Knitted Sunflower Cushion

Here is a simple knitted sunflower cushion pattern that is great for intermediate knitters.

What you need

4 x 20g balls double knitting for the centre.

and 4 x 20g balls for petals

5 1/2mm needles no 5 needles

Instructions

To make the center Use two strands of the color you have chosen for the center.

Cast on 16 stitches.

Work in stocking stitch, which is one row knit, one row purl alternately, beginning with a knit row.

Knit 1 row.
Increase 1 stitch at each end of the next 5 rows. (26 stitches)
Increase 1 stitch at each end of the next row.
Purl 1 row.
Repeat the last 2 rows twice more.
(32 stitches).

Increase 1 stitch at each end of the next row.
Work 3 rows.
Repeat the last 4 rows twice more.
(38 stitches).
Work 4 rows without shaping.
Decrease 1 stitch at each end of next row.
Work 3 rows.
Repeat last 4 rows once. (34 stitches)
Decrease 1 stitch at each end of next row.

Purl 1 row.
Repeat last 2 rows twice. (28 stitches)
Decrease 1 stitch at each end of next
6 rows. (16 stitches)
Cast off.

Work another center in the same way.

Place the centers together with the smooth, right sides touching and back stitch evenly round the edge, leaving a gap of about 10 cm.

Turn right side out and stuff.

Now neatly join the edges of the gap together.

To make the petals

Using 2 strands of your chosen color, cast on 21 stitches.

1st row Knit 1, * Purl 1, knit 1, repeat from the * to the end of the row.

Repeat this row 11 times more. The pattern you will make is called moss stitch.

Keeping the moss stitch pattern correct, that is, always purling the purl stitch of the row before, and knitting the knit one, decrease 1 stitch at each end of the next 4 rows.

Cast off.

Work 8 more petals in the same way. Sew the cast-on edge of each petal to the cushion seam, gathering the edge slightly so that it curls round like a real flower petal.

All done!