Shetland Cushion

Shetland Cushion by Martin Storey

What Is Being Made

This is a decorative cushion cover measuring 38 x 38 cm (15 x 15 inches) designed by Martin Storey. The cushion is constructed from separate knitted blocks that are sewn together in a patchwork-style arrangement, creating a finished square cushion suitable for home décor. The design is inspired by traditional Shetland heritage and the natural color palettes achieved through traditional dyeing methods used in Scottish wool production.

Craft and Techniques

The Shetland Cushion is created using the knitting craft with the Fairisle technique as the primary method. Fairisle knitting is a traditional colorwork technique that involves working with multiple yarn colors within the same row, creating intricate patterned designs by carrying unused colors across the back of the work. This technique produces rich, detailed patterns while maintaining an even fabric structure. The individual blocks are knitted separately following charted patterns, then assembled together at the end using a sewing method similar to patchwork quilting, allowing for modular construction and easier pattern management.

Stitches and Stitch Details

The pattern uses charted stitch instructions that must be read from right to left on right-side rows and from left to right on wrong-side rows, which is standard practice for colorwork knitting. The specific stitches are indicated through the chart format provided in the downloadable PDF pattern. Each individual block measures 19 cm (7½ inches) square when completed to the correct tension.

Yarn and Materials

The cushion is designed to be knitted in Rowan Felted Tweed DK, a double-knit weight yarn composed of 50% merino wool, 25% alpaca, and 25% viscose. This fiber blend creates a soft, durable fabric with subtle color variations. The yarn is available in eight coordinating colorways: Camel 157 (A1), Avocado 161 (A2), Cinnamon 175 (B1), Rage 150 (B2), Seafarer 170 (C1), Paisley 171 or Barbara 200 (C2), Duck Egg 173 (D1), and Treacle 145 (D2). One 50-gram ball (175 meters/191 yards) of each color is required. Knitting is worked on a pair of 3.75 mm (U.S. size 5) knitting needles, with needle size adjustable as needed to achieve correct tension. A 40.5 cm (16-inch) square cushion pad is required as a finishing component.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience in colorwork techniques and pattern reading. The Fairisle technique and multi-color coordination require familiarity with managing multiple yarn colors and maintaining consistent tension throughout the work.