Crochet Competition Entry at the last minute!

Two months ago Elisabeth Andree of About Crochet set a challenge for 20 crocheters to create an item (scarf, shawl, fingerless gloves, mittens, or cushion cover) using 3 stitch patterns or a combination of the 3.  

I blogged about my first attempt here.  This is a close up:

The pattern is called 'Chain Single-Crochet', the details are here.

When I was trying patterns and yarns out I drove myself mad with different colour combinations, and threw far too many in!  The pattern created by the stitch pattern I used was fascinating, and I'm sure could be used to create some brilliant colour effect.

I decided to make something that I could use... and in the end 

the design for a cushion cover emerged.. plain, simple, 

a little feminine maybe... 

Two colours - Grey and flecked cream.

My cushion cover measures 40 x 40cm and has a concealed 

slit opening a the back, fastened by crocheted bows....

The yarn I used for the body of the cushion is a wool, 

acrylic and fine alpaca mix. The cream for the embellishments

 is an oddment from my stash, probably an alpaca/silk mix.  

Both are aran weight. 

I used a size 6 (UK) crochet hook .  The yarn suggested 

size 5 - 5.5 (UK)  but I wanted a softer, looser fabric.

The body of the cushion cover and all the embellishments 

are made entirely using Chain Single Crochet (ch.sc), and is 

'variation 1' of the 3 that Elisabeth gave us.  

Method: 

• I cast on 57 base chain and just continued until the main piece measured 40cm.  
• I then began 2 pieces for the back in the same way, continuing one until it measured 34cm and the other for 12cm.  This allowed for a 2cm overlap when the 2 pieces were sewn together. 
• Before assembling the cover, I crocheted 1 row of ch. sc all around the edges of the 3 pieces.  This gave me a more uniform edge to sew.
• Sliding the 2 back pieces over each other - the largest over the smallest, I pinned them when they measured 40cm.  With wrong sides together I used over-sewing to sew the 2 sides together.

• To form the 3 bows - 2 small for the back, and 1 larger to embellish the front, I cast on base rows of 50 x 2, (100 for the larger) chain and crochet 1 row of ch.sc.

• The 'ribbon' for the front edge of the cushion was made in the same way but I cast on 250 base chain.

• To fasten the back of the cover, there was no need to create button holes as the woven effect of the main stitch forms many holes.  I selected an appropriate position for the bows and threaded them through.

• Finally I threaded the longest 'ribbon' in and out around the front edge of the cover and stitched it in place. 
• I formed a bow with the last 'ribbon' and attached it to the top right corner with a few stitches.

Ta-dah!