Featuring a single Saguaro cactus, the negative space around it echos the sparse vastness of the desert. The simple, clean construction of one large piece tapers to a point with a button hole. Since there is only one piece of colorwork in the pattern and only two colors, this is a fantastic project for beginners.
Skill Level: Easy
Size: Fits a 20” x 20” pillow
Gauge: 14 sts and 21 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Cherub Chunky (55% Nylon, 25% Acrylic; 136.7 yards [125 meters]/100 grams): 35 Taupe (MC, 4 balls), 36 Cactus (CC, 1 ball)
Needles: US size 10 (6.0 mm) circular
Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, one 1” button, 20” x 20” pillow form
Pattern
Seed Stitch Edge
Using MC, CO 65 sts.
Seed Stitch Row: K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end of row.
Work Seed Stitch Row a total of 10 times.
Back of Pillow and Below the Cactus
Set-up Row (RS): K1, (p1, k1) twice, pm, k until 5 sts rem, pm, k1, (p1, k1) twice.
Row 1: K1, (p1, k1) twice, sm, p until marker, sm, k1, (p1, k1) twice.
Row 2: K1, (p1, k1) twice, sm, k until marker, sm, k1, (p1, k1) twice.
Rep Rows 1-2 until work meas 24” from CO edge.
Work Row 1 once more.
Cactus Detail
Set-up Row (RS): K1, (p1, k1) twice, sm, k7, pm, work first row of Cactus Motif chart, pm, k until 5 sts rem, sm, k1, (p1, k1) twice.
Row 1: K1, (p1, k1) twice, sm, p until next marker, sm, work next row of Cactus Motif chart, sm, p until last marker, sm, k1, (p1, k1) twice.
Row 2: K1, (p1, k1) twice, sm, k until next marker, sm, work next row of Cactus Motif chart, sm, k until last marker, sm, k1, (p1, k1) twice.
Rep Rows 1-2 until Cactus Motif chart is complete.
Above the Cactus
Remove the markers on either side of the Cactus Motif, leaving only the markers 5 sts from both edges.
Row 1: K1, (p1, k1) twice, sm, p until marker, sm, k1, (p1, k1) twice.
Row 2: K1, (p1, k1) twice, sm, k until marker, sm, k1, (p1, k1) twice.
Rep Rows 1-2 until work meas 39” from CO edge, ending with an even row.
Button Flap
Row 1: K1, (p1, k1) twice, sm, p until marker, sm, k1, (p1, k1) twice.
Row 2: K1, (p1, k1) twice, sm, ssk, k until 2 sts before marker, k2tog, sm, k1, (p1, k1) twice. (2 sts dec’d)
Rep Rows 1-2 until 13 sts rem.
Buttonhole and End
Row 1: K1, (p1, k1) twice, sm, p2tog, yo, (p1, k1) 3 times slipping marker. (13 sts)
Row 2: K1, (p1, k1) twice, sm, sl, k2tog, psso, k1, (p1, k1) twice. (11 sts)
Row 3: K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 4: K1, (p1, k1) twice, sl, k2tog, psso, k1, p1, k1. (9 sts)
Row 5: K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 6: (K2, p2) twice, sl, k2tog, psso, p1, k1. (7 sts)
BO all sts in patt.
Finishing
Weave in ends and block.
Sew side seams, matching up the CO edge to the point where the fabric begins to narrow.
Sew button opposite button hole.