How To: Make a Knitted Pouf

I am totally going to make one of these.

Go here for step-by-step instructions. If you can knit and purl, it actually looks incredibly easy. And even though it requires 18 skeins of super-fat yarn plus stuffing, it'll still cost a heck of a lot less than the $800-$1,600 Flocks Poufs at DWR.

There's a smaller version, too.

(From Norway's Pickles blog -- don't worry, the instructions are in English -- via Tikoli's Twitter, via Craft, via CasaSugar.)

Cool Stuff: Blossom Creations

Fresh and pretty papergoods and textiles from Australia's eco-minded Blossom Creations. The paper is 100-percent recycled and printed with soy-based inks, while the linens are made with hemp, organic cotton, and non-toxic dyes. Clockwise from top left: Fig Napkins, two for $60 AUD (about $47 U.S.); Sprig Kitchen Towel, $40 AUD ($31 U.S.); Fig Notebook, $8 AUD ($6 U.S.); Branch Cushion Cover, $40 AUD ($31 U.S.); Gingko Apron, $20 AUD ($16 U.S.)

Sigh -- I want it all.

If you sew, Blossom Creations also sells lovely hand-screenprinted hemp fabric by the yard.

See all of the company's eco-chic offerings right here.

Bonus Deal of the Day: Deep Discounts at Henry Road

The deals are hot-and-heavy this week: L.A.-based Henry Road is having a blowout sale to celebrate its brick-and-mortar store's first anniversary as well as Mother's Day.

Every item in textile designer Paula Smail's online shop -- table linens, pillows, bags, fabric yardage, lampshades, and even exuberantly reupholstered vintage furniture -- is a whopping 40 percent off until Sunday.

See all of Henry Road's cheerful wares right here. To get the discount, enter coupon code SALE at checkout between now and May 10.

Etsy Find of the Day: Inklore

I'm a total a sucker for nubby, natural linen -- and for graphic, botanical prints. Both of them together? Forget about it.

So I was destined to fall hard for the hand-blockprinted pillows, table linens, and other household accents from Etsy seller Inklore (aka Northern California artist and textile designer Sam Hirst).

My faves:

Linen Bucket, $30

Set of Four Linen Napkins

Branches Linen Pillow Slip, $38

Yarrow Tea Towel, $12

Branches Tea Cosie, $35

Linen Table Runner, $55

Yarn Keep, $30

Quatrefoil Pillow Slip, $38

See all of Inklore's Etsy offerings right here -- and check out more of her beautiful designs here.

Cool Stuff: Ink & Spindle Fabric Packs

I'm stockpiling fabric at a ridiculous rate, but despite my endless good intentions, no cushion covers have been sewn. Still, I'm mighty tempted to snap up a couple of these yummy mixed-fabric packs from Melbourne, Australia's Ink & Spindle (aka the studio of textile designers Bianca van Meeuwen, Lara Cameron, and Tegan Rose).

Each of the packs comes with three cotton-linen, eco-screenprinted pieces measuring about 17.5-by-17.5 inches -- perfect for a trio of mix-and-match cushion fronts, don't you think? Above: Hollabee #2

Hollabee #5

Hollabee #8

Hollabee #10

Hollabee #12

Hollabee #14

Hollabee #15

The mix packs are $34 Australian (about $24 U.S.) each right here.

(If you have bigger sewing projects in mind, Ink & Spindle also sells an array of absolutely gorgeous handprinted fabrics by the meter. Check 'em out here. And if sewing isn't your thing, the studio sells cushions made with its fabrics here.)

Etsy Find of the Day: Skinny Laminx Sevilla Rock Fabric

Yummy new yardage for those spring and summer sewing projects from Cape Town's Heather Moore (aka Etsy seller Skinny Laminx). Above: Colts in Goldenrod

Colt Circles in Sand and Seafoam

Herds in Red and Grey

Mongoose in Khaki and Sable

Duikers in Aloe Red and Green

Each of the wonderfully nubby, 100-percent cotton, vegetable-ink-printed fabrics -- inspired by the ancient cave drawings near Moore's South African home -- is $14 per quarter-meter, $27 per half-meter, or $50 per meter right here.

Check out more of Skinny Laminx's gorgeous textile designs here.

Deal of the Day: Discounts on John Robshaw

Have you heard about One Kings Lane? It's a members-only luxury shopping site that hosts 72-hour sales featuring 50 to 70 percent off on some of the world's leading home decor brands.

Today's super steals include deep, deep discounts on colorful, bohemian pillows and luxe table linens from legendary textiles designer John Robshaw.

My picks, clockwise from top left: Alwar Pillow, $69 (marked down from $215); Ruby Bolster Alwar Pillow, $139 (down from $400); Finch Stitched Bird Pillow, $55 (down from $110); Sage Tablecloth, $35 to $110; Holly Napkins, $29 for four (down from $90); Silver Jewel Runner, $49 (down from $119); and Parakeet Birds of India Pillow, $75 (down from $162)

The John Robshaw sale event at One Kings Lane lasts until 11 a.m. EST on Friday, April 17. (Don't dawdle if you see something you like, as stock is limited.) You can sign up for free entry here.

Cool Stuff: Dan Golden Pillows and New Rugs

I got an email from Dan Golden a couple minutes ago letting me know that he's just about to launch a line of pillows based on his hilarious rug collection. (The "Morphine" design is so mine.)

The hand-embroidered, velvet-backed pillows measure a generous 22 by 22 inches and come with a feather insert. They're priced at about $175 each -- not cheap by any stretch, but owning one of these would make me smile every time I looked at it, and that's worth a lot. They'll be available for order starting next week at Eccola in Los Angeles and directly from the designer.

Golden is also rolling out a witty new rug collection next week. Called "The Meds," it's based on imagery from popular prescription medications woven into beautiful abstract patterns. Each design is named for what the pills do: Rise (Viagra), Calm (Paxil), Grow (Propecia), and so on.

The busy designer has a couple of other exciting new projects in the works, too, so stay tuned for news on those.

Thanks, Dan!

Cool Stuff: Not Mass Produced

Not Mass Produced is a curated British and European artisans' marketplace -- not unlike the U.S.-based Supermarket or the Shiny Squirrel -- that gives its members a showcase for their handmade wares, and allows us to purchase unique items directly from the talented men and women who make them.

Some of my favorites:

Marine Court Textile Design on Canvas (top), £20 (about $28), and Park Life (above), £95 ($135), both by Gillian Bates

Nest of People Bowls, £105 ($149) per set from Alice Mara

Forest Cushion Corsage, £30 ($43) from A Alicia Accessories

Dimpled Cups and Pouring Bowl, £15 ($21) each from Linda Bloomfield

Flying Birdie Cushion, £22 ($31) from Liz Padgham-Major

White Ceramic Beaker, £12 ($17) from Lauren Denney

Cafetiere Cover, £35 ($50) from Jane Withers

Illustrated Framed Piece, £206 ($292), from Emma Cowell Paperworks

Browse the entire Not Mass Produced marketplace right here.

(Via Designers' Block.)

Cool Stuff: LAMA Pillows and Throws on Sale

Good news: From now until March 19, every pillow and throw at the Oakland, California-based LAMA Designs (Latin America in the Modern Age) is 35 percent off.

My faves have got to be artist Tanya Aguiñiga's handmade felt "Animales" series (top), on sale for $78 apiece, and the graphic Caballito Pillow (above) from Argentina's Fauna Perez, on sale for $32.50.

Though these weatherproof Mexican oilcloth pillows (the medium size in yellow is on sale for just $17) are mighty tempting, too.

While you're there, be sure to check out a few other LAMA goodies:

Pop Flower Serving Tray, $70

Blue Guatemalan Hammock, on sale for $57

Knitted Cardón Cactus, $24

Teapot With a Cold, $120

Tiny Fruit Pot With Spoon, $24

Toile Laptop Case, $32

Owlino Tote, $60

Credit Card/Business Card Case, $11

Calco Cortina Paper, $9 per sheet

Corazon Love Birds Card, $3.50

Mariana Bandin Dolls and Softies, $38 to $40 each

See all of LAMA's Latin-flavored modern wares right here.