Bright crocheted strips are woven together with black to create a multihued checkerboard atop this clever ottoman. Stuffed with a beanbag, this piece is sturdy enough to serve as a footstool or extra seat.
DESIGNED BY REGINA RIOUX
17½" wide × 17½" long × 10½" deep (44.5 × 44.5 × 26.5 cm).
Chunky weight (#5 Bulky).
Shown here: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Chunky (80% acrylic, 20% wool; 153 yd [140 m]/5 oz [140 g]), in #630-152 Charcoal (MC), 6 skeins; in #630-133 Pumpkin (A), #630-130 Grass (B), #630-140 Deep Rose (C), #630-131 Moss (D), #630-099 Fisherman (E), and #630-146 Orchid (F), 1 skein each.
Size K-10½ (6.5 mm), or size needed to obtain gauge.
1 yd (0.91 m) of black acrylic felt; popped polystyrene beanbag refill (3.5 cubic feet); marking pins; sewing supplies; tapestry needle.
10 sc and 12 rows = 4" (10 cm) to make 1 panel. Take time to check your gauge.
(Make 8 in color MC, 2 each in colors A and B, and 1 each in colors C, D, E and F.)
Ch 43.
ROW 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across—42 sc, ch 1, turn.
ROWS 2–4: Sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn.
ROW 5: Sc in each sc across, fasten off.
Place 8 MC color strips vertically and parallel to one another. Foll diagram, beg at top and weave first horizontal color strip laying it over one vertical strip, then under next vertical strip; cont to alternate. Secure end of first woven strip with a pin. Rep with rem color strips, alternating the start of each weave and pinning in place at outer edges.
COLOR TIP
Simply switching the colors on this project can change its direction entirely—why not work the checkerboard in red and black, crochet some disks, and make a life-size checkers game? It’s the ultimate rec room accessory!
Securing Strips
With RS facing, attach color MC through both layers at edge where pinned after corner.
RND 1: Ch 1, *40 sc evenly along first edge through both layers to secure, 3 sc in corner; rep from * twice more, 40 sc evenly along last edge, join with sl st to first sc, fasten off.
(Make 4 in color MC.)
Ch 41.
ROW 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across—40 sc, ch 1, turn.
ROWS 2–28: Sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn.
RND 29: *Sc in each sc across, rotate 90 degrees to right, 29 sc evenly across side to corner**, rotate 90 degrees to right; rep from * ending at **, join with sl st to beg sc, fasten off.
Ch 41 with color MC.
ROW 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across—40 sc, ch 1, turn.
ROWS 2–42: Sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn.
RND 43: *Sc in each sc across, rotate 90 degrees to right, 42 sc evenly across side to corner**, rotate 90 degrees to right; rep from * ending at **, join with sl st to beg sc, fasten off.
Top Panel Assembly
Color Key
Inner Cube Construction
With acrylic felt, cut 2 pieces 18" × 18" (45.5 × 45.5 cm) square and 4 pieces 18" × 11" (45.5 × 28 cm) rectangular.
Pin 4 rectangular pieces together consecutively, short side to short side, creating “box” shape. Using a ¼" (6 mm) seam allowance, sew seams.
Pin one square piece to open side of “box” and sew entire seam using a ¼" (6 mm) seam allowance. Turn box inside out.
Pin remaining square to open side of box and sew along 3 sides using a ¼" (6 mm) seam allowance.
Stuff with popped polystyrene until full and sew remaining seam.
Outer Cube Construction
Pin 4 rectangular crocheted pieces together consecutively, short side to short side, creating “box” shape (RS facing out).
ROW 1: Sl st seam tog evenly across first short side, fasten off.
Rep Row 1 for rem 3 sides.
Pin back crocheted panel to open side of “box.”
RND 1: Sl st seams tog evenly around, join with sl st to first sl st, fasten off.
Turn cube over with interior of crocheted “box” facing. Place felt inner cube inside crocheted cube. Pin front crocheted panel to open side of box.
RND 2: Sl st seams tog evenly around, join with sl st to first sl st, fasten off.
Weave in ends.