Scottish Moods Sampler cushion

It is hard not to be inspired by the traditional Scottish patterns of Fair Isle, tartan and Sanquhar hence this cushion, showing all three bound together in a celtic plait and finished off with stag’s horn buttons recycled from an old kilt jacket – hence this cushion's alternative name, Monarch of the Glen. Techniques are cabling for the cushion cover and for the squares, which are sewn on to the completed cover, a mixture of stranded knitting and intarsia. The Sanquhar and Fair Isle squares are knitted in the round, separated by steeks, using stranded knitting throughout as only two shades are employed at one time. For the tartan squares, the sample was knitted in the round with steeks, stranding the main shades and working the narrow, vertical stripes as intarsia, but use whichever techniques you prefer. All squares can, of course, be knitted flat, but do include those three sts either side to ensure a neat edge.

For yarn www.shetlandwoolbrokers.co.uk or contact LoveKnitting for subs.