You've done Moss Coasters, you've done Moss Rugs, now it's time for our brand new Moss Cushions!!

The Sweet Dreaming Cushion is the perfect place to rest your head, and it's hand created by YOU.

1. Understanding how to put your cushion together

If you've already made one of our moss coasters or rugs before, you'll probably find it quite easy to understand the different techniques used in this rug. But if you're new it might seem like a lot of information - but don't fret! 

Each technique used on this cushion is quite simple. So don't feel nervous about the large surface area, we promise that once you get into the swing of the project, you'll find it easy.

Sections of your cushion:

When working on this project, it's best to think of your cushion in 3x different sections.

a) Base stitches

The satin stitch will form the base of your cushion and includes the two different green shades of woven feather yarn that you can see in the image above. A lot of the space on your cushion will be covered with this satin stitching, because its quick to create and it makes for a nice flat surface. It's also great 'filler' for in between your textural sections.

b) Textured stitches

The textural sections of your cushion include a range of techniques that will create interesting features that draw the eye! This includes our anchoring stitch with popcorn yarn, looped stitch with chenille yarn and latch hooked milk yarn and mohair yarn. These are detailed in different colours on your printed pattern.

c) Decorative elements

Finally we have our decorative details! These sections include anything that can be 'added on' at the end to create extra visual interest and texture. Because they can be added on top of your base and textured sections, you don't need to think about these until you're close to finishing your cushion.

2. The techniques used for your cushion

Below you'll find two images showing the techniques you'll find in your Sweet Dreaming cushion; an image version and a diagram version. Both label the different techniques you'll need to fill up your cushion, but I find that different visuals work for different people - so refer to whichever you find most useful!

Techniques Used

1. Satin stitch - Feather Yarn (printed in white)
2. Anchoring stitch - Popcorn Yarn (printed in blue)
3. Looped Stitch - Chenille Yarn (printed in green)
4. Latch Hook - Milk Yarn and Mohair Yarn (printed in grey)
5. Embroidered Flowers - Milk Yarn (not printed on the pattern, but placed on the satin stitch)

3. Choosing your yarn for each section

Now that you're familiar with how each technique looks on your rug, its time to lay out all your materials and choose which colours you would like to use on your cushion sections!

See which colours you're most drawn to and play around with the placement on your own cushion. Use your intuition and creativity to place your favourite colours wherever you think looks best!

Don't put too much pressure on yourself at this stage. Go with the colours that feel right, but remember you can always change them later as you progress in your cushion. 

If you're ever unsure, just follow our guide above to recreate our exact cushion design. We promise it will look great!

4. Stitching Base Stitches

Now it's time to get stitching! We recommend starting with some of your satin stitched feather yarn sections first. Choose between your light green and medium green feather yarn, using your plastic weaving needle to stitch them onto the canvas. If you're not sure where to start, work your satin stitching into a corner or edge section. This will help you get comfortable with stitching onto a large canvas.

TIP: You can stitch this project in any order you like! Feel free to start with any of the textured stitches that we have mentioned below and add the base stitches later. The only reason we recommend starting with the feather yarn is because its easier to stitch first and fill in the gaps with textures. But follow your heart if you'd rather start somewhere else!

Feather Yarn Satin Stitch Tutorial:

5. Stitching Textured Stitches

Now it's time to move on to the fun parts! Adding all those scrumptious textures to your cushion. 

Anchoring Stitch with Popcorn Yarn Tutorial

For your anchoring stitch you'll be using two different colours of popcorn yarn: variegated green yarn, and variegated pink yarn. Follow the video below to see how you'll cut your yarn into smaller pieces and attach them onto the canvas. You'll need your latch hook tool for this technique.

Looped Stitch with Chenille Yarn Tutorial

For these loops you'll be using two colours of chunky chenille yarn, your medium green and medium pink. You'll be using a latch-hook tool to add these to your canvas.

Watch the video below to learn how to stitch your looped stitch.

Latch Hooking with Milk Yarn Tutorial

Finally its time to latch hook your using a range of grass green, light pink, and medium pink milk yarn and bright pink mohair yarn.

For this technique you'll be cutting your yarn into shorter pieces. The length will depend on the look you would like to achieve. You can cut them from as short as 5cm (2 inches), to as long as 15cm (6 inches). The longer the yarn, the more shaggy and textural it will look.

Cutting Your Yarn: For our cushion we've used lengths that are around 10cm long (4 inches). To cut these lengths in bulk, you'll want to cut out a piece of cardboard that is half the length you would like your pieces to be. To recreate our length of milk and mohair yarn, cut out a piece of cardboard that is 5cm across (2 inches) and wrap your yarn around the width again and again. When you've built up a big wrapped bundle, take your scissors and cut down one side of the cardboard - this will cut all of your yarn into pieces that are approximately 10cms each! 

Half-Half Yarn Colours: If you would like to blend your yarn, you can create pre-cut lengths using multiple colours. Simply use the same process as above, but instead wrap two or more colours of yarn around your cardboard rectangle.

Yarn Strands: You can use multiple strands of thread when creating your latch-hooked knots. I recommend using between 1-2x strands for milk yarn and 4-5x strands for mohair yarn. The more strands of yarn you use, the denser your latch hooked areas will be.

Technique 1:

When using 2x pieces of yarn, sometimes the below technique can be easier as it stops the second piece of yarn from escaping. Use your wooden latch-hook if you're working with longer strands of yarn.

Technique 2:

You may find it easier to use our traditional technique to latch-hook these sections. Depending on your style, you may find this easier even with 2x strands of yarn. Everyone is different, so just give both a go and find what you prefer!

6. Stitching Decorative Elements

Once the surface area of your cushion is covered, its time to add the finishing details! In this Sweet Dreaming Kit, we use embroidered flowers.

Embroidered Flowers Video Tutorial

If you're recreating our design, the first decorative technique you'll want to use is embroidered flowers, using your light pink and white milk yarn. 

Use the video tutorial below to create small flowers dotted across the feather yarn sections of your cushion. For our design, we've done a few flowers, but you can add as many, or as little, as you would like!

BONUS Feather Yarn Embroidery Tutorial:

An alternative embroidered technique is to use feather yarn instead of milk yarn to create subtle contrasting details on your grassy sections. You can watch the video below to learn this technique.

Because our cushions kits are pre-sewn, now you're done! Congratulations on finishing your mossy creation. We hope you've enjoyed the journey!

Thank you!

All of these tutorials are personally written and filmed by me - Nakisah - the founder of Craft Club. I always love hearing from customers (whether you loved your experience, or there was something you'd like to give feedback on) so please come say hi at hello@craftclubco.com or send us a DM over on Instagram @craft.club.co.

I'm always working on ways to improve our kits so that they are as easy as possible for our incredible customers! So all feedback is welcome (but please be nice haha).

Nakisah x