Last summer (July 2016 to be precise) Helen, the owner of Woolly Chic (http://www.woollychicdesigns.co.uk/), and I were discussing, over a cup of coffee, how best to showcase her beautiful Alpaca and Welsh DK Wool. Cake was probably involved too. We hatched a plan for me to design a ‘something’ that would show off this lovely British yarn. Many months later, that ‘something’ turned into this cushion cover, with the pattern being launched at Wonderwool Wales in April 2017.

I wanted to take full advantage of the crispness and great stitch definition of Helen’s yarn. Therefore I used a textured pattern inspired by the stitch patterns used on Gansey sweaters, incorporating just knit and purl stitches.

The cushion cover is worked in one long piece, and then seamed up each side. A flap, closed with five buttons, is used to secure the cushion pad into the cover.

The pattern uses a cable cast on, an i-cord cast off, and one-row buttonholes. Full instructions for these techniques are provided. The pattern includes charts as well as full written instructions.

In addition to the yarn, you will need:

• 3.75mm (US 5) needles or size needed to get gauge
• Yarn needle for sewing seams
• Five 1” (2.5cm) buttons

Adventurous beginner knitters should be able to tackle this project with ease.

It will fit a cushion pad 14”x14” (35cm x 35cm).

The samples shown each took around 135g yarn (approx. 300m).

The ‘Cappuccino’ version was knitted using Helen’s Alpaca and Welsh DK Wool (undyed). The ‘Raspberry’ version was knitted using her DK Pembrokeshire Wool.

A huge thank you to my test knitters, Helen and Fiona, for checking the pattern and providing valuable feedback!

I hope you enjoy knitting this cushion cover, and I hope that I will be designing for Woolly Chic again in the very near future. Watch this space!

Please do not sell this pattern, or items made from this pattern, without written permission from the designer.