Cushion cables

Cushion Cables by Agrarian Artisan

Project Overview

Cushion Cables is a downloadable knitting pattern for creating a cabled cushion cover designed by Agrarian Artisan. This intermediate-level project produces a finished cushion cover measuring approximately 40cm (16 inches) square, making it an ideal decorative accent piece for home furnishings.

What is Being Made

The pattern provides instructions for three variations of a cabled cushion cover. Each variation features a different arrangement of centre cables, offering flexibility in design while maintaining the same overall dimensions and construction method. The cushion cover is worked as a flat knitted piece that can be finished and sewn to create a complete decorative pillow.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques suitable for intermediate crafters:

• Ribbing: The pattern begins with a 10-row ribbed edge created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a 2x2 pattern, providing structure and elasticity to the cushion cover edges
• Stocking stitch: The main fabric is worked in stocking stitch, which creates a smooth, classic knit surface ideal for displaying cable detail
• Cable stitches: The distinctive feature of this design involves cable stitches, specifically C6F (cable 6 front), which creates the three-dimensional twisted rope effect that gives the cushion its visual interest and texture

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern uses fundamental knitting abbreviations and stitches:

• K (knit): Basic knit stitch forming the primary fabric
• P (purl): Purl stitch used in ribbing and to frame the cables
• C6F (cable 6 front): A cable cross stitch worked by slipping 3 stitches onto a cable needle, holding it at the front of the work, knitting the next 3 stitches, then knitting the 3 stitches from the cable needle. This creates the characteristic twisted cable appearance

The pattern is set over rows 11 to 18, which are repeated throughout the project to build the cable pattern consistently across the cushion cover.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Cushion Cables pattern requires approximately 400 metres of double knit (DK) weight yarn. Double knit yarn is a medium-weight yarn that provides good stitch definition, making it excellent for displaying cable work clearly. The pattern specifies a tension of approximately 9 stitches and 13 rows to 5cm (2 inches) over stocking stitch, which is typical for DK weight yarn and helps ensure the finished cushion reaches the intended 40cm square dimensions.

Construction Details

The pattern begins with casting on 76 stitches and establishes a 2x2 ribbed edge over 10 rows. Following the ribbed foundation, the main pattern begins at row 11 with the cable placement. The work continues with the pattern repeat until the piece measures 80cm (32 inches), after which finishing rows complete the cushion cover. The structured approach of establishing the pattern early and repeating it consistently makes this an excellent project for knitters developing their cable skills.