Who Doesn't Want a Gigantic Cushion? A Free KAL Pattern from Rowan

Maybe I didn't read the pattern or maybe I stuck my fingers in my ears and yelled la-la-la at centimeter measurements... 🙉but I swear I didn't know this Rowan KAL cushion was going to be SO BIG!

I also swear I'm not naked in this pic :-)

Yes, the time had come for a new free Rowan KAL pattern by Martin Storey, and I was, of course, going to try it out. However, unlike the other 2 endless afghans I made -- I was spared by a cushion option. Phew! And there was even more fun added to the mix this time... beads!

You can use any size 6 beads.

Unlike previous iterations of this type of square-based afghan, the throw or cushion only have 4 total square types. That minimalism is justified, because the squares are really beautiful.

If you are making the cushion, you may be wondering why there are 5 versions to choose from. Throw away those instructions! Look at the 4 squares above and simply ask yourself, what do you want to make (1) (2) or (4) squares of? The one you want to make 4 times will go in the corners, and the other ones will fall like so:

The only thing that you will have to think about before you choose is how many beads you have. If you are limited, the Square 1 pattern takes 48 beads each square, while the others take much less.

Square 1 was my favorite to make, but note that it is the most time consuming by far. Most of the squares are simple cabling or mixes of knit and purl stitches... but the first one uses a technique I'd never done before!

You may think those are cables, but they're not. They are elongated stitches created by dropping and crossing slipped stitches. The instructions might be a little scary, so here's a little tutorial.

The remaining squares are a little easier. I did modify Square 2 to add more beads -- every other row instead of every 4 rows as in the pattern.

Beading, you say? Yes, let's talk beading. Reading the pattern, you are to string beads on the yarn BEFORE knitting and then slide them up into the stitch as you knit. Oh dear, I simply do not have time for that. Instead, I used the crochet hook beading method which is a way to bring beads in only as you need them. (Note that you will need a very slim steel crochet hook to do this method.)

What's the difference between the two? It is noticeable. With a crochet hook the beads will lie horizontal to the work. With the strung on method, the beads will lie vertically.

Personally, I prefer them horizontal, it just seems to make more sense with the direction of knitting. But do what you want!

#todaysknitoutfit

Believe me, you'll think this cushion is going quick because you only have to make 9 squares total. They are fun and addictive.

However, the back is a *very* unexpectedly large swath of stockinette stitch, so get your Netflix ready.

Want to know when I have a new blog post? Enter your e-mail address here!

Delivered by Dayana Knits

You might be tempted to make squares on both sides (that will be more fun, I'm sure!), but keep in the mid that a couch lounger might be marked. This was my husband's back after he got up the other day, lol!

Also, I used almost all of the 5 skeins called for in this cushion. If you want to make more squares, the cables will surely use more yarn. I'd buy a sixth ball.

I love using mattress stitch to sew squares together. You can look at the work from the right side as you do it AND you can control the seam strength. This part is especially important.

Let me explain. Mattress stitch is a long thread with no stops or knots, so you can pull either end to gather your stitches. Normally, in a sweater seam, say, you would leave the yarn just taut enough not to be slack, and make sure not to gather the stitches at all.

However, when you are making corners of an enveloped knit (like a cushion), the corners will most certainly flare out! No insert will fill those corners. A way to fix this is to pull the ends of your mattress stitch seams and gather the stitches just enough to bring in the corners but NOT ruche all the stitches.

Here the top was gathered, but not the bottom:

As I mentioned, I really didn't realize that this cushion would be the size of a dog bed! 🐶 I needed a 26 x 26 inch insert.

via GIPHY


To put it together, I sewed the 3 sides of the cushion, put in the insert and then finished the 4th side in mattress stitch.

And then I lied down to rest!!

I love the cushion, I really do. I used the yarn called for in the pattern, Rowan Pure Wool Superwash Worsted, and I chose the color Moonstone because it would go with the 2nd Martin Storey KAL blanket I made.

Here is the free pattern on the Rowan website to make the cushion or the afghan, and here is the pattern entry on Ravelry. I highly recommend it!


Speaking of Rowan, it's new A/W 2019 Rowan season time. 🎉 Here is the new yarn I'll be working with, called Island Blend. Not this 🌴 kind of island but the Falkland Islands!

It's 70% Falkland Fine Merino Wool, 15% Baby Alpaca and 15% Silk. It's DK weight and 125m/137yds for 50g. Designs for the yarn will be in the new Magazine 66, available August 15. Waiting, waiting!!!

See my Mondo Cushion on Ravelry

Follow me on Instagram!

Subscribe to this blog!