Rowan Ric Rac Homeware Knitting Pattern

Rowan Ric-Rac Knitted Cushion Cover

What Is Being Made

The Rowan Ric-Rac is a knitted cushion cover designed to fit a 57 cm (22½ inch) square cushion pad. This homeware project features a decorative front panel with cable and bobble patterning, paired with a simple stockinette stitch back panel. The finished cover is constructed by knitting two separate pieces that are then seamed together on three sides, with the cushion pad inserted before closing the fourth side.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques to create visual interest and texture. The cable work is central to the design, utilizing crossed stitches that create raised, twisted columns running through the fabric. The pattern also incorporates bobble stitches, which are small three-dimensional decorative elements created by increasing into a single stitch, working several rows, and then decreasing back to one stitch. The project is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, and pieces are seamed together after completion. The construction method is bottom-up, meaning knitting begins at the cast-on edge and progresses toward the cast-off edge.

Stitches Used

The pattern combines fundamental stitches with more decorative variations. Stockinette stitch (alternating knit and purl rows) forms the base fabric on both the front and back panels. The front features a charted cable pattern with several specialized cable crosses:

• Cr4R and Cr4L – four-stitch cable crosses that combine knit and purl stitches for textured edges
• Cr5R and Cr5L – five-stitch cable crosses mixing knit and purl elements
• C6B – a six-stitch back cable creating a classic twisted column
• MB (Make Bobble) – a decorative stitch created by increasing to three stitches, working multiple rows in miniature, then decreasing back to one stitch

The front panel is worked with 38 stitches following a 12-row pattern repeat from a chart, while the remaining stitches are maintained in stockinette stitch.

Materials and Tools

The Rowan Ric-Rac pattern calls for Rowan Big Wool yarn, requiring 5 balls of 100g each (photographed in the colorway White Hot 001). Knitting is worked on 10mm (US 15) needles, which are appropriately sized for the chunky weight yarn and create a fabric with good drape and structure. A cable needle is essential for manipulating the crossed stitches that form the cable pattern. The finished cushion requires one 57 cm square cushion pad as an insert.

Tension and Finished Dimensions

Achieving correct tension is important for this project to fit the cushion pad properly. The pattern specifies 9 stitches and 12.5 rows to 10 cm over stockinette stitch, and 13 stitches and 12.5 rows to 10 cm over the cable pattern, both measured using 10mm needles. The finished cushion cover measures approximately 57 cm (22½ inches) square. The front panel is cast on with 63 stitches and worked to approximately 57 cm in length, while the back panel uses 51 stitches worked in stockinette stitch to match the front length.

Design Details

The pattern was designed by Martin Storey and is referenced as ZB240-00009. The front features an asymmetrical layout, with 25 stitches of plain stockinette stitch on one side and 38 stitches of patterned cable work on the other, creating visual balance and interest. The 12-row pattern repeat from the chart is worked continuously throughout the front panel length, allowing the cable and bobble motifs to create a cohesive, textured design. After pressing, the two pieces are sewn together along three sides, the cushion pad is inserted, and the fourth side is closed to complete the cover.