Floppy Ears Cushion

Floppy Ears Cushion by Irina Smith

What is Being Made

The Floppy Ears Cushion is a knitted decorative cushion cover designed by Irina Smith, featuring a charming bunny silhouette with distinctive floppy ears. This intermediate-level project creates a finished cushion measuring approximately 45x45 cm to fit a standard 45 cm square cushion pad. The design draws inspiration from the designer's Floppy Ears carseat blanket, translating the same primitive bunny motif into a home décor piece perfect for adding a playful touch to any room.

Construction and Techniques

This cushion cover is knitted in one continuous piece rather than assembled from separate components, streamlining the construction process. The pattern progresses through three distinct sections: the button hole panel, the front panel featuring colour work, and the back panel. The signature floppy ears are crafted separately and then knitted directly onto the main body of the cushion, creating a three-dimensional sculptural element that gives the design its distinctive character.

The pattern requires intermediate knitting skills and involves intarsia techniques for the colour work sections. Intarsia is a method of working with multiple colours in a knitted fabric by using separate yarn bobbins for different colour areas, allowing for detailed pictorial designs without carrying yarn across the back of the work. Additionally, chart reading is essential, as the colour work pattern is presented in chart format that knitters must interpret and follow carefully to achieve the bunny design accurately.

Stitches and Techniques

• Intarsia colour work for the bunny silhouette on the front panel
• Chart reading and pattern interpretation
• Buttonhole construction for the closure panel
• Cable needle techniques (referenced in needle requirements)
• Seamless one-piece knitting construction

Materials and Yarn

The Floppy Ears Cushion is worked in DK weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn that provides good stitch definition for colour work and detailed pattern elements. This project is ideal for stash busting—using up odd and partially used balls of yarn from your collection. The variety of colours needed for the intarsia design makes this an excellent opportunity to incorporate different yarn colours you may have on hand, making it both economical and creative.

The pattern calls for UK 4mm needles, available in either straight or circular configurations depending on your preference. A cable needle is also required, though specific cable needle size is not detailed in the provided information.

Skill Level and Suitability

Rated as intermediate difficulty, this project is suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to tackle more complex colour work. The combination of intarsia, chart reading, and the one-piece construction method makes this a rewarding project that will develop advanced knitting skills while creating a functional and decorative home accessory.