Flock of Sheep Cushion in Aran

Flock of Sheep Cushion in Aran

Project Overview

The Flock of Sheep Cushion is an intermediate-level knitting project designed by Denny Gould of iKnitDesigns. This decorative pillow measures 40 cm x 40 cm (16 inches x 16 inches) and features a charming design incorporating sheep motifs worked into the fabric. The finished cushion is suitable for home décor applications and makes an excellent handmade gift for knitting enthusiasts.

What Is Being Made

This project creates a square knitted cushion cover featuring a flock of sheep design. The cushion is worked in Aran weight yarn, which provides a medium-weight fabric ideal for creating defined stitch patterns and textural elements. The design incorporates multiple yarn colors—primarily green for the background, with white and black used to create the sheep motifs and additional details.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Flock of Sheep Cushion employs colorwork knitting techniques to create the sheep design across the fabric. This intermediate-level project requires working with multiple colors within rows, which demands careful attention to tension and yarn management. The colorwork method allows the sheep figures to stand out against the grass-colored background, creating visual interest and dimension in the finished piece.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

While specific stitch abbreviations are not detailed in the pattern information provided, the project utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with colorwork techniques. The use of Aran weight yarn enables clear stitch definition, allowing textural patterns and color changes to be easily visible in the finished cushion. The intermediate difficulty rating suggests the pattern incorporates standard knitting stitches with the added complexity of managing multiple yarn colors simultaneously.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Flock of Sheep Cushion pattern accommodates multiple yarn options, allowing crafters to choose based on fiber preference and availability:

• Sprightly Yarns Acrylic/Worsted: 100g per ball with 201 yards (184 meters). The pattern calls for 2 balls in Green Grass (501-012), 1 ball in White (501-025), and 1 ball in Black (501-007). Actual yardage used totals approximately 402 yards (368 meters) for the green, 115 yards (105 meters) for white, and 57 yards (53 meters) for black.
• Paintbox Yarns Wool Mix Aran: A wool blend option available in Lime Green (828), Paper White (800), and Pure Black (801), requiring 2 balls of the green shade, 1 ball of white, and 1 ball of black.
• Bernat Super Value: An alternative acrylic option listed as available for this pattern.

The pattern is designed for Aran weight yarn (also called worsted weight), which is a medium-weight yarn suitable for creating well-defined stitch patterns and achieving the proper fabric density for a decorative cushion. The total yardage requirement is approximately 200-400 yards depending on the specific yarn chosen.

Needles and Tools

While specific needle sizes are not detailed in the provided pattern information, Aran weight yarn typically requires US 8-10 (5-6mm) needles. Crafters should refer to the complete pattern instructions and yarn ball bands for exact needle size recommendations, as proper needle selection is essential for achieving the correct gauge and finished cushion dimensions.

Pattern Format

The Flock of Sheep Cushion is available as a downloadable PDF pattern from iKnitDesigns. Additionally, a complete knitting kit is available for purchase, which includes pre-selected yarns and all necessary materials, making this an accessible project for intermediate knitters who prefer the convenience of a kit format.