Intarsia is not as frightening as it may seem! These hearts demonstrate the intarsia method perfectly and are not too big a project to master. They look so pretty in a cushion, which would make a lovely gift for someone who has just moved into a new home.
Skills needed:
- Double crochet
- Working in rows
- Working intarsia
- Joining a new yarn
- Double crochet seam
- Joining rounds with a slip stitch
YARN
Debbie Bliss Rialto DK, 100% extrafine merino DK (light worsted) yarn, approx 105m (115yd) per 50g (1 ¾ oz) ball
4 balls of 04 Grey (MC)
1 ball each of:
09 Apple (green) (A)
50 Deep Rose (pink) (B)
91 Acid Yellow (yellow) (C)
HOOK AND EQUIPMENT
3.5mm (US size E/4) crochet hook
Yarn sewing needle
40cm (16in) square cushion pad
TENSION
17 sts x 18 rows over a 10cm (4in) square, working double crochet using a 3.5mm (US size E/4) hook.
MEASUREMENTS
Finished cushion cover fits a 40cm (16in) square cushion pad.
COLOUR COMBINATIONS
Always use MC as the background colour.
Make three squares with the heart motif in A, three with the heart motif in B and three with the heart motif in C.
Heart squares (make 9)
Using MC, make 24ch.
Row 1 (RS): 1dc in 2nd ch from hook, 1dc in each ch to end. (23 dc)
Row 2: 1ch (does not count as a st), 1dc in each dc to end. (23 dc)
Rows 3–6: Rep Row 2.
Cont in dc throughout, following chart below for Rows 7–18 to work the heart motif and using one small ball of MC on each side of the motif. Read the chart from bottom up, working odd-number rows from right to left and even number rows from left to right.
Using MC only, work 7 rows more in dc.
Fasten off.
Cushion cover back
Using MC, make 70ch.
Row 1: 1dc in 2nd ch from hook, 1dc in each st to end. (69 dc)
Row 2: 1ch (does not count as a st), 1dc in each dc to end. (69 dc)
Rep Row 2 for 4 rows more. Cut MC, but do not fasten off.
Cont in dc, working 67 rows more in a random stripe sequence with colours MC, A, B and C for a total of 73 rows. Alternatively, work the remaining 67 rows of stripes in the following sequence: 6 rows A, 6 rows B, 5 rows C, 4 rows MC, 6 rows A, 5 rows C, 5 rows MC, 6 rows B, 5 rows C, 4 rows MC, 5 rows A, 6 rows B, 4 rows MC.
Fasten off.
Making up and finishing
Using a yarn sewing needle, sew in all yarn ends on the back panel and the heart squares. Then join the heart squares together using MC and a double crochet seam with WS together, so the seams will show on the RS of the cushion. First join together the three squares with A hearts, the three squares with B hearts and the three squares with C hearts, to form the three horizontal rows.
Then join the three horizontal rows to make a nine-square front panel – with the A hearts at the top, the B hearts in the middle and the C hearts at the bottom.
With WS together, pin the cushion front and back panels together, leaving the top edge open. Join MC with a ss in top left-hand corner, inserting the hook through front and back pieces. Make 1ch, 3dc in corner st, 23dc evenly along side of each of three squares (missing seam joins), 3dc in corner st, 23dc along bottom of each of three squares (missing seam joins), 3dc in corner st, 23dc evenly along side of each square (missing seam joins). Do not fasten off.
Insert cushion pad, then make 23dc along top of each of three squares (missing seam joins), join with a ss in top of first dc of round.
Fasten off.
This project is from Nicki Trench's book Learn to Crochet Granny Squares & Flower Motifs.