Le Corbusier Cushion in Rowan Cotton Glace - Downloadable PDF

Le Corbusier Cushion in Rowan Cotton Glacé

Project Overview

This is a downloadable knitting pattern for a sophisticated cushion cover designed by Martin Storey. The project creates a 50 cm (20 inch) square cushion cover featuring a striking geometric Fair Isle pattern inspired by Le Corbusier's design principles. The finished cushion is worked in two identical pieces—front and back—that are subsequently assembled around a cushion pad.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a decorative cushion cover consisting of two square knitted panels. Each panel measures 50 cm (20 inches) square and is designed to fit a standard 50 cm square cushion pad. The cushion showcases a complex Fair Isle color pattern worked across the entire surface, creating a bold geometric design characteristic of modernist aesthetics.

Techniques Used

Fair Isle knitting is the primary technique employed throughout this project. This traditional method involves carrying multiple yarn colors across the back of the work while knitting with the active color, allowing for intricate multicolored patterns without the need for separate bobbins or intarsia techniques. The Fair Isle approach used here creates a fabric with excellent elasticity and drape while maintaining the integrity of the color pattern.

The pattern is worked entirely in stockinette stitch, which provides a smooth, refined surface ideal for displaying the geometric color work. The front and back panels are knitted identically using the same chart and stitch pattern.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (st st) — the foundation stitch for the entire project, worked in rows beginning with a knit row
• Fair Isle patterning — multicolor work integrated within the stockinette stitch structure
• Cast on and cast off — standard techniques for beginning and finishing the knitted panels

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: Rowan Cotton Glacé, a DK weight yarn, is used throughout the project. This yarn choice provides a smooth, lustrous finish with excellent stitch definition. The pattern requires seven distinct colors from the Cotton Glacé range:

• Color A (Ecru 725) — 5 balls, used as the primary background color
• Color B (Blood Orange 445) — 1 ball
• Color C (Winsor 849) — 1 ball
• Color D (Persimmon 832) — 1 ball
• Color E (Dijon 739) — 1 ball
• Color F (Ochre 833) — 1 ball
• Color G (Rose 861) — 1 ball

Needles: One pair of 3¼mm (US size 3) needles is required for the entire project. These needles are appropriately sized for DK weight yarn and facilitate the precise stitch definition necessary for Fair Isle work.

Additional Materials: One 50 cm (20 inch) square cushion pad is needed to complete the finished project.

Tension and Sizing

The pattern specifies a tension of 27 stitches and 29 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over patterned stockinette stitch using 3¼mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is essential for obtaining the specified finished dimensions.

Each panel is constructed by casting on 131 stitches and working for 137 rows. The pattern repeat consists of 10 stitches across and 54 rows vertically, with the 10-stitch repeat repeated 13 times across each row to span the full width of the cushion cover.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as advanced difficulty, reflecting the complexity of Fair Isle knitting with multiple color changes, the need to maintain consistent tension across the pattern repeats, and the requirement for precise stitch counting and pattern following. Knitters should have solid experience with multicolor knitting techniques and be comfortable reading and working from detailed charts before attempting this pattern.