Hi everybody! Happy January! I've been absent lately, but was recently snowed in for a week so I've got a lot to share, starting with this squishy knot pillow.
Like everyone these days, I'm on Pinterest. Except I got an account mid-2010 when it wasn't all crock pot recipes and bunting (crock pot recipes & bunting have their fans, they just aren't me). I could rant much longer, but will refrain. Anyway, not too long ago I came upon this gem:
 |
| design-milk via pinterest |
The link says it's from Design Milk, but I can't for the life of me get it to work! I can't get onto Design Milk in general! If I were more tech savvy, I might have looked into the problem more but thought I could give it a go just from this photo. (And also put together a short how-to.)
EDIT: I've removed the how-to photos out of respect for the artist Ragnheiður Ösp who created the amazing original pillow, and sells them here. She makes other super cool variations as well! If I was aware that she sold them, I would have certainly waited for another post to do my first tutorial. Undermining someone's creative pursuits has never been the intention of this little blog and I do not take it lightly!
I already had the fabric needed, scraps from a local clothing company called Texture that sells/gives away the extra fabric after cutting that most companies would just toss. They also sell their organic/sustainable clothing and yardage online. I LOVE these fabrics! I also love that they helped make this project quite cost effective and mostly recycled!
Before I tied the pillow together, I tried the pieces on around my neck and felt a little like this lady for a minute.
Here is the knot I followed, the Celtic Knot. There are all sorts of other knots to try with all sorts of mediums, so get creative!
wow! you did a wonderful job. looks like a ton of work!
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome! thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteDamn, that it clever! It would make a grear gift too. Well done for conquering the cushion without a pattern!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the instructions. This sounds so much easier than it looks, that I am actually going to try!
ReplyDeleteThanks, everybody! So glad you like it! I know the "tutorial" is a little sparse, so if anyone runs into trouble feel free to ask anything. :)
ReplyDeleteway to get creative, girl! and...thanks so much for linking to texture! give me some warning next time and we can give you + your readers a coupon code!
ReplyDeletet.
Will do! Thanks for stopping by. :)
DeleteThis is AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteCan you tell me what kind of fabric that is? It looks like a knit...I'm just wondering about the weight, etc. I love the pillow! I want to make one. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, so glad you want to make one! It's such a fun project.
DeleteThe fabric I used is a medium weight knit, hemp & organic cotton blend.
(sold here, in another colour: http://store.textureclothing.com/7002dr.html )
I would recommend any knit that is not too thin and does not contain extra stretch in its fiber content (eg. lyrca, spandex). Both of those factors may contribute to lumpiness!
Here is the link to the Design Milk knot pillow. http://design-milk.com/not-knot-pillows/
ReplyDeletecool.. i have to try this. Thanks for the sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome! I miss being crafty :(
ReplyDeleteSo cool, thanks for sharing! Yours looks way more squishy and fun than the original, now I want one of these.
ReplyDeleteHi Emily, my name is Ragnheidur and I am the designer and creator of the Notknot pillows. I just sent you a message on Facebook, please get back to me.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Ragn
boooo... so sad i did not get to make this before it was removed. i was going to buy fabric today :( $130 for a pillow is just way to steep for me. i may have to try and figure it out on my own.
ReplyDeleteMe too .. though I think you make a tube, stuff it and then knot it?? Is that correct? 8)
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty much it. :) Happy making!
Deleteexactly what i was thinking. thanks.
DeleteHow long was the tube before you knotted it up?
ReplyDeletebetween 100"-120" each (2) should be great. you may have to clip some off after tightening the knot.
DeleteI'm confused. How many tubes do you need? Thanks for clarifying!
Deleteno problem- two tubes, knotted simultaneously.
DeleteHow wide was the fabric before you sewed it into a tube?
ReplyDeleteI would recommend that it be about 6 inches wide - no need to add in a seam allowance as long as it's small (1/4"). happy making!
DeleteHi, love this and am looking for a bit more info as I am new to sewing. How many yards of fabric did you begin with?
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa- I just made mine out of scraps, but I just crunched the numbers, and one yard of 60" fabric should be sufficient!
DeleteHi, I have a couple of questions. Why do I need the two tubes? Do I knot them side by side? Once I've knotted it do I need to sew the ends of the tubes to the pillow so it doesn't come undone? Thanks in advance!
ReplyDeleteYep, you've got it right- you knot them side by side and then attach each to itself at the ends, making a continuous knot.
DeleteThanks! Can't wait to finish it!
DeleteHow long did you make it before you started knotting it? This is so cool!
ReplyDeleteHey thanks! You need to make two tubes between 100"-120". You can clip of any extra ends after tightening the knot.
DeleteThis is fantastic! I've actually begun constructing my own, but I'm having a really difficult time stuffing the long tubes. Any tips? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis was an awesome project! I finished mine this afternoon and am looking forward to doing it again with different fabric! Thanks so much for the great idea!
ReplyDeleteAny advice on how to stuff the long tubes?
DeleteI just found this but I am hopeless without a tutorial. I know you have to give credit, but I still wish your tutorial was up. I am sure it was great.
ReplyDeleteI too just found this and really wished I had found it when the tutorial was up. Looks like a simple project that I could do with my new sewing machine. I agree, $160 is ridiculous for a pillow. Beautiful but not worth that. Wish it was a reasonable price because I'd buy one.
DeleteJust a little perspective from the designers point of view. I've been designing for the past 10 years. I've spent tens of thousands of dollars on design education to finish both my Masters and Bachelors degree in fine arts.
DeleteTo make these I need to buy the material and service, I need to buy the filling, I spend most of my day filling these (which takes a while), tying them and sewing. There are labels to be paid, taxes and then of course the shops share.
Taking in to consideration my background, my time and costs and my dedication to my design, I do not think the price is "ridiculous".
I do not make a living from my design, I have a %50 job on the side even though I spent all this time and money on education.
I don't want to sound whiny, but frankly I'm sick and tired of seeing comments like these and people copying designers ideas and thought I should tell the other side of the story.
Did the seams show in the length of your tubes? I assume that since you need 100" of tube, it isn't one huge long continuous piece of material folded then stitched and turned right way out, but "scraps" like you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteRagnheidur, you might take comfort in the fact that your clients are going to be higher end folks with money. There's no way anyone who is trying to make these is going to buy them, so you aren't losing any money. I do understand the frustration, as an artist myself, but it's something to consider . . . there is no money lost from those who feel the price is too high. They never would have purchased.
ReplyDeleteYes but there still is the greater possibility of people getting the idea to make them to sell.
DeleteAlso, as an artist AND a crafty person, I've got a lot of friends with more money than me, and less patience than me. If I made your super cool knot pillow, I would have three or four friends ask me where they could get one. Since you are credited here, I would know exactly where to direct them. So if it's any consolation, while I agree with Mommy Brunch Tales about people who feel the price is too high not being lost sales, the corollary is that it's also free advertising for you. Yay, right?
DeleteReally love this pillow and this site!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Ilaria! I try to have fun here.
DeleteHey I love this. Do you happen to sell them? I'd love to buy one from you. I dont have the patience to make it myself :)
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica, I don't sell them but the similar pillow in the second photo is for sale at this link:
Deletewww.birkiland.com/en/categories/design/cushions-/-blankets/not-knot-turks-head
You're right - it does take a lot of patience to make one of your own, which makes the cash you'd spend totally worth it to pay for the labor alone!
There's a pillow in this picture? All I see is RUFUS! <3 him!
ReplyDeleteYES. I love him too! I was so bummed that my poster got messed up, but that didn't stop me from putting it up again! :)
DeleteBravo Emily and Ragnheidur.. I admire you both
ReplyDeleteThe pillows are now for sale here: http://reykjavikcornerstore.com/notknot-pillows, the other web store has closed. This one ships internationally.
ReplyDeleteThey will soon be for sale in selected shops in the States.
Where can I find the tutorial?
ReplyDeleteschnoolone.blogspot.ca
There are a few tips in this comment section, but the tutorial was removed some time ago.
DeleteSo funny...
ReplyDeleteI have that bedspread...
And that is my wall color!
So awesome! I like your style. :)
Deletewhat kind of fabric is used to make this?
ReplyDeleteHere's a link to the exact fabric I used !
Delete