purlJam

# Cabled Braid Cushion Cover
**A classic 30 × 30 cm square cushion featuring four 6-stitch braided cable columns separated by twin knit ribs on a reverse stocking stitch ground.**

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## Finished Measurements
- **30 cm × 30 cm** (approx. 12" × 12")
- Designed to fit a 30 cm square cushion pad (use a slightly larger pad, e.g. 32 cm, for a plump finish).

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## Materials

- **Yarn**: Worsted weight (Aran) wool or wool-blend, approximately **250–300 m / 270–330 yards** total
  - Example: 2 × 100 g balls of a standard worsted (each ~180 m / 100 g)
- **Needles**: 5.0 mm (UK 6 / US 8) straight or circular needles
- **Cable needle**
- **Notions**:
  - Tapestry/darning needle for seaming
  - 3 buttons (approx. 18–20 mm diameter) **OR** a 28 cm zipper
  - Stitch markers (optional)
  - 30 cm square cushion pad (or 32 cm for a fuller look)

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## Tension (Gauge)

- **18 sts × 24 rows = 10 cm** over reverse stocking stitch on 5.0 mm needles
- **Cable panel (6 sts) = approx. 2.5 cm wide** when blocked
- ⚠️ **Tension is critical** — work a swatch in pattern (including at least one cable column) and block before measuring.

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## Abbreviations (UK)

| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| k | knit |
| p | purl |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| RS | right side |
| WS | wrong side |
| rep | repeat |
| **C6F** | slip next 3 sts to cable needle, hold at **front**, k3, then k3 from cable needle |
| **C6B** | slip next 3 sts to cable needle, hold at **back**, k3, then k3 from cable needle |
| yo | yarn over |
| k2tog | knit 2 together |

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## Pattern Notes

- The cushion is worked as **two identical flat panels**, then seamed on three sides with a button (or zipper) closure on the fourth.
- The **6-stitch braid cable** is a classic alternating cross worked over 8 rows:
  - On every 4th RS row, alternate between **C6F** and **C6B** to create the braided "plait" effect.
- Each cable column is flanked on both sides by **2 purl sts (background) + 1 knit st (rib)**, giving the appearance of two thin vertical ribs between cable columns.
- The back panel includes a **buttonhole band** at the top edge; the front panel has a plain top edge.
- Slip the first stitch of every row purlwise with yarn in front for a tidy selvedge (optional but recommended).

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## Stitch Count Breakdown (per panel)

**Cast on: 63 sts**

Layout across the row (RS):
- Edge (background + rib): **p3, k1, p2** = 6 sts
- Repeat 4 times: **[k1, p2, C6 cable (6 sts), p2, k1]** = 12 sts × 4 = **48 sts**
- Edge (rib + background): **k1, p2, k1, p3** = wait — symmetrical edges:

**Verified row layout (63 sts total):**

`p3` + `k1, p2` + `[k1, p2, k1, p2, **6-st cable**, p2, k1, p2]` × 4 — too long. Let me lay this out cleanly:

> **RS row stitch map (read left to right):**
>
> **p3** | k1 | p2 | **C6** | p2 | k1 | p2 | k1 | p2 | **C6** | p2 | k1 | p2 | k1 | p2 | **C6** | p2 | k1 | p2 | k1 | p2 | **C6** | p2 | k1 | **p3**

**Math check:**
- 2 × p3 edges = 6 sts
- 4 cables × 6 sts = 24 sts
- Knit ribs (k1): there are 9 single knit ribs → 9 sts
- Purl backgrounds (p2): there are 12 p2 sections → 24 sts
- **Total: 6 + 24 + 9 + 24 = 63 sts ✓**

This gives **4 cable columns** with **2 thin knit ribs (separated by p2)** between each cable, plus an extra rib at each end before the edge.

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## FRONT PANEL

### Cast On
With 5.0 mm needles, cast on **63 sts** using a long-tail cast-on.

### Set-Up Rows
- **Row 1 (WS)**: k3, [p1, k2] twice, p6, [k2, p1] twice, [k2, p1] twice, p6 — actually, simplest approach: **purl the knit sts and knit the purl sts as they appear**. For clarity:

**Row 1 (WS):** k3, p1, k2, **p6**, k2, p1, k2, p1, k2, **p6**, k2, p1, k2, p1, k2, **p6**, k2, p1, k2, p1, k2, **p6**, k2, p1, k3. *(63 sts)*

**Row 2 (RS):** p3, k1, p2, **k6**, p2, k1, p2, k1, p2, **k6**, p2, k1, p2, k1, p2, **k6**, p2, k1, p2, k1, p2, **k6**, p2, k1, p3. *(63 sts)*

### Main Cable Pattern (8-row repeat)

Work the following 8 rows repeatedly. Cables cross on **Rows 3 and 7** of each repeat, alternating direction to create the braid.

- **Row 1 (RS):** p3, k1, p2, **k6**, p2, k1, p2, k1, p2, **k6**, p2, k1, p2, k1, p2, **k6**, p2, k1, p2, k1, p2, **k6**, p2, k1, p3.
- **Row 2 (WS):** k3, p1, k2, **p6**, k2, p1, k2, p1, k2, **p6**, k2, p1, k2, p1, k2, **p6**, k2, p1, k2, p1, k2, **p6**, k2, p1, k3.
- **Row 3 (RS — Cable Cross C6F):** p3, k1, p2, **C6F**, p2, k1, p2, k1, p2, **C6F**, p2, k1, p2, k1, p2, **C6F**, p2, k1, p2, k1, p2, **C6F**, p2, k1, p3.
- **Row 4 (WS):** Rep Row 2.
- **Row 5 (RS):** Rep Row 1.
- **Row 6 (WS):** Rep Row 2.
- **Row 7 (RS — Cable Cross C6B):** p3, k1, p2, **C6B**, p2, k1, p2, k1, p2, **C6B**, p2, k1, p2, k1, p2, **C6B**, p2, k1, p2, k1, p2, **C6B**, p2, k1, p3.
- **Row 8 (WS):** Rep Row 2.

### Length
Work the **8-row repeat 9 times** (= 72 rows), measuring 30 cm from cast-on edge after blocking.

**Math check:** 72 rows ÷ 24 rows per 10 cm = 30 cm ✓

Cast off all 63 sts loosely in pattern (knit the knits, purl the purls).

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## BACK PANEL

Work exactly as the Front Panel through **Row 72** of the cable pattern, but **do not cast off**. Instead, work the buttonhole band:

### Buttonhole Band

Change to working all sts in single (1×1) rib for a firm closure edge.

- **Band Row 1 (RS):** p1, [k1, p1] across to last st, p1. *(adjust so pattern ends correctly; for 63 sts: k1, [p1, k1] to end — 63 sts)*

For simplicity, work the band as follows over 63 sts:

- **Rib Row 1 (RS):** [k1, p1] 31 times, k1. *(63 sts)*
- **Rib Row 2 (WS):** [p1, k1] 31 times, p1.
- Rep Rib Rows 1–2 once more (4 rib rows total).

### Buttonhole Row

- **Buttonhole Row (RS):** Rib 11, **[yo, k2tog, rib 18]** twice, yo, k2tog, rib 10. *(63 sts — 3 buttonholes evenly spaced)*

**Math check:** 11 + (2 + 18) + (2 + 18) + (2 + 10) = 11 + 20 + 20 + 12 = 63 ✓

- **Next Row (WS):** Work in rib as established, working each yo as a single stitch.
- Work **2 more rows** in rib.

**Cast off** all 63 sts loosely in rib.

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## FINISHING

### 1. Weave In Ends
Weave in all yarn ends on the wrong side using a tapestry needle.

### 2. Block
Wet-block both panels to exactly **30 × 30 cm**. Pin out evenly on a blocking mat, paying particular attention to opening up the cable columns and straightening the side edges. Allow to dry completely.

### 3. Seam

Place the two panels **wrong sides together** (so RS faces outward on both sides). Using mattress stitch and matching yarn:

- Seam the **left side**, **bottom edge**, and **right side**.
- Leave the **top edge open** for the buttonhole closure.

### 4. Button Closure

- Position the buttonhole band of the back panel to overlap the top edge of the front panel.
- Mark the button positions on the front panel to align with the 3 buttonholes.
- Sew the **3 buttons** securely to the front panel's top edge using sewing thread or a strand of matching yarn.

### Zipper Alternative
If preferred, skip the buttonhole band on the back panel (cast off after Row 72 like the front). Hand-sew a **28 cm zipper** into the top opening using backstitch on the WS, easing the fabric evenly along the zipper tape.

### 5. Insert Cushion Pad
Insert a 30 cm (or 32 cm for plumper finish) cushion pad through the opening and fasten buttons (or zipper).

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## Designer's Tips

- **Cable tension**: Cables naturally pull the fabric in. If your panel measures less than 30 cm wide after blocking, block more aggressively or go up a needle size for the next attempt.
- **Cleaner cables**: When crossing cables, give a gentle tug on the first stitch after the cross to even out any looseness.
- **Reversibility**: Because the panels are seamed WS-together with RS facing out on both sides, the cushion is technically reversible — both sides display the cabled front.
- **Yarn substitution**: Choose a smooth, plied yarn (not a single) to make cable definition pop. Cream, charcoal, or heathered tones look particularly elegant.

Enjoy your beautifully cabled cushion! 🧶