Anna Hrachovec - Grouchy Couch: E-pattern from Knitting Mochimochi

This fusty furnishing may have seen better decades, but then again, maybe so have you! FINISHED SIZE Approximately 9" wide, 5" tall, 6" deep YARN Worsted-weight yarn in green (MC), orange (CC), and small amount of black Samples Knit with Cascade 220 (4/worsted weight; 100% wool; each approx 3 oz/100g and 220 yds/201m): 2 skeins 9461 (Lime Heather), 1 skein 7826 (California Poppy), <1 yard 8555 (Black) NEEDLES Set of size 5 US (3.75mm) 7" double-pointed needles Pair of size 5 US (3.75mm) straight needles GAUGE 2" = 11 stitches and 15 rows in stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS) OTHER MATERIALS Waste yarn Crochet hook Tapestry needle Stuffing TECHNIQUES Provisional cast-on, stranded color knitting, backward loop cast-on, mattress stitch, simple embroidery NOTES Make sure your gauge for the stranded knitting sections and knitting with a single color are the same. Adjust your needle size for the stranded knitting sections, if necessary. In pieces that incorporate the color pattern, the stitch count is always a multiple of 8, but row count isnt always a multiple of 6, so work rows of color pattern until you come to the end of the row count for that piece. Using provisional cast-on with waste yarn and a crochet hook, CO 38 stitches of MC onto 1 dpn. With MC, and beginning with a knit row, work 29 rows St st. Instead of turning for the next purl row, rotate piece 90 degrees clockwise and use a second dpn to pick up and knit 22 stitches along side of piece.

Unzip waste yarn, slip the 38 stitches onto a third needle, and knit. With a fourth needle, pick up and knit 22 stitches along the remaining side (A). A Once you have knit 29 rows, pick up stitches on the other three sides and begin knitting in the round while incorporating the couch Color Pattern. Place marker. You will continue to knit these 120 stitches in a round using a fifth needle. Next round: With MC, k38, then BO remaining 88 stitches, and BO the last stitch using first stitch of round. Next round: With MC, k38, then BO remaining 88 stitches, and BO the last stitch using first stitch of round.

You will be left with one stitch on your right needle, and 37 on your left. Knit to the end of the row, and turn. Beginning with a purl row, work 27 rows St st. BO all stitches.

With MC and straight needles, CO 43 stitches. Beginning with a purl (WS) row, work Rows 156 as indicated in the Couch Back chart.

BO all stitches.

With MC, CO 56 stitches onto 3 dpns, place marker, and join in a round. Knit 13 rounds in color pattern, then BO all stitches with MC. With MC, CO 40 stitches onto 3 dpns, place marker, and join in a round. Knit 25 rounds in color pattern, then BO all stitches with MC. With MC, CO 40 stitches onto 3 dpns, place marker, and join in a round.

Knit 6 rounds in color pattern. Next round: K20 as est, CO 8 using backward loop, k20 as est. Knit 10 more rounds in color pattern, then BO all stitches with MC.

With MC, CO 4 stitches onto one dpn. Round 1 (work as I-cord): [Kfb] 4 times8 stitches. Round 2: [Kfb] 8 times16 stitches. Round 3: Knit. Round 4: [Kfb, k1] 8 times24 stitches. Round 5: Knit. Rounds 632: Knit 27 rounds in color pattern. Rounds 632: Knit 27 rounds in color pattern.

Switch to MC. Round 33: [K2tog, k1] 8 times16 stitches. Round 34: Knit. Stuff piece before continuing. Round 35: [K2tog] 8 times8 stitches.

Sew flap on base using mattress stitch, and stuff lightly before closing up so that the piece is filled out but not puffy (B). Sew flap on base using mattress stitch, and stuff lightly before closing up so that the piece is filled out but not puffy (B).

The seamed side will become the bottom of the couch. Fold couch back piece in two, and seam around the sides using mattress stitch, stuffing fully, but without overstuffing, before closing up. B Fold down the flap on the couch base so that it aligns with the bound-off edges, then use mattress stitch to close the seam. For top cushions, bottom cushions, and side panels, lay each piece flat and seam along open edges, and stuff before closing. Embroider eyes with black yarn and tapestry needle. For each eye, use about 6 stitches across knitted stitch in the center of cushion.

Assemble pieces as indicated in schematic. Bottom and top cushions can either sit on couch unattached or be tacked on with a few stitches for each. Weave in all loose ends.

Note: Armrest and base are shown as stuffed and closed.Note: Only right side panel and armrest are shown; mirror assembly shown for left side panel and armrest.Attach areas of same colors together using mattress stitch in the following order:Bottom of back to bottom of baseBack to top of base where the two areas meetSide panel to side of baseFront of side panel to front of base