in the spirit of leap day...

 

 

...just like leap day squeezes in between February 28th and March 1st every four years to give us a bonus day, I thought I would squeeze in this pillowcase update post between my recent cuffed cushion posts as a little extra... Even though I may be working on other projects wholly unrelated to pillowcases, putting together new crochet-trimmed pillowcases somehow always seems to be in the back of my mind; I guess I just love making them! So while I've had my hands in many different pots lately, I've eked out some time with my pillowcases in the last week or so...

 

 

One of the pillowcases that has been waiting patiently for me to trim is the one above which, as you may have guessed, is also made with Liberty fabric from the Bloomsbury collection just like these; in fact, as you can see below,  it is the same print as the pinkish one but in a cooler colour palette. So since I named the pinkinsh one Hint of Summer, I figured that the blueish had to be called Hint of Spring, especially given the time of year right now!... Just like all my Liberty pillowcases and, for that matter, all my recent pillowcases, I trimmed it with a lovely linen yarn, this time in a pretty shade of light silver.

 

 

I love crocheting with linen yarn, but I'm starting to feel like I might not be in the majority judging by the feedback I've been getting at some of my local yarn shops and the fact that there just isn't that much linen yarn available to buy out there; it seems that working with linen yarn frustrates a lot who try it out because of its lack of elasticity and stiffness and its tendency to do "its own thing" and not be as forgiving as, for example, wool is. I'll admit that making perfectly even stitches with linen yarn might not be the easiest, but that doesn't bother me in the least because I find that it doesn't take away from the finished look of an item made with linen; in fact, I think it actually enhances it by giving it more of a natural look which matches the natural look and feel of the fiber itself. Because I'm becoming so enamoured with linen yarn, I've even started trimming pillowcases I originally trimmed with cotton with linen yarn to give them a new look, just like the blue and violet one on top in the photo below...

 

 

I loved the color of the linen yarn which I paired with this pillowcase so much so, that when I spotted it at a yarn shop, I bought the yarn without knowing what I would use it for. (I bet you've never done that before, right?!) It's in an absolutely stunning shade of what I would call a smoky lavender, and I was thrilled when I first tried it against the blue-violet pillowcase... In my mind, it's definitely a keeper...

 

 

The effect of this yummy blue, violet and smoky lavender pairing immediately evoked in me lovely images of delphiniums and blueberries in high summer, so naming this pillowcase Blueberry Hill felt just right!

 

 

As you see above and below, I also put together a ditsy floral pillowcase together, also trimmed with linen, but this time in a grey-blue colour; as far as I'm concerned there is always room for more ditsy florals!...

 

 

While I have listed Hint of Spring and Blueberry Hill pillowcases in my Etsy shop here and here, I have yet to do so with the still nameless ditsy floral, something I will probably do in the next little while. I plan on posting next about the cuffed cushion below unless, of course, I get distracted again by pillowcases! Thanks so very much for popping by...

 

 

 

Comments

[Rose]

It is always beautiful, and I would die for the blue and white one...
Well, I love the mix you can make with all the pillows.
Rose

[Angela-Southern USA]

I too think the linen adds something extra in the design. Just LOVE the blue one! Happy (so to be) spring!

[Ana]

I LOVE the linen trim, its organic shape and the fact that it will soften more and more with every wash makes it even more sppealing.

[mrs robinson]

Hello... I can confirm that the linen works oh so beautifully with these ditsy florals-my gorgeous pillowcase arrived safely in the post. Thank you so. It is pretty, and springlike and just dreamy!

[Amber]

I love your cases! The crocheted edging gives it such a lovely look!

[Sharon]

I'm one who doesn't like the look on the linen trim for the pillowcases. The look is too loose & floppy. I know each person has their favorite look

Now, I loooove the pillowcase material.
I did order & rec'd a set of pillowcase several years ago when you used the cotton with linen.

I love the cases and they have held up very well.
Sharon

[Beata]

So happy you're pleased with the pillowcases you ordered, Sharon!

Beata

[Beata]

...and thanks to all of you for all your lovely comments!

Beata xo

[Colleen Sharpe]

I just LOVE your pillowcases now and previously!