Balloon Flower Cushion

Balloon Flower Cushion by Jem Weston

Project Overview

The Balloon Flower Cushion is an intermediate-level knitting project designed to create a decorative cushion cover measuring approximately 46cm (18 inches) square. This downloadable PDF pattern from independent designer Jem Weston combines colorwork and functional buttonhole construction to produce a finished cushion suitable for home décor applications.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a knitted cushion cover featuring a balloon flower design. The cushion is completed to a finished size of approximately 46cm (18 inches) and is designed to fit a standard 46cm cushion pad. The cover incorporates decorative elements and functional button closures, making it both visually appealing and practical for use with an insert cushion pad.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Stockinette Stitch (st st) – The primary fabric construction technique, worked in alternating knit and purl rows to create a smooth, flat surface
• Buttonhole Construction – Two-row buttonhole technique created by casting off stitches on one row and casting them back on in the following row, positioned strategically across the cushion cover
• Colorwork – Multiple yarn colors are introduced and changed throughout the pattern to create the balloon flower design
• Button Band Fold Line – A designated knit row on the wrong side that creates a fold for the button band section of the cushion cover

Stitches and Stitch Details

The Balloon Flower Cushion is constructed primarily using stockinette stitch, which forms the foundation of the entire cushion cover. The pattern begins with a cast-on of 112 stitches and works through multiple sections of stockinette stitch, interrupted by strategically placed buttonholes. The buttonhole row technique involves casting off 2 stitches at regular intervals (every 18 stitches across the row) and then casting those stitches back on in the following row to create functional openings for buttons. This two-row buttonhole method is worked twice in the pattern – once in yarn A and again in yarn B – creating a decorative and functional closure system.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern uses Rowan Summerlite DK yarn, a lightweight double knit weight suitable for creating drape and structure in cushion covers. The yarn requirements include:

• Yarn A (Summer 453) – 4 x 50g balls
• Yarn B (Garden 471) – 3 x 50g balls
• Yarn C (Favourite Denims 469) – 1 x 50g ball

The pattern is worked on 3.25mm (US 3) needles (one pair required). Additional materials needed include a 46cm (18-inch) cushion pad and approximately 15mm buttons (5 required) for the button closures.

Tension and Difficulty

The pattern specifies a tension of 24 stitches and 34 rows to 10cm (4 inches) measured over stockinette stitch. This intermediate-level project requires familiarity with basic knitting techniques including cast-on and cast-off methods, stockinette stitch construction, yarn color changes, and buttonhole creation. The combination of colorwork and functional button band construction makes this suitable for knitters with some experience beyond absolute beginner level.