RING PILLOW

Make a hessian cushion and adorn it with an Irish crochet-style motif. Wedding rings have never been so spoilt. Designed by Anne Egan.

■ Namolio linen yarn (100% linen,

25g/130m), 1 ball of Glacier (018)

■ A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook

■ Hessian cloth 22x41cm (8 x16in)

■ Matching sewing thread

■ 70cm (28in) silk ribbon

■ Stitch marker

■ Toy stuffing

MEASUREMENTS

Motif measures 17.5x17.5cm (6 x6 in) Finished cushion measures 18x18cm (7x7in)

NOTES

The central Flower Motif is made first, then the Leaves and Circles are made and joined in their final rounds before adding the Outer Border.

MOTIF

FLOWER

Ch32, ss to first ch to join into a loop.

Round 1 *4dc into loop, ch9, dc into 2nd ch from hook and each of next 6 ch, ss in last ch; repeat from * 11 times more, ss to first dc to join.

Round 2 *Ss in each of next 2 dc, skip next dc, working along opposite side of ch-9, dc in next 4 ch, htr in next 2 ch, tr in next 2 ch, 6tr in ch-1 sp, rotate to work back towards centre tr in next 2 dc, htr in next 2 dc, dc in next 4 dc, skip next dc on ring, repeat from * around, ss to first dc to join, fasten off.

Block Flower to approx 12cm diameter before completing Motif.

LEAF MAKE 4

Each Leaf is attached between 2 petals of the Flower so they sit at the 4 corners of the Motif. Leave 1 petal unattached between each Leaf.

Ch17.

Round 1 Dc in 2nd ch from hook and each of next 14 ch, 3dc in last ch (mark centre of these 3 sts), rotate to work along opposite side of ch, dc in next 15 ch, turn.

Round 2 Ch1, skip 1st dc, dc in each st to marked st, 3dc in marked st, move marker up to centre of these 3 sts, dc in each dc across to last 3 dc, turn leaving 3 dc unworked.

Rounds 3 to 5 Repeat Round 2 three times more.

Round 6 Ch1, skip 1st dc, dc in next 8 dc, ss to outer tip of a petal in the Flower motif so Leaf will sit between 2 petals, dc in each st to marked st, 3dc in marked st, dc in next 2 sts, ss to outer tip of next petal in the Flower motif, dc in each dc across to last 3 dc, ss to next dc, fasten off leaving 2 dc unworked. SMALL RING MAKE 4

Ch32, ss to first ch to join into a loop.

Round 1 30dc into loop, ss to top of any unattached petal, ss to first dc to join.

Fasten off.

OUTER BORDER

Round 1 of the Outer Border is attached on opposite sides of each Small Ring, then at the five central points of each Leaf (see image). Another chain ring is worked in Round 2, and then the two chain rounds are enclosed by 1 round of dc sts in Round 3.

Round 1 With RS of Motif facing, join yarn at side of one of the small rings, *ch9, ss in opposite side of same ring, ch13, working around next Leaf, ss in first point, ch4, ss in next point, ch6, ss in top point, ch6, ss in next point, ch4, ss in last point, ch13, ss in nearest side of next small ring; repeat from * 3 times more.

Round 2 Ch35, ss in top point of next leaf, *ch61, ss in top point of next leaf; repeat from * twice more, ch26, ss to first ch to join.

Round 3 Incorporating the ch-sps of Rounds 1 and 2 into all dc of this round, *dc in each dc of the Small Ring between the 2 ss, adding in extra dc if required to ensure the ring lays flat, 17dc in next ch-13 sp of Round 1, 4dc in next ch-4 sp of Round 1, 6dc in next ch-6 sp of Round 1, dc in top point of leaf, 6dc in next ch-6 sp, 4dc in next ch-4 sp, 17dc in next ch-13 sp; repeat from * 3 times more, ss to first dc to join.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

TO MAKE UP

Weave in all ends, block to size and shape using the image as a guide.

Fold the hessian rectangle to make a cushion 18x18cm with a central seam at the back. Press flat with an iron (but don’t sew the seam at this stage), sew the Motif to the front. Sew the back seam, then the sides using matching thread, adding stuffing before closing the final edge. Stitch ribbon into place firmly at centre of cushion ready for your rings.