This unisex cushion featuring a bunny silhouette is the perfect addition to any baby’s nursery.

The Peter Rabbit cushion features a single bunny at its centre. The cushion is fastened with four buttons across the back and is designed to fit a 41 cm 16 in square cushion with a little negative ease to ensure a nice plump cushion. The cushion cover is worked flat in one piece, starting in the middle of the back with a 2 x 2 rib buttonband, then the first half of the back, the front and the second half of the back are worked in stocking stitch, and finally the 2 x 2 rib buttonhole band is worked. The cushion cover is seamed down the side edges using mattress stitch.

The cushion is worked in chunky weight yarn making it quick to complete and the large blocks of colour make it a good project for someone who is new to colourwork. Instructions for the intarsia sections are provided as both charts and written instructions.

The sample is knitted in Hayfield Baby Chunky, a super-soft acrylic/nylon blend, and the tails are knitted using Sirdar Snuggly Snowflake Chunky, a textured polyester yarn, which adds a little extra texture. Both yarns are easy care, making them perfect for babies and new parents alike.

A matching blanket pattern is also available so you can make a matching set. You can alter the background colour so that the set fits in whatever the colour scheme of your nursery.

Sizes
One size: 37 cm 14.75 in square to fit a 41 cm 16 in cushion pad

Tension
14 sts and 19.5 rows = 10 cm 4 in in stocking stitch worked in flat on 6 mm US 10 needle after blocking, or size needed to obtain correct tension.

Yarn and other materials
Chunky (bulky) weight yarn (ideally a plied acrylic, wool or wool/acrylic blend) in each of the following colours:

• MC (pink): 275 m 300 yds
• CC1 (brown): 55 m 55 yds
• CC2 (white): 5 m 5 yds
• Buttons x 4, 34 mm 1.25 in in diameter
• Cushion pad, 41 cm 16 in square

Tools

• 6 mm US 10 straight needles
• Stitch markers x 2
• Removable stitch marker x 4
• Tapestry needle
• Chart row marker
• Bobbins for holding the different yarn colours during colourwork

The sample is knitted in Hayfield Baby Chunky 70% acrylic, 30% nylon: 155 m (169 yds) to 100 g in Pinky (MC, 408) and Tufty (CC1, 402), and Sirdar Snuggly Snowflake Chunky 100% polyester: 62 m 69 yds to 25 g in Milky (CC2, 630).

This pattern was first published in I Like Knitting magazine, April 2017.