I’m Kristen from Verity Vintage Studio, and I am so excited to bring you quarterly projects featuring Chunky Thread by Lori Holt! I have been a freelance crochet designer for over ten years, as well as an avid seamstress, quilter, and I love other types of needlework as well. My first feature of this fun and versatile crochet thread uses one of the little sampler packs that Riley Blake Designs provides.
These sampler packs are perfect to play with a color combination, or if you want to see a color or sample in person before you commit to a big skein of yarn. They are also quite useful for small projects, which is what I am using them for here. (Plus the itty bitty skeins are just too adorable!)
I chose Sampler Pack #4 for my project, which utilizes a variety of techniques. I pieced a pillow front, crocheted the appliqués, added some embroidery stitches, and did a bit of decorative big stitch quilting just for fun. (If you want to make your own, you can find the pattern online in my Etsy shop here.)
Cotton is one of my favorite fibers to work with, both for fabric and crochet. It holds its shape very well, is easy to use, has a nice feel, great stitch definition, and such vibrant colors. Plus it’s washable! This thread was very nice to work with – thick enough that it was easy to use, but thin enough for embroidery and the delicate flowers.
Step-by-step pillow making instructions, with an envelope back for easy insertion, are also included in the pattern. I used Riley Blake Designs Shades in Snow for the center (my favorite basic everrrr!), and Shabby in Tutu for the contrast corners. It would look great in just about any color combo, and is perfect for using up some extra pieces of your stash.
BUT of course if you prefer, you could also just appliqué the flowers to a purchased pillow instead – extra quick and easy!
The flowers use basic crochet stitches, and have a little interest and texture added. You can follow my photos for inspiration, or play around with your own combination, adding more or less flowers, buds, and leaves. Appliqués like this are so versatile – you can put them on a tote bag or wall hoop, decorate your favorite cardigan, sew on a hat…the possibilities are endless!
Here I took just one of the flowers from the pattern and show well it works as a fun spring floral necklace or brooch, just by adding a simple jewelry finding from the craft store.
In my neck of the woods its still cold and we still have a lot of snow on the ground, but the meadowlarks have returned, so I know spring is coming! It’s encouraging to play with these lovely colors and flowers this time of year. Follow my adventures on Instagram with @verityvintagestudio.
