Bright Star Cushion Knitting Pattern

Bright Star Cushion in Rowan Moordale

What Is Being Made

The Bright Star Cushion is a knitted decorative cushion cover designed to fit a 52 cm (20½ in) x 32 cm (12½ in) cushion pad. This project involves knitting two identical cushion sides that are sewn together to create a finished cover with a decorative fairisle patterned front.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project classified as intermediate difficulty. The primary technique used throughout the pattern is fairisle, a traditional stranded colorwork method that creates intricate patterned designs by carrying multiple yarn colors across rows and switching between them to form the pattern.

The fairisle technique requires careful tension management and strategic yarn handling. When working fairisle, stranded yarns should not be carried over more than three stitches at a time. To maintain neat, elastic edges and prevent loose floats on the back of the work, yarns must be caught under and over the color being actively worked. This technique creates a double-layered fabric with floating yarns secured at the back, resulting in a durable, textured cushion cover.

Stitches Used

The cushion is worked entirely in stocking stitch (stockinette stitch), which is the foundation for the fairisle colorwork. Stocking stitch creates a smooth, flat fabric with a distinctive V-pattern on the right side. The pattern is worked from a chart showing a 24-stitch repeat that is repeated across the width and worked over 24 rows, with the 24-row pattern repeat completed 3 times, followed by rows 1 to 8 once more to complete the design.

Materials

• Yarn: Rowan Moordale (100% wool, 100gm balls) in two colors: Feather 001 (Color A, 2 balls) and Thai 005 (Color B, 1 ball)
• Needles: 1 pair of 4mm (US 6) needles
• Tension: 26 stitches and 27 rows to 10 cm measured over patterned stocking stitch using 4mm needles
• Additional Materials: Cushion pad measuring 52 cm x 32 cm, sewing needle, and matching thread for finishing

Pattern Overview

The pattern begins with casting on 129 stitches using 4mm needles and Rowan Moordale yarn. The fairisle chart is followed from the beginning, with specific row markers indicating where to start and end each row to ensure proper pattern alignment. After completing the required pattern rows, both cushion sides are pressed according to finishing instructions, then sewn together along all four edges, leaving one opening for inserting the cushion pad. Once the pad is inserted, the opening is sewn closed to complete the finished cushion cover.