GAMER CUSHION
Score points with Heather C Gibbs’ retro Space Invaders-inspired cushion design
This iconic arcade game alien is allowed to invade your space when in cushion form. It’s ideal for gamers young and young at heart.
NOTES
Cushion Cover is made in one piece for back, front and button flap. It’s worked in a corner-to-corner method (c2c), working blocks diagonally across each row starting with 1 ‘block’ in the bottom right corner. Each ‘block’ is made up of a (ch3, 3tr). Change colour on the final yrh of st before the colour change is indicated. Carry the unused colours across the WS of your work.
Refer to the Chart on page 97 for all colour changes. The first few rows of colourwork have been written out to guide you. You can find more details on this technique at www.gathered.how /c2c
CUSHION COVER
FRONT AND BACK MAKE 1
Using Yarn A, ch6.
Row 1 (RS) Tr in fourth ch from hook and next 2 ch, turn. [1 c2c block]
Row 2 (WS) Ch6 (does not count as st throughout), tr in fourth ch from hook and next 2 ch, ss into ch-3 sp on first block, ch3, 3tr in same ch-sp, turn. [2 c2c blocks]
Row 3 Ch6, tr in fourth ch from hook and next 2 ch, *ss into ch-3 sp on next block from prev row, ch3, 3tr in same sp; rep from * across to end, turn. [3 c2c blocks]
Rows 4-31 As Row 3. [31 c2c blocks]
Row 32 Ss in first 3 sts, ss into ch-3 sp on first block, (ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in next ch-3 sp across) rep to end, turn. [31 c2c blocks]
Row 33 Ch6, tr in fourth ch from hook and next 2 ch, ss in ch-3 sp on next block across, (ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in next ch-3 sp across) 30 times, turn.
Rows 34-45 Rep Rows 32-33 another 6 times.
COLOURWORK SECTION
Refer to the Chart on page 97 for all colour changes.
Row 46 Ss in first 3 sts, ss into ch-3 sp on first block, (ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in next ch-3 sp across) 26 times, change to Yarn B, ch3, 3tr in same sp, change to Yarn A, ss in next ch-3 sp, (ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in next ch-3 sp across) 3 times, turn.
Row 47 Ch6, tr in fourth ch from hook and next 2 ch, ss in ch-3 sp on next block across, (ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in next ch-3 sp across) 3 times change to Yarn B, (ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in next ch-3 sp across) twice, change to Yarn A, (ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in next ch-3 sp across) twice, change to Yarn B, ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in next ch-3 sp across, change to Yarn A, ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in next ch-3 sp across, change to Yarn B, ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in next ch-3 sp across, change to Yarn A, (ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in next ch-3 sp across) 19 times, turn.
Row 48 Ss in first 3 sts, ss into ch-3 sp on first block, (ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in next ch-3 sp across) 19 times, change to Yarn B, (ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in next ch-3 sp across) 4 times, change to Yarn A, (ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in next ch-3 sp across) twice, change to Yarn B, (ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in next ch-3 sp across) twice, change to Yarn A, (ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in next ch-3 sp across) 4 times, turn.
Rows 49-70 Rep Rows 32-33, using the chart for all colour changes.
Row 71 Ss in first 3 sts, ss in next ch-3 sp, (ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in next ch-3 sp) 17 times, change to Yarn B, (ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in next ch-3 sp) 9 times, change to Yarn A, (ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in next ch-3 sp) 4 times, turn.
[30 c2c blocks]
Rows 72-100 Ss in first 3 sts, ss in next ch-3 sp, (ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in next ch-3 sp) across to final ch-3 sp, turn. [dec 1 c2c block each row] Fasten off.
BUTTONHOLE BAND
Row 1 (RS) Join Yarn A in top-right corner with a standing dc, work a further 92 dc evenly across top edge, turn. [93 sts]
Row 2 (WS) Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), dc in each st across, turn.
Row 3 Ch1, dc in first 2 sts (dc in next 10 sts, ch3, skip 3 sts) 6 times, dc in final 13 sts, turn. [6 buttonholes]
Rows 4 Ch1, dc in each st and ch across, turn. Row 5 As Row 2.
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
TO MAKE UP
With WS facing, fold the Cushion Cover so the back has 31x31 blocks, the front has 31x31 blocks and the button flap has 31x8 blocks. Seam the 2 side seams together leaving the top and button flap open.
Turn so RS is facing out and insert cushion pad. Sew buttons across back in line with the buttonholes.