Aalto Cushion Knitting Pattern

Aalto Cushion in Rowan Cotton Glacé

What is Being Made

The Aalto Cushion is a knitted bolster cushion cover designed to fit a cushion pad measuring 46 cm (18 inches) long and 20 cm (7¾ inches) in diameter. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a decorative cushion cover using the Fair Isle color-work technique, resulting in a finished piece approximately 60 cm in length that showcases a sophisticated geometric pattern through strategic color changes.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs the Fair Isle technique, a traditional method of color knitting that involves carrying multiple yarn colors across rows while knitting with the active color. The Fair Isle approach allows the crafter to create intricate geometric designs without requiring complex stitch manipulations. The pattern also incorporates joining in and breaking off colors as required throughout the work, enabling clean color transitions. Additional finishing techniques include back stitch or mattress stitch for joining row-end edges, and running stitches along the cast-on edge pulled tight for a professional closure.

Stitches Used

The Aalto Cushion pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches suitable for Fair Isle work:

• Knit stitch (K) – the primary stitch forming the fabric base
• Purl stitch (P) – used strategically within the pattern rows to create texture and visual interest

The pattern repeats over 40 rows, with rows 1 and 2 establishing the foundational pattern repeat that is worked multiple times throughout the piece. Rows 11 through 40 introduce progressive color changes (from yarn B to yarn D combinations) while maintaining the knit and purl stitch structure, creating the distinctive Aalto geometric design.

Materials

Yarn: Rowan Cotton Glacé, a premium cotton yarn in four coordinated colorways. The pattern requires 2 balls (50 grams each) of each color: Crepe 873 (yarn A), Ecru 725 (yarn B), Azure 874 (yarn C), and Persimmon 832 (yarn D). Cotton Glacé provides a smooth, lustrous finish ideal for Fair Isle color work.

Needles: One pair of 3¼mm (US 3) needles, which are sized to achieve the specified tension of 30 stitches and 28½ rows to 10 cm (4 inches) when measured over the Fair Isle pattern.

Additional Materials: A bolster cushion pad measuring 46 cm (18 inches) long and 20 cm (7¾ inches) in diameter is required to complete the finished cushion.

Pattern Overview

The cushion cover begins with casting on 181 stitches and working through a repeating 40-row Fair Isle pattern. The pattern systematically introduces different color combinations across the rows, creating visual bands of color work. The crafter works until the piece measures approximately 60 cm in length, ensuring adequate fabric to wrap around the bolster pad. The pattern concludes with casting off using yarn A, followed by assembly through joining the row-end edges and securing the cast-on edge with gathered running stitches.