Shaker squares sampler

The classic combination of red and white always looks country-fresh and combines well with Shaker-style motifs and imitation and real fabrics to create this bright and cheery sampler.

8pictures

Crochet cushion

Use the ball of mauve yarn you received with this issue to work two more rounds for the back of your cushion. Plus, complete your small squares using leftover yarn from your workbasket.

13handmade collection

us

e your mauve yarn

Crochet cushion

Using your cream yarn, work the last two rounds for the back of your cushion. Then finish off and block your squares ready to make up the cushion.

14handmade collection

us

e your cream yarn

13 handmade collection

• The 25g ball of mauve yarn you received with this issue

• 4.00mm crochet hook

You will need ★

seventeenth and eighteenth roundsTake the square for the back

and work as follows:round 17 With RS facing and using 4.00mm hook, join mauve yarn to first corner sp and work 3 ch to count as first tr, work 2 tr, 2 ch and 3 tr all into same sp, (1 ch, 3 tr into next sp) 15 times, *1 ch, work 3 tr, 2 ch and 3 tr all into next corner sp, (1 ch, 3 tr into next sp) 15 times, rep from * twice more, 1 ch, sl st into top of the 3 ch.round 18 Sl st into each of next 2 tr and into corner sp, 3 ch to count as first tr, work 2 tr, 2 ch and 3 tr all into same sp, (1 ch, 3 tr into next sp) 16 times, *1 ch, work 3 tr, 2 ch and 3 tr all into next corner sp, (1 ch, 3 tr into next sp) 16 times, rep from * twice more, 1 ch, sl st into top of the 3 ch.Fasten off.Keep this square and leftover yarn safe in your workbasket.

your square

SizeFinished size of small square, 10x10cm on 4.00mm hook. If you find you work either tightly or loosely change your hook size accordingly. Too small, change to a larger hook; too big, change to a smaller hook.

AbbreviationsCh=chain, tr=treble, sl st=slip stitch, sp(s)=space(s), rep=repeat, RS=right side, cm=centimetres, mm=millimetres.

see also: Crochet basics, here’s how, crochet 1.

Continuing your small squares…using leftover lilac yarn from your workbasket.Work round 4 on square with pale green centre and rounds 2 and 3 in pink as given on crochet cushion, handmade collection 3. This completes your nineteenth square.

Work round 4 on square with mauve centre and rounds 2 and 3 in pale green as given on crochet cushion, handmade collection 3. This completes your twentieth square.

Work round 4 on the two squares with pink centre and rounds 2 and 3 in pale green as given on crochet cushion, handmade collection 3. This completes your twenty-first and twenty-second squares.

using leftover mauve yarn from your workbasketWork round 4 on square with pale green centre and rounds 2 and 3 in cream as given on crochet cushion, handmade collection 3. This completes your twenty-third square.

Work round 4 on square with bright green centre and rounds 2 and 3 in pink as given on crochet cushion, handmade collection 3. This completes your twenty-fourth square.

Work round 4 on square with cream centre and rounds 2 and 3 in pale green as given on crochet cushion, handmade collection 3. This completes your twenty-fifth square.

This completes the squares for the front of your cushion cover.

14 handmade collection

• The 25g ball of cream yarn you received with this issue and cream yarn from your workbasket

• 4.00mm crochet hook• Blocking mat, pins and water spray

You will need ★ ★

nineteenth and twentieth roundsTake the square for the back

and work as follows:round 19 With RS facing and using

4.00mm hook, join cream yarn to first corner sp and work 3 ch to count as first tr, work 2 tr, 2 ch and 3 tr all into same sp, (1 ch, 3 tr into next sp) 17 times, *1 ch, work 3 tr, 2 ch and 3 tr all into next corner sp, (1 ch, 3 tr into next sp) 17 times, rep from * twice more, 1 ch, sl st into top of the 3 ch.round 20 Sl st into each of next 2 tr and into corner sp, 3 ch to count as first tr, work 2 tr, 2 ch and 3 tr all into same sp, (1 ch, 3 tr into next sp) 18 times, *1 ch, work 3 tr, 2 ch and 3 tr all into next corner sp, (1 ch, 3 tr into next sp) 18 times, rep from * twice more, 1 ch, sl st into top of the 3 ch.Fasten off.

your square

SizeFinished size of small square, 10x10cm on 4.00mm hook. If you find you work either tightly or loosely change your hook size accordingly. Too small, change to a larger hook; too big, change to a smaller hook.

AbbreviationsCh=chain, tr=treble, sl st=slip stitch, sp(s)=space(s), rep=repeat, RS=right side, cm=centimetres, mm=millimetres.

see also: Crochet basics, here’s how, crochet 1. Blocking your work, here’s how, knitting 3.

Making up your cushion coverInstructions for making up your cushion cover will be featured in the next issue, pattern card crochet cushion 15.

Weaving in the yarn endsAfter completing the last two rounds on the large square for the back, take all your squares and weave in the yarn ends. Weave them in on the wrong side for 2-3cm and trim the ends close to the crochet.

Before making up your cushion, block the squares to give them a neat, professional finish. Pin the squares out evenly on a blocking board and spray with clean cold water. Leave until completely dry, then remove the pins. See here’s how, knitting 3 for more details.

The last two rounds for the back of the cushion cover are worked using cream yarn. On round 19 you will have 17 groups of 3 treble between each corner and on round 20 you will have 18 groups.

Circular knitted cushion

This chunky cushion cover is simply a long strip of garter stitch, with short rows and gathering forming the circular shape. The squab tassel at the centre gives it a chic contemporary look.

12cushions

12 cushions

• 5 x 50g (approx 42m) balls of extra chunky yarn in Stone

• Oddment of double knitting yarn

• Pair of 10mm knitting needles

• Materials to make a squab tassel, see here’s how knitting 5

• Circular cushion pad, 35cm diameter

You will need ★ ★

See AlSo: Knitting basics, knitting 1. Tassels, knitting 5.

SizeTo fit a 35cm diameter circular cushion pad.

Tension11 sts and 20 rows to 10cm over g st.

AbbreviationsK=knit, st(s)=stitch(es), g st=garter stitch, cont=continue, rep=repeat, beg=beginning, sl=slip, pw=purlwise, foll=follows, RS=right side, cm=centimetres, mm=millimetres.

To makeMade in one pieceUsing 10mm needles cast on 36 sts.K 2 rows.Cont in g st (every row K), working short row shaping as foll:Row 1 (RS) K to last 6 sts, turn.Row 2 With yarn at back of work sl 1pw, K to last 6 sts, turn.

Row 3 With yarn at back of work sl 1pw, K to end of row.Row 4 K across all sts.Rep these 4 rows until work measures 80cm from beg (measured at centre of work), ending row 4. Cast off.

Making upJoin the cast-on and cast-off edges together. Using two lengths of double knitting yarn, run a gathering thread through the first stitch on each edge of the strip.

Secure one end of the gathering thread, then pull the other end to gather the edge. Finish off the end securely.

Insert the cushion pad, then gather up the other edge in the same way.

Make a squab tassel, referring to here’s how, knitting 5, and sew to the centre front of the cushion.

Instead of a squab tassel, you could finish the centre front with a large decorative button.

Shaker squares sampler

The classic combination of red and white always looks country-fresh and combines well with Shaker-style motifs and imitation and real fabrics to create this bright and cheery sampler.

8pictures

8 pictures

• 28 count natural evenweave fabric 43x38cm

• Stranded cottons, one skein of each colour listed in key

• Tapestry needle, size 26

• Sewing needle and dark tacking thread

• Embroidery hoop

• Embroidery scissors

• Assorted buttons

• Red and white fabric scraps

• Mediumweight iron-on interfacing

• Tracing paper and pencil

You will need ★ ★

In detail…

Trace-off templatesThese templates are the same size as the ones used on our sampler. If you want larger or smaller templates, simply enlarge or reduce them on a photocopier.

Make more use of your collection

of red and white remnants. Work

one of the sampler ‘patches’ and

then frame it in sashed borders –

you can keep adding more borders until

the finished piece is large enough for a

country-style cushion cover.

designer’s

notebook

Stitching the design

1 Prepare the fabric and mount it in the hoop. Refer to the chart and key and

stitch from the centre out. Use two strands for cross stitch and backstitch. Work each stitch over two fabric threads.

2 Iron interfacing on to the wrong side of two 6cm square fabric scraps to prevent

them fraying. Trace the templates onto tracing paper and cut them out. Use them as patterns to cut one from each fabric.

3 Refer to the picture as a guide and attach each fabric shape with a button.

Stitch on the remaining buttons as shown.

4 Take the work out of the hoop and press it gently on the wrong side. Mount

it in a frame.

Work the cross stitch sections using two strands of cotton and work each stitch over two fabric threads.

Each fabric shape is backed with iron-on interfacing to prevent it fraying, then attached to the sampler with a button.

Colour keyDMC stranded cottons

351 deep coral

498 red wine

666 flame red

817 poppy red

3705 deep candy

3865 soft white

Backstitch and running stitch351 deep coral

498 red wine

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8 pictures

For a novel take on gift packaging try the simple approach. Cut napkin-sized

squares of plain or patterned fabrics that echo the red and white theme. Hem them and stitch on evenweave patches decorated with motifs from the sampler. Then fill them with tasty gifts of nuts and dried fruit or home made cookies and tie into bundles with raffia or ribbon – a perfect country kitchen gift.

Stitching the design

1 Prepare the fabric and mount it in the hoop. Refer to the chart and key and

stitch from the centre out. Use two strands for cross stitch and backstitch. Work each stitch over two fabric threads.

2 Trim the evenweave fabric, then sew the patch to the fabric square with running

stitch. Pull two threads around the outer edge to form a short fringe.

See AlSo: Cross stitch basics, cross stitch 1. Appliqué basics, appliqué 1. Sewing on buttons, sewing 1.

Colour keyDMC stranded cottons

351 deep coral

498 red wine

817 poppy red

3865 soft white

Running stitch351 deep coral

Baguette bag

Make a special bag with a stylish rope handle to carry a crispy baguette. Making the bag couldn’t be easier – it’s simply an extra long drawstring bag with a tag at the bottom to run the cord through.

12table settings

12 table settings

• Fabric – one piece 84x31cm for bag and one piece 6x8cm for tag

• 2m of cord

• Matching sewing thread

• Pins and needle

• Unpicker or small pair of scissors

• Safety pin or threader

• Large eyelet

You will need ★ ★

See AlSo: Drawstring bags, sewing 15.

To make

1For the tag, press in the short edges then one long edge of the small fabric

piece by 1cm. Press in half with wrong sides together and shorter edges aligned. Topstitch close to the folded edges.

2Tack the tag to the right side of the main piece, with raw edges matching and

right sides together, 1.5cm above the short bottom edge.

3Fold the main piece in half lengthways with right sides together. Pin then stitch

the sides and base, taking a 1.5cm seam. Snip across the seams at the corners.

Metal eyelets are a quick and easy way to

create neatly finished holes that won’t fray.

You can buy eyelets from most department

stores and sewing shops. They are usually sold

in kit form with a simple assembling tool and full

instructions. The only extra equipment you need is a

hammer. Eyelets work best when they are inserted

in a double thickness of fabric.

designer’s

notebook

4At the top press in 1cm then 8cm. Stitch close to the bottom fold, then

2cm above. Turn the bag right side out and insert a large eyelet in the tag, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

5Unpick the side seam at the casing on the tag side and neaten. Thread the

cord through the casing and the eyelet and knot the ends together.

Corner pull blind

This smart window dressing offers clean lines and simple styling for modern interiors. It is ideal for windows with a less than perfect outlook, because it keeps part of the window covered.

7window treatments

7 window treatments

• Two coordinating or contrasting fabrics

• Fabric for binding

• Cord or rope to run from one bottom corner of the blind to the diagonally opposite corner, down the side of the window, plus an extra 40cm

• Metal ring

• Clip-on fastener (optional)

• Cleat

• Tape measure

• Narrow pole and two brackets

You will need ★ ★

See AlSo: Hand sewing needles, sewing 7.

Preparing windowMeasure up 5cm from each top corner of the window frame, then measure out 5cm and make a mark. Fix a bracket into the wall at each mark. Cut the pole so it extends 5cm beyond the brackets on each side and place it in the brackets. Fix the cleat directly below the right bracket, about 12.5cm above the bottom of the window.

Cutting outMeasure between the brackets to get A. Measure from the top of the pole to the window sill to get B. If there is no sill, measure to the bottom of the window frame and add on 5cm to get B.Main fabric and lining fabric From each fabric, cut one piece A by B plus 4cm. Binding fabric Cut and join enough 8cm wide strips to make a strip A plus twice B.

To make

1On the binding, press in 1.5cm along the long edges, then fold the binding in

half lengthways and press carefully.

2Lay the main fabric and the lining fabric wrong sides together. Enclose the side

and bottom edges in the binding, folding it into mitres at the corners; pin. Machine stitch close to the inner folded edge.

The instructions are to make a blind that pulls up at the bottom left. For a blind that pulls up at the bottom right, read ‘right’ for ‘left’ (and vice versa) throughout.

designer’snotebook

3For the casing, press 1cm, then 3cm to the wrong side along the top edge; pin.

Stitch close to the inner fold.

4Stitch the ring to the bottom left-hand corner. Tie the cord to the ring, or

attach with a clip-on fastener. Thread the pole through the casing and hang it on the brackets. Loop the cord over the pole on the right and tie the excess round the cleat.