Rowan Greta Homeware Knitting Pattern

Rowan Greta Knitted Cushion Cover

What Is Being Made

Greta is a knitted cushion cover designed by Arne & Carlos for Rowan. This homeware project creates a decorative square cushion cover measuring 51 cm (20 inches) square, designed to fit a standard cushion pad. The pattern offers three distinct colorway versions, allowing crafters to choose their preferred aesthetic while working the same fundamental construction technique.

Construction Method

The cushion cover is constructed using a bottom-up, worked-flat approach with seamed assembly. The front and back panels are knitted separately in stockinette stitch, then joined together using back stitch seaming. The construction sequence involves knitting the front panel first, followed by the back panel, pressing the pieces, joining the top seam along the cast-off edges, seaming the side seams, inserting the cushion pad, and finally closing the remaining seam along the cast-on edges.

Knitting Techniques

Greta employs multiple advanced colorwork techniques to create its patterned design:

• Intarsia – Used in Version A to create large blocks of color with minimal yarn stranding on the reverse side, ideal for bold geometric or pictorial elements
• Stranded (Fair Isle) – Applied in Versions B and C, this technique carries unused yarn across the back of the work, creating a more densely constructed fabric

Both techniques are worked entirely in stockinette stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows) over 135 rows, beginning with a knit row. The tension specifications vary depending on technique: 22 stitches and 27 rows over 10 centimeters for intarsia work, and 24 stitches and 27 rows over 10 centimeters for fair isle patterning.

Stitches Used

The pattern is worked primarily in stockinette stitch (abbreviated st st), the fundamental stitch that creates the smooth, V-textured fabric characteristic of knitted garments. Cast-on and cast-off edges are worked purlwise on the wrong side to create neat, finished edges. Back stitch is used during the seaming process to join the panels together with a strong, invisible seam.

Materials Required

Yarn: The pattern uses Rowan Softyak DK, a double-knitting weight yarn, with three colorway options:

• Version A: Lawn 241 (2 x 50gm), Pampas 235 (1 x 50gm), Steppe 231 (1 x 50gm), Lea 236 (1 x 50gm), and Heath 238 (3 x 50gm)
• Version B: Lawn 241 (2 x 50gm), Coast 248 (2 x 50gm), and Lantana 246 (3 x 50gm)
• Version C: Lawn 241 (4 x 50gm), Pampas 235 (1 x 50gm), Steppe 231 (1 x 50gm), Lea 236 (1 x 50gm), and Coast 248 (2 x 50gm)

Needles: One pair of 4mm (US 6) needles, sized appropriately to achieve the specified tension with the chosen yarn and technique.

Extras: A 51 cm (20 inch) square cushion pad is required to complete the finished project.

Pattern Details

The front panel is cast on with 121 stitches and worked over 135 rows using the colorwork technique specified by the chosen version. The back panel is cast on with 111 stitches and worked in plain stockinette stitch to match the front panel length. The pattern is suitable for knitters with intermediate to advanced skills, as it requires competency with colorwork techniques and chart reading. Complete pattern instructions, including the detailed stitch charts and finishing techniques, are available through Rowan's official resources.