Debbie Bliss Delaunay Home Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Delaunay Home Cushion in Rialto DK

Project Overview

The Delaunay Cushion is an advanced-level knitting project designed to create a decorative home cushion measuring 40cm by 15¾ inches (40cm by 15¾in). This pattern combines colorwork techniques with structured construction, making it suitable for experienced knitters seeking a sophisticated home décor piece. The finished cushion requires a standard 40cm/15¾in cushion pad for completion.

What Is Being Made

This project produces a knitted cushion cover featuring a striking geometric design created through the Delaunay pattern. The cushion front showcases multiple color sections arranged in horizontal strips, while the back features a functional buttonband and buttonhole band for easy insertion and removal of the cushion pad. The finished dimensions are 40cm wide by 15¾ inches in length (40cm by 15¾in).

Yarn and Materials

The Delaunay Cushion is crafted using Debbie Bliss Rialto DK, a double knit weight yarn. The pattern requires six 50g/1¾oz balls in the following colors:

• Sea Green 81 (A) – 1 ball
• Rose 76 (B) – 1 ball
• Scarlet 12 (C) – 1 ball
• Ocean 72 (D) – 1 ball
• Navy 17 (E) – 1 ball
• Mustard 99 (F) – 1 ball

Additional materials include a pair of 4mm (US 6) knitting needles, a pair of 3.75mm (US 5) knitting needles, 6 buttons for the buttonband closure, and a 40cm/15¾in cushion pad.

Knitting Techniques

The Delaunay Cushion employs several advanced knitting techniques appropriate for experienced crafters. Mattress stitch is used to join the front strips together, creating seamless seams that maintain the integrity of the colorwork design. The pattern incorporates chart-based colorwork, requiring knitters to read charts with odd rows (knit rows) read from right to left and even rows (purl rows) read from left to right. The construction method involves working multiple separate strips that are later joined together, allowing for manageable color changes and pattern management.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used throughout the Delaunay Cushion is stocking stitch (st st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric surface ideal for displaying the geometric colorwork. The cushion front is constructed from three distinct strips, each worked in different colors and varying row counts. The left strip uses color A with 7 garter stitch rows (k rows) followed by 30 rows of stocking stitch. The middle section employs color F for 32 rows of stocking stitch. The right strip features color C worked over 58 rows of stocking stitch. The back of the cushion includes a buttonband and buttonhole band, with the buttonhole row incorporating yarn over (yo) and knit two together (k2tog) decreases to create evenly spaced buttonholes. The buttonhole row is structured as: K13, yo, k2tog, repeated five times with K10 between repeats, finishing with K13.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 30 rows to a 10cm/4in square when working stocking stitch using 4mm (US 6) needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished cushion dimensions of 40cm by 15¾ inches (40cm by 15¾in).

Construction Method

The cushion is constructed in distinct sections that are assembled during finishing. The cushion front comprises three vertical strips worked separately in different colors, which are then joined using mattress stitch. The back consists of an upper section and separate buttonband and buttonhole band components. During assembly, the buttonband and buttonhole band are tacked together at the side edges before the front and back pieces are joined. The pattern recommends using provided photos for guidance during this assembly process. Six buttons are sewn onto the buttonband to correspond with the buttonholes, allowing the cushion cover to be fastened securely around the cushion pad.

Finishing Techniques