A cheerful crocheted cushion cover to bring some colour into a room at the end of winter.
What you need
Worsted weight yarn, hooks in 3.75 mm (US F-5) and 5 mm (US H-8), a 16 inch (40.5 cm) square pillow form, and black embroidery floss for the detail work.
Why two hook sizes
The smaller hook works the applied details and any raised elements, keeping them dense and well defined. The larger hook works the cushion panels, giving a fabric with enough give to stretch over the form without gaps. Using one hook throughout gives you either stiff panels or floppy details.
Sizing the cover
Crochet the cover slightly smaller than the 16 inch form – about half an inch under on each side. Crocheted fabric stretches, and a cover made to exactly the form’s dimensions will look loose and wrinkled once it is on. A slightly undersized cover pulls taut and looks properly made.
Check your gauge before working the full panel. On a 16 inch square, a small gauge difference compounds into an inch or more, which is the difference between a snug cover and one that will not close.
The back
If the pattern gives an envelope back, use it. An overlapping opening lets you remove the cover for washing without needing buttons or a zip, and a cushion cover that cannot be washed is a cushion cover that gets thrown away.
Yarn
Machine washable. Cushions on a sofa get sat on, spilled on and slept against.
Acrylic holds colour well in a sunny room, which matters for a cushion that will sit near a window for years. A cotton blend feels nicer to lean against but will fade faster in direct light.
Finishing
Block the panels before assembling. Flat, square panels are much easier to seam evenly than curled ones, and the finished cushion will sit properly rather than pulling at the corners.
