Horizontal Hearts Cushion

Horizontal Hearts Cushion Cover

What Is Being Made

The Horizontal Hearts Cushion Cover is an intermediate-level crochet project designed by Vicki Roberts that creates a decorative cushion cover measuring 32 x 52cm. This project combines two contrasting colors to form a striking horizontal hearts pattern across the cushion surface. The finished cover is completed with a decorative pom pom embellishment and is designed to fit a standard cushion pad.

Crochet Techniques Used

This project employs the corner-to-corner crochet technique, a popular method for creating graphical patterns and color work in crochet. This technique allows crafters to build the design from one corner to the opposite corner, making it ideal for creating geometric patterns like the horizontal hearts featured in this design. The corner-to-corner method is particularly useful for color changes and creates a structured, block-based fabric that displays patterns clearly.

The pattern also incorporates color carrying, a technique where the unused yarn color is carried along the edge of the work rather than being cut and rejoined. This method reduces the number of yarn ends that need to be sewn in at the end of the project, streamlining the finishing process. According to the pattern notes, this cushion can be completed while carrying the pink yarn across the Aspen twice, resulting in only 6 ends to weave in.

Stitches Used

The Horizontal Hearts Cushion Cover is constructed using basic crochet stitches worked in a block pattern. The stitch pattern is based on 3 chain stitches and 3 treble stitches per block, creating the foundational unit of the corner-to-corner technique. These blocks are repeated and arranged to form the horizontal hearts design across the cushion surface.

Materials Required

Yarn: Stylecraft Special DK weight yarn (DK; 295m per 100g ball; 100% acrylic) is used for this project. The color palette consists of 2 balls in Aspen 1422 (the main color) and 1 ball in Fondant 1421 (the contrasting color for the hearts).

Tools and Notions: A 4mm crochet hook is recommended to achieve the correct tension, though any hook size that produces the specified gauge will work. Additional materials include scissors, a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming, a 32 x 52cm cushion pad, and a 68mm pom pom maker for creating the decorative finish.

Tension and Gauge

The pattern specifies a tension of 7 x 7 block squares equaling 11cm square when worked over the stitch pattern. Since each block consists of 3 chain stitches and 3 treble stitches, achieving the correct tension is essential for the cushion cover to fit the 32 x 52cm cushion pad properly.

Assembly and Finishing

Assembly instructions recommend seaming the panels together by starting at a long edge and sewing together three sides before inserting the cushion pad. Once the pad is in place, the fourth side is closed to complete the cushion cover. A pom pom embellishment, created using the 68mm pom pom maker, adds a decorative finishing touch to the completed project.