Do you love to crochet motifs? Are you looking for some bright projects to welcome spring into your home? Then, you’ll want to check out my review of a crochet pattern book by Emily Littlefair, including the excerpted pattern for the Sunny Citrus Cushion!

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. A free review copy of Round and Round the Crochet Hook: Patterns To Inspire and Admire by Emily Littlefair was provided to me by Tuva Publishing. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.

Book Review

Round and Round the Crochet Hook: Patterns To Inspire and Admire by Emily Littlefair is a delightful collection of 18 projects that are crocheted in the round. The book opens with an introduction from Emily, where she explains that all of the patterns used DMC Natura Just Cotton or DMC Natura XL yarns, and that you can switch a pattern made in the thin yarn to one made with the thick yarn and vice versa to create different looks. (You’ll need to switch your hook size, too, of course.)

The book moves on to a visual table of contents with lovely pictures of each project. There are 6 pillows, 5 table decorations (placemats, doilies, centerpieces), 3 wall hangings and garlands, 1 blanket, 1 coaster, 1 bag, and 1 rug pattern included. You can see pictures of all of the patterns on the book’s Ravelry page. Each project includes full-page photographs along with a description from Emily. The patterns include measurements, a supply list including the color names and numbers used, and written explanations of any special stitch patterns used. The patterns are written using international stitch symbol charts as well as U.S. crochet abbreviations. A key for the international stitch symbols used is included with each pattern. Some patterns, such as the Winnie’s Wonderland blanket, are made with one continuous motif; others, like Stars in the Night Sky, are made with smaller motifs joined together.

The book ends with a 5-1/2 page Crochet Basics and Techniques chapter, which includes written and illustrated instructions for basic crochet stitches; written instructions for the magic ring and standing stitches; written and illustrated instructions for different ways to insert the hook into the crochet (such as back loop, front loop, third loop, and back ridge of chains); and finishing tips.

The patterns are very pretty, and the bright photography inspires you to pick up your hook. While the patterns do not include a difficulty level and Round and Round the Crochet Hook: Patterns To Inspire and Admire does include helpful tips for beginners, since most of the patterns include special stitches, I would say this book is best suited to advanced beginner or intermediate crocheters who are comfortable with crocheting in the round, changing colors (and weaving in ends), and reading patterns.

Sunny Citrus Cushion

Crochet Pattern by Emily Littlefair

Published in Round and Round the Crochet Hook: Patterns To Inspire and Admire.

Pattern © 2017 Tuva Tekstil ve Yayincilik Ltd. Shared with permission from Tuva Publishing.

Note from Underground Crafter

• This pattern uses standard US crochet pattern abbreviations. You can find a master list of abbreviations here.

When I was making the motifs for this cushion, I was constantly reminded of citrus fruits. Yep, in the yellow tones I used, they looked like slices of lemons. I was aiming for the sun, but citrus fruit was close enough. This cushion will add the warmth of the sunny day to any room. As a thought… More of these motifs joined together would make a lovely blanket.

Finished Size

• To fit 16” (40.5 cm) Pillow Form
• Each Motif – About 6 3⁄4” (17 cm) square
• Each 4-Motif Block (excluding Border) – About 13 1⁄4” (34 cm)

Materials

• DMC Natura Just Cotton
  • Color A – Ble (#83)
  • Color B – Tournesol (#16)
  • Color C – Giroflee (#85) 2 balls
  • Color D – Nacar (#35)
  • Color E – Blue Jeans (#26)
  • Color F – Azur (#56)
  • Color G – Ivory (#02)
• One ball of each color was used, except for Color C.
• Hook: Size E-4 (3.50 mm)
• Scissors & Yarn Needle
• 16” (40.5 cm) square Pillow Form

Pattern Notes

1. A Magic Ring can be used instead of the chain ring in Round 1.
2. All joins are slip stitches, unless otherwise indicated.
3. All new colors are joined with right side facing, unless otherwise indicated.
4. Weave in all ends as you go.
5. Standing stitches can be used to start a round with a new color.
6. An invisible join can be used at the end of a round to finish a color.

Special Stitches

• Join With Single Crochet (join with sc): With slip knot on hook, insert hook into stitch or space indicated and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook (first single crochet made).
• Double Treble (dtr): Yarn over hook three times, insert hook in stitch or space indicated and draw up a loop (five loops on hook). [Yarn over and pull yarn through two loops on hook] 4 times, until only one loop remains on hook.
• Back Post Treble Crochet (BPtr): Yarn over hook twice, insert hook from back to front to back around post of indicated stitch, yarn over and draw up loop, [yarn over and pull through 2 loops] three times (treble crochet made).

Cushion Cover

Motif (Make 8)

• ROUND 1: (Right Side) Using Color A, ch 5, join with sl st to first ch to form ring; ch 4 (counts as first tr, now and throughout), tr in ring, ch 2, [2 tr in ring, ch 2] 7 times; join to first tr (4th ch of beg ch-4). (16 tr & 8 ch-2 sps) Fasten off Color A.
• ROUND 2: Using Color B, join with sc (see Special Stitches) to sp between any 2 adjacent tr-sts, [skip next tr, 5 dc in next ch-2 sp, skip next tr, sc in sp between tr-sts] around, omitting last sc on final repeat; join to first sc. (8 sc & 8 shells) Fasten off Color B.
• ROUND 3: Join Color C with sl st to any sc, ch 5 (counts as first dc & ch 2), [skip next 2 dc, sc in next (center) dc, ch 2, skip next 2 dc, dc in next sc] around, omitting last dc on final repeat; join to first dc (3rd ch of beg ch-5). (8 dc, 8 sc & 16 ch-2 sps)
• ROUND 4: Ch 1, [4 sc in next ch-2 sp] around; join to first sc. (64 sc) Fasten off Color C.
• ROUND 5: Join Color B with sl st to first sc, ch 3 (counts as rst dc, now and throughout), [dc in next sc] around; join to first dc (3rd ch of beg ch-3). (64 dc) Fasten off Color B.
• ROUND 6: Using Color D, join with sc to first dc, [sc in next dc] around; join to first sc. (64 sc) Fasten off Color D.
• ROUND 7: Join Color E with sl st to first dc, ch 5 (counts as first dtr), dtr (see Special Stitches) in same st, *2 tr in next sc, tr in next sc, dc in each of next 4 sc, hdc in each of next 2 sc, dc in each of next 4 sc, tr in next sc, 2 tr in next sc, 2 dtr in next sc, ch 2**, 2 dtr in next sc; rep from * around, ending at ** on final repeat; join to first dtr (5th ch of beg ch-5). (20 sts between each ch-2 corner – 4 dtr, 6 tr, 8 dc, 2 hdc) Fasten off Color E.
• ROUND 8: Join Color F with sl st to any corner ch-2 sp, ch 2, (2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc) in same sp, *hdc in next dtr, sc in each of next 18 sts, hdc in next dtr**, (2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc) in next corner ch-2 sp; rep from * around, ending at ** on final repeat; join to first hdc. (24 sts between each ch-2 corner – 6 hdc & 18 sc) Fasten off Color F.
• ROUND 9: Join Color G with sl st to any corner ch-2 sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, dc in each of next 24 sts, [(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp, dc in each of next 24 sts] around; join to first dc (3rd ch of beg ch-3) (112 dc & 4 ch-2 sps – 28 dc between corners) Fasten off Color G.

Assembly of Motifs – Use photo as guide

Horizontal Seam

• Holding 2 motifs with right sides facing (wrong sides together), matching shaping and stitches, working through both thicknesses, using Color G, join with sc to corner sp, sc in same sp, working in back loops of stitches only on both motifs, *sc in each of next 28 dc, 2 sc in corner ch-2 sp*, pick up next 2 motifs and work 2 sc in corner sp; rep from * to * once. (4 motifs joined across 2 sides) Fasten off Color G.

Vertical Seam

• Using same 4 motifs, repeat Horizontal Seam to create a block of 4 motifs – 2 motifs wide by 2 motifs long.
• Repeat Horizontal and Vertical Seams on remaining 4 Motifs, ending up with 2 blocks of 4 motifs each.

Block Border

• ROUND 1: With right side of one Block facing, join Color A with sl st to any outer corner ch-2 sp, ch 2, (2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc) in same sp, *hdc in each of next 28 dc, hdc in each of next 2 ch-2 sps (at seam), hdc in each of next 28 dc**, (2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc) in next corner ch-2 sp; join to first hdc; rep from * around, ending at ** on final repeat; join to rst hdc. (248 hdc & 4 ch-2 corners – 62 hdc between corners) Fasten off Color A.
• ROUND 2: Join Color B with sl st to any corner ch-2 sp, (2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc) in same sp, *hdc in each of next 2 hdc, BPtr (see Special Stitches) in each of next 58 hdc, hdc in each of next 2 hdc**, (2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc) in next corner ch-2 sp; rep from * around, ending at ** on final repeat. (32 hdc, 232 tr & 4 corner ch-2 sps – 66 sts between corners) Fasten off Color B.
• ROUND 3: Join Color C with sl st to any corner ch-2 sp, ch 4, (tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in same sp, tr in each of next 66 sts, [(2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in next corner ch-2 sp, tr in each of next 66 sts] around; join to first tr (4th ch of beg ch-4). (280 tr & 4 corner ch-2 sps – 70 tr between corners) Fasten off Color C.
• Repeat Block Border on second Block of Motifs.

Assembly of Cushion Cover – Use photo as guide

• Holding the two complete Blocks with right sides facing (wrong sides together), matching shaping and stitches, working through both thicknesses, using Color C, join with sc to any corner ch-2 sp, 3 sc in same sp, working in back loops of stitches only on both blocks, *sc in each of next 70 tr, 4 sc in next corner ch-2 sp; rep from * twice more, insert Pillow form, sc in each of remaining 70 tr; join to first sc. (296 sc – 74 sc across each side) Fasten off Color C.

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