Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
EASY STEPS TO CROCHET MEETS SASHIKO CUSHION
ABBREVIATIONS
ch = chain; ch-sp = chain space; dc = double crochet; FLO = front loops only; ss = slip stitch; RS = right side; WS = wrong side; rep = repeat; st/s =stitch/es
Finished size About 40 x 40cm
Gather your supplies 10ply wool (Aran weight) 50g ball 8 balls in Ivory or similar (Yarn A)
8ply wool 50g balls 1 ball each in Pink (Yarn B), Coral (Yarn C), Citrus Yellow (Yarn D), Aqua (Yarn 3), Dark Blue (Yarn F) and Purple/mauve (Yarn G)
You’ll also need
5mm crochet hook; three 22mm buttons; pins; yarn needle; stitch marker; tapestry needle; 65mm pompom maker; sharp scissors; 40 x 40cm cushion insert
For you to note
• The cushion is made up of 3 crocheted panels, with 1 for the front and
2 for the back.
• Before they’re joined, the panels are embellished with sashiko-inspired embroidery.
• The panels are joined with a dc border around the edges, then 4 pompoms are made and one added to each corner of the cushion.
• The turning chain at the beginning of Row 1 on each panel counts as a stitch, but the ch1 at the beginning of each of the following rows does not count as a st throughout.
• All dc should be worked in FLO, and every row should have 72 sts.
Tension
About 18 sts and 16 rows to 10cm square measured over dc.
Front panel Foundation using Yarn A, ch73.
Row 1 1dc into third ch from hook, 1dc in each st to end of row, turn [72 dc].
Row 2 (WS) Ch1, 1dc in FLO in every st to end of row, turn.
Rows 3-66 Rep Row 2 64 times, fasten off and weave in ends.
Bottom back panel Foundation using Yarn A, ch73.
Row 1 1dc into third ch from hook, 1dc in each st to end of row, turn [72 dc].
Row 2 (WS) Ch1, 1dc in FLO in every st to end of row, turn.
Rows 3-44 Rep Row 2 42 times, fasten off and weave in ends.
Top back panel Foundation using Yarn A, ch73.
Row 1 1dc in third ch from hook, 1dc in each st to end of row, turn [72 dc].
Row 2 (WS) Ch1, 1dc in FLO in every st to end of row, turn.
Row 3 Ch1, 16dc in FLO, ch2, miss 2 sts, 17dc in FLO, ch2, miss 2 sts, 17dc in FLO, ch2, miss 2 sts, 16dc in FLO, turn.
Row 4 Ch1, 16dc in FLO, 2dc into 2ch-sp, 17dc in FLO, 2dc into 2ch-sp, 17dc in FLO, 2dc into 2ch-sp, 16dc in FLO, turn.
Row 5 Ch1, 1dc in FLO in every st to end of row, turn.
Rows 6-26 Rep Row 2 21 times, fasten off and weave in ends.
By crocheting in FLO you have a clear grid to stitch into, and the holes above each stitch are more defined than they would be with regular dc.
To make up
You now have 3 panels ready to be embroidered. Before starting embroidery,
SASHIKO IS A SIMPLE FORM OF JAPANESE EMBROIDERY IDEAL FOR REPEATING PATTERNS
attach buttons. Lay 2 back panels RS up with top back panel overlapping bottom back panel by 4 rows. Pin 2 panels together at sides so they can be worked as one. Mark through buttonholes of top panel onto bottom panel to mark placement of buttons, then sew buttons in place, using a strand of yarn.
SURFACE EMBROIDERY
NOTE Use charts on this page as a guide for design and colour placement. Each square on the grid represents a crochet st, and you embroider into the holes above each st. STEP 1 Mark bottom centre front of front panel with a stitch marker. By starting at the bottom centre and working up and out, there
PLAY WITH PROPORTION TO CREATE MORE LINES OF STARS ON CUSHION FRONT, WITH FEWER ROWS OF FLORALS
is enough space for the full embroidered design. STEP 2 Referring to the chart (see page 123) for colour placement, use the tapestry needle and yarn to embroider the sashiko-style floral design onto bottom two-thirds of the front crochet panel, using backstitch (see page 122). Pull the yarn tight enough to lie flat, but not so tight that it distorts the crochet panel.
STEP 3 The sashiko star design across the top third of the cushion front and on the back of the cushion is made up of horizontal, vertical and diagonal straight stitches. Start off with the horizontal straight stitches to ensure correct placement of all the stars, then work all the diagonal lines underneath these straight stitches. Finish with the vertical lines, which hold it all in place.
STEP 4 Repeat Step 3 for cushion back, following the chart (see page 123).
STEP 5 Once embroidery is finished, tie off any loose ends and weave them in. Trim away any long ends, saving yarn scraps for the confetti pompoms.
Joining the panels
STEP 6 Pin the 2 back panels to the front panel with WS together, aligning the edges. Using Yarn A, work dc around the edge of the cushion through both layers, ensuring there is one dc in every stitch, or end of the row, when crocheting down the sides. At the corners, work (1dc, ch1, 1dc) into each corner.
STEP 7 Once all 4 sides have been joined with dc, ss to the first st, weave in the ends and fasten off.
Adding pompoms
STEP 8 To make first confetti pompom, cut 30-40cm lengths from Yarns B-G and gather up yarn scraps. Wind Yarn A around pompom maker, winding in colour here and there with yarn scraps. By doing this, the pompom will be speckled with colour. STEP 9 Continue until one side of the pompom maker is full, then repeat on the second side. Using sharp scissors, snip through each side of the pompom maker along the groove. Cut a longish length of yarn and tie it tightly around centre of pompom maker.
STEP 10 Remove pompom maker, then trim pompom back into a neat round shape, leaving the long yarn threads used to tie it. STEP 11 Repeat Steps 8, 9 and 10 to create 4 pompoms in total, then use long yarn lengths to attach a pompom to each corner of cushion cover. Fill crocheted cover with the cushion insert.