Tuesday 8 October 2013

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 1st, 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 1st, 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.

8 comments:

  1. This is truly stunning, thank you so very much for the pattern. Its definitely going on my to do list. I love the harlequin and carousel blankets too xox Penny

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  2. This is brilliant, I love the colours you've chosen too, thanks for sharing! :) x

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  3. Love, love and adore....
    Thank you for sharing...have been waiting for this!!!
    bestest daisy j x

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  4. Thanks everyone, can't seem to reply individually, but I'm so pleased you like the design, hope the pattern works out OK...xxx

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  5. This is absolutely lovely, and I'm adding it to my ever increasing list of crochet projects! x

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  6. Love this pattern!! I don't have a sewing machine so was wondering if you had any suggestions for possible crocheting a back instead of sewing material.... thanks so much in advance! Andrea webb

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  7. My darling Kath, i'm confused! I had a look at this pattern chart http://www.pinterest.com/pin/175570085446573867/ and started each row with ch3 and just did dc everywhere else but the edges look like they might be a bit wobbly so thought i'd try yours. Instead of starting each row with ch3, have you just done ch1 to make the diamond a bit fatter, and if so, do you do the final dc into the ch1?

    Thanks!

    Amy x

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  8. I am a doughnut, missed a big clue didn't I, UK crochet! x

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