COVER Crochet a cushion

This striking cushion cover is made from an oversized granny square. Solid coloured yarn will make a great striped effect, but try working in variegated yarns for a more unusual finish

MATERIALS

Rowan Handknit Cotton DK (light worsted) weight yarn: 2 x 50g balls each of shades: Flamingo 368 (A) Gooseberry 219 (C) Bleached 263 (D)

5 x 50g balls of shade Slate 347 (B)

4.5mm (US size 7) hook 66cm (26in) square cushion pad

Yarn needle

MEASUREMENTS Finished cushion is 66cm (26in) square

TENSION

First 3 rounds measure 9cm (3½in) square.

ABBREVIATIONS

Ch – chain; ch sp – chain space; dc – double crochet; foll – following; patt – pattern; rep – repeat; sl-st – slip stitch; tr – treble;

WS – wrong side

FOR THE CUSHION

Using a 4.5mm (US size 7) hook and yarn A, make a magic ring.

Round 1: Ch3 (counts as 1tr), 2tr into the ring, *ch2, 3tr into the ring; rep from * twice more, ch2, join with a sl st in 3rd of 3-ch.

Round 2: Ch4 (counts as 1tr and ch1), *(3tr, ch2, 3tr) in next 2-ch sp, ch1; rep from * twice more, (3tr, ch2, 2tr) in last 2-ch sp, join with a sl st in 3rd of 4-ch.

Round 3: Ch3 (counts as 1tr), 2tr in first 1-ch sp, *ch1, (3tr, ch2, 3tr) in next 2-ch sp, ch1, 3tr in next 1-ch sp; rep from * twice more, ch1, (3tr, ch2, 3tr) in last 2-ch sp, ch1, join with a sl st in 3rd of 3-ch.

Round 4: Join in yarn B, ch4 (counts as 1tr and ch1), 3tr in next 1-ch sp, *ch1, (3tr, ch2, 3tr) in next 2-ch sp, ch1, 3tr in next 1-ch sp, ch1, 3tr in next 1-ch sp; rep from * twice more, ch1, (3tr, ch2, 3tr) in next 2-ch sp, ch1, 2tr in last 1-ch sp, join with a sl st in 3rd of 4-ch.

Cont in patt as set, working 3tr in each 1-ch sp and (3tr, 2ch, 3tr) in each 2-ch sp, using foll colour sequence: Yarn B for 1 round.

Yarn C for 1 round.

Yarn B for 2 rounds.

Yarn D for 1 round.

Yarn B for 2 rounds.

Yarn A for 1 round.

Yarn B for 2 rounds. Yarn C for 1 round. Yarn B for 2 rounds. Yarn D for 1 round. Yarn B for 2 rounds. Yarn A for 2 rounds. Yarn B for 2 rounds. Yarn C for 2 rounds. Yarn B for 2 rounds. Yarn D for 2 rounds. Yarn B for 1 round. Yarn A for 1 round. Fasten off.

MAKING UP

AND FINISHING

Weave in all ends and block as desired to neaten. Place the granny square WS up and position the cushion pad in the centre, with the straight edges facing towards the points of the square. Fold the points of the granny square in towards the centre of the cushion pad and crochet the four seams together using yarn A, working 1dc in each tr and ch sp.

Fasten off and weave in any ends.

Securing the cover when the bulky cushion is inside is a little awkward, so try folding and seaming one side before slipping the cushion pad inside and finishing