Dornoch cushion cover

Dornoch Cushion Cover by Hazel Tindall

What is Being Made

The Dornoch cushion cover is a square knitted cushion cover designed by Hazel Tindall, available in two sizes: a small 7 inches x 7 inches (18cm x 18cm) and a larger 15 inches x 15 inches (38cm x 38cm) after blocking. This project was originally created for a one-day workshop held in Dornoch, making it an accessible introduction to Fair Isle knitting while producing a finished, functional home accessory.

Techniques Used

The Dornoch cushion cover features Fair Isle knitting, also known as stranded knitting, which is a colorwork technique that creates intricate patterns by carrying multiple yarn colors across rows. This pattern is specifically designed as an easy introduction to Fair Isle for beginners, requiring only two colors to complete the design. The cushion cover is worked in the round, eliminating the need for seaming during the main construction process.

The finishing process involves either grafting stitches together or casting off and sewing to close the end of the cushion. Blocking is an essential finishing technique for this project, as the cushion cover needs to be blocked to display the Fair Isle pattern at its best and achieve the correct finished dimensions.

Stitches and Pattern Details

The pattern incorporates two-stitch vertical stripes along the sides of the cushion cover. The Fair Isle colorwork is worked from charts showing colors for dark and white squares, allowing knitters to follow the pattern systematically as they work in the round. This chart-based approach makes the stranded knitting technique straightforward for those new to the method.

Materials

The Dornoch cushion cover is designed to be worked in 4-ply yarn weight. The pattern notes that if machine washable wool or other materials are used, results may be disappointing, suggesting that yarn fiber content and care properties should be carefully considered when selecting materials for this project.

Difficulty Level

Classified as an advanced pattern, the Dornoch cushion cover is paradoxically described as easy for beginners to Fair Isle and stranded knitting. This positioning reflects that while Fair Isle technique may be new to learners, the pattern itself uses straightforward colorwork and a manageable project size, making it an ideal stepping stone for developing stranded knitting skills within a single workshop day.