Holly Cushion Knitting Pattern

Holly Cushion in Rowan Felted Tweed

What is Being Made

The Holly Cushion is a knitted cushion cover designed to fit a cushion pad measuring 62 cm (24½ in) by 42 cm (16½ in). This is an intermediate-level knitting project that combines colorwork with structured shaping, featuring a front panel with decorative patterning, a back section, and a functional button band with buttonholes for easy closure and removal of the cushion pad.

Techniques Used

This project employs the fairisle technique as the primary decorative method, which allows for the creation of intricate two-color patterns across the fabric. The fairisle technique is worked entirely in stockinette stitch, beginning with a knit row, and is guided by a chart pattern. The cushion also features a button band with buttonholes constructed using a slip-stitch decrease method combined with yarn-forward increases to create functional closures. The pattern includes picking up stitches along row-end edges to attach the button band and side back sections to the main front panel, a technique that creates seamless transitions between different sections of the garment.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (st st) – the primary stitch used throughout the main front panel and back sections, worked in rows beginning with a knit row
• Ribbed stitch – used for the button band and buttonhole band, worked as K2, P2 ribbing with edge stitches to create a neat finish
• Slip stitch decreases (sl 1, K1, psso) – used to create buttonholes in combination with yarn-forward increases
• Yarn-forward increases (yfwd) – paired with slip-stitch decreases to form buttonholes that are reinforced by working into both the front and back of the increase on the following row
• Knit-two-together decreases (K2tog) – used alongside slip-stitch decreases for buttonhole construction

Materials

The Holly Cushion is knitted using Rowan Felted Tweed yarn, a 50-gram weight yarn available in multiple colorways. The pattern specifies two main colors: Yarn A in Seafarer (170 meters, 3 balls required) and Yarn B in Ginger (154 meters, 2 balls required). Additional oddments of Felted Tweed in shades of the maker's choice are suggested for optional embroidery details. The project requires two pairs of needles: 3¼mm (US 3) needles for the ribbed button band and buttonhole band, and 3¾mm (US 5) needles for the main stockinette stitch sections. The cushion is finished with five brown corozo buttons (23mm, style TGB4837 from Textile Garden) that secure the button band closure.

Tension

The pattern is worked to a tension of 26 stitches and 27 rows over 10 centimeters, measured in patterned stockinette stitch using 3¾mm (US 5) needles. Achieving the correct tension is essential for the cushion cover to fit the specified cushion pad dimensions accurately.