Date: Sat, 18 Oct 1997 22:04:02 -0700 From: Diana Foss To: Knit@Bolis.com Subject: KNIT: A Few of my Favorite Things [...] Holiday Pattern --------------- I've raved before about Joan Schrouder's GAA square, and I've even based a baby blanket on it already. And, when I decided to knit something for my cousin's wedding, a cushion based on Joan's square was what popped out. Joan has graciously encouraged me to post the pattern, despite it's obvious provenance. It's also on my Web site (along with a photo) at http://www.mooseyard.com/Diana/pillow.html Twirly Cushion Cover -------------------- Materials: four hanks plus a few more yards of CE Paisley one 16" square cushion form five US size 8 dpns one 16" and one 29" or larger US size 8 circular needle four stitch markers Gauge: 4.375 sts per inch, in sticking stitch, in the round, although gauge isn't really all that critical, since you can keep knitting until it's big enough to cover the pillow form. Cast on 4 sts on one dpn and commence Linda Walsh's Incredible I-cord Cast On: Round 1: Slide the cast-on sts back to the other end of the needle, and pull the yarn snugly behind them. Knit into the front and back of each stitch (KFB), starting with the first stitch that you cast on (usually the slip knot.) Round 2: Slide the sts back to the other end of the needle, and pull the yarn snugly behind them. *k1, KFB* repeat across all 8 sts. Round 3: Slide the sts back to the other end of the needle, and pull the yarn snugly behind them. With each of the other four dpns k1, KFB, k1. Rounds 4 - 10: On each needle, knit across to the second-to-the-last st, KFB, k1 Move the work onto the smaller circular needle, placing st markers after every needle's worth of sts. Round 11: Slip the next st purlwise, bring the yarn forward, slip the st back to the left hand needle, and turn the work. Keep the wrapped yarn very loose. Between each marker, k1, KFB, knit across. Rounds 12 - 20: Between each marker, k1, KFB, knit across. Round 21: Slip the next st purlwise, bring the yarn forward, slip the st back to the left hand needle, and turn the work. Keep the wrapped yarn very loose. Between each marker, knit across, KFB, k1. Continue in this way until there are 280 sts on the needle (70 in each section) or, until it's as large as your pillow form. A *very* long circular needle is useful for this (I used a 60" long Addi.) Make one more square, but don't cast off either one yet. When they're both done (and the ends woven in ) hold them flat together, both still on circular needles, so that they "twirl" in opposite directions. Now cast off using a three-needle I-cord cast off (and rejoice that you don't have to sew!) First, use a provisional cast on to cast on 3 sts on to the circular needle of the square facing you.. If you're using the yarn straight from one of the squares (that is, if you didn't want to cut the yarn) make sure the provisional cast-on is right up against the corner of the square. Now, with a third needle (use a dpn), k3, then *slip the sts back on to the front circular needle. Pull the yarn snug, k2, knit together the third st with the next st on the front and back circular needles.* When you get to a marker, knit 2 rows of I-cord without attaching the squares; this will make a sharper corner. Join the squares on three sides, then stuff the pillow into the form. Continue binding off with the three-needle I-cord bind off, although I must admit that it does get awkward with the pillow in the way. But keep repeating to yourself "No sewing! No sewing!" When you've bound off all of the square sts, knit one more round of unattached I-cord, remove the waste yarn from your provisional cast-on, and graft together the ends of the I-cord. (For a no-sew project, you can graft a measly three stitches, right?) Enjoy! Copyright 1997 by Diana Foss. Diana Foss diana@mooseyard.com http://www.mooseyard.com Just because a message *says* "Please forward to all your friends" doesn't mean you actually have to *do* it. --- This pattern downloaded from Wool Works: the online knitting compendium http://www.woolworks.org/