Rowan Agda Homeware Knitting Pattern

Rowan Agda Knitted Cushion Cover

Product Overview

Rowan Agda is a knitted homeware project designed by Arne & Carlos, featuring a cushion cover worked in the round using flat knitting techniques. This downloadable PDF pattern offers three distinct versions, each showcasing different colorway combinations and decorative stitch techniques to create an elegant, patterned cushion cover suitable for home décor.

What Is Being Made

The Rowan Agda pattern creates a cushion cover measuring approximately 50 cm (19¾ inches) wide and 30 cm (11¾ inches) deep. The finished project is designed to house a standard cushion pad insert and is constructed as a two-piece cover—a front panel featuring decorative colorwork and a plain back panel—which are seamed together on three sides, with the fourth side left open for inserting the cushion pad.

Techniques Used

• Bottom-up construction: The cushion cover is worked from the cast-on edge upward, with the front and back panels created separately before assembly
• Worked flat: Both front and back panels are knitted on straight needles rather than in the round, creating flat rectangular pieces
• Intarsia technique: Used in Version A and Version C, intarsia allows for large blocks of solid color and detailed motifs by carrying yarn colors only where needed, creating a clean, professional finish on the reverse side
• Stranded colorwork (Fair Isle): Version B employs the Fair Isle technique, also called stranded knitting, where multiple colors are carried across the row to create intricate patterned designs
• Seamed construction: The front and back panels are joined using backstitch seaming along the top, sides, and bottom edges to create a finished cushion cover

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (st st): The foundation stitch throughout the entire pattern, created by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, classic fabric
• Cast-on: Stitches are cast on using standard methods to establish the foundation row
• Cast-off (bind-off): Stitches are cast off purlwise on the wrong side to create a neat, finished edge
• Backstitch seaming: Used to join the panels together with a strong, invisible seam

Version A: Intarsia Colorwork

Version A features an intarsia-patterned front panel worked from Chart A, containing 93 rows of detailed colorwork. The front is constructed using 113 cast-on stitches with 4mm (US 6) needles, utilizing six colors from the Softyak DK yarn range: Terrain 243, Lawn 241, Lantana 246, Pampas 235, Cream 230, and Lea 236. The back panel is worked in plain stockinette stitch using Terrain 243 with 110 cast-on stitches, providing a solid foundation for the decorative front.

Version B: Fair Isle Colorwork

Version B showcases Fair Isle stranded colorwork on the front panel, worked from Chart B over 81 rows. The front requires 121 cast-on stitches using 4mm (US 6) needles and features multiple colors in the Softyak DK weight. The back panel is worked in plain stockinette stitch using Lea 236 with 111 cast-on stitches, creating a neutral reverse side that complements the patterned front.

Version C: Intarsia Colorwork Alternative

Version C presents another intarsia option with a different color palette and chart design. The front panel is constructed with cast-on stitches and features intarsia patterning, while the back is worked in plain stockinette stitch. This version uses three units of Terrain 243 along with Lawn 241, Lantana 246, Pampas 235, Cream 230, and Lea 236 from the Softyak DK yarn range.

Materials and Yarn

The Rowan Agda pattern is designed to be worked with Softyak DK, a yarn weight suitable for creating fabric with good stitch definition and drape. Each version specifies different yardage requirements depending on the colorwork technique and color distribution. The yarn palette includes carefully selected colors: Terrain 243, Lawn 241, Lantana 246, Pampas