Snowflake Cushion Cover

Snowflake Cushion Cover by Kraftling

Project Overview

This downloadable knitting pattern creates a festive snowflake cushion cover designed to fit a 16 x 16 inch pillow. The design combines seasonal appeal with customizable colour options, making it suitable for home décor or as a thoughtful handmade gift. The pattern uses a two-colour knitting technique to feature a prominent snowflake motif against a coordinating background.

What You'll Make

A complete cushion cover featuring an intarsia snowflake design in contrasting colours. The finished piece measures 16 x 16 inches and is constructed using a folded knitting technique that creates a seamless, professional appearance when assembled.

Knitting Techniques

• Intarsia knitting: The pattern employs a chart-based colour work method to incorporate the snowflake design. This technique involves knitting with two colours—one for the background and one for the snowflake motif—following a detailed chart for rows 31 through 115.
• Stockinette stitch: The main fabric is created using alternating knit and purl rows (knit on odd rows, purl on even rows), producing the smooth, classic stockinette finish ideal for showcasing colour work.
• Ribbed edging: The pattern begins with six rows of knit-purl ribbing (K1, P1) to create a finished edge that frames the design.
• Seaming and assembly: The cushion cover is constructed by folding the knitted rectangle and sewing side seams with wrong sides together, creating an envelope-style closure with overlapping edges for a secure fit.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K): Forms the primary fabric structure on odd-numbered rows
• Purl stitch (P): Creates the reverse stockinette appearance on even-numbered rows
• Cast-on and bind-off: Standard techniques for beginning and finishing the piece

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: Red Heart Soft Touch in aran/worsted weight (290 yards/266 metres per 5 ounce ball). The pattern calls for 2 balls in Seafoam (9520) for the background and 1 ball in Teal (9518) for the snowflake design. Knitters are encouraged to select alternative colours to match their décor preferences.

Needles: 5mm needles are required for this project.

Gauge: 4 inches equals 17 stitches by 23 rows, which is essential to achieve the correct finished measurements.

Pattern Structure

The pattern consists of 181 rows total. The first six rows establish a ribbed border in the background colour. Rows 7 through 30 continue in stockinette stitch with the background colour, establishing the lower portion of the cover. Rows 31 through 115 introduce the snowflake colour and follow an intarsia chart, allowing the snowflake design to emerge across the centre of the cushion. The final section, rows 116 through 181, returns to stockinette stitch in the background colour, creating the upper flap of the envelope closure. The piece is then bound off and assembled by folding and seaming.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as advanced, reflecting the colour work techniques required and the precision needed to follow the snowflake chart accurately. Knitters should be comfortable with intarsia knitting, reading charts, and assembling finished pieces before attempting this project.

Design Notes

The pattern is designed for private use only and is the intellectual property of Kraftling (© 2013). The overlapping seam construction ensures the cushion cover remains securely fastened around the pillow insert, with the longer edges overlapping by 11 rows to create a durable closure suitable for regular use or seasonal display.