When I was little, my mother made a very special quilt. It was a gift for my sister, who is a few years older than me. The quilt was made up of fabric scraps collected over time, whether they were originally used for doll’s clothes, smocked dresses for us, or cushions and blankets. My mother used a “half square triangle” method of patchwork piecing so that pops of bright, cheerful prints were broken up by calming creams and blues, then she assembled the quilt by hand. It was a labour of love, and the design of the quilt has always held a very treasured place in my heart.

In The Patchwork Project ebook, I have provided a recipe for how to make your own knitted “half square triangle” patchwork using garter stitch and a join-as-you-go method. The patchwork is always made up of triangles, but how you piece them together can give you an overall triangular, or even rectangular or square shape. As the construction is modular, you can make your overall shape to whatever size you like!

I’ve also provided instructions for how I like to weave in my ends, how you can modify the recipe to suit your own needs, and I’ve included a range of finishing options that you can choose from for your project. There is a study of each of the projects I’ve made at the back of the ebook, and colouring-in sheets to imagine your own. For special techniques I’ve come up with especially for this ebook the instructions are provided with written instructions and a full photo tutorial. For techniques that are more commonly used in knitting I’ve still provided written instructions, but with a video tutorial link that you can check out if it’s not a technique you’re familiar with, or if you’d just like a refresher of the steps required.

This knitted patchwork method is a wonderful way to use up your scraps and mini skeins as you only need a small amount of yarn per triangle. Use just 2 colours in you project for an eye-catching monochrome design, use half exciting colours with half neutrals for a fun but soothing overall effect, or go all out with crazy yarns for each and every triangle to knit the most colourful project possible.

Square Cushion Cover Project

Yarn: Assorted Sport/5ply scraps. Most commonly used was Cascade 220 Sport. Other scraps included The Fibre Co. Arranmore Light and Karoa Fibres M7.

I used approximately 102g of scraps for each side of the cushion cover (204g in total – approximately 130g of this was Cascade 220 Sport in the main colour 8401 grey), and 5g for each pom pom (also Cascade 220 Sport in colour 8401), which worked out to about 224g/675m (738yds) of scraps in total.

Needles: 3.5mm (US 4) in any style.
Notions: 4.5cm (1 ¾“) pom pom maker.

Please note that pom poms may present a choking hazard for children aged 3 years and under. If you make the cushion with pom poms, you may need to include a choking hazard warning label to that effect on the finished product.

Gauge: 22.5 stitches x 44 rows = approximately 10cm (4”) in garter stitch, knit flat and relaxed after blocking.

I’ve knit my cushion cover at a fairly tight gauge for that cozy quilted feel, but you can knit yours at any gauge you like. Your gauge will affect your yardage requirements and final measurements.

Finished Dimensions: 38.5cm x 38.5cm (15 ¼“ x 15 ¼”) (not including pom poms), to fit a 40cm x 40cm (15 ¾“ x 15 ¾”) cushion insert.

Finishing Option: Mattress stitch and pom poms.