Colourblock Cushion :: Ta-dah!

For quite a while I've wanted to find a satisfying project to use up the yarn oddments I've gathered after making so many blankets in the past year or so. I wanted to make something bright and joyful that used a mixed palette of many colours, but using only small quantities of each colour. A quick, portable project that could be popped into my bag and taken with me on holiday, to the beach, to the cafe, to friends houses.

I enjoyed winding up these small 20g balls of yarn using my trusty yarn winder, arranging them into on old plastic tub to create a pleasing colour palette to work from. And then I got busy with my 4mm hook.........

.....and made a whole stack of these small three-round Solid Granny Squares.

It's a very easy pattern used by crocheters all over the world, a variation on the classic granny square. I didn't create the pattern (It's been around in the public domain for a long time), but I did write up a tutorial to show how I make them {here}.

I also shared my method of joining these squares which creates an almost invisible seam and a very neat finish. The secret is to leave 30cm tail ends when you finish crocheting each square, then use these ends to methodically stitch the squares together. I wrote a full tutorial to explain this process which you can find towards the end of the Solid Granny Squares pattern.

I just love seeing all these colours together, the harmonious and cheerful look makes me very happy :)

I didn't labour over these squares at all, I simply made a few here and a few there, working my way through my yummy box of colours until I had made enough. I made 63 squares in total using 36 different colours of Stylecraft Special DK, arranging them in a 7 x 9 block and joining them by stitching them together row by row....

....^^^very pleasing, wouldn't you say?!

Each square measures approximately 7cm across, and I made enough to be able to fit round a rectangular 30 x 50 cm cushion pad {I bought mine from Amazon here}

The idea was to simply fold the crochet in half....

...with right sides together and use the same stitching technique to join the two short sides together square by square. The crochet then becomes a tube, which is ready for a bit of edging around the two open ends.

After a fair bit of deliberation, I kept the edging very simple, working three rows of treble crochet and a final row of double crochet (UK terms).

Colourclock Cushion Edging

:: ROUND 1 :: start in any stitch, chain 3, then work 1 treble in each stitch around. When you come to the bit where two squares join, you need to space the trebles out as evenly as possible when you work over the stitched seam (as in the above picture).

Remember you are effectively working in a big circle around the edge, so you will end up arriving right back to where you started. Slip Stitch into the 3rd chain of the beginning chain-3 to close the round, then fasten off and darn in the ends securely.

I took the above photo to give you a visual idea of how the cushion cover should be looking at this stage - your cover should fit your cushion pad quite snuggly, with only a tiny bit of overlap over the two short sides.

:: ROUND 2 :: the second round of the edging is a simple round of treble stitches. So start in any stitch, chain 3, then work 1 treble into each stitch around. Slip Stitch into 3rd chain of beginning chain-3 to close the round, then fasten off and darn in the ends.

The third and fourth rounds are worked in the same colour.

:: ROUND 3 :: start in any stitch, chain 3, then work 1 treble into each stitch around. Slip Stitch into 3rd chain of beginning chain-3 to close the round, but don't fasten off.

:: ROUND 4 :: chain 2, then work 1 double crochet into each stitch around. Slip Stitch into 2nd chain of beginning chain-2 to close the round, then fasten off and neatly darn in the ends.

Work the second edging at the other end of the cushion cover in exactly the same way. Now it's time to Button Up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I opened up my button tin and picked out a colourful selection of 15mm buttons, you will need 14 x 15mm buttons in total for this project. I already happen to have a mixed collection of different sized coloured buttons for just this sort of thing, but if you wish to buy some then search for "mixed craft buttons" on eBay or Amazon. I did a little search and found these ones (I like the mix of colours) but there are loads to choose from on the internet. Don't go off on a button-buying frenzy now, tempting as it might be, and please don't blame me if you end up with a sizeable button stash.....

....right, back to the cushion. The idea for the button closure is very simple and very effective. First job is to get some pins and mark out the spacing for your buttons. Fold you cushion cover neatly in half, then open up one end slightly - you will be stitching the buttons to the INSIDE/WRONG SIDE of your cushion cover. Start by finding the centre and mark with a pin, then evenly space 3 more pins on either side (seven in total). Mine worked out as being one pin every 8 stitches.

This is what it should look like - pins pinned along the inside edge, evenly spaced and centred. Choose seven 15mm buttons.

I managed to find a darning needle that had an eye big enough for the yarn to thread through, but small enough so it would fit through the holes in the buttons. Secure your thread at the base of round 3, exactly where your first pin is. Stitch the button in place (remember it will be on the inside/wrong side of your cushion cover!)

Work your way along, securing your yarn at the base of round 3 where the pin marked the place, then neatly stitching on a button using yarn.

If you can't find a darning needle to accommodate the yarn and size of button hole, simply use a sewing needle and sewing thread to stitch on your button instead.

ooooooooooo, looking beautifully neat and buttony!

Now do you see what's going on here, have you worked out the cleverness of this button closure yet?

You simply use the gaps between the treble stitches in round 3 as button holes, ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nifty or what????!!!! The simplicity of this idea pleases me hugely, and it is just soooooo neat!

Sweet, sweet cushion cover with your buttony edging, oh I do rather like your charming good looks and your happy colour combos!

You may have already noticed that I deliberately arranged the colours in two halves. So the first half (picture above) has a definite rainbow effect....

....and the second half has a more random patchwork effect. You can also see in the above picture that the buttons aren't visible on the reverse side.

I absolutely love the buttons, I know it's all very predictable, but I just can't help my button-loving heart ♥

I also really love how p-l-u-m-p the cushion turned out to be, this cushion pad has a polyester hollowfibre filling so will probably flatten a bit as the cushion gets used....

....but right now I am loving the plumpety-plump look and feel of it.

I finished making my cushion this morning at the studio where I happen to have seven (seven!) dining chairs plus two (two!) old Lloyd Loom chairs. That's a lot of chairs ready and waiting to star in a little photo shoot....

...but I think this particular chair took to the job in hand the best.

I dearly, dearly love this chair, it has a lot of sentimental memories attached and I wrote a little story about it here on my blog. Hard to believe that was six years ago now, my my, how time does fly when you're having lots of creative fun :)

I've loved making this cushion and sharing the journey with you, I wonder if you might feel inspired to make one for yourself one day? It's a great holiday project (those little squares like to travel you know) and I would really enjoy hearing about it if you do give it a go.

Here is a round up of the pattern information and materials used for this project ::

♥ Solid Granny Square pattern (including a how-to for the joining method)

♥ 30 x 50 cm polyester hollowfibre cushion pad

♥ 14 x 15mm coloured buttons

♥ 4mm hook (Clover Amour, my favourite), perfect for using with DK weight yarn.

♥ HAPPY HOOKING my friends!

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Comments

[groupslinky]

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[Марина]

Здравствуйте, Люси! Давно и с удовольствием читаю Ваш блог. Тоже вяжу крючком. Учусь у Вас работать с цветом.

[Nick]

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[Susan]

Please can you tell me which colours you used in the cushion..I love it. And the blanket with it please.

[aana]

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[Lesley Forster]

Please can you email me ([email protected]) or post on your page the pattern for the round cushion cover!
Many thanks
Lesley

[Anitha and Neethu]

These things are so cool and beautiful1!1!!!!!!!!!

[Жылдыз Акаева]

Очень красивые подушки. Спасибо за подробный урок, Люси.

[Heidi Hofer]

Gibt es diese Decke oben auch in deutscher Anleitung

[Ashlie]

This is so beautiful!! Your crochet designs are so inspiring, I'm constantly adding to my 'to-make' list! xx

[abi]

Hi Lucy, Love this cushion. It is very much like my granny chair (great minds!) Thought you might like to see it as it is very much like this! http://hookingcrazy.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/granny-chair-ta-dah.html
(this is not a shameless attempt to get you to look at my blog by the way, just spreading the pretty :) )
x

[Pamela]

If you wanted to be able to see the buttons on both sides of the cushion, you could join 2 buttons together like cuff links and just push them through the gaps on each side instead of sewing the buttons onto the crochet.

[Faye Faraldo]

Lucy, I have returned to crocheting as I am about to instruct my grand daughters. Just as my mum taught me to knit when I was 7, I will do my generational duty and follow suit. They are 14 and 20 but it is never too late. I know they will be happy to do it and my son will be happy as well for keeping his girls busy during the summer here in California. Thank you for the inspiration.

Iknitem

[Christina]

Perfect project to use for the ends of the #cosycal blanket :D. .... That or hexagons :)

[Béa]

Magnifique association de couleur, comme toujours sur ce blog:-)

[DebW]

I sooo want to know where you got those pins and holder.

[lucy]

This is so lovely, I am going to give t a try, my crochet skills are a bit rubbish but I will give it a go :) x

[cristina]

Oh, Lucy! a new creation that I love!
There is no place that has the colors your world!
You are the best with hook! yeeeeeeessssssssssssss!!!!!!
thanks for sharing so many beautiful things! I hope you have days filled with sunshine and beautiful things!
Kisses from Catalonia!

[Carol D]

A note to one of the lovely ladies who commented above, if that's allowed. Irene above said she is practicing and can't wait til she's good enough to do something like this. Well, Irene, all you have to do is FOLLOW LUCY'S TUTORIALS AND YOU CAN DO IT!
One of the first things I made when I returned to crochet after over 25 years was Lucy's Blooming Cushions...I remembered NOTHING and was starting from scratch! Wish I could show you a picture of my pillow - well over a year later...I still LOVE it!
if you follow Lucy's tutorials..you can make anything she has here! I PROMISE!
Lucy is awesome! and her tutorials will have you hooking like a pro in no time! I'm easily into Intermediate patterns now and have even designed a couple of small items - and so can you! Follow Lucy! (If you are using US terms instead of UK, you can just change them - either in the pattern you have on your files or just REMEMBER to do them. I can't wait to see how you're doing after a few months...you'll be a PRO!

[J9 x]

This is beautiful as always Lucy!

[rachel]

comfort, colour , intense joy... adore the idea of using up the left overs.... another project to do, but might try it square.. thanks for giving me a smile on a grey day.

[Ankita Vj (India)]

Lovely creation...lovely colors...lovely design...

[Angela-Southern USA]

A new world's largest crochet blanket.
http://crochet.about.com/od/crochetcommunity/fl/A-New-Worlds-Largest-Crochet-Blanket.htm

[Kim W]

Dear Lucy,
Yay! Squee! Happy, Happy Joy Joy!
Not something I would ever make for myself.
Great to see such pretty creative things!
This cheered me up way more than it should have.
I am sitting here with a big grin as I type.
Thank You.

[Kath]

Love, Love, LOVE! Do I need another cushion? I think possibly I do!
Thank you for brightening my day. xxx