Crochet Blanket & Cushion in Stylecraft Life DK & Life Changes - 9559 - Downloadable PDF

Crochet Blanket & Cushion in Stylecraft Life DK & Life Changes – Pattern 9559

Pattern 9559 by Emma Varnam for Stylecraft is a downloadable PDF featuring two coordinating crochet projects: a generously sized throw blanket and a matching cushion cover. Both pieces are worked in a classic granny square construction, built outward from a central loop in rounds, making them an excellent choice for intermediate crocheters who are comfortable working in the round and managing multiple yarn colours.

What Is Being Made

The pattern includes instructions for two distinct items:

• Blanket – approximately 135cm (53¼in) wide and 162cm (63½in) long, making it a substantial lap or sofa throw.
• Cushion Cover – approximately 46cm (18in) square, designed to fit a standard 46cm cushion pad.

Both projects share the same granny square motif and colour palette, creating a cohesive, decorative set ideal for home interiors.

Techniques Used

• Working in the round – each motif begins with a foundation chain joined into a loop, from which all subsequent rounds radiate outward.
• Granny square construction – treble crochet clusters are arranged around corner chain spaces to build the characteristic square shape, with each round adding more cluster groups.
• Colour changes between rounds – yarn is cut and fastened off at the end of each colour round, and a new shade is joined into a chain space at the start of the next round. This technique creates clean, defined colour stripes across the motif.
• Joining motifs – the finished blanket is assembled from multiple granny squares joined together to achieve the full dimensions.
• Slip stitch joins – used at the end of each round to close the work neatly.

Stitches Used

• Chain (ch) – used for the foundation loop, turning chains, and corner spaces.
• Slip stitch (sl st) – used to join rounds and to move across stitches when repositioning at the start of a new round.
• Treble crochet (tr) – the primary stitch, worked in clusters of three to form the body of each granny square round.
• Double crochet (dc) – referenced in the abbreviations and likely used in edging or joining sections.

The granny square format means the fabric is built from treble crochet clusters separated by chain spaces at the corners and sides. Each round increases the cluster count: Round 1 produces 4 clusters, Round 2 produces 8, Round 3 produces 12, and so on, with corner 3ch spaces and side 1ch spaces defining the square's geometry.

Materials – Yarn

The pattern is written for Stylecraft Life DK and Stylecraft Life Changes DK, both double knitting weight yarns. The specific colours called for are:

• Blanket:
  • 5 x 100g balls Cream 2305 (Life DK) – main background colour
  • 5 x 100g balls Ashes 2704 (Life Changes)
  • 1 x 100g ball each of Lily 2417, Pillar Box Red 2449, Zing 2356, Fern 2311, Cascade 2308, and Hyacinth 2497 (all Life DK)
• Cushion:
  • 1 x 100g ball each of Lily 2417, Pillar Box Red 2449, Zing 2356, Fern 2311, Cascade 2308, and Hyacinth 2497 (all Life