This cushion is the perfect way to start – or get back into – your knitting journey. It begins gently with one small square, not too many stitches, and each piece is quick and satisfying to complete. The cushion is made up of eight simple squares – four in Shetland Tweed and four in Shetland Colours – so one side has a lovely tweedy texture and the other a smooth solid shade. I used a 30cm x 30cm cushion pad for the finished piece.

The squares are very easy to knit, making this an ideal project for beginners. And for more experienced knitters, it’s wonderfully soothing – that relaxing, rhythmic kind of knitting that some call mindless (I prefer mindful!). It’s a joy to watch the colours come together into something so cosy and comforting.

I’m actually sitting on my Chusi Cushion as I write this!

The original yarn was spun in Peru, so I chose a Quechua name for the design – Chusi means “woollen blanket” in Quechua, the native language of rural Peru. Since that yarn has been discontinued, I’ve reimagined the cushion in a yarn with another special story – pure Shetland Island wool, spun right here in Yorkshire.

If you’d like to try a crochet version, take a look at my Learn to Crochet a Cushion pattern – it’s the perfect companion to this one.

CONSTRUCTION
Individual squares knitted flat from the bottom up and joined together to make the cushion.

TECHNIQUES USED
Cast on, knit, cast off. Joining seams. Optional but recommended to create the feeling of joy when joining your pieces: mattress stitch.

YARN
One 100g hank each of WYS Croft Shetland Aran (solids) in shade A and WYS Croft Shetland Aran (tweed) in shade B.
100% Shetland wool, 166m/182yds per 100g.

SUGGESTED KNITTING NEEDLES
5mm.

NOTIONS
Cushion pad to fit. I used a 30cm x 30cm.

GAUGE (tension)
34 rows to 10cm/4ins square over garter stitch. I obtained this gauge with 5mm needles.
It is important to obtain gauge so do swatch and change your needle size to achieve the correct gauge if you need to.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Each square is approx. 16cm x 16cm.

NEED HELP?
I am here for you! Pop into the Skipton studio, send an email, or check out the Purl &Jane YouTube channel for tips, inspiration and guidance including handy resources like gauge (tension) guides and how to tutorials.