GEO-TREE CUSHION

Thick yarn and a simple chart make this a quick cushion project. By Hannah Cross

■ Scheepjes Cahlista (100% cotton, 50g/85m) 6 balls of Old Lace (130), 1 ball of each: Shocking Pink (114), Tulip (222), Lime (512), Hot Red (115), Vivid Blue (146), Jet Black (110)

■ A 5mm (US H/8) hook

■ Cushion pad, 50x50cm

TENSION

11 sts and 8.5 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over pattern, using 5mm hook

MEASUREMENTS

To fit a cushion pad 50x50cm (20x20in)

ABBREVIATIONS

6-tr cl over 2 sts *yrh, insert hook in first st, yrh and pull a loop through, yrh and pull through first 2 loops only; rep from * twice more in same st then rep from * 3 times in next st (7 loops on hook), yrh and pull through all loops on hook)

For a full list, see page 90

NOTES

Cushion is made in two identical pieces, which are joined together at the end.

Change colour on the final yrh of prev st. Carry unused colours across the WS. There is a Chart on page 92 to refer to throughout. Each small square represents 1 htr; read all RS rows from right to left and WS rows from left to right.

CUSHION

FRONT AND BACK BOTH ALIKE

Using Old Lace and a 5mm hook, ch57.

Row 1 (RS) Htr in second ch from hook, htr in each ch to end, turn. [56 sts]

For Rows 2-43 refer to the Chart for all colour changes.

Rows 2-43 Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), htr in each st to end, turn.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

BORDER FOR EACH PANEL

With RS facing, join Jet Black to top right-hand corner st.

Round 1 (RS) *Ch1, dc in each of 56 sts across top, ch1, dc 43 sts evenly along side; rep from * once more along bottom edge and second side, ch1, ss in first dc to join.

[198 sts, 4 ch-1 sps]

Round 2 Ch1, *dc in each st to ch-1 corner sp, (dc, ch1, dc) in ch-sp; rep from * around, ss to beg dc. [206 sts, 4 ch-1 sps]

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Work Round 3 through sts on Front and Back Panel to join.

Join Hot Red into top right-hand corner sp.

Round 3 (RS) Ch1, *(dc, ch1, dc) in ch-sp, dc in each st to next ch-sp; rep from * around, ss to beg dc, turn. [214 sts, ch1-sps]

Join Vivid Blue into top ight-hand ch-sp.

Round 4 (WS) Ch1, *(dc, ch1, dc) in ch1-sp, (dc in next 2 sts, 6-tr cl over 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts) across to next ch-1 sp, (dc, ch1, dc) in ch-sp, dc in next st, (dc in next st, ch4, skip 3 sts, dc in next st) 9 times, dc in next st; rep from * once more, ss to beg dc to join.

TO FINISH

Weave in all remaining ends. Make 6 tassels 6cm long in each of Lime, Tulip and Shocking Pink. Attach one to each ch-4 sp along sides.