Make do and Mend by Anna Elliott

Make do and Mend

Knitting
November 2011
DK (11 wpi) ?
24 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches
in Garter stitch
US 3 - 3.25 mm
Flag of English English
Out of print. This pattern was available for £3.00.
Errata available: ravelry.com

This pattern will not be available for the time being. The orignal version carried this description: “ Inspired by a book of World War II vintage stitch patterns, this patchwork cushion pays homage to the thrifty ways of wartime housewives. Gorgeous in Rowan Felted Tweed, this would work equally well as a stash buster for DK yarn, in a true reflection of ‘making do and mending’. “

While this was true at the time, and remains so, when I designed this, there was an interiors trend for Union Flags as part of the Retro/Vintage aesthetic. So I included a Union Flag among the squares of the cushion, naively thinking that it no longer had the same negative connotations caused by association with racial hatred that it did when I was growing up. I have changed my mind, and feel uncomfortable with the idea that my design might include motifs that could be used to make others feel unsafe, or could attract those whose views I cannot condone.

I hope to produce a new version, only featuring the vintage stitch patterns of my original idea, in the future.