Las Vegas Sign Pillow, Giant Crochet Pillow

This is the project I am proudest of to date. I spent nearly a year working on this on and off. The completed piece was over 2 feet tall by 2 feet wide. Made up of over 30 individual pieces (front and back main piece, front and back of "welcome" circles, individual letters) it took countless hours to make and finally arrange. 

It's far from perfect, with my biggest concern the cursive "fabulous" but it's by far the biggest, most intricate piece I've ever executed and I'm proud of the results.

There was so much ripping out and reworking throughout this project that it was impossible to write a pattern as I went. I will write a full pattern one day, possibly for a smaller version. But the best explanation I can give on how I made this is as follows:

All done in 4ply sport. I believe I used a 5mm hook or close to that.

Main pieces:

I began with the white main piece. I made a hdc squares but made two opposing ends longer and rounded with extra stitches and no chain 1 in the corner. When it was the desird size I switched to white did about 3-4 rows like normal. The final row I added the lights. 4 hdc then skip 2, 8 hdc in next, skip 2 repeat around for the lights. Make two

Letters:

Came from a free pattern that I did not make. You can find that pattern here https://www.mooglyblog.com/the-moogly-crochet-alphabet/

Cursive:

I did this part last. I made a double strand chain and placed it how I wanted it and then sewed it into place

Welcome circles:

Chain 2, 8 hdc in first. Increase next row all around. I made the circles big enough to fit the letters 

Put everything together before you start the siding. Once the front and back are complete then you ready to start putting all the pieces together.

Siding:

Chain in yellow length should be desired width of pillow. Hdc across like normal. You will make a piece that's like a yellow and white striped scarf, with the stripes lining up with the lights or white circles. Attach with HDC and work up this piece as you're attaching it to make sure the colors line up to the front and back.  You will switch to white two times and back again to yellow. Start attachment in the bottom. Be very careful to line up everything correctly.

Stuff and then sew up the bottom.