Fair and square

Create celebration and nature-inspired blocks with these two gorgeous ideas by Kate Eastwood

Bring some festive cheer to your sofa with a Christmas cushion

STEEKS Work 9 steek sts by knitting every stitch, and knitting in the two alternating colours used in that round. Aim to have the colours align, so that dark is above dark and light is above light. Be

YOU WILL NEED ■ Any DK yarn in 3 colours ■ A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook ■ 4 buttons, 10mm ■ 2 straight-sided mugs TENSION 5½ spike clusters and 14 rows in spike granny st measure 10x10cm (4x4in) 4 shell

1x1 RIB Row 1 (RS): K1, *P1, K1; rep from * to end. Row 2: P1, *K1, P1; rep from * to end. These two rows form the pattern and are repeated. FAIR ISLE RIB PATTERN Set-up row 1 (RS): Work 1x1 rib in ya

YOU WILL NEED ■ King Cole Merino Blend DK (100% wool, 100g/230m) Yarn A Silver (036), 2 balls of each: Yarn B Blackcurrant (3394) Yarn D Cream (010) Yarn E Pale Pink (1532) 1 ball of Yarn C Red (009)