Easy slipped-stitch colorwork embellishes this Southwest-inspired pillow. Pick cool pastels for a subtle effect or select brighter colors to really make it pop.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: 15 x 15”
Gauge: 22 sts and 26 rnds = 4” [10 cm] in st st after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn: Silkindian Cotton Viscose (75% Cotton, 25% Viscose; 100 yards [91 meters]/50 grams): Madder (MC, 2 skeins), Grey (CC1, 1 skein), Teal (CC2, 1 skein)
Needles: US size 6 (4 mm) 24” circular
Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, buttons
Abbreviations
Sl – Slip
Pwise – Purlwise
Wyib – With yarn in back
Special Stitches
Slipped Stitch Pattern
Rnd 1 (CC1): *Sl1 wyib, k2; rep from * to end.
Rnd 2 (CC2): *K1, sl1 wyib, k3, sl1 wyib; rep from * to end.
Rnd 3 (CC1): *K2, sl1 wyib, k1, sl1 wyib, k1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 4 (CC2): *Sl1 wyib, k2; rep from * to end.
Rnd 5 (CC1): *K1, sl1 wyib, k3, sl1 wyib; rep from * to end.
Rnd 6 (CC2): *K2, sl1 wyib, k1, sl1 wyib, k1; rep from * to end.
Rep Rnds 1 to 6 for pattern.
Pattern Notes
The pillow is worked from the bottom up in the round.
The slipped stitch pattern may be worked from the charts or written instructions.
At the top, the back is bound off but the front is made longer to include a flap closure.
The bottom is seamed closed.
All slipped stitches are slipped purlwise.
Pattern
With MC, CO 162 sts. Pm and join to work in the rnd.
Knit every rnd until piece measures 2.5”.
Colorwork Band
With CC1, knit 1 rnd.
With CC2, knit 1 rnd.
Work Rows 1-6 of Slipped Stitch pattern twice from chart or written instructions.
Rep Rnd 1 once more.
With CC2, knit 1 rnd.
With CC1, knit 1 rnd.
Switch to MC, knit every rnd until piece measures 10.5”.
Rep Colorwork band once more.
Switch to MC, knit every rnd until piece measures 14.5”.
Next Rnd: K81, purl to end.
Next Rnd: Knit.
Rep last 2 rnds once more.
Next Rnd: P81, BO rem 81 sts.
Flap
Next Row (RS): Knit.
Next Row (WS): K3, purl to last 3 sts, k3.
Rep last 2 rows until flap measures 2”.
Work 6 rows in garter st (knit every row).
BO all sts.
Finishing
Weave in ends. Block to finished measurements.
Seam bottom closed.
Affix buttons to flap.