Wednesday 13 March 2013

Striped Tunisian Cushion

Over the past few weeks I've been having one hell of a swell time playing around with different crafty techniques. I've started to knit, tried my hand at some needle felting and now I find myself exploring some of the other routes that crochet has to offer. 
I've been wanted to experiment with Tunisian crochet for a little while now. When I saw some large afghan hooks for sale in the local yarn store, I just had to buy one and play around with this different method of crochet. 
I loved the look of the Afghan hook, long and slender with a perfect little heart on top. 


I'm sure many of you have already dabbled in other forms of crochet but this was a totally new concept for me. I only discovered a few weeks ago that this technique even existed and that you could buy different hooks or cabled hooks in order to help with this technique. How sheltered am I?!



I did a spot of research on the net and found out how this form of crochet works. Rather than working all of the stitches individually like "regular" crochet, you work ALL of the stitches onto the hook and then work all of them off. (I hope that makes sense?) 
I had a play around with it and learned to do the simple "afghan stitch". It created a very neat looking stitch that was thick and looked similar to something knitted. 



I thought I'd persevere with this stitch and decided to use up the Stylecraft DK I had left over from my last granny square blanket.
I created a neat looking striped swatch that made my heart feel fluttery!
It was interesting to see the different characteristics the stitch had. Not only did it create a very thick material, but the material also curled in on itself. I did a google search and apparently the curling of the material is totally normal. It's due to the way the stitches pull and can be correcting by blocking the at the end. PHEEEW!


Before long I had glorious piece of bright and bold material that had a random mix of Summery colours.  OOOOH I do love stripes!


I sewed in all of the ends.


Then admired the very neat perfectly formed colour changes that this stitch allowed me to create.


Here is the wrong side to the swatch. It looks very much like It's been knitted, doesn't it?


I was so very happy with how my swatch turned out that I decided to keep crocheting and turn it into something. A little striped cushion sounded like the perfect option. 
I decided to keep changing colour randomly utill my swatch was big enough to wrap around a cushion. 
I bought a lovely bright zip 


and sewed it to either end of my rectangular swatch of material.


I then sewed the sides together making a beautifully bright cushion cover ready to be stuffed.




I placed a pillow inside and TA DAH! Something bright and happy that makes me feel jolly and rather content just looking at it!

Stripes make me feel a certain way! I'm not sure how they make me feel?.. Just different to dots or solid blocks of colour. I like the feeling!



It matches perfectly with my granny square blanket


and seems rather at home with the other cushions!


It's a very happy cushion!


I really enjoyed playing around with my first Tunisian project. It's definitely a technique I'm going to continue to explore. How could I not when it creates such delightful result!

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76 comments:

  1. Beautiful! Tunisian crochet is next on my list of techniques to try. My crocheting husband figured it out and said he would give me a lesson -- I'm inspired to try a project like your happy pillow!

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  2. love it.. <3
    i've tried it, but i guess i'm not devoted enough, and haven't get my hand to the tunisian hook set yet. lol.. but i think it would make a very pretty bag also. wanna try?

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  3. Hi Matt, You are so clever!!!It really is beautiful!!! I think a lovely colorful-stripy-carpet for the bathroom will be just perfect!!Thanks for all the lovely photo's. Your blankets and cushions are just gorgeous!!!
    Love
    AMarie

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  4. A perfect antidote to grey, I have been dithering and not investigating Tunisian crochet for ages, you have inspired me and if you just keep using your Stylecraft it all goes, and no drab in sight :)The drawers look like they are sticking their tongue out at us! Wonderful staging and photography as always.

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  5. loving it <3 like i said you are ammazing Matt.

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  6. like i said before your work is ammazing Matt. hatts off to your passion to create, love for colors and very refined aesthetic sense. keep it up.

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  7. Hi Matt!
    Just to say that I really enjoy and love your blog!!! Is fantastic the way that you write in your blog to tell the story behind your great crochet work!
    Recalling his previous post, supporting the idea that I'd read about the other things you enjoy doing in life
    Greetings from Holland!

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  8. Love this - will have to try this differnt technique! Thanks for sharing.

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  9. That is so beautiful. I wish I could do tunesian crochet, too.

    Lisa

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  10. Your cushion turned out fab Matt, the colours look amazing together and I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post about it !

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  11. It's beautiful I must have a go at this new technique :)

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  12. That is just brilliant, Matt. I've been meaning to try Tunisian crochet for some time but other stuff keeps getting in the way - you've inspired me to move it to the top of my Priority Projects list. I love the colours, and your cushion looks so neatly finished off. Keep blogging! PS - hope the new job is working out well for you.

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  13. That is quite simply utterly stunning! Thanks for sharing.
    Claire

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  14. Hola! Un cojin de alegres colores, muy bonito!!! Para ser la primera vez que trabajas con el punto tunecino te ha quedado perfecto, saludos desde España.

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  15. u r an inspiration :)
    hira from Pakistan

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  16. u r an inspiration :)
    hira (Pakistan)

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  17. Feast to one;s eyes Matt. The rainbow cushion looks gorgeous. Amazing speed with which you create things! You really have only 24 hours in a day :)

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  18. it is stunning Matt, just stunning.

    Nikki x

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  19. That's absolutely gorgeous Matt, and the second stripy thing that made my heart flutter today (this is the other thing :: http://cozymadethings.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/tv-technicolor-blanket.html)
    I SO know what you mean about the effect of stripes on the heart!! I get the exact same flutters, isn't that a crazy thing? We have the Stripe Gene!
    I've never tried Tunisian crochet, but it looks so neat. Would be perfect for bag making as it looks so dense and substantial.
    xxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  20. It is stunning, I love it. It has really motivated me to try this method of crochet too. Well done.

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  21. Well, that's just beautiful and very cheerful and happy! This really made my day. Great job.

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  22. Never heard of this type of crochet - but I love it! So neat, and I ADORE the stripes and the colours! What wool did you use?
    Jones x

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  23. Precioso Matt, me encanta! los colores vibrantes, encantador!!
    te dire que en lo personal el tunecino no es lo mio! me parece muy cansado
    ahora que veo ese resultado en tu cojin estoy por animarme
    a tejer uno! espero que pronto se vaya el frio de tu ciudad
    porque espero que en verano subas muchas fotos! saludos

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  24. I love it! But did you know that this stich is perfect to do cross-stich on? I tried this once and it was fun to do! Have fun experimenting!

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  25. That's a beautiful cushion Matt - well done for your first adventure with Tunisian. It does look great with your granny square blanket too. Love it. Also love your blog. xoxox

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  26. Delightful cushion! I know the feeling about stripes...they make me happy. And I am obsessed about them this year
    ♥ Ana BC

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  27. Lovely Matt! Curious are you going to show us the small enterlac squares you were doing a while back it looked so neat. Also how do you go about weaving ends in, I'm about done with my granny stripe afghan and I've never really weaved ends in before, I've only really made projects with the granny square and I always worked my ends in as I went.

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  28. Wonderfully colourful Matt! I have been meaning to have a go at Tunisian too, but keep doing so many other things lol

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  29. My first Tunisian project was a Tunisian hook roll seemed apt! I really need to revisit Tunisian crochet it is really good fun.

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  30. Oh it's a perfect addition to your other cushions and blankets!! Love the stripes and the look of the Tunisian crochet. I really have to try that technique out too. It looks so sturdy and I bet you could embroider on it too.

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  31. Oooooohhhhh! Love love love! <3 Such neat stripes of solid colour. Swoon!

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  32. You have a lovely selection of cushions Matt, and they all go so well together. The latest striped one is lovely, I adore stripes!
    Angie x

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  33. Beautiful!!! I love stripes, too!!!
    xxx Ale

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  34. Oh, wow, you are incredible! Such a feast for the eyes!! Thank you so much, you've brightened up my day!! :)

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  35. wow...i love crocheting but never realised what tunisian crochet was...it looks like fun...can't wait to try it...also i love your little cushion family!

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  36. This made me laugh and shout 'Dammit he's beaten me to it!!!' because I bought my hook and book last month, just hadn't got round to trying. This post prompted me to have a go last night....xxx

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  37. Very pretty cushion cover, and such a nice match for your granny square blanket and other cushions. Now I'm inspired to pick up my Tunisian crochet project again! Nancy.

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  38. If you'd like to go one step further with Tunisian crochet, look into double ended Tunisian crochet hooks and patterns. I've only had a little go at this, at the same time as I learned Tunisian, but it gives really interesting results when using two colours.

    http://patterni.net/double-crochet-afghan-pattern/ - this shows some of the effects you can get, but doesn't give instructions I'm afraid. But, with a lot of patience, you can work this effect in the round... pot covers, anyone?

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  39. Next step: try some double ended hook crocheting! You can get some really nice colour effects with the technique, though instructions aren't too easy to come across.

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  40. Ohhhhh....Matt.....I LOVE LOVE LOVE the colors you choose! So bright and happy! Makes me want to go crochet the day away!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for posting! Love the stripey cushion. Me thinks I might go check out this new method of crochet!

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  41. What gorgeous lovely pictures; full of colour, happiness and prettiness! I love the cushion! Everything in this post filled me with a silly happy feeling!!!
    Maria x

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  42. I love the pattern Tunisian crochet produces & your cushion is a fantastic example! I've never tried it but it will be going on my 'to do' list!

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  43. They look so beautiful all together!

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  44. Ha! I knew to come check your blog when I saw that pillow on Pinterest :) It is lovely. I always look forward to your posts!

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  45. I have been crocheting for a long time but have not yet tried Tunisian crochet.

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  46. Hi, I have just bobbed in to say Hello and I love your blog. I found the link through Homemaker magazine.
    Lovely colours on your striped cushion, goes fab with your grannie blanket and cushions.

    I will be keeping an eye out on your blog.
    Best wishes and happy crafting Nicky x

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  47. Hi Matt! All the things you make are absolutely lovely. But your photography is STUNNING! I just love the little groups you make! Fantastic! There's a new career for you there when you need to hang up your dancing shoes. Keep up the wonderful work. xxxx

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  48. Hi Matt,

    Absolutely stunning!!!! I am going to try this stitch!!! thanks for sharing!!! and your show looks amazing!! Flying is demanding but to do this for a living,...super neat!

    Kind regards Hedwig

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  49. Another wonderful creation Matt! Love the colourful pics too, Pati from gloomy London x

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  50. Awesome stitch, I will try it! Great color combination, as always!

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  51. This is really, really gorgeous. I'm going to take the plunge and try this...never had a go at Tunisian crochet before. Would you mind if I show my finished item on my blog and refer it back to here? You are super skilled Matt! XX

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  52. Tiene un nombre especial ese tipo de crochet?
    Nunca lo había visto antes.
    Gracias!!!!

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  53. Lovely! Just what I need to inspire me to give Tunisian crochet a try. And I've got some Stylecraft Special left over from a ripple blanket...

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  54. Found this via Sweetpea Family, thanks so much I have ordered some hooks and am raring to go. love the stripey cushion. I am thinking nautical stripes for mine! Rowen@Coastal Colours x

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  55. I just discovered you Matt and your style appeals to me. I also have been looking at my afghan hook today, thinking that I must give it a try. I keep procrastinating, but now I see how useful this stitch can be. Thanks and I will definitely follow you.

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  56. I've popped over to visit a few times recently and each time I'm struck by your fresh and wonderful photography and your funny, honest writing. I feel like kindred spirits in the crafty world! Back in July I tried Tunisian crochet, but with less impressive results (although I did learn a lot!) Here's the link if you'd like to have a peek:
    http://crochetnirvana.weebly.com/1/post/2012/07/year-of-projects-the-tunisian-experience.html
    Happy day!

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  57. Simplesmente linda, perfeita....

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  58. I just found you today and from the little I've seen on just this post I love what you do! I am a fan.

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  59. ooh! just come across your blog, LOVE this cushion.

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  60. Just come across your blog, LOVE the cushion.

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  61. Tunisian crocheting looks quite different....lovely. Something I want to have a go at myself in the future. First I have to master crocheting :-). Look forward to your next creation.

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  62. muchas felicidades por tu trabajos de tunecino y tu manta te ha quedado genial y con tu permiso tal vez lo copie ms he hecho seguidora tuya por si queires ver mi blog aluna vez. Un saludo de paqui desde españa

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  63. Really Matt, your blog is one of the most brilliant blogs that I find on the web. You are so creative! You make some photos so beautiful! You have a big sense of order and decorating! I'm in love with your blog and all its works. This wonderful pillow I think, I also try Tunisian crochet! I'm happy if I visit the blog ... Thanks for sharing all these things so beautiful! Thanks and congratulations!

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  64. Adorei as ideias te voltarei sempre;lindo trabalho grande abraço

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  65. I took lessons at a local knitting store and we made a beautiful Tunisian lace scarf and a Tunisian cable scarf. Great fun and beautiful outcome. Love to see articles on Tunisian crochet!

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  66. Hello Matt,

    I've tried tunesian crochet one or two years ago, but it wasn't really my thing.
    But I really loved your cushion cover, so I got my big hook out of the box again and started a cushion cover like yours. Only my colours are different, but also very bright and happy.
    I'v got 4 cushion fillings waiting for a crocheted cover, so this was just perfect!
    Thank you very much for inspiring me, I really love it!
    And I really love working on it. I've even put my lace shawl I was working on on hold, to finish the tunesian crochet project!

    I'm looking forward to see your next creative project, I love them all!
    Or to see which book is on your sidetable (I just bought the new Dan Brown), or to see pictures of lovely flowers (now spring is still far away in rainy Belgium).

    Love, Liz.

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  67. I love the colour swatches you used!! :) :)
    I admire the ability to create such swatches. I always fail. LOL..

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  68. Very interesting and beautiful.


    kizi

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  69. Very interesting post. really informative. of all the blogs I have read on the same topic, this one is actually enlightening.

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  70. Those neat neat colour changes are one of the reasons I love Tunisian simple stitch - and the ability to "un-neaten" (is that a word) the colour changes with a forward and reverse pass in different colours is another reason! Your cushion is lovely - I might have a go at a plain striped one myself! :)

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