March 20, 2018

Cactus Pillow

Welcome to the March Pinterest Challenge Blog Hop, hosted by My Pinterventures. The purpose of this Pinterest Challenge is to motivate all the participants of this hop (and you too) to not just pin, but to make it happen! So this month, I chose to create/make Crochet Cactus Pillow. I liked that Maz Kwok used eyelash yarn to represent the cactus spines on her Icy Cactus. I thought that was such a cool and fun idea. So when I created my cactus pillow, I decided to add some fun fur for the cactus spines.

MATERIALS:
G/4mm crochet hook
bolster pillow form
Red Heart Soft Tangerine
Red Heart Soft Guacamole
Lion Brand Fun Fur Amber
yarn needle

I have several skeins of Lion Brand Fun Fur in my stash. I thought I had white, but I didn't so I used Lion Brand Fun Fur Amber instead. I'm trying to use up all my yarn instead of buying new yarn.

I've set a goal to seriously destash my craft room. I recently discovered that I have 669 skeins of yarn and several pillow forms that I bought when Joann had a pillow sale. So for this pillow, I decided to use a bolster pillow form.

To begin, I picked a yarn color similar to a terracotta pot. I used Red Heart Soft Tangerine. And I crocheted with a size G/4mm hook.

 Instructions for Terracotta Pot:
1) magic ring, ch 2, 11 dc in ring, join.
2) ch 2, 1 dc in same st, 2 dc in each st, join.
3) ch 2, 1 dc in same st, [1 dc, 2 dc] around, join.
4) ch 2, 1 dc in same st, [1 dc next 2 sts, 2 dc] around, join.
5) ch 2, 1 dc in same st, [1 dc next 3 sts, 2 dc] around, join.
6) ch 2, 1 dc in same st, [1 dc next 4 sts, 2 dc] around, join.
7) ch 2, 1 dc in same st, 1 dc in each st BLO, around, join.
8 - 17) 1 dc in each st around, join.
18) 1 dc in each st, FLO.
19 -20) dc in each st, join.
21) ch 1, sc around, join and fasten off.

The crocheted terracotta pot fits perfectly over the end of the bolster pillow form. And I folded the top over to look like the top of a terracotta flower pot.

For the cactus, I used Red Heart Soft Guacamole yarn.

Instructions for Cactus:
Ch 50.
1) hdc in 3rd ch from the hook, hdc across.
2 - 5) ch 2, hdc across.
6) ch 2, hdc BLO across.
7) ch 1, hdc in BLO of row 5.
8-11) ch 2, hdc across.
Repeat rows 6 -11 until the piece is big enough to cover the bolster pillow.

I whip stitched the sides together with a yarn needle.

I slipped the green piece over the bolster pillow and stitched it together with the terracotta pot so that the green is under the pot, so the cactus looks like it is growing out of the pot.

I weaved through the open end with a yarn needle and pulled it like a drawstring to close it.

I attached the Fun Fur and single crocheted it up each ridge on the cactus.


I crocheted flowers, but I only added one to the cactus.

I added a flower to the top of the cactus.


The cactus pillow is now hanging out on the chair in the corner of our living room.

Thanks for checking out my Cactus Pillow!!!



Pinterest Challenge Blog Hop

To join next month's challenge, click here to sign-up ⇒ April Pinterest Challenge

Now let's see what other things Pinterest inspired! Head over and visit the other hosts to see what they crafted, cooked, built, or tried!


Roseann - This Autoimmune Life • Kelli - The Olympic Nest
Lynne - My Family Thyme • Beverly - Across the Blvd.
Debra - Shoppe No. 5 • Pili - My Sweet Things
Julie - Sum of their StoriesGwen - Geez, Gwen!
T'onna - Sew Crafty Crochet • Kenyatta - My Design Rules
Cherryl - Farm Girl Reformed • Lisa - Blogghetti
Lauren - Mom Home Guide • Deborah - Salvage Sister & Mister
Gail - Purple Hues and Me • Terri - Our Good Life
Emily - Domestic Deadline • Maria - Tinselbox







32 comments:

  1. LOVE it! I have also pinned the crochet cacti, especially the little pincushion ideas but never actually made one, but I'm loving your giant version. Totally fab!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much! I also live the pincushions. I definitely have more cactus projects planned. They're so much fun! 😊

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    2. After she saw me share this on FB my daughter has requested I make her one, apparently she NEEEEEDS it!!

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  2. This is sooo stinking cute again and it really looks like a saguaro cactus in AZ.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Lorin! I've driven through AZ a couple times, and I love looking at all the cacti.

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  3. Oh I just LOVE this! So so cute. What a fun idea to incorporate the different texture yarn and I adore the flower embellishment too. Pinned.

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    1. Thanks so much! And thanks for pinning! 😁

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  4. Oh wow! This is awesome! Who would ever think you'd want to snuggle up with a catus?! Great project! Pinned.

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    1. Thanks Laurie! This is one cactus that is perfect for snuggling. 😁

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  5. This is so cute! I already have a pillow like that and I think I have the eyelash yarn too! Hmmm....

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    1. Thanks! You should make one, too! 😄

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  6. I am in love with your pillow!! I think I may have to make a couple...and not share. Pinned

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Lisa! LOL My kids tried to get my pillow. I'm not sharing it with them. It's mine! 😂

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  7. Well done. That turned out so cute!

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  8. What a great use for eyelash yarn! It really looks like cactus prickles! This would make a fun gift for some on my list - pinning!

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  9. You're killing me with all this cactus cuteness. I love this giant pillow with the fun fur spines. Pinned.

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    1. Thanks! I thought the fun fur was a great idea when I saw it on Pinterest. I have a few skeins of fun fur, but it's hard to figure out what to do with it. Lol

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  10. This is so amazing. I love how you used the fur yarn to make the cactus look so real. Great job.

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  11. Wow! You are so talented with that crochet needle! I love the size because it can be such fun decor. Such a realistic looking pillow!

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  12. I thought it was a real cactus, how cool!!

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  13. Such a funny idea to use a cactus as a pillow! Love it!

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  14. TOO *CUTE*!!
    Personally, I've never been a fan of eyelash yarn, but in this instance, it's perfect!
    BTW, *only* 669..? - Multiply that by 3 or 4 and you'll get my "stash"! Some people count sheep at night, I count balls of wool...
    ;->

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! Wow, you really have a lot of yarn! I have more than 669 now after a recent trip to a couple Michael's stores. I would have more also, but I got rid of some before we moved. I'm trying to down size my stash to have only yarn that I'm using for projects. That's going to take awhile! lol

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  15. Anonymous4/11/2018

    Brilliant, totally! A great way to make use of a crochet cactus, and thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!

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  16. The eyelash yarn is an excellent idea for the spines! I really like the colors you combined for this pillow - looks so natural. Pinned this pattern for later. Need to find me some of those bolster pillow forms.

    I recently started a new link up on my EyeLoveKnots blog, and would love if you came to link up! This month, my cohost, Helena, is sponsoring the giveaway of two skeins of Cotton Fair Yarn.

    Alexandra of EyeLoveKnots
    Super Crafty Sunday Link Up #4: http://eyeloveknots.blogspot.com/2018/04/super-crafty-sunday-link-up-4-cotton.html

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  17. Wow I love your cactus. So realistic. Great choice of wool.

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