Leopard Print Cushion

Sit back and relax on this super-soft and ever-so-spotty cushion by Eleonora Tully.

■ DROPS Karisma (100% wool, 50g/100m), 4 balls of Light Brown (77)

3 balls of Black (05)

2 balls of Orange (11)

■ A 4.5mm (US 7) hook

■ Hairpin loom with prongs set to 6cm

■ A 42x42cm cushion pad

TENSION

17 sts and 17 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over dc using a 4.5mm hook or size needed to obtain correct tension

MEASUREMENTS

Cushion measures 42x42cm (16 x16 in)

NOTES

The Cushion Front and Back are worked in dc using colours as indicated on the Chart on page 93.

On the Chart, each square represents 1 dc st. Read all RS rows from right to left, and WS rows from left to right.

When changing colour mid-row, twist the ends of the two colours together, pick up the new colour on the last yrh of the previous st. Carry the unused strands of yarn across the WS of the work.

Once both pieces have been made and blocked, crochet them together over the cushion pad with a strip of Hairpin Lace Fringe, in between the pieces, to create the edging.

FRONT AND BACK BOTH ALIKE

Using Light Brown and a 4.5mm hook, ch71.

Row 1 (RS) Dc in second ch from hook, dc in each ch to end, turn. [70 sts]

Row 2 Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), dc in each st to end, turn.

Rows 3-70 Ch1, dc in each st to end, following the Chart from Row 3, for colour changes.

Fasten off, weave in ends and block both pieces.

HAIRPIN LACE FRINGE

The edging on the Cushion is made with one strip of Hairpin Lace Fringe with loops on either side of a spine of dc sts. The spine is worked off-centre to one side of the loom.

Ensure the spine is as close to one side as possible, so the loops on one side measure approximately 3.5cm and the loops on the other side are shorter at 1cm.

Using 3 strands of yarn together (one strand of each colour), make one strip of Hairpin with 148 loops on each side of the spine. Cut the long loops on one side only, to create the fringe effect.

TO MAKE UP

Place WS of Cushion pieces together and place the Hairpin Strip in between the pieces at the edge so the long fringe is protruding. Join Light Brown yarn to first st on one side and dc through both layers as well as through the Hairpin Strip. Continue working dc through both layers of each stitch or row end, ensuring that 2dc are worked between each loop of Hairpin Fringe (so there are 35 fringe loops on each side edge of the Cushion). Join the corresponding sides together evenly around 3 edges and work 3dc into each corner with 2 pieces of hairpin fringe in each corner. Insert the cushion pad and continue to crochet final edge to close, ss to first dc to join.

Fasten off and weave in ends.