Gropius Cushion in Rowan Cotton Glace - Downloadable PDF

Gropius Cushion in Rowan Cotton Glacé

What is Being Made

The Gropius Cushion is a knitted cushion cover designed to fit a 40 cm (16 inch) square cushion pad. This project features a geometric design created through the use of mitred squares, a classic construction technique that produces distinctive diagonal lines and a sophisticated modern aesthetic. The cushion is constructed in sections using a color-blocking approach with multiple yarn colors to create visual interest and pattern definition.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques:

• Mitred square construction: The cushion is built using large mitred squares, a technique that creates diagonal decreases to form perfect square shapes with clean, geometric lines
• Color blocking: Multiple yarn colors are worked in alternating rows to build the design, with sections joined together strategically
• Picking up stitches: New sections are created by picking up stitches along the row-end edges of previously completed sections, allowing for seamless integration of design elements
• Decreasing with K3tog: Triple knit together decreases are used at regular intervals to shape the mitred squares and create the geometric pattern
• Casting on and casting off: Standard cast-on and cast-off techniques are used to begin and finish sections

Stitches Used

The Gropius Cushion is worked primarily in garter stitch, the fundamental knit stitch worked by knitting every row. This creates a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges. The pattern also incorporates K3tog (knit three together) decreases, which are essential for creating the mitred square shaping and the distinctive diagonal lines that define this design.

Materials

This project is worked in Rowan Cotton Glacé, a DK weight yarn made from cotton. The yarn quantities required are:

• Yarn A (Petunia 872): 1 x 50g ball
• Yarn B (Crepe 873): 3 x 50g balls
• Yarn C (Midnight 868): 1 x 50g ball
• Yarn D (Ochre 833): 2 x 50g balls

Knitting is worked on 3¼mm (US 3) needles (one pair). The project requires a 40 cm (16 inch) square cushion pad to complete the finished piece. The tension is 23 stitches and 46 rows to 10 cm measured over garter stitch using the specified needle size, which is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions.