Callaloo Soup: Tuesday To Do | Crochet Cushion Cover With T-Shirt Yarn

I've been wanting to work on this idea for a while now. I had in mind a cozy type cushion cover for the winter, and making it with chunky yarn seemed perfect. And what's chunkier than t-shirt yarn?

This is pretty simple and requires minimal supplies. You could probably knock one out in an afternoon. It's made in two parts: the front is crochet, and the back is fabric. Here's what you will need

Approximately 100 yards Black t-shirt yarn and 30 yards white t-shirt yarn. (See my tutorial for how to make your own.)
15mm crochet hook
Black wool felt or other fabric
Sewing machine
Tapestry needle and black yarn (optional)

Crochet the front

With black, chain 26, or enough to have a chain about 2" longer than the width of your cushion. (My cushion is the standard 16x16 size)

Row 1 sc in 2nd chain from hook, sc in all stitches across, turn

Row 2 chain 1, sc in each stitch across

Change to white

Row 3 chain 1 sc in each stitch across

Repeat pattern (that is: 2 rows black, one row white) until you have 4 white stripes (12 rows total)

Change to black yarn and sc in each stitch for next four rows.

Change to white and sc across for one row

Change to black and sc across for 2 rows

Repeat reverse pattern (1 row white, 2 rows black) three more times.

Slip stitch across last row.

Fasten off and weave in ends

Construct the back

Lay the crochet front onto your fabric and cut a square the same size as the front

Use the zig zag stitch on your sewing machine to overlock the edges of the fabric. If you have an overlock machine, even better! This will give you a nice finished edge. You could also opt to hem the edges; in this case cut the fabric about 1 inch bigger on each side.

Next lay the cushion front on top the fabric and pin together

Here's where it gets kind of dicey. To stitch the two pieces together you can use your sewing machine, or hand stitch. I started with my sewing machine, but it was just not up to the task because of the bulkiness of the t-shirt yarn. I even broke a needle! So this is a judgement call. If you have a heavy duty machine, and the right needles, go right ahead and use it. If you're not sure, opt for a tapestry needle and yarn and hand stitching.

Settle in on the couch and watch a guilty pleasure while doing this. My choice was Glee.