Crocheted pin cushions and new techniques

Hello quilting friends! Many of you have reached out via email or social media to say that you are picking up crochet again after many years, or you are giving it a try for the first time. That is so awesome to hear! I’m still going strong in my crochet journey, but I’m not putting any pressure on myself.  I just enjoy making pretty, small items that make me smile and also make great gifts. Since making my first crocheted granny square in May of this year, I’ve moved on to pin cushions, coasters, pumpkins, and I also joined a crochet-along to make a granny stripe blanket. Today I want share two more pin cushions I made this fall.  One has been gifted, and the other will be gifted next week!

This cute pin cushion was made for my quilting friend, Sylvia. I added a popcorn stitch edging thanks to a fabulous tutorial by Lori Holt. The technique was a little tricky at first, but after a few attempts (and a few pull outs), I got the hang of it. Lori is an excellent teacher and the filming is very well done.  She goes slowly and makes sure viewers can really see what she’s doing.

For yarn, I used Scheepjes Stone Washed sport weight yarn in the colors Moon Stone, Axinite, Canada Jade and Tourmaline. I’ve tried a few other yarns in this sport weight (remember, I’m still learning), and so far Scheepjes Stone Washed is my favorite. It is slightly fuzzy. I’ve read in some listings that they call this a halo effect.  It’s great for someone like me whose stitches and/or tension aren’t perfect. The soft fuzziness hides a few imperfections! My crochet hook of choice was a Clover Amour hook, size G 4.0 mm.

I completed Sylvia’s pin cushion in mid-September, and I was tickled to see how well it coordinated with the hydrangea shrubs in my yard! I think I should look to nature more often for color combinations.

In early October I finished this round pin cushion for a newer quilting friend who lives on a lake in northern Minnesota and always seems to sew with blue and green fabrics. I’m eager to give it to her when I see her next week. To make this round pin cushion, I followed Erica Arndt’s YouTube tutorial for her Sunburst Granny Square. I added one extra round of Erica’s puff stitch, as well as one round of double crochet to get the size I wanted. (I omitted the instructions that would have squared it off.) I think it turned out super cute this way, and I’m proud of myself for improvising. Like Lori Holt, Erica is a terrific teacher. Her lessons are clear, engaging and very detailed. She seems to really care that we are successful as learners, sharing tips and tricks from her own experience.

The oh-so-pretty yarn is Scheepjes Stone Washed in the colors shown on my yarn pegs: Canada Jade, Larimar, New Jade, Blue Apatite and Crystal Quartz.  Once again, I used the Clover Amour hook size G 4.0 mm. These hooks have a soft grippy handle that I like. I have some of my grandmother’s all metal crochet hooks, which feel very slippery. I don’t think they would work as well for me.

If you are on the fence about learning crochet, I encourage you to give it a try. There are so many fabulous and free YouTube tutorials that provide step-by-step instruction. Crochet is a great hobby for taking on the road or for evenings when you’re watching TV. If you are content with making small projects like I am, the financial investment is fairly small.  Compared to what I spend to make a quilt (shhh . . . don’t tell), a few dollars for a crochet hook and a couple skeins of yarn are minimal! Finally, I think any creative outlet that requires us to think, practice, learn and practice some more is great for our brains.

Okay, I’m done mother-henning you all. Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Taunja