Fika cushion

Way back in April, before little George was born, I wrote a few crochet patterns. One of which I managed to get photographed for Mollie Makes magazine, and I love that chevron design. That was a tough pattern to work out, I tried so many different ways of making those crisp zig-zags. The other cushion I made was inspired by a Norwegian fabric design I saw somewhere on Pinterest. It was made of geometric triangles, satisfactorily tessellated together. So I was inspired by the scandinavian design and colours to make my own version. Partly inspired by Ingrid's harlequin blanket over on Wood & Wool Stool, I made this: my Fika cushion. 

Prompted by Vanessa's gorgeous, beautiful, amazing 'Carousel' blanket here, I decided to share the pattern with you, as a companion cushion to the chevron cushion. So here's the recipe! It's made of the diamond pattern I wrote for 500 Crochet Blocks, and half diamond and quarter diamond designs. It's a written pattern, I haven't made a chart I'm afraid. I used Rowan Handknit Cotton for this Fika cushion, which I made as a house-warming present for my friend Sarah. I bought my handknit cotton from The Wool Sanctuary- visit Suzie online, as she has every glorious technicolour shade at her disposal. I have used a 4mm  hook- Handknit Cotton is lovely and thick. The pattern is written in UK terminology

Materials:

1 x 50g ball each of Rowan Handknit Cotton in 337 Tangerine Dream, 349 Ochre, 318 Seafarer, 251 Ecru, 252 Black

4mm Hook

Scissors, tapestry needle

30cm x 40cm Cushion inner

Piece of fabric for backing

Sewing machine or needle and thread

Motif A- Diamond (Make 11 in assorted colours)

Ch 2 to begin

Row 1- 2 dc into second ch from hook. Turn.

Row 2- Ch 1, 1 dc into first st, 2 dc into second st. Turn.

Row 3- Ch 1, 1 dc into first st, 1 dc into second st, 2 dc into last st. Turn.

Row 4-15- Ch 1, 1 dc into 1^st, 1 dc into each st to end, 2 dc in last st. Turn.

Rows 16-30- Sk 1, 1 dc into each st across to end. Turn.

Fasten off, leaving a long (15cm) tail for joining motifs later on. 

Motif B- Triangle (Make six in assorted colours)

Ch 2 to begin

Row 1- 2 dc into second ch from hook. Turn.

Row 2- Ch 1, 1 dc into first st, 2 dc into second st. Turn.

Row 3- Ch 1, 1 dc into first st, 1 dc into second st, 2 dc into last st. Turn.

Row 4-15- Ch 1, 1 dc into 1^st, 1 dc into each st to end, 2 dc in last st. Turn.

Fasten off, leaving a long (15cm) tail for joining motifs later on. 

Motif C- Half diamond (Make two in assorted colours)

Ch 2 to begin

Row 1- 2 dc into second ch from hook. Turn.

Row 2- Ch 1 (counts as turning ch), sk 1, 2 dc into next st. Turn.

Row 3- Ch 1, 1 dc into next 2 sts, 2 dc into last st (turning ch). Turn.

Row 4 (Increase row even rows)- Ch 1, sk 1, 1 dc into each st along, 2 dc into last st (NOT turning ch). Turn.

Row 5 (Increase row odd rows)- Ch 1, 1 dc into each st to end, working last st into turning ch.

Rows 6-15- repeat rows 4 and 5

Row 16 (Decrease row evens)- Ch 1, sk 1, 1 dc into each st to end. Turn.

Row 17 (Decrease row odds)- Sk 1, 1 dc into each st to end. Turn.

Rows 18-29- Repeat rows 16 and 17.

Row 30- ss into next st. Fasten off, leaving a long tail (15cm) to join later. 

Motif D- Quarter diamond (make four in assorted colours)

Ch 2 to begin

Row 1- 2 dc into second ch from hook. Turn.

Row 2- Ch 1 (counts as turning ch), sk 1, 2 dc into next st. Turn.

Row 3- Ch 1, 1 dc into next 2 sts, 2 dc into last st (turning ch). Turn.

Row 4 (Increase row even rows)- Ch 1, sk 1, 1 dc into each st along, 2 dc into last st (NOT turning ch). Turn.

Row 5 (Increase row odd rows)- Ch 1, 1 dc into each st to end, working last st into turning ch.

Rows 6-15- repeat rows 4 and 5

To make up:

Using the tail ends of yarn, stitch the motifs together on the reverse, using the back loops only of the crochet stitches. Measure a piece of fabric to same size as your harlequin side and cut to size. Pin wrong sides together and carefully stitch together three sides using a sewing machine or hand sew using a strong thread. Insert cushion inner, then hand sew the final side (right side out) to close. Stand back and admire.