I love the simplicity of this stitch and the beautiful effect it creates. It can play tricks on your eyes — depending on your colour choices, one shade can appear to pop forward while the others blend softly into the background.

It’s a great pattern for experimenting with colour, and you only need three shades to create something really striking.

Just a note: there isn’t as much natural give in this stitch pattern as in some others, so it’s important to check your tension carefully. Either that, or wait until your cushion cover is finished before choosing your cushion pad to make sure you get the perfect fit.

CONSTRUCTION
Knitted flat from the bottom up in one piece, folded and then the side seams are joined together.

TECHNIQUES USED
Cast on, knit, purl, slip stitch (mosaic) colourwork, buttonholes and cast off. Joining seams. Sewing on buttons. Optional but recommended to create the feeling of joy when joining your seams: mattress stitch.

YARN
One 100g hank each of WYS Bluefaced Leicester Aran in shade A, shade B and shade C.
100% British Bluefaced Leicester wool, 166m/182yds per 100g
I used 01 Natural Ecru for shade A, 02 Natural Light Brown for shade B and 03 Natural Brown for shade C.

SUGGESTED KNITTING NEEDLES
5mm.

NOTIONS
9 buttons.
Cushion pad to fit. I used a 35cm/14ins x 35cm/14ins cushion pad.

GAUGE (tension)
20 stitches and 35 rows to 10cm square. 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
38cm x approximately 80cm.

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.