I love the way knit + crochet textiles can really bring a sense of cozy luxury to a living space, but you’ll find many ideas on the internet that don’t seem to be in sync with what I would call reality.  So I thought I'd gather up my own collection for you in case you are looking for a unique, realistic way to add something new to your space to get you through the rest of these cold bitter days.

Throw pillows

They are everyone's go-to when updating a room or changing the color scheme, and they are probably the easiest thing to whip up if you are crafty or find some lovely ones already made up on Etsy. I love versatility in home decorating and the ease that throw pillows can move around the home can’t be beat. Toss them on your couch one week, on your bed the next, or get creative by using them as a chair cushion or window seat.

Throw pillows are also the first things I ever made for my first apartment, from yarn and pillows I already had.  After all those years, I finally ripped them out and reused the yarn for other projects and crocheted these new chunky pillow covers!

Handmade knit or crochet throw pillow covers make a great, durable, (and washable, depending on your yarn) accent piece that can easily be recycled (ripped out and reused) into something new! This is one of my favorite aspects of decorating with handmade items.

Baskets

Baskets are another great, easy + FUN way to upgrade a room.  They bring in that rustic, cozy warmth to your space while also bringing in function + storage (my two favorite things when decorating).

Toss these on a table or counter by any entry to hold keys, coins and other pocket contents; on an end table to hold coasters or corral remotes; on a dressing table to hold jewelry, cufflinks or even your make-up; even in a powder room (I wouldn’t keep them in a bathroom that gets humid for too long) to be a cute toilet paper holder.

I make these to order in my shop or if you’re crafty, you can grab the digital pattern here. For my friends like me who dread all the scouring that comes with sorting supplies, I’ve done all the leg work for you with this all-inclusive kit which also happen to make a great gift for that crafty someone in your life.

Coasters 

Bright pops of color are always being attributed to updating a home but rarely do you ever hear designers talk about coasters.  Why not?  They are small + easily traded out seasonally not to mention everyone has a favorite just like their mug preference (or am I the only one that picks her mugs based on her mood for the day?). When made out of cotton, these are another great washable piece you can add to your home without worrying about their survival.

These coasters also make one of the best first projects for anyone starting to crochet.

Throw blankets / Afghans

Blankets are my favorite ongoing projects to keep next to the couch for cold winter days.  Not only do they add warmth and cozy feelings as soon as you toss one on a piece of furniture, they are so comforting to snuggle under one.

After bedtime I love snuggling up with my husband and we watch something on Hulu or Netflix while I crochet mindlessly and keep my lap warm at the same time.  If I finish a blanket, it is gifted to a new baby or packaged up for Christmas or a Housewarming gift. Then I crochet 270 chain stitches for the next one.

I also tried those Arm Knit Blankets that were highly popular on Pinterest a while back and I have to say that, even though they were super fun to make, the traditional blankets with their beautiful stitches have my heart.

Rugs

While these are probably one of the harder projects to tackle, I absolutely adore my neighbor's crocheted rag rugs + chair cushions.  I've heard of rag rugs before - weaving the strips on a loom or braiding and sewing the rope together - but I had never seen them crocheted before!

Rugs are such a great way to add warmth to your floors and keep your feet warm. Add them to your entryways to keep wet, mud, snow, and salt, from tracking into your home. Add them to your living room and bedroom for a cozier, warmer retreat and to your kitchen to keep your toes warm while you cook.

What do you make or purchase to freshen up your home for the rest of the winter season?

Please let me know in the comments below and Pin the image above to bookmark this post if you found this helpful. I look forward to seeing you on the next post!

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