Retro Cushion

Retro Cushion Cover by Anna Alway

Project Overview

The Retro Cushion Cover is a knitted cushion cover inspired by the iconic red and white 80's OXO apron. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a bold, geometric statement piece suitable for any chair. The design combines stripes and checks to form a striking faux plaid pattern that is highly eye-catching and versatile enough to work beautifully in alternative color ways.

What Is Being Made

This is a knitted cushion cover designed to fit a 40 cm (16 inch) square cushion. The finished cover measures 40 cm (16 inches) in width and 38 cm (15 inches) in length, making it a practical home décor accessory that doubles as a bold visual statement. The retro-inspired design brings vintage 1980s aesthetic to modern interiors.

Knitting Techniques

The Retro Cushion Cover employs a clever construction technique that maximizes both visual impact and yarn efficiency. The piece is worked using a faux plaid method, where vertical lines are added after the main knitting is complete rather than being incorporated during the knitting process. This approach is particularly advantageous because it eliminates the need for large floats on the wrong side of the fabric, significantly reducing yarn waste and creating a cleaner, more professional finish on the reverse side of the cushion cover.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The design features a combination of stripes and checks that work together to create the distinctive geometric pattern. The striped sections form the base pattern during knitting, while the checked elements are integrated through the faux plaid technique applied after the main fabric is complete. This layered approach to pattern construction allows for precise geometric definition without the structural complications of traditional colorwork methods.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This project uses Dalegarn yarns 'Heilo', a premium yarn composed of 100% pure new Norwegian wool. The yarn is a sport weight, providing excellent stitch definition for the geometric patterns in this design.

Yarn Requirements:

• White (Color #6090/3301): 2 balls (actual usage: 172 meters / 188 yards; 86 grams / 3 ounces)
• Red (Color #4227/3243): 3 balls (actual usage: 250 meters / 273.4 yards; 125 grams / 4.4 ounces)

Each ball of Dalegarn Heilo contains 100 meters (109 yards) per 50 grams (1.76 ounces). The actual yarn consumption provided reflects the specific amounts used in the pattern sample, though designers note that yarn requirements will vary based on individual gauge, the finished size knitted, and other project-specific factors.

Difficulty Level and Suitability

Rated as an intermediate knitting project, the Retro Cushion Cover is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle pattern work and post-knitting finishing techniques. The intermediate classification reflects both the geometric pattern complexity and the additional finishing step of adding vertical lines after knitting is complete, which requires precision and attention to detail.

Design Flexibility

While the pattern is inspired by the classic red and white color combination of the vintage OXO apron, the geometric faux plaid design holds significant potential to feel entirely different when worked in alternative color ways. This versatility makes the pattern an excellent choice for crafters looking to customize their finished cushion cover to match existing home décor or personal aesthetic preferences.