Because hanging a poster is so last decade.
If you’ve ever stood outside Abbey Road Studios on a grey London morning, craning your neck to get a photo of that zebra crossing without being flattened by a taxi, then this one’s for you. And honestly, even if you haven’t, you’re going to want these cushions. This Free Beatles Abbey Road Cushion Knitting Pattern is for you!
I’m absolutely thrilled to share two new free knitted cushion cover patterns inspired by one of the most iconic landmarks in music history: Abbey Road. Made famous by The Beatles’ eleventh studio album, the studios and that gloriously simple zebra crossing have become genuine icons of popular culture. Now you can make your very own woolly tribute, no trip to NW8 required.
What Are We Making?
Two cushion cover knitting patterns, both steeped in Beatles nostalgia:
1. The Abbey Road Street Sign Cushion
A bold, graphic cushion featuring the iconic Abbey Road street sign lettering. The lettering is worked using Swiss darning (also known as duplicate stitch), a brilliant embroidery technique where you essentially trace over existing stitches with a new colour. It’s dead easy, looks incredibly effective, and means your knitting stays beautifully neat and manageable. If you’d prefer to work the lettering live as you go, I’ve also included notes for working it using the intarsia method (just make sure you have plenty of small bobbins and a good supply of patience when it comes to untangling).
2. The Zebra Crossing Cushion
Clean, classic, and wonderfully graphic, a black and white striped cushion that captures the look of that famous pedestrian crossing. It’s bold, it’s striking, and it’ll look absolutely mint on your sofa.
Both cushions together make the most fabulous pair, and would make a cracking gift for the Beatles fan in your life. Or yourself. Definitely yourself!
The Details for Free Beatles Abbey Road Cushion Knitting Pattern
These patterns use DK weight yarn, and I’ve included two yarn suggestions to suit different budgets and preferences:
Stylecraft Special DK (100% Acrylic, 295m / 100g ball)
A brilliant, budget-friendly option that’s widely available and comes in a gorgeous range of shades. You can buy it here
Abbey Road Cushion:
- Yarn A – Shade 1002 Black, 2 balls
- Yarn B – Shade 1001 White, 2 balls
- Yarn C – Shade 1246 Lipstick, 1 ball
Zebra Crossing Cushion:
- Yarn A – Shade 1002 Black, 2 balls
- Yarn B – Shade 1001 White, 2 balls
Knit Picks – Swish DK *(100% Fine Superwash Merino Wool, 113m / 50g ball)
A lovely squashy merino option for those who want a more luxurious finish. Buy the yarn here..
Abbey Road Cushion:
- Yarn A – Black, 4 balls
- Yarn B – White, 3 balls
- Yarn C – Serrano, 1 ball
Zebra Crossing Cushion:
- Yarn A – Black, 4 balls
- Yarn B – White, 3 balls
Swiss Darning vs. Intarsia. Which Should You Use?
Great question! Quick breakdown (description and not me):
Swiss Darning (Duplicate Stitch) is my recommended method for the lettering on the Abbey Road cushion. You knit the whole piece in one colour first, then go back and embroider the letters on top by tracing the ‘V’ shape of each stitch. It keeps your knitting simple, your floats non-existent, and your sanity largely intact. If you’ve never tried it before, you’re in for a treat, it’s one of those techniques that looks far more impressive than the effort involved.
Intarsia is the alternative method, where you work the colour changes as you knit. You’ll need small bobbins of each colour, and the golden rule is to always twist your yarns together when you change colour. This prevents holes from forming in your work. It’s a bit more involved but gives a lovely clean result on both sides of the fabric.
What’s Included in Free Beatles Abbey Road Cushion Knitting Pattern?
The free version of this pattern (the one you’re reading right now!) includes full instructions to get you started on both cushion covers.
Want even more? The premium paid pattern includes:
✦ A high resolution chart crystal clear, no squinting required
✦ A two-page chart because the chart is large, I’ve split it across two pages to make it genuinely easy to read (your eyes will thank you)
✦ Full written line-by-line instructions just for those of you who, quite sensibly, refuse to look at a chart on principle. No judgement here whatsoever.
Get the premium pattern here →
A Little Bit About Abbey Road
Abbey Road Studios and the zebra crossing outside were made famous by The Beatles’ 1969 album, you know the one. The photograph of John, Ringo, Paul, and George striding across that crossing has become one of the most reproduced and parodied images in history. The studios themselves, which opened in 1931, remain one of the most celebrated recording spaces in the world.
It felt only right to celebrate it in yarn.
Ready to Cast On Your Free Beatles Abbey Road Cushion Knitting Pattern?
Whether you’re a lifelong Beatles devotee or simply someone who appreciates a cracking graphic cushion (valid!), I hope you enjoyed making the free Beatles Abbey Road Cushion Knitting Pattern. I’d absolutely love to see your finished makes, please do tag me on Instagram so I can have a proper nosey. Use the hashtag #janeburnsdesigns
Happy knitting! 🎶
Needles:
- 4mm straight needles
Also Needed:
- Cushion Pad 40 cm x 60 cm (buy here)
- Zip black, plastic 40 cm
- Large tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
This post contains affiliate links, these do not cost you any money but do help me bring you more content just like this Free Beatles Abbey Road Cushion Knitting Pattern. Thank you for your understanding
Tension:
22 sts x 30 rows = 10 cm x 10 cm when working stocking stitch
Start here
ABBEY ROAD CUSHION
BACK
Cast on 132 sts using Yarn A and 4mm needles.
Work 130 Rows in st st.
Cast off.
FRONT (Swiss Darned Version)
Note: Letter following each instruction denotes which yarn to use.
Cast on 132 sts using Yarn A and 4mm needles.
Row 1 (RS): Knit.
Row 2 (WS): Purl
Rows 3-4: Repeat last 2 rows.
Row 5: K3A, K126B, K3A.
Row 6: P3A, P126B, P3A.
Rows 7-12: Repeat last 2 rows.
Row 13: Using Yarn A Knit.
Row 14: Using Yarn A Purl.
Rows 15-32: Repeat rows 5 & 6.
Row 33: K3A, K10B, pm, K106B, pm, K10B, K3A (markers show starting point for Swiss darning motif)
Row 34: Rep row 6.
Rows 35-110: Rep rows 5 & 6.
Row 111: K3A, K10B, pm, K106B, pm, K10B, K3A (markers show finishing point for Swiss darned motif)
Row 112: Repeat Row 6.
Rows 113-136: Rep rows 5 & 6.
Rows 137-140: Beg with a knit row, work 4 rows in st st using Yarn A.
Cast off.
TO MAKE UP
Swiss darn motif onto front panel of cushion using markers to position motif. Sew in ends. Use mattress stitch to sew long top edge, then down both side edges. Open zip and pin in place along bottom edge, position zip as closely as possible to edge of fabric. Using a sharp pointed tapestry needle and yarn A sew in place using small backstitches. Mattress stitch remaining seams together and insert cushion pad.
FRONT (Intarsia Version)
Note: Letter following instruction denotes which yarn to use.
Cast on 132 sts using Yarn A and 4mm needles.
Row 1 (RS): Knit.
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Rows 3-4: Repeat last 2 rows.
Row 5: K3A, K126B, K3A.
Row 6: P3A, P126B, P3A.
Rows 7-12: Repeat last 2 rows.
Row 13: Using Yarn A Knit.
Row 14: Using Yarn A Purl.
Rows 15-32: Repeat rows 5 & 6.
Commence working from Chart as follows:
Row 33: K3A, K10B, pm, work row 1 from Chart, pm, K10B, K3A (markers show Chart placement)
Row 34: P3A, P10B, sm, work row 2 from Chart, sm, P10B, P3A.
Rows 35-110: Work as set from Chart maintaining the colour block sections either side of the markers.
Row 111: K3A, K126B, K3A.
Row 112: Repeat Row 6.
Rows 113-136: Rep rows 5 & 6.
Rows 137-140: Beg with a knit row, work 4 rows in st st using Yarn A.
Cast off.
ZEBRA CROSSING CUSHION
BACK
Cast on 92 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn A.
Row 1 (RS): Knit.
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Rows 3-188: Beg with a knit row, work in st st as set.
Cast off.
FRONT
Cast on 92 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn A.
Rows 1-24: Beg with a knit row, work in st st.
Row 25: K6A, K80B, K6A.
Row 26: P6A, P80B, P6A.
Rows 27-44: Rep rows 25 & 26.
Rows 45-64: Using Yarn A work in st st as set.
Rows 65-84: Rep rows 25 & 26.
Rows 85-104: Using Yarn A work in st st as set.
Rows 105-124: Rep rows 25 & 26.
Rows 125-144: Using Yarn A work in st st as set.
Rows 145-164: Rep rows 25 & 26.
Rows 165-188: Using Yarn A work in st st as set.
Cast off.
Looking for a larger chart?
You can find a high resolution two page chart included in the Premium Pattern here https://shop.janeburns.co.uk/products/abbey-road-zebra-crossing-cushion-knitting-pattern-pdf-download-english-language-only
TO MAKE UP
Make up as for Abbey Road Cushion omitting Swiss darning.
© Jane Burns 2026. This pattern is for personal use only. Please do not reproduce or sell this pattern.*
