The Darcy Cushion

 Now if someone told me a few years ago I would be writing
a crochet pattern oh how I would have laughed!
But here I am, sharing my very first pattern.

It is free here on my blog but if you would like a printed copy 

posted out to you please visit my 'Crochet' page here 

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Thank you!

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The Darcy Cushion

The front panel of your cushion will be made up of 25 squares and the back will be a granny stitch design. This pattern is to fit an 18 x 18 cushion pad. (Please note 18 x 18 cushion pads are not always strict to size and can vary, it is possible to add extra rows to your cushion panels to accommodate your cushion pad if needed).

This pattern is written using UK crochet terms.

Abbreviations:

ch – chain

dc – double crochet
tr – treble crochet
sl st – slip stitch
RS – right side
WS – wrong side

You will need:
3.5mm crochet hook (if you crochet quite tightly I would recommend going up to 4mm, please bear in mind yarn quantities may differ if changing hook size)
4 x 15mm white plastic snap fasteners
DK yarn:  Stylecraft Special DK (100g balls) 
Colour A – Pistachio
Colour B – Sage
Colour C – Grape
Colour D – Duck Egg
Colour E – White x 2

Yarn quantities used: 

I’ve made a note below of how much yarn I used.  Again, this may vary but to give you an approximate idea. You will need 2 x 100g balls of white but it may be possible to use up stash for the colour yarn.

White - 200g

Pistachio - 30g

Sage - 30g

Grape -  30g

Duck Egg - 30g

Front Panel:

Round 1

Colour A. Ch 4, sl st into first chain to create ring.

Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr) 11 tr into ring.

Sl st into 3rd chain of beginning of ch 3 to finish. Fasten off (12 st in total).

Round 2

Join colour B. Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr) tr in same stitch.

*2tr into next stitch* Repeat from *to* 10 times.

Ch 1, sl st into 3rd chain of beginning of ch 3 to finish. Fasten off (12 2 tr groups).

Round 3

Join colour C. Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr) tr in same stitch.

*2tr into next stitch* Repeat from *to* 10 times.

Ch 1, sl st into 3rd chain of beginning of ch 3 to finish. Fasten off (12 2 tr groups).

 

Round 4

You will now be creating the square. Join colour E.

Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr) 2 tr in same stitch.

Work 3 tr in each of the next two spaces.

In next space – work (3 tr, ch2, 3tr) to form first corner.

Work 3 tr in each of the next two spaces.

In next space – work (3 tr, ch2, 3tr) to form second corner.

Work 3 tr in each of the next two spaces.

In next space – work (3 tr, ch2, 3tr) to form third corner.

Work 3 tr in each of the next two spaces.

Work 3 tr, ch 2 into the same space as the beginning tr’s to complete last corner.

Sl st into 3rd chain of beginning of ch 3 to finish. Fasten off.

Continue with this pattern alternating and introducing colour D to create 25 squares.  Once all 25 squares are complete arrange in your chosen design order.  You can block each individual square or wait until they are joined together and block as a panel.

Sewing your squares together: I sew each row and then join each strip together.  I prefer to use the invisible seam method. Thread a large tapestry needle with yarn.  Place two crochet squares right sides together aligning the stitches.  Along one side go into the back stitches of each square, go through, bring yarn over and repeat. Keep checking your squares are aligned.  At the end, finish and sew in your ends.

When opened you will see the back stitches are secure and invisible leaving a nice line from the remaining front stitches.  (There are also lots of tutorials online for the ‘invisible seam method’). 
Tip: Place a stitch marker in your top left corner square just to keep track of your rows.

To create front panel border:

Join yarn (Colour A) in any corner stitch.

Ch2, *12 dc this will bring you to your stitched join - 1 dc into your joining line *.

Continue from *to*.

Working on the last square – 12dc, when you reach the corner work into the space 1dc ch2 1dc.

Continue down all sides of panel ** with 1dc ch2 1dc into corner spaces.

In final corner 1dc ch2 sl st into 3rd chain of beginning of ch 2. Do not fasten off.

Continue around your panel until you have 3 rows of dc. In each corner work 1dc ch2 1dc into the ch2 space created from the previous round. Final row corner 1dc ch2 1dc sl st into next stitch. Fasten off and sew in ends.

Your panel should measure 43cm square finished/blocked. There is wiggle space so please do not worry if it measures slightly less/more. Also, this is the point to check your cushion pad sizing.

Back Panel:

Round 1: (RS)

Colour A.

Ch 4, sl st into first chain to create ring.

Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr) 2 tr into ring, ch 2

*3 tr into ring ch 2*. Repeat from *to* twice.

Sl st into 3rd chain of beginning of ch 3 to finish. Fasten off.

Turn over – this is to prevent your panel becoming wonky - it is important to turn your work over after each round.

Round 2: (WS)

Join colour E into a Ch 2 corner space.

Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr) 2 tr into same space.

*3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr* into next space (forms corner).  Repeat from *to* in next two spaces.

Work 3 tr into the same space as the beginning tr’s to complete last corner.

Ch 2, sl st into 3^rd chain of beginning of ch 3 to finish.  Fasten off. Turn over.

 

Round 3: (RS)

Join colour B into a Ch 2 corner space.

Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr) 2 tr into same space.

*3 tr into next space. 3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr* into next space (forms corner).

Repeat from *to* twice.

3 tr in next space.

Work 3 tr into the same space as the beginning tr’s to complete last corner.

Ch 2, sl st into 3rd chain of beginning of ch 3 to finish. Fasten off. Turn over.

Continue pattern for 22 rounds using Colour E for alternate rows.  

Remember to turn your work after each round.  

Sew in ends as you go – you will thank yourself later if you do!  Your panel should measure 43cm square finished/blocked.  There is wiggle space so please do not worry if it measures slightly less/more.  Final round(s) if required – measure your front and back panels against each other.  If you need to adjust add rounds of double crochet as follows:

Join colour E into a Ch 2 corner space. Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc) dc in each stitch until you reach corner.

1 dc ch 2 1 dc into corner space.  Continue until you reach final corner. 1 dc ch 2 sl st into 2^nd chain of beginning of ch 2 to finish.  Fasten off.

Joining front and back panels and finishing the cushion cover:

You are going to join three sides of the panels, leaving one full side open to insert your cushion pad. Place panels wrong side together aligning the stitches.  Join yarn in any corner space, ch2 (counts as 1dc).  Ensure you are inserting your hook through from front to back to join the panels as pictured.  *dc to corner 1dc ch 2 1dc into corner space*. Continue * to * until you reach third corner space 1dc ch2 sl st into 2^nd chain of beginning of ch 2 to finish.  Fasten off.

Final job is to secure the open side with snap fasteners. Position and sew 4 into place.

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