Swirl of colour in a cosy cushion

Complementary hues in an eye-catching swirl form this simple, cosy cushion cover

this knitting project teaches simple colour blocking and a clever short-row shaping technique to create a circular cushion. The cover is worked in stocking stitch in a linen-cotton yarn, and the skill level is easy. Once complete, and padding added, the cushion makes a colourful and cosy addition to a sofa or chair.

Size

Approximately 16in (40cm) in diameter.

Tension

21 sts and 30 rows to 4in (10cm) square, measured over st st using 4.5mm needles. Use smaller or larger needles as necessary to obtain the correct tension.

Short-row shaping

For the short-row shaping, when the instructions say ‘turn’ at the end of the row, this means that the remaining stitches are not worked. To avoid creating a hole when turning on a knit row, work a wrap stitch – knit as far as instructed, then slip the next stitch purlwise onto the right-hand needle, bring the yarn forward between the two needles, slip the stitch back to the left-hand needle and take the yarn to the back between the two needles, turn, and purl to the end of the next row as instructed.

“Observe her when she has some knitting, or some other woman’s work in hand, and sits the image of peace, calmly intent on her needles and her silk” Charlotte Brontë, The Professor