Chunky Square Cabin Cushion: Free Knit Pattern
Introduction
This Chunky Square Cabin Cushion is the perfect first big project for a new knitter who wants something soft, squishy, and genuinely useful. It's made from one simple seed stitch panel in super bulky yarn, folded in half and seamed into a plush floor cushion that's about 20 inches square and 6 inches thick. The wide pink stripe across the middle gives it that cozy mountain cabin feel, like a favorite blanket you can sit on. It looks handmade in the best way and feels dense, springy, and warm underfoot or under a tired back.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Super bulky (weight 6), wool or wool blend. Color A (cherry red): 200 yd. Color B (pink): 90 yd.
- Needle: 10 mm (US 15) circular needle, 80 cm (32 in) long, worked flat.
- Notions: Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, stitch markers (optional), tape measure, scissors.
- Insert: 20 x 20 x 6 inch (51 x 51 x 15 cm) square cushion insert.
- Finished size: Approx. 20 x 20 x 6 inches (51 x 51 x 15 cm).
Abbreviations
- CO – cast on: make the starting stitches on your needle.
- k – knit stitch.
- p – purl stitch.
- RS – right side: the outside face of the fabric.
- WS – wrong side: the inside face of the fabric.
- st(s) – stitch(es).
- rep – repeat.
- BO – bind off: finish the stitches so they don't unravel.
Gauge
8 stitches and 12 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in seed stitch. Knit a small swatch in seed stitch, measure a 4-inch section, and adjust your needle size if your stitch count is off so your cushion comes out square.
Tips Before You Start
- Seed stitch is just alternating knit and purl, but the pattern flips on every row: knit the purls and purl the knits. If you lose your place, look at the stitch below and do the opposite.
- Keep your tension relaxed. Super bulky yarn worked tightly makes a stiff cushion that's hard to seam.
- Measure as you go rather than counting rows. The 10 in / 6 in / 10 in sections matter more than the exact row count.
- Leave long tails (about 18 in) at each color change so you have plenty of yarn for weaving in later.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Panel (worked flat, one piece)
Set-up: With color A, CO 41 sts.
Row 1 (RS): [k1, p1] to last st, k1 (41 sts).
Row 2: [p1, k1] to last st, p1 (41 sts).
Rows 3–60: Repeat Rows 1–2 until the piece measures 10 inches from the cast-on edge, ending after a WS row (41 sts).
Color change: Change to color B.
Rows 61–96: Continue in seed stitch (repeat Rows 1–2) for 6 inches, ending after a WS row (41 sts).
Color change: Change back to color A.
Rows 97–156: Continue in seed stitch (repeat Rows 1–2) for 10 inches (41 sts).
Final row: BO all 41 sts.
Assembly and Finishing
Fold the panel in half with right sides together, matching the cast-on edge to the bind-off edge. Using mattress stitch and a long tail of color A, seam both side edges, leaving the bottom edge open. Turn the cushion right side out. Insert the 20 x 20 x 6 inch cushion insert through the open bottom edge. Seam the bottom edge closed with mattress stitch. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, then gently steam or lightly block the seams so the cushion sits flat and square.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Make the stripe wider or narrower by changing the 6-inch middle section; just keep the two red sections equal so the cushion stays square.
- Try a contrasting third color for a thin accent stripe on either side of the pink band.
- For a firmer pouf, stuff with a slightly larger insert or add a layer of batting around the insert before closing the seam.
