Valley Yarns Haruka Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Haruka Knit Cushion Pattern

Product Overview

The Valley Yarns Haruka is a beginner-friendly knit cushion pattern designed by Susan Baron. This decorative pillow project showcases the beautiful colorway variations available in Valley Yarns Easthampton yarn, allowing crafters to create a finished 19-inch square cushion that complements any home décor. The pattern emphasizes simplicity and lets the yarn's natural color gradations become the design feature.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a single decorative pillow cover measuring 19 inches square. The cushion consists of two knitted panels that are seamed together on three sides, with options for either a permanent closure or an invisible zipper insertion for removable covers. The finished project is designed to fit a 20-inch foam pillow form or can be stuffed with Poly-fil for a custom fill.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Haruka cushion employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginners:

• Bias knitting: The pattern is worked on the bias, creating a diagonal fabric orientation that adds visual interest to the finished piece
• Increases and decreases: The pattern uses increases at both ends of every right-side row to reach the center point, then mirrors this with decreases to create a diamond or square shape
• Worked flat: The entire project is constructed flat on needles rather than in the round, making it accessible for knitters new to circular needle techniques
• Seaming: Front and back panels are joined using the Mattress Stitch or other invisible seaming methods for a professional finish
• Striped colorwork: The pattern naturally creates stripes as the yarn cake's color variations are knitted sequentially
• Optional zipper insertion: An invisible zipper can be sewn into the opening for a functional, removable pillow cover

Stitches Used

The Haruka pattern utilizes basic stockinette stitch as its primary fabric, combined with essential shaping stitches:

• Stockinette stitch: The foundation stitch, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, classic fabric
• Kfb (knit front and back): An increase stitch used at both ends of right-side rows during the expansion phase to add stitches
• K2tog (knit two together): A right-leaning decrease used at the beginning of decrease rows
• Ssk (slip, slip, knit): A left-leaning decrease used at the end of decrease rows for balanced shaping
• K3tog (knit three together): A centered decrease used to bind off the final three stitches
• Long-Tail Cast-On: The pattern begins with a Long-Tail cast-on method for three stitches, with video tutorial reference provided

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Haruka cushion pattern calls for specific materials to achieve the intended finished measurements and appearance:

• Yarn: Valley Yarns Easthampton, a blend of 75% Merino Wool and 25% Nylon, providing durability and softness. Two 100-gram cakes are required, each containing 436 yards of yarn. One cake is used for the front panel and one for the back panel, allowing the color progression to be featured on both sides
• Recommended colorways: The pattern specifically suggests colorway 06 - River Stones or colorway 9 - Farmers Market, though other Easthampton colorways can be substituted based on décor preferences
• Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) 24-inch circular needle, or the size needed to achieve proper gauge
• Additional materials: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming, a 20-inch foam pillow form or Poly-fil stuffing, and optionally a 16-inch zipper for an insertable closure

Gauge and Finished Measurements

The pattern specifies a gauge of 24 stitches and 34 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch when blocked. This gauge is essential for achieving the finished measurement of 19 inches square. The pattern is provided in one size only.