Rainbow Delight Cushions Knitting Pattern

Rainbow Delight Cushions in Noro Hakone

Project Overview

The Rainbow Delight Cushions are an intermediate-level knitting project designed by Jenny Watson. This collection features three distinct cushion styles—round, square, and oblong—each crafted using the luxurious Noro Hakone yarn. The project offers flexibility with two size options for each cushion shape, making it adaptable to various interior spaces and preferences.

What Is Being Made

This downloadable PDF pattern provides instructions for creating three different cushion designs:

• Round Cushion: Approximately 36 x 36 cm (14 x 14 in) or 41 x 41 cm (16 x 16 in), finished with stuffing
• Square Cushion: Approximately 36 x 36 cm (14 x 14 in) or 41 x 41 cm (16 x 16 in), featuring a zip closure and cushion pad
• Oblong Cushion: Approximately 23 x 37 cm (9 x 14½ in) or 34 x 43 cm (13½ x 17 in), finished with stuffing

Each cushion showcases the beautiful color variations inherent in Noro Hakone yarn, with different shades available for each design: Shade 12 for the round cushion, Shade 10 for the square cushion, and Shade 3 for the oblong cushion.

Techniques Used

The Rainbow Delight Cushions employ several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques. The primary construction method uses stocking stitch, a foundational knit fabric that creates a smooth, classic appearance. The pattern also incorporates reversed stocking stitch for textural variation and visual interest.

Shaping is achieved through strategic increases and decreases worked at the edges of the pieces. The round cushion begins with a cast-on of 16 or 18 stitches and gradually expands through increases worked in every row initially, then in alternating rows, creating a circular or rounded square shape. The square and oblong cushions utilize cable stitches as decorative elements, requiring the use of a cable needle to manipulate stitches and create twisted, rope-like patterns.

The pattern specifies working to a precise tension of 10 stitches and 14 rows to 10 cm (4 in) over stocking stitch, which is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions. Both the front and back pieces are typically worked alike, then assembled with the appropriate finishing (stuffing, zips, or cushion pads).

Stitches Used

• Knit (K): The fundamental stitch creating the face of stocking stitch
• Purl (P): Used to create reversed stocking stitch and textural contrast
• Make One (m1): An increase technique used to add stitches at edges for shaping
• Cable Stitches: Including C4B (cable 4 back), C4F (cable 4 front), and C3B (cable 3 back), which involve slipping stitches onto a cable needle, holding them to the front or back of work, then knitting stitches in a specific order to create twisted cable patterns
• Stocking Stitch (St-St): Alternating rows of knit and purl stitches creating a smooth, V-textured fabric
• Reversed Stocking Stitch (Rev St-St): The reverse of stocking stitch, with purl stitches forming the face of the fabric

Materials

The Rainbow Delight Cushions are knitted using Noro Hakone yarn, a premium fiber known for its beautiful color variations and quality construction. Yarn requirements vary by cushion size and style:

• Round Cushion: 2 or 3 100g hanks of Noro Hakone (depending on size)
• Square Cushion: 2 or 3 100g hanks of Noro Hakone
• Oblong Cushion: 2 or 3 100g hanks of Noro Hakone

Additional materials required include: