Pine Forest Cushion in Rowan Felted Tweed (Multi-coloured version) - 4084 - Downloadable PDF

Pine Forest Cushion in Rowan Felted Tweed (Multi-coloured version) – Pattern Summary

Designed by Martin Storey and published by Rowan, the Pine Forest Cushion is a striking knitted cushion cover worked in a classic Fair Isle colourwork style. This downloadable PDF pattern offers two distinct versions — a multi-coloured version and a 2-colour version — allowing knitters to choose between a richly variegated palette or a more restrained, tonal look. Both versions are rated as intermediate in difficulty, making this an ideal project for knitters who are comfortable with colourwork techniques and ready to develop their Fair Isle skills further.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a square cushion cover designed to fit a 57cm (22½ inch) square cushion pad. Two identical cushion sides are knitted separately and then sewn together along all four edges, with an opening left for inserting the cushion pad. The result is a beautifully textured, patterned cushion that brings a woodland, nature-inspired aesthetic to any interior.

Design Versions

Multi-Coloured Version

This version uses a rich, autumnal palette of five colours worked across the Fair Isle chart, creating a vibrant and complex visual effect reminiscent of a pine forest in seasonal colour. The five shades used are:

• Clay 177 – the main colour (Yarn A), used for the background throughout
• Ginger 154 – Yarn B, a warm contrast shade
• Tawny 186 – Yarn C, adding depth and earthy tone
• Scarlet 222 – Yarn D, providing a bold, vivid accent
• Treacle 145 – Yarn E, a deep, rich contrast

Each contrast colour (B, C, D, and E) is used in a quantity of 1 x 50g ball, while the main colour, Clay 177, requires 4 x 50g balls of Rowan Felted Tweed.

2-Colour Version

The 2-colour version follows exactly the same chart and construction as the multi-coloured version, but all contrast yarns (B, C, D, and E) are worked in a single contrast colour rather than four separate shades. In this version, Lotus Leaf 205 is used as the main colour (Yarn A), requiring 4 x 50g balls, while Stone 190 serves as the unified contrast colour, requiring 2 x 50g balls. This version produces a cleaner, more graphic two-tone result that suits a more contemporary or minimalist interior style.

Yarn

Both versions are knitted in Rowan Felted Tweed, a beloved yarn in the Rowan range. Felted Tweed is a 50g weight yarn known for its beautiful tweed texture, subtle colour depth, and the characteristic halo created by its felted finish. It is a blend of wool, alpaca, and viscose, giving it excellent stitch definition — a particularly important quality when working colourwork patterns where clarity of motif is essential. The tweed flecks in the yarn add visual interest even within a single colour, enhancing the overall richness of the finished cushion.

Needles

The pattern calls for one pair of 3¾mm (US size 5) knitting needles. This needle size is standard for Rowan Felted Tweed and helps achieve the correct tension needed for the cushion to fit the specified 57cm pad accurately.

Techniques Used

Fair Isle Colourwork

The primary technique used throughout this pattern is the Fair Isle technique, as referenced in the Rowan information pages. Fair Isle knitting is a traditional method of working with two or more colours across a row, where the yarn not in use is carried — or stranded — loosely across the back of the work. This creates a double layer of fabric that is both warm and sturdy, ideal for a cushion cover. Careful management of yarn tension when stranding is essential to ensure the fabric lies flat and the motifs remain clearly defined.

Working from a Chart