Pineapple stitch chair covers

This set of chair covers is made from reclaimed wool, which probably spent decades in someone’s attic. The quality was still great, although it had started fraying a little by the time I got my hands on it. Fortunately the finished product is not in a place, where it can easily wear.

I was asked by my good friend to think of something to cover tops of her kitchen chairs, because they would damage the wall in her new flat. I thought up a simple pattern, my inspiration being the “Handbook of Crochet Stitches” by Betty Barnden, I highly recommend this book to anyone, and will post a little review of it soon.

The four covers are secured on the chair by press studs. My initial idea was attaching big wooden toggles to decorate, but decided against it, to give the covers a slightly more modern look. Toggles would look great, however, I was instantly reminded of a a 50’s decor when I tried to research attaching methods.

In the end this project emerged. I am thinking I should write up a pattern for it, but to be honest, it’s so simple, I think even the very beginners can work it out. Have a look!

Incredible Idea

Hello everyone. Today I would like to write a little about my mission, which is to promote ecology and recycling with arts and crafts.

As some of you know,  especially those who wandered here from my Facebook Page, Incredible Hooks is an up-cycling project which evolved from a casual hobby of mine. I treated crocheting as a pass time activity for a while, something to keep my hands busy. Then it became more than that, as various friends, family, and even strangers made me believe this could be a business.

So how did this idea of up-cycling came to be? Well, I have been crocheting for two years now. Since I started making things and posting pictures of them online, I found many people get in touch with me offering supplies which clutter their apartments. This constituted all sorts of things, yarn, old hooks and knitting needles, buttons, beads, and other miscellaneous haberdashery. It turns out many attics are full of things like that, either left behind by relatives, or just leftover from projects, and all this wealth is just sitting there, never used, waiting to be claimed!

I came up with my other primary source of materials – second hand shops – while rummaging through my wardrobe in search of things to throw away. I came across an old sweater I used to enjoy wearing, but which now had a great rip on the shoulder.
I knew this sweater was made by someone, and their effort would only go to waste, if I chuck the thing away, so I carefully pulled the wool and used it to make a hat and gloves. This way the sweater with nylon fibres in it doesn’t pollute the environment now in some landfill, instead it is enjoyed by someone wearing the new set I made. I realised
there are many such items in charity shops and second hand shops, clothes which look unprepossessing, but are made of quality yarn with plenty of life still in it. These things will often end up in the trash. If I rescue them, however, I will not only keep that from happening, I would also contribute to a charity which sells them.

I quickly made it a priority to avoid new wool or yarn, while still making great quality items. I take care to wash all wool before using it, especially in the case of the charity shop items. I find, that using reclaimed wool has many advantages over new, for example it guarantees a better understanding of its durability, because it was already being used and washed before. It’s also great fun to look at things and imagine what they could be.

Using recycled materials for me is good fun and an exercise in creativity. When I go to a charity shop, I no longer see things, I see possibilities. I enjoy making someone’s old clutter become something new, as they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!

Below you can see the things I made from recycled materials. I wonder if you could tell, if I didn’t mention it?

Leave me a comment about what you think!