Cushion Covers in Sirdar Crofter DK - 7228 - Downloadable PDF

Sirdar Crofter DK Cushion Covers – Knitting Pattern 7228

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Sirdar presents four distinct cushion cover designs, each worked in Sirdar Crofter DK yarn. The four designs are the Entrelac Cushion Cover, the Mitred Cushion Cover, the Zig Zag Cushion Cover, and the Log Cabin Cushion Cover. Together they offer knitters a varied collection of geometric and textural styles, all finished to a similar cushion size and all sharing the same yarn range. Each finished cover is designed to fit a standard cushion pad, with the Entrelac version measuring 41 x 39 cm (16 x 15½ inches) and the remaining three measuring 41 x 41 cm (16 x 16 inches).

The pattern is well suited to knitters who enjoy exploring structured geometric techniques, as each of the four designs relies on a different method of building fabric shape and visual interest. A 36 cm (14 inch) zip fastener is required for each cover to create a neat, practical closure.

Yarn and Materials

Sirdar Crofter DK (shade code F026) is the specified yarn throughout, with each design using a different colourway:

• Entrelac Cushion Cover – shade 087, requiring 4 x 50g balls
• Mitred Cushion Cover – shade 086, requiring 3 x 50g balls
• Zig Zag Cushion Cover – shade 085, requiring 4 x 50g balls
• Log Cabin Cushion Cover – shade 084, requiring 3 x 50g balls

The pattern notes that the yarn amounts are based on average requirements when the specified tension and yarn are used. Sirdar Crofter DK is also noted as suitable for substitution with several other Sirdar DK-weight yarns, including Country Style DK, Click DK, Wash 'n' Wear Double Crepe DK, Calico DK, Ella DK, and Cotton DK, though yarn amounts may vary with substitutions.

Needle requirements differ across the four designs:

• A pair of 3.75mm (UK9 / USA5) knitting needles for the Entrelac Cushion Cover
• A pair of 4mm (UK8 / USA6) knitting needles for the Zig Zag and Log Cabin Cushion Covers
• A 4mm (UK8 / USA6) 100 cm circular needle for the Mitred Cushion Cover

The Entrelac Cushion Cover

The Entrelac Cushion Cover is worked in the traditional entrelac technique, a method that creates a woven, basketweave-like fabric from a series of small knitted squares or rectangles worked at right angles to one another. Rather than knitting in a single continuous direction, entrelac builds the fabric in diagonal blocks, with each new block picking up stitches from the edge of the previous one. This gives the finished fabric a rich, textured, interlaced appearance that is highly decorative.

The pattern specifies an entrelac tension in which each pattern repeat measures 5 cm (2 inches) diagonally, worked on 3.75mm needles. The slightly finer needle size compared to the other designs helps achieve the neat, firm fabric that entrelac requires.

Key techniques and stitches used in this design include:

• Picking up and purling stitches along the edges of completed blocks to begin new ones
• Turning mid-row to build each block incrementally, a hallmark of the entrelac method
• Knit and purl stitches worked in combination across short rows to form each individual block