3D floral cushion
Who could resist this pretty, appliqué cushion adorned with three-dimensional flowers and lush leaves? By Nicola Valiji
3D FLORAL CUSHON
Note All pieces are worked flat on straight knitting needles and seamed using mattress stitch. Cast on using the long tail cast-on method, there’s a great tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=SXA3gBNiSiM.
FRONT AND BACK (BOTH ALIKE)
Cast on 32 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn A. Row 1 (RS) Knit.
Row 2 and all WS rows Purl.
Row 3 K30, w&t.
Row 5 K28, w&t.
Row 7 K26, w&t.
Row 9 K24, w&t.
Row 11 K22, w&t.
Row 13 K20, w&t.
Row 15 K18, w&t.
Row 17 K16, w&t.
Row 19 K14, w&t.
Row 21 K12, w&t.
Row 23 K10, w&t.
Row 25 K8, w&t.
Row 27 K6, w&t.
Row 29 K4, w&t.
Row 31 K2, w&t.
Row 32 Purl.
Rep Rows 1 to 32 seven more times (8 sections in total). Cast off.
LEAVES (MAKE 3)
Cast on 3 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn F.
Row 1 K1, kfb, K1. [4 sts]
Rows 2, 4 and 6 Purl.
Row 3 K1, (kfb) twice, K1. [6 sts]
Row 5 K1, kfb, K2, kfb, K1. [8 sts]
Row 7 K1, kfb, K4, kfb, K1. [10 sts]
Row 8 to 12 Starting on a WS purl row work in st st. Row 13 K1, ssk, K4, k2tog, K1. [8 sts]
Row 14 Purl.
Row 15 K1, ssk, K2, k2tog, K1. [6 sts]
Row 16 Purl.
Cast off.
FLOWER PETALS (MAKE 3)
One in each of Yarns B, C and E.
Cast on 6 sts using 4mm needles.
Row 1 (RS) Cast off 4 sts, sl rem st from RH needle to LH needle. [2 sts]
Row 2 Cast on 4 sts, knit to end. [6 sts]
Rep Rows 1 and 2 a further 21 times.
Next row Knit.
Cast off.
FLOWER CENTRE (MAKE 3)
Cast on 8 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn D.
Row 1 (WS) Purl.
Row 2 Kfb, K6, kfb. [10 sts]
Row 3 to 5 Starting on a WS purl row work in st st.
Row 6 K2tog, K6, k2tog. [8 sts]
Row 7 Purl.
Break yarn leaving a long tail and thread through rem sts. Pull tight to fasten.
EDGING
Cast on 5 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn C. Row 1 (RS) Sl 1, K4.
Row 2 Sl 1, K4.
Row 3 Sl 1, K1, (kfb) 3 times. [8 sts]
Row 4 Cast off 3 sts, knit to end. [5 sts] Rep Rows 1 to 4 a further 69 times.
Cast off.
MAKING UP
With right sides held together, seam the Back and Front together around the edge, leaving a gap large enough to insert the cushion pad. Turn right-side out and insert pad, close the gap using mattress stitch.
Use the long tail of the Flower Centre to gather the row ends and cast-on edge to form a circle, stuff and draw up tightly. Sew a Flower Petal piece around each Flower Centre. Arrange the flowers on the Front of the cushion and sew into place. Attach a Leaf next to each Flower using photo as a guide, adding a small amount of stuffing. Sew the Edging into place around Front/Back seam.
NEXT MONTH
Next issue we’ve enlisted the help of top designer Susan Cowper from Tea Cosy Folk to create a hot air balloon cushion which we’re sure you’ll love! Issue 203 is on sale Thursday 10 September and is available from all good newsagents and supermarkets.