Berroco Pavo Cushion Knitting Pattern

Berroco Pavo Knit Cushion Cover

What Is Being Made

The Pavo is an intermediate-level knit cushion cover designed by Emily Nora O'Neil. This project creates an approximately 18-inch square decorative pillow cover featuring a charted stitch pattern with eyelet details. The finished cushion is designed to fit a standard 18-inch square knife-edge pillow form and is completed with four decorative 1-inch buttons for closure.

Knitting Techniques Used

This project employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for intermediate crafters. The cushion is worked in the round using circular knitting needles, which allows for seamless construction and even stitch tension throughout. The pattern incorporates yarn overs to create decorative eyelet details and lace-like elements, while decreases (both k2tog and SSK) are used to shape and balance the stitch pattern. The pattern requires careful attention to stitch count, as the number of stitches per repeat varies from row to row, beginning and ending with 17 stitches per repeat. Blocking is recommended as a finishing technique to enhance the appearance and drape of the completed cover.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Pavo features two distinct stitch gauges and techniques:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): Used as the base fabric, worked at a gauge of 12 stitches and 16 rounds over 4 inches
• Charted Pattern Stitch: An 8-round repeating motif that creates decorative texture and eyelet details. This pattern stitch is worked at a gauge of 10 stitches and 16 rounds over 4 inches. The pattern combines knit stitches with yarn overs (yo), knit-two-together decreases (k2tog), and slip-slip-knit decreases (SSK) to create an intricate, lacy appearance

Proper gauge checking is emphasized as essential before beginning the project to ensure the finished cushion meets the intended dimensions.

Materials and Tools

The Pavo requires 3 balls of Berroco North Star yarn in colorway #3001 Tundra (each ball weighs 50 grams). A 29-inch circular knitting needle in size 13 (9.00 mm) is needed, or the size required to obtain proper gauge. Additional materials include 4 stitch markers (with one in a different color to mark the beginning of each round), four 1-inch buttons for pillow closure, and one 18-inch square knife-edge pillow form. An 18-inch square knife-edge pillow form is required as the foundation for the finished cushion cover.

Pattern Notes

This pattern is presented in downloadable PDF format and includes detailed finishing instructions. The charted pattern section is positioned in the center of the pillow front, and the cast-on edge is sewn together to create a clean closure. Buttons are sewn to the back of the pillow for functional and decorative closure. The pattern recommends using the specific Berroco North Star yarn called for in the instructions to ensure best results and proper gauge achievement.