Crochet Van Pillow
What a cool van pillow! I was looking for 70's inspiration on Ravelry back in January 2015 when I stumbled across this free design. I found the Yarn Twins and they had this pattern available. VW Van Pillow Pattern.
I was taken back by the coolness of the look. I had to do one for myself. I used Bernat Super Value for my yarns for this.
Quick Update: March 1, 2015. The designer had to take down the pattern as it was using the Volkswagen Logo. Volkswagen has it now under review and is pending approval before the designer can put it up back up. Remember with any major logos or concepts that involve a registered trademark, you are best to get permission before marketing your item. The designer's message seems hopeful that it will be available again.
I looked the design and there's one thing that I don't do well. Sewing... omg I suck at sewing! I can never get it right and I can literally ruin a project in a matter of minutes with my darning needle. I decided to follow the instruction for most of it and then head off on my own to do elements of the pattern that I am more comfortable with.
I decided to felt up the components to make it a bit more interesting. I examined the current logo and did my components as it said in the pattern. However, I decided to apply a layer of felting over each of the components to give it a more refined look.
Did each of the front and back as per the pattern but I really felt it was missing some minor touches such as trim work. I'm not saying the designer is wrong, I'm just saying I improvised to make it more meaningful for me. Just for the record, my improvisations don't make my revision to be a new pattern for me to take credit for. The designer figured out the math involved with structure and layout of the pillow as a whole. To take credit would be ethically wrong.
For the trim work, I applied single crochet around the windows and some of the obvious trim work that would be seen on the vehicle. I was able to hide colour changes better.
At the end of the day, I kept it simple but nostalgic at the same time.
Amy says
Have you seen something similar to this for other cars? I work for BMW in the corporate office I would love to make some of these for the office modified as BMW and Mini Cooper.
Mikey says
Just try surfing Ravelry. You may find something. I don't recall as I made this pillow years ago.
Amy k says
Have you seen something similar to this for other cars? I work for BMW in the corporate office I would love to make some of these for the office modified as BMW and Mini Cooper.
Delia says
OMG - I love this! Thanks for showing it in progress.
Ann says
No blue button
Mikey says
updated
Dana says
I love using the felting technique for details on crochet items. This is adorable, btw.
Dawn Lockett says
I would love to have this pattern where can I get a copy of it. Thank You Dawn Lockett
Cheryl Estok says
Mikey, you are always so careful to give credit where credit is due. Thank you for that and trying to keep us all on the "straight and narrow" by educating us in regard to the copyright and logo stuff. I'm glad you emphasized that even though you tweaked things to make this pillow yours, that did not entitle you to say the pattern was yours. Love your work and glad I came across The Crochet Crowd when I did!