Bushel Cushion

Bushel Cushion by Fay Dashper-Hughes

What is Being Made

The Bushel Cushion is a crocheted cushion cover designed as a smaller, more subtle alternative to the Bushel Blanket pattern. This downloadable crochet pattern creates a finished cushion through a clever folding and joining technique, offering crafters a beginner-friendly project that produces a professional-looking home accessory.

Design and Construction Method

The Bushel Cushion employs a distinctive construction approach that maximizes visual impact while minimizing complexity. The pattern features a two-row repeat worked through a three-colour sequence, creating a rhythmic colour pattern throughout the fabric. Once the crocheted fabric reaches the required length, it is strategically folded to form an envelope shape. A simple double crochet border is then worked around the edges, which simultaneously joins the enveloped fabric together to complete the cushion cover. This method eliminates the need for separate seaming and creates a unified, polished finish.

Crochet Stitches and Techniques

This pattern relies on fundamental crochet techniques appropriate for beginners. The primary stitch used is double crochet, which forms both the main fabric and the finishing border. The pattern is structured around a straightforward two-row repeat, making it accessible for those new to colour work and multi-row patterns. The repetitive nature of the two-row sequence builds confidence while the colour changes add visual interest without requiring complex stitch variations.

Yarn and Materials

The Bushel Cushion is designed to showcase Appledore by John Arbon Textiles, a premium wool blend yarn. This yarn features a composition of 40% Devon Closewool, 40% Romney, and 20% Exmoor Blueface, creating a fabric that is both soft and crisp. Appledore is supplied in either 25g mini skeins or 100g skeins, with a yardage of 250 metres per 100 grams (approximately 273 yards). The pattern requires 75 grams of each of three colours, allowing crafters to choose whether to purchase mini skeins for minimal leftovers or larger skeins if planning additional projects with the remaining yarn.

Yarn Weight and Hook Size

This pattern uses DK weight yarn (also called light worsted or #3 weight), worked with UK 4mm and 4.5mm crochet hooks. The DK weight combined with these hook sizes produces a fabric with excellent stitch definition, allowing the colour work and stitch texture to be clearly visible in the finished cushion.

Yarn Qualities and Finished Fabric

The Appledore wool blend creates a durable, high-quality fabric ideal for a functional home accessory. The combination of the yarn's inherent softness with the crisp finish of the blend, together with the double crochet stitch structure, produces a cushion cover with strong stitch definition and lasting durability. This makes the finished cushion both beautiful to look at and practical for regular use.

Difficulty Level

Rated as a beginner pattern, the Bushel Cushion is accessible to those new to crochet while still offering the satisfaction of creating a polished, finished item. The straightforward two-row repeat and basic double crochet stitches make this an ideal project for building fundamental skills.

Related Pattern

The Bushel Blanket pattern is also available from designer Fay Dashper-Hughes. While the Bushel Blanket uses all twenty colours available in the Appledore range, the Bushel Cushion offers a more focused colour palette with just three colours, making it an excellent entry point to the design concept.