Slip stitch cushion
This slip stitch colourwork cushion, edged with i-cord, uses three shades of Scottish wool
USING PLEASINGLY woolly, tweedy yarns from New Lanark Mills, this cushion cover has a rustic feel. Designed by Mary Henderson, it has a slip stitch colourwork pattern which creates ribbons of blue weaving through a green background. The buttoned back panels are worked in moss stitch, and the cushion is finished with a knitted-on i-cord edging.
PATTERN NOTES
Slip stitch colourwork uses a method of slipping stitches to bring the background colour used in the previous row up with the current knitting. You always work 2 rows in each colour. Slip stitches purlwise in each row with the yarn carried on the WS of fabric, i.e. on RS rows the yarn is at the back, on WS rows the yarn is at the front.
FRONT PROVISIONAL CAST ON
Using 4mm crochet hook and waste yarn, chain 70. Using yarn A and 4mm knitting needles, turn the chain so that the bumps are facing upwards; pick up and knit 65 sts through the bumps. Set-up row (WS): Knit.
SLIP STITCH PATTERN
Row 1: Using yarn A, knit to end. Row 2: Using yarn A, purl to end. Row 3: Using yarn B, K1, *K3, Sl 1 pwise; rep from * to last 4 sts, K4. Row 4: Using yarn B, K1, *K3, Sl 1 pwise; rep from * to last 4 sts, K4. Row 5: Using yarn A, knit to end. Row 6: Using yarn A, purl to end. Row 7: Using yarn C, K2, *Sl 1 pwise, K3; rep to last 3 sts, Sl 1, K2. Row 8: Using yarn C, K2, *Sl 1 pwise, K3; rep to last 3 sts, Sl 1, K2. These 8 rows form the pattern. Cont in pattern until cushion front meas 41cm, ending with Row 2. Next row (RS): Purl to end. Leave sts on waste yarn.
SIDE PANEL 1
Turn work through 90 degrees. Using 4mm needles and yarn B, pick up and knit 67 sts along side edge. ** Next row (WS): Knit. Begin Moss St: Next row: K1, *K1, P1; rep to last 2 sts, K2. Rep last row for 18cm ending with a RS row. Next row (WS): Knit.
BUTTON BAND
Change to 3.75mm needles and yarn A. Next row (RS): Knit. ** Work 8 rows in Moss St. Next row (WS): Knit. Cast off.
SIDE PANEL 2
Using yarn C and 4mm needles, pick up
and knit 67 sts along opposite side edge. Work from ** to **.
BUTTONHOLE BAND
Work 4 rows in Moss St. Next row (Buttonhole row): Patt 14 sts, K2tog, yo2, (K15, K2tog, yo2) twice, patt to end of row. (Note if yo before a purl st, wrap yarn back to front.) Next row: Keeping Moss St correct, unwrap yo2s and work as single st in patt. Work 2 more rows in patt. Next row (WS): Knit. Cast off.
I CORD EDGING
Using 4mm circular needles and yarn C, ‘unzip’ the provisional cast-on and knit 65 sts, pick up and knit 3 sts into corner, continue along side pick up and knit 67 sts through both front and back layers, overlapping buttonhole band over buttonband and using garter st ridge as a guide, pick up and knit 3 sts into corner, knit 65 sts from waste yarn, pick up and knit 3 sts into corner, continue along side pick up and knit 67 sts through both front and back layers, overlapping buttonhole band over buttonband and using garter st ridge as a guide, pick up and knit 3 sts into corner. Join to work in the round: cast on 4 sts using the cable cast-on method. *K3, K2tog tbl (last st of i-cord and the first st of work) slip 4 sts back onto left-hand needle, rep from * until 4 sts remain, cast off. Cut yarn, leaving a 5cm tail. Use yarn tail to sew in end, to create continuous piping.
FINISHING
Block by steaming lightly on the wrong side, following any yarn care instructions on the ball band. Matching buttons to buttonholes, tie buttons in place with two strands of yarn B and C. Weave in any loose ends. Slip cushion pad inside and button up.