sashiko throw pillow

Inspired by this post on The Purl Bee earlier this year, I decided to try my hand at sashiko (Japanese embroidery). I purchased my supplies (sashiko kit, needles, cotton thread, and leather thimble) from KimonoMomo on Etsy and got started stitching. I did most of the stitching during our trip to Seattle last March---including while on the plane---and I turned the finished piece into a pillow a few weeks ago.

The lovely graphic patterns used in sashiko are my favorite part, and I've used them in the past---like on this cross-stitch travel mug---without even realizing it.