Irish Harp free C2C crochet pattern

Create a crochet cushion cover to show off your Irish heritage for St. Patricks Day with this Irish harp free crochet pattern. 
This is the front panel of the Irish Harp cushion cover. It is designed for use with the matching back in the colours of the Irish flag. It could be used with a plain white back, if desired.

 
A full tutorial on working a corner to corner crochet stitch and reading a corner to corner pattern is available here. This tutorial gives a bonus pattern of four cup coasters which co-ordinate with the cushion cover.

Did you know that the harp is the official national symbol of Ireland? Or that Ireland is the only country in the world to have a musical instrument as our national symbol? You may think of shamrock when you think of Ireland, and the shamrock is indeed our national plant, and much loved by Irish people. But the harp is the official symbol of the country, and appears on our passports, and many other places. This makes it a perfect symbol to use for St Patricks day decor.

Materials Needed: 

Rico Creative Cotton Aran (100% cotton) Size 4 Aran weight, 85m/93yds per 50g/1.75oz ball
 
White (colour 80): 3 balls
Green (colour 49): 1 ball
Contrast green – Ivy (colour 66): 1 ball
Orange (colour 74): 1 ball 
 
Yarn substitutions suggestions: 
Drops Paris
Rainbow Hobbii
Scheepjes Cahlista
Cascade Yarns Nifty Cotton
 
4.5mm (US size 7) crochet hook, or size needed to match tension/gauge
 
Darning needle for weaving in ends
 
Pegs or bobbins if desired for keeping yarn untangled (7)
 
2 large buttons, 1 inch or bigger
 
43x43cm or 16”x16” cushion pad. A cushion that is a tiny bit larger than the cover is best, to give the filled cushion some plumpness.
Metric cushion pads come in very slightly different sizes, the 43cm option recommended is just a touch bigger than the 16” option, but they should both work well.

Tension/gauge:

8 tiles = 10cm/4” before first wash
9 tiles = 10cm/4” after washing
(The tendency to shrink slightly on a first wash has as much to do with the crochet stitch used as the type of yarn, and if possible, it is best to create a swatch  and wash it as you would the finished item. The gaps between the stitches in a C2C pattern will tend to contract the first time it is washed.) To swatch, work an 8 by 8 tile square, or follow any of the coaster patterns in the tutorial. Yarn quantities given in the recommended yarn are sufficient to also create the coasters. 

Measurements:

41cm/16in²

Accessibility, abbreviations and terminology:

This pattern is laid out to be dyslexia friendly, avoiding unnecessary abbreviations and accessible to screenreaders, in large sized font. 
The pattern is given in both chart format, and written out line by line. All information in the chart is repeated in the line by line instructions. 
 
It has been written for both US and UK terminology. Because it is a C2C pattern, the specific terms that are different between UK and US terms only occur in two paragraph, which are repeated so you can read the one that works best for you.
 
The chart is shown first, followed by the line by line instructions.

How to crochet C2C stitches

The pattern is worked entirely in a half treble crochet (UK term)/half double crochet (US term) corner to corner stitch.
This guide will give more details and photo tutorials on working corner to corner stitches, and reading a corner to corner pattern.
 
UK terms:
First tile: Chain 5, skip 2 chains, half treble crochet into next three chain stitches. 
Second row: turn your work, chain 5, skip 2 chains and half treble into each of the next three. Slip stitch into chain 2 space, chain 2, work three half treble crochet stitches into the chain 2 space – you have now completed row 2, with 2 tiles worked.
For all subsequent rows, turn your work. Start with a starting chain of five, work a beginning tile, then tile to the end of the row, following the pattern for colour instructions.
Continue to row 36. 
 
US terms:
First tile: Chain 5, skip 2 chains, half double crochet into next three chain stitches. 
Second row: turn your work, chain 5, skip 2 chains and half double into each of the next three. Slip stitch into chain 2 space, chain 2, work three half double crochet stitches into the chain 2 space – you have now completed row 2, with 2 tiles worked.
For all subsequent rows, turn your work. Start with a starting chain of five, work a beginning tile, then tile to the end of the row, following the pattern for colour instructions.
 
Continue to row 36.

Both UK and US terms, continue

Decreasing row 37: Work to the final tile of the previous row, join with a slip stitch into the chain 3 space. Do not continue to place a tile on top. Chain 1 and turn. Slip stitch over 3 stitches, and chain 2. Work 3 stitches into the chain 2 space, and continue as normal.
 
Note that the ‘square’ is actually very slightly rectangular, and row 37 has decreases only on one side, with the stitch count remaining unchanged.  
 
Decreasing row 38 and subsequent rows: Work a decrease as above for row 37, on both ends of each subsequent row. Your stitch count will decrease by 1 tile each row.

Pattern Starts – chart

Pattern starts – line by line instructions.

← Row 1 [Right Side]: 1 orange.  [1 tile]
 
→ Row 2 [Wrong Side]: 2 orange. [2 tiles]
 
← Row 3 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 1 white, 1 orange. [3 tiles]
 
→ Row 4 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 2 white, 1 orange. [4 tiles]
 
← Row 5 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 3 white, 1 orange. [5 tiles]

→ Row 6 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 4 white, 1 orange. [6 tiles]

← Row 7 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 5 white, 1 orange. [7 tiles]

→ Row 8 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 6 white, 1 orange. [8 tiles]

← Row 9 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 7 white, 1 orange. [9 tiles]

→ Row 10 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 8 white, 1 orange. [10 tiles]

← Row 11 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 9 white, 1 orange. [11 tiles]

→ Row 12 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 3 white, 1 green, 6 white, 1 orange. [12 tiles]

← Row 13 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 6 white, 4 green, 1 white, 1 orange. [13 tiles]

→ Row 14 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 1 white, 5 green, 6 white, 1 orange. [14 tiles]

← Row 15 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 6 white, 3 green, 2 contrast green, 1 green, 1 white, 1 orange. [15 tiles]

→ Row 16 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 1 white, 1 green, 3 contrast green, 3 green, 6 white, 1 orange. [16 tiles]

← Row 17 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 6 white, 3 green, 4 contrast green, 1 green, 1 white, 1 orange. [17 tiles]

→ Row 18 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 1 white, 1 green, 5 contrast green, 3 green, 6 white, 1 orange. [18 tiles]

← Row 19 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 6 white, 3 green, 5 contrast green, 2 green, 1 white, 1 orange. [19 tiles]

→ Row 20 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 1 white, 2 green, 1 white, 1 green, 4 contrast green, 3 green, 6 white, 1 orange. [20 tiles]

← Row 21 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 6 white, 3 green, 4 contrast green, 1 green, 2 white, 1 green, 2 white, 1 orange. [21 tiles]

→ Row 22 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 2 white, 1 green, 3 white, 5 contrast green, 3 green, 6 white, 1 orange. [22 tiles]

← Row 23 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 6 white, 3 green, 3 contrast green, 1 green, 1 contrast green, 1 green, 2 white, 2 green, 2 white, 1 orange. [23 tiles]

→ Row 24 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 3 white, 1 green, 3 white, 1 green, 1 contrast green, 1 green, 3 contrast green, 3 green, 6 white, 1 orange. [24 tiles]

← Row 25 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 6 white, 3 green, 5 contrast green, 4 white, 2 green, 3 white, 1 orange. [25 tiles]

→ Row 26 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 4 white, 1 green, 3 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 contrast green, 1 green, 2 contrast green, 3 green, 6 white, 1 orange. [26 tiles]

← Row 27 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 6 white, 3 green, 2 contrast green, 1 green, 1 contrast green, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 3 white, 2 green, 4 white, 1 orange. [27 tiles]

→ Row 28 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 5 white, 1 green, 7 white, 4 contrast green, 3 green, 6 white, 1 orange. [28 tiles]

← Row 29 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 6 white, 3 green, 1 contrast green, 1 green, 1 contrast green, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 3 white, 2 green, 5 white, 1 orange. [29 tiles]

→ Row 30 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 6 white, 1 green, 4 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 contrast green, 1 green, 1 contrast green, 3 green, 6 white, 1 orange. [30 tiles]

← Row 31 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 6 white, 3 green, 3 contrast green, 9 white, 2 green, 6 white, 1 orange. [31 tiles]

→ Row 32 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 7 white, 2 green, 3 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 contrast green, 4 green, 6 white, 1 orange. [32 tiles]

← Row 33 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 6 white, 4 green, 1 contrast green, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 4 white, 1 green, 8 white, 1 orange. [33 tiles]

→ Row 34 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 8 white, 2 green, 11 white, 2 contrast green, 3 green, 6 white, 1 orange. [34 tiles]

← Row 35 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 6 white, 3 green, 1 contrast green, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 3 white, 2 green, 9 white, 1 orange. [35 tiles]

→ Row 36 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 10 white, 1 green, 4 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 contrast green, 2 green, 7 white, 1 orange. [36 tiles]
 
Corner: Start decreasing on Right side (work as normal to last tile, start decreasing).  
 
← Row 37 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 7 white, 3 green, 13 white, 2 green, 9 white, 1 orange. [36 tiles]
 
Corner: Start decreasing on Wrong Side
 
→ Row 38 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 9 white, 2 green, 3 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 3 green, 6 white, 1 orange [35 tiles]

← Row 39 [Right Side] 1 orange, 5 white, 2 green, 2 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 3 white, 3 green, 8 white, 1 orange [34 tiles]

→ Row 40 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 8 white, 2 green, 13 white, 1 green, 1 white, 2 green, 4 white, 1 orange [33 tiles]

← Row 41 [Right Side] 1 orange, 3 white, 2 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 3 white, 2 green, 8 white, 1 orange [32 tiles]

→ Row 42 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 7 white, 2 green, 4 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 3 white, 1 green, 3 white, 1 orange [31 tiles]

← Row 43 [Right Side] 1 orange, 2 white, 1 green, 2 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 12 white, 1 green, 7 white, 1 orange [30 tiles]

→ Row 44 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 7 white, 1 green, 4 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 2 white, 1 orange [29 tiles]

← Row 45 [Right Side] 1 orange, 1 white, 2 green, 1 orange, 1 green, 1 orange, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 4 white, 2 green, 6 white, 1 orange [28 tiles]

→ Row 46 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 6 white, 2 green, 11 white, 5 green, 1 white, 1 orange [27 tiles]

← Row 47 [Right Side] 1 orange, 1 white, 6 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 3 white, 2 green, 6 white, 1 orange [26 tiles]

→ Row 48 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 6 white, 2 green, 3 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 orange, 1 green, 4 white, 1 orange [25 tiles]

← Row 49 [Right Side] 1 orange, 4 white, 2 green, 8 white, 2 green, 6 white, 1 orange [24 tiles]

→ Row 50 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 6 white, 2 green, 2 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 3 green, 4 white, 1 orange [23 tiles]

← Row 51 [Right Side] 1 orange, 3 white, 2 green, 1 orange, 1 white, 1 green, 1 white, 1 green, 2 white, 2 green, 6 white, 1 orange [22 tiles]

→ Row 52 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 6 white, 5 green, 3 white, 2 green, 3 white, 1 orange [21 tiles]

← Row 53 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 3 white, 2 green, 1 white, 6 green, 6 white, 1 orange [20 tiles]

→ Row 54 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 7 white, 8 green, 2 white, 1 orange [19 tiles]

← Row 55 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 2 white, 2 green, 1 orange, 2 green, 9 white, 1 orange [18 tiles]

→ Row 56 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 9 white, 4 green, 2 white, 1 orange [17 tiles]

← Row 57 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 4 white, 2 green, 8 white, 1 orange [16 tiles]

→ Row 58 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 8 white, 1 orange, 4 white, 1 orange [15 tiles]

← Row 59 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 3 white, 2 green, 7 white, 1 orange [14 tiles]

→ Row 60 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 7 white, 1 green, 3 white, 1 orange [13 tiles]

← Row 61 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 2 white, 2 green, 6 white, 1 orange [12 tiles]

→ Row 62 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 6 white, 1 green, 2 white, 1 orange [11 tiles]

← Row 63 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 8 white, 1 orange [10 tiles]

→ Row 64 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 7 white, 1 orange [9 tiles]

← Row 65 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 6 white, 1 orange [8 tiles]

→ Row 66 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 5 white, 1 orange [7 tiles]

← Row 67 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 4 white, 1 orange [6 tiles]

→ Row 68 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange[KH6] , 3 white, 1 orange [5 tiles]

← Row 69 [Right Side]: 1 orange, 2 white, 1 orange [4 tiles]

→ Row 70 [Wrong Side]: 1 orange, 1 white, 1 orange [3 tiles]

← Row 71 [Right Side]:  2 orange [2 tiles]

→ Row 72 [Wrong Side]:  1 orange [1 tile]

Finishing Instructions:

Weave in ends.
 
Sew front and back together around 3 sides, leaving the top open. 
 
Top buttonhole band:
Row 1 (right side): In orange, crochet back loop half trebble crochet (UK terms)/back loop half double crochet (US terms) into each horizontal stitch, and into each side of each vertical block. This will create 5 stitches for every 2 blocks. Continue to end. [90 stitches]
 
Row 2 (wrong side) work UK half treble stitches/US half double stitches to end. [90 stitches]
 
Row 3 & 4: repeat row 2
 
Row 5 (right side): [Work 30 stitches, chain 15, join chain with slip stitch to the top of the last stitch just worked] twice. Crochet to end. [90 stitches, with 2 chain 15 loops evenly spaced 30 stitches apart]
 
Fasten off and disconnect, weave in remaining ends. 
 
Sew 1 inch buttons onto back of cushion cover, corresponding to the location of the button loops, 12 blocks in from the sides, and about four blocks down from the top. Ensure the buttons are positioned so the loops can be pulled over them, and that tension is kept on the loop so they don’t pop off easily.
 
Congratulations on finishing your Irish Harp cushion cover. I hope you enjoyed this project. Why not check out my patterns on Ravelry and sign up for my newsletter to get a free premium crochet pattern.
 
Copyright. This crochet pattern is written by Ciara Doyle of The Fairythorn and may not be distributed or sold in any format other than the original, including as text, or as a video instruction. This free pattern is for non-commercial use. You may sell items made from this pattern, on condition that they are made by you, personally, on a small scale.

Acknowledgements:

This pattern has been tech edited by Karen Hubbard. It is based on original stitch charts by Ciara Doyle created using stitch fiddle.