Muriel Cushion

Muriel Cushion by Jane Crowfoot

Find the pattern in 147 of Inside Crochet magazine.

I adored the velvet smocked cushions that my Auntie Muriel had on her bed when I was a child in the 1970s. I used to love running my fingers over the velvet to play with the pile and found the smocked stitching fascinating. The cushions were just so enticing and luxurious that I remember thinking that I would definitely have some on my bed when I was old enough! I have previously recreated the style of these cushions in a knit design I called Madeleine, which was published in my book Homespun Vintage, but I have always wanted to create a crochet version too.

When working on this project I decided to add pretty bobbles instead of smocked style stitching to make a simple accompaniment to my Gertrude cushion, which features pretty flowers and beads. I have always struggled with the way crochet worked in the round can look like it has a “scar” running through it, so my challenge for this project was to design something that would hide the way slip stitches appear without having to fasten off yarns at the end of every round.

MATERIALS

● Stylecraft Naturals ReCreate DK, 40% wool/30% acrylic/ 30% polyester, 100g/350m/383yds

Yarn A: Rose 1945 x 1 ball

● Stylecraft Life DK, 75% acrylic/25% wool, 100g/298m/326yds

Yarn B: Rose 2301 x 1 ball (Note: Only a small amount needed of yarn B)

● 4mm & 4.5mm hooks

● Sewing needle

● Locking stitch holder

● Round cushion pad, 35cm/ 14in diameter

DESIGNER BOIGRAPHY

Jane is known worldwide for her textured, innovative designs and especially her many crochetalong patterns. Find her online at www.janiecrow.com.