Grafton Cushion Designed by Debbie Bliss & Chloé Elizabeth Birch in Morris DK

Grafton Cushion Knitting Pattern

Project Overview

The Grafton Cushion is an advanced-level knitting project designed by Debbie Bliss and Chloé Elizabeth Birch. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished cushion cover measuring 51cm x 51cm (20 inches x 20 inches), making it a substantial home décor piece suitable for experienced knitters.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a decorative cushion cover featuring colorwork design work. The finished piece is a square cushion measuring 51cm by 51cm, designed to fit a standard cushion pad. The project combines multiple yarn colors to create visual interest through charted colorwork patterns.

Yarn and Materials

The Grafton Cushion uses West Yorkshire Spinners Morris DK yarn in four distinct colors:

• Linseed (Color A): 4 x 50g balls
• Clover (Color B): 2 x 50g balls
• Marigold (Color C): 1 x 50g ball
• Mint (Color D): 2 x 50g balls

The pattern requires multiple needle sizes to achieve proper tension and accommodate different techniques. Equipment needed includes one pair of 3.25mm (UK10/US3) knitting needles, one pair of 4mm (UK8/US6) knitting needles, two 4mm (UK8/US6) double-pointed needles (DPNs), and four buttons approximately 2cm wide. An optional pair of 4.5mm (UK7/US7) knitting needles is listed for Fair Isle work variations.

Tension and Gauge

Achieving the correct tension is essential for this advanced project. The pattern specifies 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10cm, measured over stocking stitch and colorwork on 4mm needles. Knitters must work a tension square before beginning the full design. If the tension square produces fewer stitches than stated, needle sizes should be decreased; if more stitches appear, needle sizes should be increased. Proper tension ensures the finished cushion achieves the desired dimensions and fabric quality.

Knitting Techniques

This advanced pattern employs two primary colorwork techniques:

• Fair Isle: A stranded colorwork method where unused yarn colors are carried loosely across the back of the work. When stranding becomes difficult or creates tension issues, the pattern instructs knitters to use a separate ball of yarn for each color and twist yarns together on the wrong side to prevent holes.
• Intarsia: A technique used alongside Fair Isle for more complex color placement and design elements.

These techniques allow for the creation of intricate, multi-colored patterns within the cushion cover design.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern uses fundamental knitting stitches including knit (K) and purl (P) stitches as the foundation. The main fabric is worked in stocking stitch, which creates a smooth, classic knit fabric. Colorwork is introduced through charted patterns labeled Chart One–A and Chart One–B, which are read according to standard chart conventions: all right-side (RS) rows are read from right to left, and all wrong-side (WS) rows are read from left to right. The pattern uses standard abbreviations and repeat sequences indicated by parentheses.

Pattern Structure

The Grafton Cushion pattern is constructed by working from detailed charts that guide color placement and stitch placement. The charted sections are worked in combination with solid-color knit and purl sections, creating a balanced design across the cushion face. The pattern includes specific row-by-row instructions that reference chart placement, ensuring accurate colorwork execution throughout the project.