Christmas Reindeer Cushion

Christmas Reindeer Cushion by iKnitDesigns

Project Overview

The Christmas Reindeer Cushion is a festive knitted home accessory designed by iKnitDesigns. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a decorative cushion measuring 40 cm x 40 cm (16 inches x 16 inches), perfect for seasonal home décor. The cushion features charming reindeer motifs and is constructed as a single knitted piece with a practical back opening.

What Is Being Made

This project produces a complete cushion cover with integrated reindeer design elements. The finished cushion is a square decorative pillow suitable for displaying on sofas, chairs, or beds during the Christmas season. The design incorporates festive reindeer imagery with embellished details including pom-pom noses and button accents.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Ribbed knitting – Used for the back opening section to create an elastic, structured edge
• Stockinette stitch – The primary stitch throughout the main body, creating a smooth, classic knitted fabric
• Intarsia or color work – Reindeer motifs are incorporated using different yarn colors, requiring careful stitch placement and yarn management
• Yarn bobbin technique – Bobbins are used to manage multiple yarn colors during the color-work sections, preventing tangling and maintaining tension
• Seaming and finishing – The cushion is constructed as one piece with a functional back opening, requiring careful edge finishing

Stitches Used

• Ribbed stitch – Creates the elastic back opening
• Stockinette stitch (garter stitch reverse) – Forms the primary fabric throughout the cushion body
• Color work stitches – Standard knit stitches worked in alternating yarn colors to create the reindeer design

Materials Required

Yarn: The project uses Aran weight yarn (also called Worsted or 10 ply), chosen for its medium weight and durability in home goods. Approximately 550 meters of main color yarn is needed, along with 140 meters of white yarn and a small amount of black yarn for details. The cushion shown in the pattern is knitted using Paintbox Yarns Wool Mix Aran (50% Wool, 50% Acrylic blend, 180 meters per 100 grams), with Rose Red as the main color and Paper White for the reindeer. Any Aran or Worsted weight yarn with matching tension can be substituted.

Needles: Two needle sizes are required – 5 mm (UK size 6, US size 8) for the main knitting and 4 mm (UK size 8, US size 6) for the ribbed sections. The size difference between needles creates the necessary tension variation for the elastic ribbed opening.

Additional Materials: The project requires four buttons for decorative or functional purposes, yarn bobbins for managing color changes, a darning needle for weaving in ends and embroidery work, and seven small pom-poms for the reindeers' noses (available from haberdashery suppliers).

Tension and Gauge

The pattern specifies a tension of 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over stockinette stitch. Achieving correct tension is essential for the finished cushion to reach the intended 40 cm x 40 cm dimensions and for the color-work design to display properly.

Construction Method

The Christmas Reindeer Cushion is knitted in one continuous piece, beginning from the ribbed section at the back opening. This construction method minimizes seaming and creates a cohesive, durable finished product. The single-piece approach allows the designer to integrate the reindeer motifs seamlessly throughout the front and sides of the cushion.