Description
MY DESIGN IDEAS AND ADVICE
I designed this cushion for my March 2019 retreat, to focus on the intarsia technique. Intarsia is a form of “picture” work —where you gently twist (just once!) your yarn on the wrong side of your work and do not take your one shade across the back of another shade.
While designing this pattern, I tried lots of different variations because I wanted it to feel simple and approachable — though that doesn’t always mean it’s easy at first! There might be a few tricky moments, but once you’ve mastered those, the pattern becomes enjoyable, rhythmic and easy.
The cushion is made up of eight squares — four for the front and four for the back — which makes it perfect for learning and practising intarsia in manageable pieces. Experienced knitters could easily finish a square in a single sitting, while those new to colourwork will learn the basics at a gentle pace.
And if you fancy doing something a little different, you could try felting one of your squares — I popped one in the washing machine with some towels and made a lovely coaster! It’s now a daily reminder of that marvellous March retreat.
CONSTRUCTION
Individual squares knitted flat from the bottom up and joined together to make the cushion.
TECHNIQUES USED
Cast on, knit, purl, intarsia and cast off. Joining seams. Optional but recommended to create the feeling of joy when joining your pieces: mattress stitch.
YARN
One 100g hank of P & J Yorkshire Yarn Bluefaced Leicester Aran in shade A
100% British Bluefaced Leicester wool, 175m/191yds per 100g
AND One 100g hank of WYS Croft Shetland Aran in shade B
100% Shetland wool, 166m/182yds per 100g
SUGGESTED KNITTING NEEDLES
5mm.
NOTIONS
Cushion pad to fi t.
GAUGE (tension)
17 stitches and 23 rows to 10cm square over stocking stitch. I obtained this gauge with 5mm needles.
It is important to obtain gauge so do swatch and change your needle size to achieve the correct gauge if you need to.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
16.5cm wide x 16cm long (for one square).
NEED HELP?
I am here for you! Pop into the Skipton studio, send an email, or check out the Purl &Jane YouTube channel for tips, inspiration and guidance including handy resources like gauge (tension) guides and how to tutorials.
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