Sunflower Cushion

4 x 20g balls double knitting for the centre.

and 4 x 20g balls for petals

5 1/2mm needles no 5 needles

To make the centre
Use two strands of the colour you
have chosen for the centre.

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 centre in the same way.
Place the centres together with the
smooth, right sides touching and
back stitch evenly round the edge,
leaving a gap of about 10cm.

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 colour,
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.