Limelle Cushion

The Limelle Cushion, Tunisian crochet cushion, is a wonderful addition to your living room; it can spice up the look of neutral décor sofa or armchair or add a quirky modern look to a colourful family of cushions.

The cushion is made using Tunisian crochet technique using stranded colourwork. This is an entry level project that allows crocheters to master the skill without worrying too much about trapping the strands as the wrong side of the project is hidden inside of the cushion, forgiving to any inconsistencies.

The sample is made in 4 colours, using cotton and bamboo sport weight yarn by Hobbii.

You can purchase the add free PDF version of the pattern at LoveCrafts here and Ravelry here.

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Please NOTE that this pattern is subject to copyright and is my intellectual property. The online version is for personal use only. Do not re-publish or sell this pattern in part or full or make video tutorials of it. Any such actions are a breach of copyright and can result in legal action.

Skills required:

To create this beautiful Tunisian crochet cushion you will need to master (or already know) these stitches and techniques:

Chain, Tunisian crochet technique (alternating forward and return passes), Tunisian simple stitch (tss), stranded colourwork, Tunisian simple stitch bind-off, blocking, locking mattress stitch, adding a zip.

Skill level:

Finished measurements:

The final Tunisian crochet cushion measurements (blocked):

42.15 cm x 28 cm (approx. 17 x 11)”

Materials and tools

To get the exact look as on the pictures of my Tunisian crochet cushion, you will need:

Hobbii Rainbow Bamboo (60% Bamboo viscose, 40% Cotton | Sport weight | 100 g (3.5 oz) = 250 m (273 yds)), (#03) Almond 1 ball (A), (#32) Warm Light Grey 1 ball (B), (#15) Green Tea 1 ball (C), (#11) Light Blue 1 ball (D)

Tunisian crochet hook size 4.0 mm (US size G-6) with cable (at least 25.5 cm (10”)) or size to obtain the gauge

Cushion insert 45.75 cm x 30.5 cm (18 x 12)”

Zip 38 cm (15”)

Tapestry needle

Sewing needle

Thread

Scissors

You can get your craft supplies here.

Gauge:

Blocked Gauge:

19 sts x 16 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4)” over st pattern

Gauge helps you to understand how the project turns out in terms of the final size. If you would like to achieve the exact size of the final project as in the instructions above, you gauge needs to match exactly to the above.

If you get more stitches and/or rows than stated above using the exact hook size as per instructions, your final project will turn out smaller. Conversely, if you get less stitches and/or rows than stated above using the exact hooks size as per instructions, your final project will turn out bigger.

To make adjustments, if you get more stitches and/or rows, you can try using bigger hook size to get closer to the desired size. Conversely, if you get less stitches and/or rows, you can try using smaller hook size to get closer to the desired size.

It may take trial and error to try out a few hook sizes to achieve the exact size.

Alternatively, if you really don’t want to make several samples to achieve the desired size, you can try to alter your tension as you work the project. However, I would advise to try this out once you master the basics of Tunisian crochet as it may be a bit tiresome to try to master the basics of Tunisian crochet and focus on alternating your tension while working the project.

Stitch guide:

Tunisian crochet stitches are worked in 2 steps; forward and return pass from right to left, with the number of sts (lps) increasing on the hook during the forward pass and decreasing during the return pass.

Return pass is worked in the same way for all stitches (rows of sts) used in this project as follows: 1 ch, * yrh, draw through 2 lps on hook, rep from * until 1 lp on hook.

Edge stitches:

Right edge stitch- This is the first lp on hook and counts as first st unless otherwise stated.

Left edge stitch- This st is referred to in the pattern as the End Stitch (ES) and is crocheted as follows: Rotate the end of the fabric towards yourself, insert the hook under both bars (left and right) of the last st, yrh and pul.

  • First row of Tunisian crochet: Insert the hook in the back bump of second ch from hook, yrh and pul across.
  • Tunisian simple stitch: insert hook from right to left behind the next front vertical bar, yrh and pul.

Changing colours as you go: When changing the colours within a row in Tunisian crochet, place the new strand of yarn over the old strand. This locks the old colour in place and prevent gaps occurring between the different colour sections.

How to change colours on return pass: Follow colour changes as per forward pass (colour chart) with changing to consecutive colour (X) when second lp from hook is in X.  

Tunisian Simple stitch bind-off: Insert hook from right to left under front vertical bar of the next st, yrh, pul and pull through the lp that is on the hook. One lp remains on the hook.

If this is your first Tunisian crochet project and are not sure if this blanket matches your skills, I have a Tunisian crochet masterclass tutorial that will jump-start your Tunisian crochet journey!

Abbreviations:   
ch- chain  yrh- yarn round the hook  
st(s)- stitch(es)  pul- pull up a loop  
lp(s)- loop(s)  FP- forward pass  
tss- Tunisian simple stitch  RP- return pass  
RS- right side  approx.- approximately  
ES- End stitchrep- repeat  

Colour charts:

Colour chart A

Colour chart B

Notes:

The panels are worked flat, RS facing from right to left.

Similar sport weight yarns may be substituted; please check gauge.

The stitch count refers to the number of lps on hook on FP.

The final cushion cover size will be slightly smaller (by approximately 2.5 cm (1”) horizontally and vertically), so that the cushion remains plumped up when the insert is placed inside and to allow for stretching of the fiber over time.

Instructions:

Panel 1 (front)

With B chain 80.

Row 1 FP: Insert the hook in the back bump of second ch from hook, yrh and pul across. 80 lps on hook.

Row 1 RP and all other RPs: Standard RP.

Row 2: Start working colourwork chart A (R2) changing colours as indicated, working tss in each st across to las st, ES.

Rows 3-11: Continue working colourwork chart A, tss in each st across to last st, ES in last st.

Rows 12-41: Rep Rows 2-11.

Row 42: In D, tss in each st across to last st, ES in last st.

Row 43: In D, tss bind-off. Fasten-off.

Panel 2 (back)

#With A chain 80.

Row 1 FP: Insert the hook in the back bump of second ch from hook, yrh and pul across. 80 lps on hook.

Row 1 RP and all other RPs: Standard RP.

Row 2: Start working colourwork chart B (R2) changing colours as indicated, working tss in each st across to las st, ES.

Rows 3-11: Continue working colourwork chart B, tss in each st across to last st, ES in last st.

Rows 12-41: Rep Rows 2-11.

Row 42: In D, tss in each st across to last st, ES in last st.

Row 43: In D, tss bind-off.

Fasten-off.

Finishing:

Weave in ends and block to final measurements.

Place both pieces RS together flat. Join both sides (left and right), top edge and 2.5 cm (1 in) of bottom edge on both sides using Locking Mattress Stitch. Sew zip into the 38 cm (15”) opening at the bottom edge. Insert pillow form.

Special techniques

Locking Mattress Stitch

  1. Place the pieces RS down with edges aligned side by side. Stitches will be worked through the bottom lps of each edge.
  2. Start the seam by inserting the needle from left to right through the first stitches of both panels at the bottom.
  3. Move one stitch up on the right side, insert the needle from right to left and continue to the first stitch on the left side (the one already worked into).
  4. Move one stitch up on the left side, insert the needle from left to right and continue to the last stitch worked into on the right side.   
  5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to end.
  6. Weave in ends.

I would love to see and share your work on social media, use #limellecushion or #exquisitecrochetuk.

Pattern support: exquisite.crochet.uk@gmail.com

Further resources:

Pattern video tutorial:

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You can purchase the add free PDF version of the pattern at LoveCrafts here and Ravelry here.

Did you enjoy the Limelle Cushion pattern? Why not try my other Tunisian crochet small home decor patterns:

Modwen Cushion

Mellow Pillow

Cottage Pouffe

Thank you so much if you got this far in the pattern! I hope you got inspired for your own version using various colours. I can’t wait to see it! Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram and let me know in the comment section below how you got on with it! As always, if you have any pattern query, the quickest way to get it answered is by emailing me on the pattern support email address above.

Happy crocheting!