Hold onto Summer with a Beach Hut Cushion

This is one of those projects I could see people in both the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere getting behind right now.

If you’re in the part of the world where summer is ending soon, you might want to hang onto that feeling a little bit longer with a cheery project like this that can make you smile through the cooler days.

And if you’re in the part of the world that is waiting impatiently for summer to come along, this is the perfect little bit of home decor to stitch up as you anticipate the arrival of warm temperatures.

Of course if you live in a beachy area or have a beach house, this is ideal decor any time of year. It would also be fun in a kids’ reading nook.

The beach hut cushion is a free pattern from Prima, and it’s about 46 by 31 cm (or 18 by 12 inches, give or take a little). Since you probably won’t find a pillow form that shape you can stuff it with batting or make your own pillow to slip inside this fun case.

It’s worked with DK weight yarn in four colors, but of course you can change up the colors as you like to make a beach hut that’s just to your liking.

The front and back of the pillow are each worked flat, and both sides are the same other than adding the door applique to the front of the pillow. The pieces are stitched together with an I-cord edging, though you could just sew them together in whatever way you like if you’d rather.

This pillow is super cute and easy to make, and it’s sure to bring a smile to your face whatever the weather outside.

You can get the free pattern for this sweet and colorful knit cushion from Prima.

[Photo: Prima]

One of my favorite things to make on a circular knitting machine is scarves, because they’re a great way to use leftover yarn and certainly faster than knitting by hand.

But if you pay attention to the colors you’re using and how you are using them, you can make fun knitting machine scarves that look like something different when you roll them up.

One of the first versions of this I saw was the sushi scarf, are there are a lot of variations on this one. For example this one from Flower and Anchor that uses five colors of yarn, or this one from Three Threads NE that uses four. These generally are made to look like California rolls, but you could change up the colors to make them different things if you like. Just make sure the outside of the “roll” is black or green to indicate the nori. I found another version on Pinterest if you’re looking for a free pattern, but there’s no image of it rolled up.

Another popular variation is making a scarf that rolls up to look like a mug with coffee, tea or another fun beverage inside. This collection of three mug scarf circular knitting machine patterns from Idaho Cottage Creation includes green tea, a pumpkin spice latte with whipped cream and a candy cane colored confection (which honestly reminds me of the Grinch since it has a green mug!). Again you can change the colors of the mug part and the drink part. The little handle looks like it’s crocheted on these, and it doubles as a loop you can thread the scarf end through when you wear it.

Again there’s a version of the green tea scarf on Pinterest with crocheted elements. I also found a latte done with a striped yarn and a red mug that’s pretty cute and gives you an idea what a different beverage would look like.

I also love this pumpkin pie scarf designed by Jodi Favish Saunier. It has a bit of crocheted edging to give it a fancy crust but you can omit that if you don’t crochet. These are all on Facebook but she also has a watermelon and lemonade pattern that are super cute.

Have you read?