GEOMETRIC CUSHION

Lose yourself in the geometric perfection of this naughts and crosses design by Ilaria Caliri

Lots of little blocks in this cushion create a deceptively easy design – minimum effort for maximum effect. Definitely one for the crochet to-do list!

NOTES

Cushion Cover is made up of two panels, which are joined together at the end. Each panel is worked in a corner to corner construction (c2c), working blocks diagonally across each row. Each ‘block’ is made up of a ch3 and 3tr and each ‘row’ is worked diagonally, starting with 1 block in the bottom right corner, increasing to 2 blocks in the next row, 3 blocks in the next row, and so on. Once you have worked 41 blocks in one row you will then begin decreasing by 1 c2c block each row. For the increasing rows, change colour on the final yrh of st before the colour change is indicated. For the decreasing rows, change colour on the fourth ss of the row where applicable.

You can carry Milk Bottle and Tumeric when not in use across the WS of your work. Be careful not to pull the carried yarns too tightly as this will affect the finish measurements and tension. For Liquorice you need approx 50cm of yarn to make 1 c2c block, so you can make little bobbins to use when the Liquorice colour is required.

For the Front, you will need to refer to the Chart on page 87 for all colour changes. The first few rows have been written out to guide you. You can find more details on this technique at www.gathered.how/knitting-and-crochet/ crochet/how-to-do-corner-to-corner-crochet

CUSHION COVER

FRONT

Using Liquorice, ch6.

Row 1 (RS) Tr in fourth ch from hook and next 2 ch, turn. [1 c2c block]

Row 2 (WS) Ch6 (counts as foundation ch3 and a ch-3 sp throughout), tr in fourth ch from hook and next 2 ch, ss into ch-3 sp from previous row, ch3, 3tr into same ch-sp, turn. [2 c2c blocks] Change to Milk Bottle.

Row 3 Ch6, tr in fourth ch from hook and next 2 ch, (ss into next ch-3 sp from prev row, ch3, 3tr in same sp) in each ch-3 sp across, turn.

[3 c2c blocks]

Continue in pattern set following the Chart on page 87.

Rows 4-41 As Row 3, increasing by 1c2c block each row. [41 c2c blocks at end of Row 41]

Row 42 Ss in final tr from Row 41, ss in next 2 tr, ss into ch-3 sp, *(ch3, 3tr) into same ch-sp, ss into next ch-sp across; rep from * into each ch-sp across to final ch-sp, ss into final ch-sp, turn. [40 c2c blocks c2c blocks]

Rows 43-81 As Row 42.

[1 c2c block at end of Row 81]

Fasten off.

The row that joins the front and back panels together creates its own decorative border

Follow the c2c colourwork chart to achieve this Moroccan tile inspired design

BACK

Work as Front, using Milk Bottle throughout.

BORDER

Place Front and Back together with RS facing out.

With the Front facing you, join Milk Bottle to the beginning of Row 5 (5 blocks before corner).

Round 1 (Working through both panels to join) Ch1, 3dc across side of each c2c block to next corner, (2dc in corner, 3dc across side of each block to next corner) 3 times, 2dc in final corner, 3dc across side of next 3 blocks, working through Front only, 3dc in next 31 blocks, ss to beg dc to join. [500 dc]

Round 2 Ss in each st around, ss to beg ss.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

TO FINISH

Pin the zip into place across the opening of one side and sew into position.