2CV Cushion

2CV Cushion by Ginny Sturdy

Project Overview

This is an intermediate-level knitted cushion featuring a charted design of a 2CV car. The project combines colorwork techniques with textural details to create a decorative cushion with dimensional visual interest. The design showcases how intarsia and ribbing can be combined to add depth and character to a knitted piece.

What Is Being Made

A knitted cushion cover featuring a 2CV car design. The cushion is worked flat using a color chart that depicts the iconic vehicle with attention to detail, including the distinctive rounded shape, wheels, and striped roof characteristic of the classic 2CV automobile.

Techniques Used

• Intarsia Colorwork: The primary technique used throughout this project. Intarsia involves working blocks of color using separate balls of yarn or bobbins rather than carrying yarn across the back of the work. At each color change, the working yarns are twisted around each other to prevent holes from forming in the fabric. This technique creates clean, distinct color blocks ideal for pictorial designs.
• Stranded Colorwork (Limited): Yarn is carried across the back of the work in specific areas only—behind the black wheels to create a subtle 3D effect, and across the striped roof section.
• Reverse Stockinette Ribbing: Marked sections on the bonnet use reverse stockinette ribbing (purling on knit rows and knitting on purl rows) to add textural dimension and a slight 3D appearance to the car design.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch structure for the cushion base
• Reverse Stockinette Stitch: Used selectively on the bonnet area to create textural contrast and dimensional effects

Materials

The cushion is knitted with double knit (DK) weight wool and 3.25 mm needles. The designer notes that while these are the materials used in the original pattern, the chart can be adapted with alternative DK weight wools. The critical consideration is that all wools used within the car design must be the same ply to ensure even, consistent knitting throughout the colorwork sections. Using different plies will result in uneven tension and an unprofessional appearance in the finished cushion.

Pattern Structure

The pattern is provided as a downloadable PDF and includes a detailed color chart for the 2CV design. The chart indicates color changes, areas where yarn should be carried, and sections marked with an x to denote reverse stockinette ribbing. This charted approach allows knitters to follow the design visually while working through the project.