Super Stripes:
Stripes are a great simple way to decorate that go with any kind of decor and are as at home in an office as a baby's room. This super simple knit striped pillow pattern combines two different yarns in two different colors, as well as two different pattern stitches, to make a fun, textured and colorful pillow.
This would be a great gift or an easy addition to your couch at home in whatever two colors you like. And you can make one in any size or shape you like, with any two yarns that are similar in gauge.
Materials:
- two skeins each Nashua Cilantro (I used Fushia) and Filatura Di Crosa Lovely (I used white) or about 275 yards of your main color and about 140 yards of your second color of two medium weight cotton or cotton blend yarns
- one pair size 8 US needles
- a 12-inch by 16-inch pillow form
- scissors and a yarn needle
Gauge:
18 stitches and 26 rows per 4 inches (4.5 stitches, 6.5 rows per inch) in Cilantro in Reverse Stockinette Stitch.
Size:
Finished size is 17 inches long and 13 inches wide (two pieces).
Instructions for Pillow Front:
- Cast on 58 stitches using Cilantro or your main color yarn.
- Work in Reverse Stockinette Stitch for 2 inches.
- Switch to other yarn and Stockinette Stitch and work for 2 inches.
- Go back to first yarn and Reverse Stockinette for 2 inches, then second yarn and Stockinette for 1 inch.
- Continue in this manner, switching stitch patterns and colors, such that you work the next 3 inches in color 1, 1 inch in color 2, 2 inches in color 1, 2 in color 2, and end with 2 in color 1, for a total of 17 inches.
- Bind off and weave in ends.
Pillow Back and Finishing:
The back is worked in the same manner as the front, on 58 stitches. This time, start with color 2, work in Stockinette for 4.5 inches, then switch to color 1 and Reverse Stockinette for 8 inches, and finish with another 4.5 inches in color 1 and Stockinette.
When finished, weave in ends and block if desired.
I used the white yarn to sew my pillow together and just used a basic straight stitch, which is visible on the outside to mirror the dashes from switching color on the pillow itself.
Sew three sides and part of the fourth together, then insert the pillow and sew up the rest.
Other Options:
You can make this pillow with any stripe pattern you wish and with any yarns you like. Using the yarns suggested as the pattern is written will completely use up the Cilantro and leave about half a ball of the Lovely.
If you wanted to use one ball of each yarn, make the white stripes a little wider, just knit the front and use a piece of fabric for the back of the pillow. Or add a third color to make it even more fun.
