping your spirits up enjoying life as best as you can.

In today’s post I would like to introduce you to my colourful crochet Bolster Cushion. Some of you might remember it from a few years ago when it was a crochet along organised by myself and a friend.

I had never really thought about putting it together as a single pattern, until recently that is. In recent weeks I have been asked repeatedly about purchasing the pattern and this got me thinking. So today is the day that I can release this cushion as a single download in both my Ravelry and Lovecrafts stores.

The bolster cushion was inspired by my love of design, architecture and colours found in North Africa and the Middle East. Having extensively travelled in those countries, taking endless photos, my work is often influenced by impressions gathered. This design shows off these influences by incorporating texture and colour in equal measure.

Bolsters are usually firm for back or arm support or for decorative application and have been in use since the 12th century. They are not a standard size or shape and commonly have a button or zip closure. A foam insert is used for additional support. Also referred to as a cushion, in western countries a bolster is usually placed at the head of one’s bed and functions as head or lower back support, or as an arm support on furniture with high rigid sides.

With this bolster cushion you have the opportunity to own a beautiful and useful homeware item inspired by the colours and designs of North Africa and the Middle East.

The cushion incorporates various crochet techniques and by choosing either bold and striking, or more subtle colours you can tailor it to suit your own home.

For my sample I used beautiful Vinnis Colours Nikkim, a soft 100% cotton yarn from South Africa. The yarn is hand-dyed and is available in a huge array of colours. You can of course substitute with any yarn of your choice, however, I recommend that you do not use acrylic yarns.

Wishing you many happy crochet or knitting hours, until soon.

Take care and be safe. xo

Heike December 4, 2016

advent give-away part 2

Happy second Advent lovely people!

Firstly a big thank you to everyone who entered last weekends give-away. This morning I used an online random number generator to pick the two winners. Many congratulations to Barbara Pankhurst and Annushka12, you have each won a copy of Sticka 2 and a 100g hank of Hampshire DK wool. I have sent you a personal reply and look forward to seeing what you make with the beautiful yarn in due course.

It’s been a very cold week here and every morning we have woken up to a frosty countryside. As I had surgery at the beginning of the week, I spent most of my days in bed, what better time to think up this weeks give-away!

I give you the Christmas Star Coaster!

…and here is the free give-away pattern:

What you need: Small amounts of yarn in colours that you like – Cotton is best, I used Vinnis Colours – you also need a little lurex yarn for that extra little sparkly touch.

3mm and 4mm Crochet Hooks and darning needle

The How To: (UK Terms)

Make a magic loop and using 4mm hook work as follows:

Rnd 1: Ch1, work 6dc into loop, ss to join and pull loop tight.

Rnd 2: Ch3 (counts as tr), 1tr in same stitch, *3ch, 2tr in next st; rep. from * around, finish 3ch, ss to join – (6 3ch-sp’s)

Rnd 3: Ss to first 3ch-sp, 5dc into 3ch-sp and each 3ch-sp around, ss to join. Fasten off.

Rnd 4: Join new yarn between any 5dc groups. *2ch, skip 2dc, [3tr, 3ch, 3tr] in next dc, 2ch, skip 2dc, dc in sp between 5dc groups; rep. from * around, ss to join.

Rnd 5: Work ss around complete star as follows: 1ss in each st, 2ss in each 2ch-sp and 3ss in each 3ch-sp. Fasten off.

Next: Using 3mm hook and lurex yarn work surface ss around complete star. Fasten off and weave in all ends.

A little Advent crochet for you! I hope you will enjoy making these, to give as gifts or just keep all to yourself to add a little sparkle to your table.

Enjoy!

X.

Heike August 23, 2016

freebie friday

I know I know, it’s not Friday today but Tuesday! We can wish though can’t we, and anyhow, I was going to post this last Friday but somehow time ran away with me and that’s why you are reading this post today instead.

Now, you may know that I have a real thing for a bit of vintage, and something that reminds me of my childhood are tartan kitchen towels and dishcloths. These were everywhere when I was a child and in constant use in my mum’s and grandmother’s kitchens.

I found these photos on Google Images

There is something about a tartan pattern that just screams rustic, country and homely to me, and I do still have some of these tea towels in my linen cupboard. It is pretty difficult to find good quality tartan dishcloths these days though, and anyhow, I have become a bit of a snob and only like using the ones that are knitted or crochet.

Enter super soft Vinnis Colours Nikkim! A 100% cotton yarn from South Africa and now available in approx. 80 shades from Black Sheep Wool , super soft and an absolute treat to work with.

That was the yarn sorted! All I had to do now was coming up with a way to emulate and copy those traditional old towels from my past as best as my crochet skills allowed.

What do you think? I tried to copy the way the old traditional colours worked: Mostly the background was white, and then there would be one strong shade and a softer sub-shade to make the checkered pattern. I first worked the horizontal stripes using UK treble crochet and when the dishcloth square was completed I worked surface slip stitches in vertical lines.

I have to admit that I am really chuffed with the way they have turned out and really hope you like them as much as I do. Maybe you like to have a go and make some for yourself. The pattern with detailed instructions on how to work the surface crochet stitches can be downloaded by clicking HERE.

Have fun and enjoy!

X.

Heike March 31, 2016

turkish delight crochet along

Hello friends, how have you been? I am super excited as I can finally share the details of our latest crochet along with you.

I proudly present…

The Turkish Delight Bolster Cushion

Last summer I was introduced to the beautiful Vinnis Colours Nikkim, a 100% cotton yarn, hand dyed and balled by women from an economically deprived rural area of South Africa. Every sale of this yarn helps the women and their communities…I was immediately smitten. Lots of ideas came to my mind and when I saw the stunning colour palette I was blown away – The idea of a crochet along was born. Together with my partner in crime, Claudia (www.wollsinn.de), we worked on the idea and today we can finally reveal what we have been itching to show you.

Designed by me the bolster cushion was inspired by my love of design, architecture and colours found in North Africa and the Middle East. Having extensively travelled in those countries, taking endless photos, my designs are often influenced by impressions gathered. This design shows off these influences by incorporating texture and colour in equal measure.

Bolsters are usually firm for back or arm support or for decorative applications and have been in use since the 12^th century. They are not a standard size or shape and commonly have a button or zip closure. A foam insert is used for additional support. Also referred to as a cushion, in western countries, a bolster is usually placed at the head of one’s bed and functions as head or lower back support, or as an arm support on furniture with high rigid sides.

This crochet along gives you an opportunity to own a beautiful and useful homeware item inspired by the colours and designs of North Africa and the Middle East. Easily achievable by even the busiest among us, it is divided into four parts:

Part 1: Strips 1 & 2 – Part 2: Strips 3 & 4 – Part 3: Middle Strip and Ends – Part 4: Finishing and Tassels
Starting at the beginning of May, by the time summer comes you will be able to rest your head on your beautiful handmade item.
Learn new techniques and become more accomplished at crochet – choose bold and vibrant colours or subtler shades, there is a colour pack to suit all tastes and home deco style.

The packs will be available from tomorrow, 1 April 2016 via the Wollsinn website HERE – if you have any questions please e-mail me at heike.gittins@gmail.com and I will do my best to answer speedily.

Bolster Cushion Crochet Along in English & German

hosted by Heike & Claudia of WoolyLoops

join the fun with many from around the world!

I hope you will join us, we would love to have you on board!

X.