Bench Project

BEFORE

AFTER

The Bench Before...

Originally, this "bench" was actually a low set of drawers. I can't even remember where I got it. We used it as a piano bench for a while. My practical and handy Mom added the padded seat cushion and a matching pillow case  (centre pillow) for me, according to our old decor colours at the time. You can probably tell it was sometime in the 90's. Well, we finally got a proper piano bench, and the drawers spent some time in the basement.

The Bench Revisited...   

When we moved to our current home, this bench ended up in the mudroom. Aren't mudrooms great? It is a perfect place to transition from out to in and vice versa! The bench with drawers is so practical to store tote bags, picnic blankets and such, and it is a fine place to stop and put your shoes on or take off those mucky boots. I felt it was time to revive the decor, however, and I needed a crochet project, so it was makeover time!

Scrappy Steps.... 

     I chose a neutral colour scheme to allow it to go from season to season easily. Three shades of brown in a worsted weight acrylic yarn. Very durable. I had such fun with the "Scrappy Steps" meothod that I used for my scarf in the Jelly Bean Jar Game... Sort of blog post, that I decided to revisit that. It works up beautifully into any rectangular or square shape.  I just measured the top surface of the cushion and followed the scrappy steps directions until it was the size I wanted. Original Scrappy Steps (afghan) instructions are here.

Seat Cover

Seat cushion from below. Non-slip!

Cushion Method...  

The cushion is about an inch thick, and squared off at the edges, so I did the cover with a squared edge. And I didn't to the underside, because my brilliant Mom had added a non-slip grip to the bottom, and I didn't want to cover that up.

To get a tailored look on the sides, there is 1 round of single crochet (SC) all around the perimeter of the seat piece (3 SC in each corner), and then 2 rounds of double crochet (DC) working the first round into the back loops of the SC round. That gives it a crisper edge. To keep things neat and tidy, I finished the edge with a crab stitch (reverse single crochet) all the way around in the unworked front loops of the SC edge row. That mad the tidy "piping" around the edge of the seat.

Pillow Method....

Pillow - FRONT

Pillow - BACK

For the pillow cover, I measured the pillow form and made another "scrappy steps" square to size. I was ready for a new stitch by then, and needed an entry and exit for the pillow for washing, so I did 2 rectangles, sized so that when the overlapped slightly, they were the same size as the pillow front. I added buttons and button hole closures to offer a central closure that also became a feature of the design. I did a SC join to attach the front and back panels, and then did a second round in Crab Stitch to give it a coordinating look with the bench seat cover.

Voila!

Bench - Seat Cover and Pillow

Freedom in Freeform

This purse is my first attempt at Freeform Crochet. And I am HOOKED!

My inspiration....

I first came across Freeform Crochet a number of years ago. I was intrigued and mesmerized by the beautiful pieces I saw on a shop called Irregular Expressions.  The pieces, including cuffs, necklaces and scarflettes, are beautiful and elegant - each unique and exquisitely crafted! I was also very impressed that the artist had sold so many of them and fetches a decent (gulp!) price for each unique wearable piece of art.

My Project...
The main purse is one I've had for years. In fact, it was made for me when I was about 9 or 10 years old. The front was emblazoned with my (former) initials EAW in red embroidery. While I appreciated the gift, I did not actually use it much when it was first given to me, but kept it for sentimental reasons. When I came across it recently, I had just taken an online class in freeform crochet and I thought.... here is my chance to really USE this purse - and I went for my hooks! Following the simple instructions from the class, and with some experimentation, this is what I came up with. I covered the front flap (and the giant initials) with freeform "scrumbles" and found a fun button to use as a closure. Ta-da! This was my purse of choice all through the summer and early fall, and I know I'll go back to it again and again.

My Resources...
Here are a few more links to some freeform inspirations and resources:
10 Freeform Crochet Tips -Tips and information on Freeform
Freeform by Prudence - Etsy store with tutorials and books for sale
Craftsy - freeform Crochet class


Cheers,
BusyLizzy

Socks on TV - oh, and me too!

Toe Up Socks, under construction
in my living room.

I have been most fortunate to be, on occasion, classified as a 'working actor' on a couple of TV shows. On set, I often keep busy during the waiting time by working on my latest knit or crochet projects. In July 2014, I was working on a pair of "toe up socks" - like the ones pictured here, and that was what I brought to pass the time while I waited to be called to set.

Coincidentally, the director had asked the props department to supply knitting needles and yarn as a possible prop to use during a scene in which my character was supposed to be waiting for her daughter. When they saw that I had my own knitting project in progress, my socks made it into the show! I'm not sure which was more fun: being on camera, or knowing that my handiwork was there with me!

Finished "star socks."

Here are the completed socks. And here is a link to watch Motives & Murders: Cracking the Case, Season 4, Episode 10 entitled "A Chance Encounter" in which my socks were featured - and me, as Marjorie Stark ! (The socks are seen for precisely 1 second, at 36:59 into the show, but I know they were there, and that is what counts!)

Cheers,
BusyLizzy