Italian Crochet Throw Cushion

From my recent trip back to Australia over the Christmas holidays, I couldn’t help myself wandering into the homeware section of Myer on a mission to get a housewarming gift. Grass woven baskets, rose gold trimmings and chunky knit cushions as far as the eye could see… However, it wasn’t until I returned home to St Oliva and felt the icy chill of an Italian winter that I was inspired to bring back some of that cosy knitted style into our own home…

As you do I started scrolling through Pinterest for inspiration when I came across this really simple post. I have this thing where if I get an idea to create something in my head, I literally will stop at nothing to get the materials and give it a try. A bit of a DIY junkie to say the least and after studying a 4 year degree in Nutritional Medicine, you could say I had I lot of catching up to do creative wise.

What you’ll need

• 6 balls of chunky knit wool (colour to fit your décor theme)

• A size 12 crotchet hook

• Scissors

• A big eye needle to fit wool or a bobby pin will also work just fine

• A square pillow (eg. IKEA ULLKAKTUS Inner cushion 50x50cm)

Method

1. First, to get yourself familiar with crocheting, have a look at this simple youtube tutorial that will teach you the basics of starting a chain and how to do ‘single stitch’, which is all you will need to know for this project. Once you’ve watch the video and feel confident to begin, start by creative a chain stitch with your hook and yarn approximately the width of your pillow (mine was 37 chains across but if I had to do it again I would of done maybe 35 as the wool will stretch over time).

2. Then once you’ve finished your chains across, make a ‘single stich’ in your first chain and continue across until the end.

3. Once you have finished the entire first row with your ‘single stich’, make 2 chain stitches before turning your work around and starting again with a ‘single stitch’ in the first hole.

4. Continue this until you’ve done ¾ of your pillow then leave this piece aside. N.B when you run out of wool, just tie on another ball of wool with a single knot. You can always thread the ends to the back later.

5. Repeat steps 1-3 again on a new piece of wool but this time continue until you have done 1 and ¼ - ½ of your pillows length.

6. To tie off your wool. Simple thread the end on the wool into your last crotchet loop and pull.

7. Sew the two pieces together using either a needle with a big eye or a bobby pin.

8. Sew the flap of the bigger piece down the sides so that it resembles an envelope. This will allow you to take the pillow case on and off when desired.

Eccola! You have yourself a crocheted throw cushion guaranteed to add a bit of vogue living to any home ;)

#DIY #Home #Crochet