This is an easy and fun knitting project with some creative colour mixing. Made with an intarsia knitting technique, when changing colours twist the yarn strands around each other in the back of the knitting.
How to Knit the Spritz Cushion
Add bold colour and soft texture to your home with the Spritz Cushion. This easy knitting project uses chunky velour yarn and simple intarsia colourwork to create large abstract shapes across the front and back.
The two cushion panels are designed as mirrored colour charts so the shapes meet neatly at the side seams. The jumbo yarn and oversized needles allow the cushion to work up quickly, making it a satisfying introduction to intarsia knitting.
Project: Spritz Cushion
Pattern: P328
Craft type: Knitting
Difficulty: Easy
Finished Size
The finished cushion measures approximately 47 cm × 47 cm and is designed to fit a 50 cm × 50 cm cushion insert.
What You Will Need
Yarn
The original pattern uses Makr Velour Plush Jumbo yarn in 200 g balls. Choose one of the following colour combinations.
Colour Combination 1
- Colour 1: 2 balls Doeskin
- Colour 2: 1 ball Volcanic Ash
- Colour 3: 1 ball Allure
- Colour 4: 1 ball Dusty Pink
Colour Combination 2
- Colour 1: 2 balls High Rise
- Colour 2: 1 ball Dusty Pink
- Colour 3: 1 ball Lambswool
- Colour 4: 1 ball Malachite Green
Needles and Equipment
- One pair of 20 mm knitting needles, approximately 35 cm long
- Wool needle for sewing seams and weaving in ends
- One 50 cm × 50 cm cushion insert
- Scissors
Tension
Using 20 mm needles, work to the following tension:
5 stitches and 7 rows over 10 cm in stocking stitch.
Knit a tension square before beginning. A significant difference in tension may affect the finished size and the fit around the cushion insert.
Abbreviations
- C: Colour
- K: Knit
- P: Purl
- Stst: Stocking stitch
- St or sts: Stitch or stitches
Understanding Intarsia Knitting
Intarsia is a colourwork technique used to create separate blocks or shapes of colour within the same row.
Use a separate ball or small bundle of yarn for each colour section. When changing colour, twist the old and new yarns around each other on the wrong side of the work. This closes the gap between the colour blocks.
Construction Overview
The cushion is made from two separate square panels:
(Colour Charts are supplied in the PDF)- Knit the front panel following the selected colour chart .
- Knit the back panel using the mirrored colour chart.
- Sew the cast-on edges together.
- Join both side seams.
- Insert the cushion form.
- Sew the cast-off edge closed.
Both panels are worked in stocking stitch over 24 stitches and 32 rows.
Begin the Front Panel
Using Colour 1, cast on 24 stitches.
Follow the front chart for the selected colour combination. Each square on the chart represents one stitch and one row.
Read right-side rows from right to left and wrong-side rows from left to right. Work knit stitches on right-side rows and purl stitches on wrong-side rows unless the written instructions state otherwise.
Work the Colour Changes
As the colour blocks widen or narrow, change yarn at the exact stitch shown on the chart.
- Work to the point where the new colour begins.
- Drop the old colour to the wrong side.
- Bring the new colour under and around the old yarn.
- Continue working with the new colour.
Keep the strands relaxed at each colour change. Pulling too tightly may cause the panel to pucker.
Knit the Back Panel
Cast on another 24 stitches using Colour 1.
Follow the back chart for the same colour combination. The back chart is a mirror image of the front so the colour sections align when the panels are joined.
Work all 32 rows, then cast off without pulling the final edge too tightly.
Finishing the Cushion
- Place the front and back panels together with the wrong sides facing.
- Align the colour sections along each edge.
- Sew the cast-on edges together first.
- Join both side seams using a wool needle and matching yarn.
- Turn the cover right side out.
- Insert the 50 cm × 50 cm cushion form.
- Sew the cast-off edge closed neatly.
- Weave all yarn tails into the inside of the cushion.
Alternative Yarns for This Project
The original pattern uses a jumbo velour yarn. A suitable substitute should be soft, substantial and capable of achieving the required tension on 20 mm needles.
- Jumbo chenille yarn – creates a plush, velvety finish similar to the original.
- Jumbo blanket yarn – offers a soft, durable and easy-care option for a frequently used cushion.
- Super-chunky velvet yarn – provides a smooth sheen and soft texture, provided the yarn is thick enough.
- Two strands of super-chunky chenille held together – may achieve the required thickness when jumbo yarn is unavailable.
- Jumbo recycled polyester yarn – creates a firm, contemporary cushion with strong colour definition.
- Thick roving-style yarn – gives a softer, more natural appearance, although it may pill more readily than chenille.
Choosing the Best Substitute
Choose a yarn that can achieve 5 stitches and 7 rows over 10 cm on 20 mm needles.
Smooth or velour-style yarns are ideal because they produce clear colour blocks and make it easier to see where each intarsia section begins and ends.
Avoid highly variegated yarns unless you want a softer abstract effect, as the colour changes within the yarn may compete with the geometric design.
Alternative Colour Ideas
- Terracotta, cream, olive and blush
- Navy, pale blue, mustard and grey
- Chocolate, caramel, ivory and rust
- Lilac, plum, soft pink and charcoal
- Black, white, stone and one bright accent colour
- Four tonal shades for a subtle modern finish
Care
Follow the care instructions on the selected yarn label. Remove the cushion insert before washing where possible.
Hand wash or use a gentle cycle as recommended, reshape while damp and dry the cover flat. Avoid hanging the wet cover, as the weight of the jumbo yarn may stretch the seams.
