a stash busting cushion...

Chunky Fair Isle Cushion by Littletheorem (available on Ravelry)
{photo credit: Littletheorem}

This cushion pattern popped up on Ravelry earlier this year.

Knitted in Jamieson's Heather Aran it is both quick to knit and easy to adapt.

I had Heather leftovers from various hot water bottle projects and as this yarn is fantastic in stranded projects I immediately favourited the FREE pattern and got my odds and ends together.  I used other Aran weights too - including Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, Rialto Aran and Twilleys Alfresco.

I didn't give much thought to the colour scheme...  and really just put it together depending on the amount of yarn I had per shade (and which shade I pulled from my bag).  So my cushions aren't quite as 'pulled together' as the designers sample.

Yes that's right... more than one cushion.  I knitted one, still had lots of yarn leftover (and another cushion pad to cover) so I knitted another.  There will be a third one too!

I found it a quick knit and a great way to practice stranded colourwork in the round.

I did actually hold a strand of 4ply and DK together to get a nice bright green.  So these cushions really are great stash busters! You can see my Ravelry project page here.

You can see more of Littletheorem's patterns on her Ravelry designers page.  Some are free, others are paid for.

Of course my attention immediately went the Asphodel shawl - a lace shawl in the fantastic Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace.

Asphodel Shawl by Littletheorem
{photo credit - Littletheorem}

And this Felted Lace Shawl would be lovely in our Twilleys Alfresco Aran...

Felted Lace Wrap by Littletheorem
{photo credit - Littletheorem}

and how about whipping up this FREE hat pattern for the Winter Warmers project...

Lomond Hat by Littletheorem
{photo credit - Littletheorem}

Oh!  and don't forget our Cushion board on Pinterest for lots of pattern inspiration.

Couthie Cushions

Just a quick message to say the cheque presentation for this years Pittenweem Arts Festival Community Craft project will take place on Friday 27th September at 2pm in Art @ 47, 47 High Street, Pittenweem.

The beneficiaries are Alzheimer Scotland and East Neuk First Responders.

Each will receive a cheque of £860!

If you'd like to come along please let Anne-Marijke know (drop us an email!)

Couthie Cushions at the Pittenweem Arts Festival

a very small selection of the knitted and sewn cushions

As many of you may know* Couthie Cushions, this years Pittenweem Arts Festival craft project, raised over £1700.

112 cushions were donated, which is a fantastic response!  Anne-Marijke passes on her thanks and congratulations to all who contributed to this years project.

Anne-Marijke will be organising an event to hand over cheques to this year's nominated charities - Alzheimer Scotland and East Neuk First Responders.  We'll let you know as soon as this is organised.  It's a nice end to the project (with tea and cake!) and you can meet representatives of the charities and maybe get your photo in the newspapers.

Watch this space for news of next years project...

*If you'd like to be added to Anne-Marijke's mailing list please email us and we'll pass your details on!  It's the most timely way to receive updates on the annual Pittenweem Arts Festival craft project.

Couthie Cushions

Next weekend is the start of Pittenweem Arts Festival!  Previews start on Friday night (2nd August).

This years annual craft project is Couthie Cushions.

Organised by Anne-Marijke Querido and supported by crafters nationwide, over 80 cushions will be available to buy at Venue 66 - in the Church Hall.

We've kept you up to date with the project and the get togethers in the shop.  There is even a Pinterest board with ideas and tutorials.

The project has received a great response with fantastic cushions from knitters, crocheters and sewers. You can see some photos on the Pittenweem Arts Festival website.

To celebrate this years festival Anne-Marijke has designed a very special cushion knitted in Jamieson's of Shetland Heather Aran...  There are several opportunities to get your hands on one!

a beautiful souvenir and cosy cushion!

a message from Anne-Marijke...

As those who follow The Woolly Brew website know, next weekend is the start of Pittenweem Arts Festival. Via this website you may also have followed the progression of the Couthie Cushions and you may even have taken part in the project! 

We have received a great response with very inspired creations both from knitters, quilters and patch-workers. 

On the occasion of Pittenweem Arts Festival 2013, I have designed a special cushion -  Art @ 47.  Inspired by the plaque at the newly refurbished festival office, which serves as a gallery throughout the year.

The waves were inspired by the Pittenweem Arts Festival logo. On the cushion they remind us of both the sea and the sky. 

There are two cushions ready knitted. One will be based at the Festival Office (Art @ 47) where it is raffled with the proceeds going to the festival. The second cushion is on display at the Couthie Cushion venue number 66, the kitchen of the Church Hall and will be sold by silent auction to the highest bidder. 

For those who are worried that they will miss out on either of those two opportunities to obtain this unique cushion, there is a limited signed edition of the pattern for sale at venue 66 for £5 a copy. We hope you will enjoy the exhibition and find something you fancy. 

See you there,

Anne-Marijke Querido 
(project co-ordinator) 

Couthie Cushions

couthie cushions

{photo credit craftnik}

Another idea for Couthie Cushion - a gorgeous cushion from Jody Rice, free on Ravelry.  Uses an aran weight yarn - one solid and one self striping

Couthie Cushions is this years Pittenweem Arts Festival Craft project, organised by Anne-Marijke. Anyone can take part. Knit, crochet or sew a cushion before the Pittenweem Arts Festival in August and it will be displayed and sold in aid of charities!  This years charities are East Neuk First Responders and Alzheimer Scotland.

The next get together is Wednesday 8th May 1.30 - 3.30pm  in the shop!

Check out our Cushion's board on Pinterest too...  lots of ideas for designs and finishing techniques for knit, crochet and sewn cushions

Couthie Cushions in May

The next get together for Couthie Cushions is on the afternoon of Wednesday 8th May.

This years charities are East Neuk First Responders and Alzheimer Scotland.

Knit, crochet or sew a cushion before the Pittenweem Arts Festival in August and it will be displayed and sold in aid of these charities!

a Couthie Cushion...

Couthie Cushions is this years Pittenweem Arts Festival Craft project, organised by Anne-Marijke. Anyone can take part. Make a cushion and it will be displayed and sold at the Arts Festival in August. Money raised is donated to charity (to be announced!).

We've been having get togethers in the shop and Anne-Marijke has left some patterns in the shop too.

We're highlighting some patterns on the website - you can see them here - and we also have a Pinterest board with even more ideas and tutorials.

You don't need to come to the get togethers or even the shop to join in. Knit, crochet or sew a cushion and get it to us before August!

(Fiona) I've settled on a variation of this scrappy cushion by Susan Maher...

Scrappy Cushion

Instead of using moss stitch I'm using linen stitch over 77 stitches. Changing the colour EVERY row...

I'm using mostly DK and a 3.5mm needle (I'm a very loose knitter), I'm hoping the cushion will come out 30-35cm wide.

My bag of odd balls...

progress so far - this may take a while...

For those unfamiliar with linen stitch this is what I'm doing over an odd number of stitches...

Row 1 (RS): *k1, slip 1 with the yarn in front; rep from *
Row 2: slip 1 with yarn in back, *p1, slip 1 with yarn in back; rep from *

I'm just tying on a new piece of yarn each row... not sure what I'll do with my yarn ends yet...

Are you making a cushion for the Pittenweem Arts Festival?

 

Couthie Cushions

photo credit: Kate Bruning

An amazing cushion that will use up your stash yarn to great effect!

You can find details on Kate's Greedy for Colour blog.

Whilst you're there check out her crochet tutorials too!

Couthie Cushions is this years Pittenweem Arts Festival Craft project. Anyone can take part. Make a cushion and it will be displayed and sold at the Arts Festival in August. Money raised is donated to charity (to be announced!). You can read more about it here. The next get together is on the evening of Wednesday 3rd April 7:30-9:30pm. At the shop.

You don't need to come to the get togethers to take part.

Need more inspiration?  Check out our Pinterest board here.

Couthie Cushions

Four Cables Cushion by A La Sascha

A perfect cushion to try out cables - a super quick knit in a super bulky yarn.

Find details on A la Sascha blog here and see the Ravelry project page here.

Couthie Cushions is this years Pittenweem Arts Festival Craft project. Anyone can take part. Make a cushion and it will be displayed and sold at the Arts Festival in August. Money raised is donated to charity (to be announced!). You can read more about it here. The next get together is on the evening of Wednesday 3rd April 7:30-9:30pm. At the shop.

You don't need to come to the get togethers to take part.

Need more inspiration?  Check out our Pinterest board here.

Couthie Cushions

photo credit : Sharon Maher

 

Another stash busting cushion, this time worked in moss stitch.

Find details on Sharon's website and see the Ravelry project page here.

Couthie Cushions is this years Pittenweem Arts Festival Craft project. Anyone can take part. Make a cushion and it will be displayed and sold at the Arts Festival in August. Money rasied is donated to charity (to be announced!). You can read more about it here.

The next get togethers are on Tuesday 26th February 10am to 12pm (TODAY) and on the evening of Wednesday 3rd April 7:30-9:30pm. Both at the shop.

Come along and meet Anne-Marijke and get some inspiration!

 

Couthie Cushions

Couthie Cushions is this years Pittenweem Arts Festival Craft project.  Anyone can take part.  Make a cushion and it will be displayed and sold at the Arts Festival in August.  Money raised is donated to charity (to be announced!).  You can read more about it here.

Couthie Cushions

a free pattern by Suzie Blackman available on her website It's a Stitch Up.

You can see its Ravelry project page here.

A great project to use up yarn ends.  This sample uses aran weight yarn to make a 45 x 45cm cushion.

Couthie Cushions is this years Pittenweem Arts Festival community craft project.  Read more about the project  here and follow its progress here.  Come along to the shop tomorrow (Wednesday 30th January) between 10am and 12pm and meet project organiser Anne-Marijke!

Couthie Cushions*

This year's project is not 'just' knitting or crochet but open to sewers, quilters and patchworks too!  So you can indulge your fabric habit!

Come along to the shop to meet Anne-Marijke who will be armed with patterns and some yarn stash and cushions!

We'll provide tea and cake and over the next few months we'll give you updates, more pattern ideas and lots of support (mostly of the yarn kind... although we have been known to sew too...)

Cushions are a perfect opportunity to get creative!  They can be a simple rectangle - knit every row!  Or you can expand your skills and try out cables, intarsia or stranded colour work.

They can be small like a pin cushion or larger for sofas and beds.  Or you could get even bigger and do a floor cushion!

They can be fastened with buttons, zips or ribbons!

This Community Project is now in its 5th year.  In previous years there have been fish, tea cozies, hats and flowers.  The items are sold in aid of local and national charities.  Last year's project - Festive Flowers - raised £2450 for CHAS and Cancer Research.

The exhibition and sale takes place during the Pittenweem Arts Festival 2013.  This year the festival is from 3rd August to 11th August.

Anne-Marijke has provided a helpful guide of standard cushion inserts.  So you just make the cover and the person who buys it can easily get a cushion for the inside! You can see it here.

If you're being a bit more creative and making an odd size then you should provide the insert/stuffing for ease.

Come along on the 30th for more info and get inspired!

But don't worry if you can't get along then  You don't need to come to join in - just get making and if you have any questions call Anne-Marijke!

*Couthie is a Scots word for comfortable, snug and pleasant!