Knitted Zigzag Cushion - Free Knitting Pattern For Home in Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky

Knitted Zigzag Cushion – Free Chunky Knitting Pattern by Paintbox Yarns

This free downloadable knitting pattern from Paintbox Yarns guides you through creating a bold, graphic zigzag cushion cover in chunky weight yarn. The finished piece is designed to fit a 38 cm (15 in) square cushion pad, making it a satisfying home décor project that works up relatively quickly thanks to the chunky gauge. The striking chevron motif is achieved through stranded colourwork, giving the cushion a vibrant, contemporary look that adds a pop of colour and texture to any living space.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a knitted cushion cover sized to fit a standard 38 cm (15 in) square cushion pad. The design features a repeating zigzag or chevron motif worked across the fabric using multiple colours, creating a bold geometric pattern that is both eye-catching and on-trend for modern home interiors. The cover is constructed as a flat piece using circular needles worked flat, which helps manage the width of the fabric comfortably.

Techniques Used

• Stranded colourwork – Multiple yarn colours are carried across the row, with the unused colour stranded loosely at the back of the work. This technique creates the multicolour zigzag design and adds a double layer of fabric thickness to the cushion cover, contributing to its structure and warmth.
• Worked flat – Despite using circular needles, the fabric is knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round. This approach is common when working wide pieces, as the long cable of the circular needle accommodates the full stitch count without strain.
• Chevron / zigzag patterning – The core decorative technique of the pattern, creating the signature geometric lines through careful colour changes row by row.
• Tension (gauge) swatching – The pattern strongly emphasises checking tension before beginning, with a recommended swatch of at least 13 cm (5 in) square to ensure the finished cushion cover meets the correct dimensions.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) – The foundational stitch used throughout the pattern.
• Purl (P) – Used on wrong-side rows to build the stocking stitch fabric base.
• The overall fabric is worked in a chevron pattern that combines knit and purl stitches in a structured repeat to form the zigzag design.

The pattern is written using UK terminology, with US terminology equivalents provided in round brackets throughout, making it accessible to knitters on both sides of the Atlantic.

Materials – Yarn and Needles

The pattern calls for Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky, a chunky weight yarn sold in 100g balls. The recommended colour palette uses five shades across the cushion:

• 3 × balls in Slate Grey (Main Colour / MC)
• 1 × ball in Lipstick Pink (Colour A)
• 1 × ball in Mustard Yellow (Colour B)
• 1 × ball in Granite Grey (Colour C)
• 1 × ball in Midnight Blue (Colour D)

Two pairs of 100 cm (40 in) circular needles are required: a 5.5mm (UK 5 / US 9) pair and a 6mm (UK 4 / US 10) pair. The longer cable length is essential for comfortably holding the full width of stitches when working flat. The recommended tension (gauge) is 16 stitches and 19 rows to 10 cm (4 in) measured over the chevron pattern on 6mm needles. A 38 cm (15 in) cushion pad is also required to complete the finished item.

Difficulty Level and Who This Pattern Suits

This pattern is rated intermediate, making it well suited to knitters who are comfortable with the basics of knit and purl and are ready to take on their first or second stranded colourwork project