Paw Print Pin Cushion

Paw Print Pin Cushion by Stana D. Sortor

Project Overview

The Paw Print Pin Cushion is a small, decorative knitted project designed by Stana D. Sortor. This intermediate-level knitting pattern creates a finished square measuring 4 inches (10 centimeters) on each side, making it an ideal size for holding sewing pins on a craft table or desk. The project combines colorwork techniques with three-dimensional shaping to produce a functional and charming accessory.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a stuffed pin cushion featuring a paw print design. The cushion is constructed as a small cube or square form that is knitted in the round and then stuffed with polyester fiberfill to create a firm, durable pin-holding surface. The paw print motif is created through colorwork, using contrasting yarn colors to form the distinctive pattern on the finished piece.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for worsted weight yarn, specifically Cascade 220 Superwash, which is composed of 100% superwash wool. The yarn specifications are 220 yards per 100 grams (3.5 ounces). You will need:

• 1 skein in #259 Blue Turquoise for the main color (MC), requiring approximately 35 yards (32 meters)
• 1 skein in #871 White for the contrast color (CC), requiring approximately 15 yards (14 meters)

Additional materials include polyester fiberfill for stuffing, a yarn needle for finishing, scissors, and a stitch marker for tracking rounds during construction.

Tools and Equipment

The recommended needles are double-pointed needles (DPN) in US size #5 (3.75 millimeters), preferably a set of five needles. Double-pointed needles are essential for this project as they allow you to knit seamlessly in the round, which creates the three-dimensional form of the cushion without requiring a seam that would need to be grafted closed.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 20 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is important for creating a pin cushion of the intended finished measurements and ensuring that the fabric is appropriately dense to hold pins securely.

Knitting Techniques

This intermediate-level project employs several important knitting techniques:

Knitting in the Round

The cushion is constructed using the in-the-round method with double-pointed needles. This technique allows you to create a seamless, tubular fabric by working in continuous rounds rather than flat rows. Working in the round eliminates the need for side seams and creates a more professional, finished appearance on the completed piece.

Colorwork and Stranded Knitting

The paw print design is created through colorwork techniques, which involve carrying two yarn colors across the work to create a pattern. This requires managing both the main color (Blue Turquoise) and contrast color (White) simultaneously, switching between them as dictated by the pattern chart. Stranded colorwork produces a dense, durable fabric ideal for a functional item like a pin cushion.

Grafting with Kitchener Stitch

The pattern utilizes grafting, also known as Kitchener Stitch, to join two pieces of knitted work together. This advanced finishing technique creates an almost invisible seam by weaving live stitches from two pieces of fabric together using a yarn needle. The Kitchener Stitch is particularly valuable for closing the opening of the stuffed cushion in a way that is nearly undetectable, providing a polished, professional finish to the completed project.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch used in this pattern is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, flat fabric with a characteristic V-pattern on the right side. Stockinette stitch is the foundation of the cushion's structure and provides an excellent canvas for the colorwork pattern. The pattern also incorporates standard abbreviations including knit (K), cast on (CO), place marker (PM), rounds (Rnd/Rnds), and stitches (St/Sts), which are essential for following the written instructions.

Difficulty Level

This project is classified as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to tackle colorwork and more