Ruffley Cushion Cover

If you were concerned pattern uploading on here had become slow, fear not.  We moved house and unfortunately the yarn was the 'easiest' thing to pop in a box first, and then too many other things involving paint and drills and other manly items sort of took over.  But don’t panic, the yarn box has now been unpacked and the softer furnishings are now in production!

First off, bit of a knit and sew combination….. some dead simple but very effective ruffley cushion covers.

Alongside the yarn you will need, a 17.5” cushion cover in a contrasting colour, around 6’ of ribbon in contrasting colours and widths, and sewing thread in the ribbon and yarn colours. (or if you are feeling even more creative, two 18.5” squares of cotton fabric, a 17” zip, and a sewing machine to make your own cover up)

Using a ruffle/scarf yarn (I used Sirdar Salsa but you could use Rico Can Can or other) and 4mm needles….

Cast on 25 stitches by poking the needle through the yarn close to the edge with the curl coming towards you, leaving a 1.75-2” gap and poking through again.  (Your yarn ball may say 8cm/3" which you can try if you want, but I find 1.75-2” more effective).

This gap does not have to be measured perfectly, the more random the more natural the ruffle will look.  Depending what size gap you leave will depend on how much yarn you use, a 150g/45m ball could do anywhere between one and two cushions.

Do about 23 rows, knitting odd rows and purling even rows, again, attaching the yarn by poking the needle through near the edge rather than wrapping, leaving the gap of yarn between stitches still.  Keep an eye on your ball as you knit to ensure you won't run out mid-row.  If you have left more gap and aren't getting as many rows for your yarn as expected, don't worry, 23 rows is a guide and you can make your ruffley stripe on the cushion as large or as small as you like.

Depending how the colouring of your yarn works, if stripes are horizontal along the length like the Salsa you may want to alternate the stripes and so when changing row make sure you twist the yarn to allow purling into the second colour and knitting into the first (like the grey cushion).  If you do this, I advise knitting into the darker colour and purling the lighter one – as this is easiest on the eyes/fingers.  If your yarn stripes on the vertical or width then colour will alternate automatically for you in a more patchy than stripy manner.

Instead of casting off, use a chunky tapestry needle to thread the yarn end (cut to 18") through the holes made by the needles (a cast off knit style will tighten the width far too much) and sew end down to next row to stop unravelling.

Using pencil or taylors chalk, mark a line parallel to the zip a third of the way down the cushion cover, and another one two thirds down.  These are the lines you are going to sew the cast on and cast off edge onto your cover.  You are going to need to sew the knit stitches approximately 0.7” apart to evenly space them along the line, this will allow the excess from each 1.75-2” yarn gap between stitches to ruffle as it gets pushed into this space.

Then, depending how many colours and widths of ribbon you have will depend how many and where your next lines go, but draw on and then sew ribbons (you can overlap if you want) as supporting stripes to echo the ruffle stripes.  You can also add bows, buttons, sequins or other decorations as you desire.

And there you go… brighten up the room in a quick and simple way.

Waffled Wheat Cushion

To sooth away those winter aches and pains why not make your own wheat cushion so you know what natural goodness is in it.  Using a very sim[ple six row repeat waffle stitch to give texture and warmth.  A perfect present for the festive period.

Using 125g of 12ply wool* (I used Twilleys freedom spirit) and 4mm needles...

Cast on 40
K2 P2 rib for 6 rows
row 7 - purl
row 8 - knit
rows 9 and 11 - K3 P2 to end
rows 10 and 12 - K2 P3 to end

rows 13-78 repeat rows 7-12 eleven times

switch to stockinette for 15 inches

rows 79 and 81 - K3 P2 to end

rows 80 and 82 - K2, P3 to end

row 83 - purl

row 84 - knit

repeat six more times

rows 120-121 - K2 P2 rib twice
row 122 - K2 P2 three times, YO K2TOG, P2 K2 three times, YO P2TOG, K2 P2 three times.
row 123-124 - K2 P2 rib twice
row 125 - K2 P2 while casting off in rib pattern.

Matress stitch the waffle to the stockinette on each side to create the little envelope.  Position the buttons on the first ribbing, using the holes on the second ribbing to line up and sew on.

Sew up two cloth rectangles of 100% cotton* about 15 inches x 5 inches and turn inside out (with as small a gap as you can sanely manage) to make the cushion liner.  It may be best to wait until you have completed the knitting and measure direct if your guage is often a bit squiffy.  Using a funnel pour in about 1250g of buckwheat and pearl barley, you could also add lavender.  Hand sew the gap tightly and your cushion is ready to be put in its knitted case.

Now, simply pop him in the microwave for 1 minute.  Some advise also putting in a glass of water at the same time to stop the wheat drying out too much.  Drape over your aches and pains and warm them away.

* 100% wool or 100% cotton will be fine in your microwave.  Anything acryllic will melt and leave you with a big big mess.  Please choose your materials carefully.  Also consider buttons - don't go for metal ones!