How to Make a Tapestry Crochet Heart Cushion

* Knitcraft Light Grey Cotton Blend Plain DK Yarn 100g

* Knitcraft Light Blue Cotton Blend Plain DK Yarn 100g

* Knitcraft Lilac Cotton Blend Plain DK Yarn 100g

* Knitcraft White Cotton Blend Plain DK Yarn 100g

* Square Cushion Pad 40cm x 40cm

* Hemline Sizes 14 to 18 Needle Darner 5 Pack

* Hemline Thread Snips 10.5cm

* Knitcraft Pink Crochet Hook 4.5mm

Tapestry Chart:

Download the PDF template here

Abbreviations (UK):

ch – chain

cont - continue

dc – double crochet

tr – treble crochet

inc – increase by working 2 sts in next st

Dc2tog – decrease by working 2 dc together: insert hook in next st, yrh and pull through, insert hook in next st, yrh and pull through (3 loops on hook), yrh and pull through all 3 loops.

st – stitch/es

RS/WS - right side/wrong side

yrh - yarn round hook

· Made in two pieces starting with the back side. The front side includes an envelope fold that is sewn to the back side with an opening so the cushion can be removed.

· The back side is made in treble crochet to allow for some stretch when adding the cushion.

· You will need to choose a back and a front side when starting the tapestry crochet technique. This is because a small loop of the white yarn will show on the back side when turning.

· Each square on the chart represents TWO stitches.

· When working the front, the number of double crochet stitches is followed by the letter representing the yarn shade. Thus, “work 8dc in Light Grey, work 2dc in White” will be written as 8A, 2C etc

Cushion Back – 9 sts and 5 rows in treble crochet to 5 x 5cm/ 2 x 2in square

Cushion Front – 9 sts and 10 rows in double crochet to 5 x 5cm/2 x 2in square

Using yarn A and 4.5mm hook, work 73ch.

Row 1: 1tr in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn - 72 sts.

Row 2: 2ch (counts as first st), tr to end, turn.

Rows 3-31: As Row 2.

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Worked from corner to corner, the first 72 rows are increasing rows and the last 72 rows are decreasing rows.

Tapestry crochet involves working with two colours at the same time, the main colour of the stitch will be worked with the second colour weaved in and trapped underneath the stitches of the first colour until you are ready to use it again. Pick a front (right) and a back (wrong) side for this technique as the white yarn will show small loops where you turn during rows on one side. (insert image 1).

Using 4.5mm hook, and yarn A, 2ch.

Row 1: 2dc in 2nd ch from hook - 2 sts.

Row 2: 1ch, turn (does not count as a st here and throughout), inc in each dc - 4 sts.

Row 3: 1ch, turn, inc, 2dc, inc - 6 sts.

Row 4: 1ch, turn, inc, 4dc, inc - 8 sts.

Row 5: 1ch, turn, inc, 6dc, inc - 10 sts.

Rows 6 - 13: Cont as set by last five rows to increase 1 st at beg and end of each row - 26 sts.

Row 14: 1ch, turn, inc, 24dc, inc, change to yarn B on last pull through of last st.

Rows 15-19: Cont in pattern as set using yarn B only - 38 sts.

Start working the tapestry heart pattern working from the chart using the Tapestry Crochet method (see Pattern Notes) and noting that each square on the chart represent TWO dc stitches.

Row 20: 1ch, turn, inc changing to yarn C on last pull through and carrying yarn B under the sts, 12dc in yarn C changing to yarn B on last pull through of last st and carrying yarn C along work 12dc in yarn B changing to yarn C on last pull through of last st, 12dc in yarn C changing to yarn B on last pull through of last st and carrying yarn B along, inc in last st keep carrying yarn C along - 40 sts.

This row sets position of hearts.

Always changing yarn on last pull through of last st in previous colour and working in dc in Tapestry Crochet method (see Pattern Notes), cont as follows:

Row 21: 1ch, turn, inc in B, 2B, 12C, 12B, 12C, inc in B - 42 sts.

Row 22: 1ch, turn, inc in B, 14C, 10B, 14C, 2B, inc in B - 44 sts.

Row 23: 1ch, turn, inc in B, 4B, 12C, 12B, 12C, 2B, inc in B - 46 sts.

Row 24: 1ch, turn, inc in B, 2B, 14C, 10B, 14C, 4B, inc in B - 48 sts.

Row 25: 1ch, turn, inc in B, 6B, 12C, 12B, 12C, 4B, inc in B - 50 sts.

Row 26: 1ch, turn, inc in B, 4B, 14C, 10B, 14C, 6B, inc in B - 52 sts.

Row 27: 1ch, turn, inc in B, 8B, 12C, 12B, 12C, 6B, inc in B - 54 sts.

Row 28: 1ch, turn, inc in B, 12B, 8C, 16B, 8C, 8B, inc in B - 56 sts.

Row 29: 1ch, turn, inc in B, 10B, 8C, 16B, 8C, 12B, inc in B - 58 sts.

Row 30: 1ch, turn, inc in B, 14B, 8C, 16B, 8C, 10B, inc in B - 60 sts.

Row 31: 1ch, turn, inc in B, 12B, 8C, 16B, 8C, 14B, inc in B - 62 sts.

Row 32: 1ch, turn, inc in B, 16B, 8C, 18B, 6C, 14B, inc in B - 64 sts.

Fasten off yarn C, cont in yarn B.

Row 33: 1ch, turn, inc, dc to last st, inc in last st, changing to yarn D on last pull through - 66 sts.

Row 34: 1ch, turn, inc in first st, dc to last st, inc in last st - 68 sts.

Rows 35 – 43: Repeat Row 34 - 86 sts.

Row 44: 1ch, turn, inc in D, [12C, 12D] 3 times, 12C, inc in D - 88 sts.

Row 45: 1ch, turn, inc in D, 2D, [12C, 12D] 3 times, 12C, inc in D - 90 sts.

Row 46: 1ch, turn, inc in D, 14C, [10D, 14C] 3 times, 2D, inc in D - 92 sts.

Row 47: 1ch, turn, inc in D, 4D, [12C, 12D] 3 times, 12C, 2D, inc in D - 94 sts.

Row 48: 1ch, turn, inc in D, 2D, [14C, 10D] 3 times, 14C, 4D, inc in D - 96 sts.

Row 49: 1ch, turn, inc in D, 6D, [12C, 12D] 3 times, 12C, 4D, inc in D - 98 sts.

Row 50: 1ch, turn, inc in D, 4D, [14C, 10D] 3 times, 14C, 6D, inc in D - 100 sts.

Row 51: 1ch, turn, inc in D, 8D, [12C, 12D] 3 times, 12C, 6D, inc in D - 102 sts.

Row 52: 1ch, turn, inc in D, 12D, [8C, 16D] 3 times, 8C, 8D, inc in D - 104 sts.

Row: 1ch, turn, work 72dc across top of cushion.

Rows 2 - 30: 2ch, turn, 1tr in each st to end.

Fasten off.

Weave in all ends.

You have many options for construction. I chose to sew my sides together.

Put right sides together and clip or pin. Sew down the first side, across the bottom and up the second side ensuring that the envelope flap is in the correct position. Turn the cushion right side out and insert your cushion pad.