Shortcake Cushion Cover Pattern

Jaime Dorfman
May 18
4 min read

Inspired by my bestselling Shortcake Sweater, I am excited to introduce the latest addition to the Shortcake pattern collection, the Shortcake Cushion Cover! Featuring the signature Shortcake stripes, this is the perfect statement piece your couch has been missing, and is a great opportunity to get creative with colour combinations. The pattern also includes instructions for an optional zipper instalment.

This pattern has been designed specially for my brand new yarn range Springy, available exclusively at Spotlight stores in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia.

Pattern Info

Skill Level: Confident beginner

Materials:

3 balls of Jaime Creates, Springy in Colour A (light stripe)
3 balls of Jaime Creates, Springy in Colour B (dark stripe)
2 balls of Jaime Creates, Springy in Colour C (small stripe)
6 mm needles
Everyday Cushion Insert in size 16 (41 x 41 cm)
Tapestry needle
Scissors
Measuring tape
OPTIONAL
- Birch Invisible Zip 40 cm
- Sewing thread to match Colour C
- Sewing needle
- Sewing pins or mini safety pins

Gauge: 17 sts x 27 rows = 10 cm x 10 cm on 6 mm needles in stockinette stitch.

It is essential that you match both stitch and row gauge to ensure the cushion insert will fit nicely inside the cover. You should cast on several extra stitches and work several extra rows when knitting your gauge swatch to ensure you get an accurate sense of your gauge. If your gauge is too loose, try going down a needle size, and if your gauge is too tight, try going up a needle size.

Finished Measurements:

Width: 38 cm

Length: 39 cm

This pattern is designed to fit a 41 cm x 41 cm cushion insert. Please note the finished measurements are unstretched. When the cushion is inserted into the cover, it will stretch out slightly.

Abbreviations:

Approx. - Approximately

BO - Bind off

CO - Cast on

P - Purl

RS - Right side

Sts - Stitches

WS - Wrong side

Techniques:

Casting on and binding off
Knit stitch and purl stitch
Changing colours
Carrying floats
Vertical and horizontal mattress stitch

Construction:

The Shortcake Cushion Cover is made up of two identical panels which are worked flat and then seamed together. The pattern also includes instructions for an optional zipper instalment.

Pattern

Using 6 mm needles, CO 65 sts in Colour C using your preferred cast on method.

Set-up row (WS): P all sts.

You will now begin the repeating stripe pattern starting on a RS (knit) row. Your big stripes will be worked in Colours A and B, and your small stripes will be worked in Colour C.

Note that you do not need to cut the yarn when you switch colours, but can instead carry your yarn floats up alongside the edge of your work (taking care not to pull the floats too tight when starting a new stripe) to avoid having to weave in so many ends later on. These floats will be hidden on the inside of your cushion cover after you seam your panels together.

Work as follows until you have worked a total of 99 rows (your last row worked should be row 1 of Colour C):

Switch to Colour A.

Work 8 rows in stockinette stitch.

Switch to Colour C.

Work 2 rows in stockinette stitch.

Switch to Colour B.

Work 8 rows in stockinette stitch.

Switch to Colour C.

Work 2 rows in stockinette stitch.

Your work should measure approx. 38 cm from the CO edge to the BO edge.

BO all sts.

Weave in all loose ends.

Joining Panels

Option 1 (no zipper):

You will use both the vertical and horizontal mattress stitch to join the panels together.

You will need to cut a thread of Colour C that is approximately 250 cm long (or alternatively you can use a shorter thread and reattach a new thread when you run out of yarn)

Place your panels side by side with the RS facing you (ensuring the CO and BO edges are aligned). Thread your yarn through the tapestry needle and work as follows:

Seam one side of the panels together using the vertical mattress stitch, starting from the CO edge and working up to the BO edge. Take care to ensure your yarn floats stay on the inside of the seam (i.e. they aren’t visible on the RS).
Seam the BO edges together using the horizontal mattress stitch.
Seam the other side of the panels together using the vertical mattress stitch, working your way down to the CO edge. Take care to ensure your yarn floats stay on the inside of the seam (i.e. they aren’t visible on the RS).
Place your cushion insert inside the cover.
Seam the CO edges together using the horizontal mattress stitch.
Sew your remaining ends into the seam.

Congratulations! You’re all done!

Option 2 (includes zipper instalment):

You will use both the vertical and horizontal mattress stitch to join three sides of the panels together, and will then install a zipper along the bind off edge to enable you to take the cushion cover on and off the cushion insert as you please.

You will need to cut a thread of Colour C that is approximately 190 cm long (or alternatively you can use a shorter thread and reattach a new thread when you run out of yarn).