This pillow is a simple knit and a great introduction to cabling. Featuring two large cables set across a background of reverse stockinette stitch, you’ll find this pattern easy to memorize and a delight to make. This combination of simplicity and trendiness makes this a fantastic addition to any knitter’s gift-giving repertoire.
Skill Level: Easy
Size: Fits a 20” x 20” pillow.
Gauge: 11 sts and 16 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Pacific Bulky (50% Acrylic, 40% Superwash Merino Wool; 129 yards [118 meters]/200 grams): 43 Ruby, 4 balls
Needles: US size 11 (8.0 mm) 24” straight or circular needles
Notions: Markers, cable needle, tapestry needle, 20” x 20” pillow form, five 2” buttons, thread (to attach buttons)
Abbreviations
5/4 RC: Sl 4 sts to cn, hold in back, k5 sts, k4 sts from cn.
Pattern Notes
This pattern is worked flat and seamed at the end.
The pillow-cover fits a pillow measuring 20” x 20” (one easy-to-find example is
the Ullkaktus pillow from IKEA). It is worked as a rectangle with a fold-over flap that closes with a button which allows you to remove the cover to clean it, or to swap it out with a version in another colour!
Due to the bulk of the yarn you may prefer to attach the buttons with thread rather than yarn.
Pattern
CO 57 sts.
Cable Section
Set-up Row: P24, pm, k9, pm, p3, pm, k9, pm, k12 sts.
Row 1: K12, p9, k3, p9, k24.
Row 2: P24, k9, p3, k9, p12.
Row 3: K12, p9, k3, p9, k24.
Row 4: P24, k9, p3, k9, p12.
Row 5: K12, p9, k3, p9, k24.
Row 6: P24, k9, p3, k9, p12.
Row 7: K12, p9, k3, p9, k24.
Row 8: P24, 5/4 RC, p3, 5/4 RC, p12.
Row 9: K12, p9, k3, p9, k24.
Row 10: P24, k9, p3, k9, p12.
Row 11: K12, p9, k3, p9, k24.
Row 12: P24, k9, p3, k9, p12.
Work Rows 1-12 for a total of 12 times.
Work Rows 1-4 once more.
Seed Stitch Section
Seed Stitch Row 1: K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Work Seed Stitch Row 1 a total of 13 times.
Buttonhole Row 1: (K1, p1) twice, BO 3 sts (you will now have the following on your right needle: two sts, a gap for the buttonhole, then another st), ([k1, p1] 4 times, BO 3 sts) 4 times, k1. You will now have 2 sts at either end of the row and a set of 7 sts between each pair of buttonholes.
Buttonhole Row 2: K1, p1, (CO 3 sts, [p1, k1] 3 times, p1) 5 times, CO 3 sts, p1, k1.
Work Seed Stitch Row 1, 6 more times.
BO all sts in patt.
Finishing
With right sides together, fold pillow 20” from CO edge, using diagram as a guide. This will result in the Cable Section being folded in half and the Seed Stitch Section extending as a flap. Pin and sew side seams.
Weave in ends.
Turn right side out and sew buttons opposite buttonholes.