new crochet pattern - cottage chic pillow cover by tara schreyer.

Skill Level: Easy

Regardless of your decorating style, this timeless accent pillow will look fabulous in your space. We went for a neutral look but give it a punch of color and it would instantly be transformed into something playful. The design is made up of simple stitches but creates beautiful results.

Finished size: 21" x 21"

Buy Now

(Purchase this pattern using the "Buy now" link above and receive 20% off your purchase by using coupon code "COTTAGEPILLOW20" at the checkout. Offer valid until Thursday, September  24, 2015)

tara.

sneak peek.

Introducing a new model, and a new crochet pattern....

 

 

My son-in-law kindly agreed to model for this hooded neck warmer. He's such a good sport, and thanks to his help this crochet pattern should be ready soon!!

 

 

kim.

sneak peek.

The crochet pattern for this baby blanket was inspired by a very dear and sweet customer. It just so happens that as I was pondering a design for a square baby blanket, one of our customers contacted us, and suggested designing a pattern for a square baby blanket with a cabled owl border. I was immediately inspired and spent the rest of the day looking at stitch dictionaries and researching yarn.

 

Working from the center out presented all sorts of design challenges! After much frustration and tearing out, I'm so pleased with the finished results and happy to share with you a sneak peek.....

 

 

Just a few details to work out and the pattern for the "Basket of Owls Baby Blanket" will be ready for publication.

 

 

 

kim.

 

 

another hint for our sneak peek.

Some would consider this cozy for your cozy to be old fashioned, but it has become a new trend and is popping up in stores everywhere...

 

 

This post is with regards to our previous sneak peek. Click here to learn how you could win a copy of our latest crochet design.

 

 

kim.

sneak peek.

Okay....it's more of a peek at the buttons that I just bought for my current crochet pattern in the works. Aren't they the most perfect buttons?

I just bought these adorable scrabble buttons from a wonderful local yarn store called Electric Tree Yarns, and the first person to guess what design I am currently working on will win a copy of the pattern when it is released. Just so you know...the buttons are your first hint ;-)

To enter a chance to win the mystery pattern:

Leave a comment as to your guess, along with your email address. The first person to guess correctly will be contacted as soon as possible via this post, and by email. The contest will remain open until either someone guesses correctly, or until the pattern is released. Which ever comes first. Once the mystery pattern has been published a PDF will be emailed to the winner.

Have a wonderful weekend, and if you have trouble guessing I will help you along the way with additional hints.

kim.

sneak peek.

 

I don't know what they are called, but I love sweaters with a ribbed, rolled collar! Perhaps one day I will be ready to tackle a pattern for one, but for now I'm still a little nervous about getting into garment design....soooo....instead of a sweater I came up with a scarf pattern that features a rolled collar. Now you can achieve the look of a crocheted sweater without the added bulk, and the commitment to a larger project.

 

 

 

 

 

The crochet pattern for this warm and toasty scarf should be ready for publication sometime this week.

 

 

 

kim.

 

 

 

sneak peek.

The crochet pattern for this cozy owl neck warmer will be coming your way very soon!

 

Originally, I wanted smaller buttons for the owl eyes, but these were the smallest wood buttons that this town of mine carries. However, once I sewed the the big button eyes onto the neck warmer I realized that they had a certain charm and sweetness to them that would have been lacking with the smaller buttons. The big owl eyes bring a smile to my face every time I look at them :D

Also, here's a close up shot of the larger buttons used to fasten the neck warmer...

 

Aren't they great? We purchased them from this etsy shop called Girls Fever. If you are looking for ways to brand your business then you will really should check this wonderful shop out!

kim.

more buttons...

Back in December 2011 we posted about some beautiful polymer clay buttons that we had discovered, by Orly Rabinowitz of Israel. Recently, we came across a local B.C. artist that also creates handmade buttons from polymer clay and we are excited to share our latest find with you. Dave and Carolyn Good are the husband and wife team behind 2GoodClaymates. They are a super lovely couple and I had the privilege of meeting them personally at a local quilt show. Carolyn is passionate about creating unique pieces and her husband and best friend, Dave, helps her with some of the finishing details. You can tell that they both put a lot of thought and care into their creations.

In addition to buttons Dave and Carolyn also create gorgeous shawl pins and scarf accessories. I love leaves and the autumn colours so I am especially fond of this piece...

There's tons that we haven't shown you, so if you would like to see more of Dave and Carolyn's creations then we would invite you to visit their etsy shop. Also, if you are interested in creating your own buttons they also sells great tutorials.

kim.

buttons.

Whether your button is serving as a fastener or if it is strictly for ornamentation we're sure that you will agree that buttons are invaluable for embellishing your crochet work. This is why we have decided to start a series of blog posts called "buttons".

The first buttons that we have chosen to feature are from a fellow Etsian named Orly Rabinowitz. Orly is from Israel and she is the creative force behind "rabinowitzorly". Here is where you will find a beautiful collection of unique, and one-of-a-kind buttons that are all handmade from polymer clay.

The wonderful thing about Orly's buttons is that she uses the millefiori technique, mixing the colors and creating the pattern which produces one-of-a-kind buttons. This method ensures that no one in the world will have the same item as you!

In Orly's own words she says, "I became enchanted with the endless richness of colors and objects Millefiore revealed before me. I enjoy discovering new harmonies between different colors, playing with different shades and trying new combinations. I am constantly amazed at the infinity of the world of colors and the richness of feeling one can convey through them."

We are also excited to share this lovely photo that Orly sent to us!

These are some Cabled Apple Jackets that Orly first crocheted and then embellished with her own creations. If you are interested in purchasing the crochet pattern for the Cabled Apple Jacket please feel free to visit our etsy shop at knotsewcute.etsy.com.

To view more or Orly's amazing work we encourage you to visit www.orlyfimo.com. Enjoy!!

kim.