Pillow Talk

You know how it sometimes feels when everything just clicks? The stars seem to align and the universe smiles down benevolently on you, filling your heart with swelling anticipation and excitement??? Like here was this awesome thing sitting right in front of your jaded eyes for so long and then--BAM--you suddenly realize how wonderful and perfect it is?

I have had this lonely yarn sitting in the closet for probably 8 years now. It was originally going to be used for a blanket which I had started and then ripped out. I fell out of love with its "homespun"-ish look and had no idea what to do with it. Our relationship was completely over and during my anti-hoarding period I even considered throwing it away like a used tissue--very heartless, I know.

Since Baby C. was born, the throw pillows on my couch have taken a serious beating. (Note to new parents: make sure to cover anything you care about with a burp cloth or blanket because the baby will spit up on everything. I still don't know why I had to learn this the hard way). Anyway, I was looking though a new Pottery Barn catalogue the other day and saw these crocheted pillows featured in the pages:

It finally hit me. The "homespun" yarn would be perfect for a throw pillow. And the yarn even goes perfectly with the color of the room. This is a match made in heaven!

I think it took me so long to seize on this idea because I have only really seen crocheted granny square pillows before, and I'm not that crazy about how they look. I never really thought beyond this design. Taking inspiration from Pottery Barn, I decided on either a basket-weave look, or a simplified, small crossover pattern.

I asked the yarn for its forgiveness and patted it lovingly as I crocheted. While working, I decided to abandon a pattern completely and just use single crochets; the yarn is textured enough without throwing a pattern into the mix. I don't know how I could've overlooked such personality and charisma before. What a fool I've been!

Here is the WIP:

You wouldn't know it by looking at it, but this represents 4+ hours of work; it's kind of a big pillow and I'm kind of a slow crocheter. Hopefully I can finish it this week.

It's very satisfying to be able to use things you already have to make something new. And it's nice to be able to fall in love all over again with this yarn. I have a feeling that this relationship is going to last.