In this post, you will see a chunky knit pillow cover pattern.
The pillow cover is really squishy, perfect for snuggling into over Christmas.
Knit with a soft alpaca wool blend, this really is a project that you will want to make!
Read below for the details or scroll down for the free pattern.
Christmas Pillow Covers
Making some hand-knit covers that can go over your regular everyday pillows is really easy with this pattern.
This cover is simply made, knit in one long length, then folded and seamed.
The opening that is created will allow you to slip it over your pillow easily, with a button fastening to close.
Fair Isle Explained
The pillow is knit using two colours which are known as fair Isle knitting, which also known more accurately as stranded knitting.
This is a technique for working two (or more) colours of yarn in the same row.
The colour changes in Fair Isle are close together, as this allows you to simply carry the yarn you aren’t knitting with across the back of the piece as you go.
You will pick up each strand as you need it and this leaves a strand of yarn on the inside of the work.
The Terms You Need To Know
Fair Isle knitting is pretty easy to do and in this case, makes a cosy knitted Christmas pillow cover because all those strands of yarn add extra bulk and warmth.
Stranded knitting is often worked in the round, but of course, you can do this easily knit flat.
More Blanket Patterns
This Christmas pillow cover pattern is great for any advanced beginners who are learning how to knit fair isle.
For more free patterns that have been knit with 25mm (US 50) size needles please take a look at these posts:
- Easy Squishy Knit Throw Blanket Pattern
- Chunky Cable Blanket Knitting Pattern
- Christmas Throw Blanket Pattern
Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:
- You should be comfortable casting on and casting off, as well as knitting in garter stitch.
- You should also know how to purl – as this is a commonly used stitch.
- You should be comfortable knitting with two strands of yarn together.
- You should also be comfortable reading knitting patterns.
- And understanding knitting abbreviations and terms.
Chunky Knit Pillow Pattern
Get the inexpensive ad-free, printable PDF pattern HERE.
Notes
- Please do not copy, sell, redistribute or republish this pattern.
- If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
- You may sell items produced using this pattern.
- Do NOT use the copyrighted photos for your product listing.
- For the copyright T&C’s please read my Terms of Use.
Skill Level – Easy
The Supplies You Need
Yarn
Super Bulky 06 (Yarn Weight Guide)
Yarn Art Alpine Alpaca (150g/5,28oz/120m/131,23 yds) in the following colours:
- Red 434 x 1 skeins
- Cream 433 x 3 skeins
Substitute yarn suggestion: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick
Needles
Notions
Gauge
10 x 10 cm /4 x 4 inches = 4 sts and 6 rows
Size
Size of throw pillow that the cover can go over – 16 x 16 inches / 41 x 41 cms
Laying flat
Length = 42 inches / 107 cm
Width = 18 inches / 46 cm
Pattern
Abbreviations
- CC – Coordinating Colour
- CO – Cast on
- Cont – Continue
- K = Knit
- MC – Main Colour
- P – Purl
- Rep = Repeat
- RS – Right side
- St(s) = Stitch(es)
- WS – Wrong side
Yarn A (MC) – White
Yarn B (CC) – Red
With two strands held together – In Yarn A Cast on 23 sts (do not join in the round)
Rows 1: Knit to the end of the row.
Row 2: Purl to the end of the row
Row 3: *K1 Yarn A, K1 Yarn B* rep to the last st, K1 in Yarn A (Please see notes below)
Row 4: Purl to the end of the row in Yarn A.
Rep rows 3 and 4 until the piece measures = 40 inches / 101 cm
Then in Yarn A:
Knit one row.
Purl one row.
Cast off.
*Please note – that when you join in Yarn B – it is a little difficult to work without having two balls at each end of the work.
If you can’t do this, you may need to cut the Yarn B strands, rejoin every time that colour is needed and weave all of the loose ends in when you are finished*
Weave in all loose ends.
Making Up
Step 1 – Lay the long knitted length out flat.
Step 2 – Place the pillow you wish to cover in the middle and fold each end of the knitted fabric over it.
This should overlap with one end being able to lie over the other.
Step 3 – Stitch the seams at each end as follows:
Thread the darning needle with one strand of Yarn A.
Start to stitch an invisible seam from one corner until you have stitched the coordinating edge down for about – 10 inches / 25cm
Repeat that on the other side.
This means that now you have a folded pocket to place your pillow inside.
Step 4 – The top flap can now fold over the top part of the pillow – overlapping the section that is already stitched into place.
Thread the darning needle and stitch the top flap down for about – 8 inches / 20 cm on each side.
This leaves an opening, so you can pop your pillow in and out.
Step 5 – To secure this and make sure it stays closed you can stitch buttons onto the bottom flap.
I used 6 wooden buttons – they don’t need buttonholes in the fabric, as the stitches are quite large anyway, so can easily fit over the buttons.
Step 6 – When you are satisfied with how this looks, you can make 4 pom poms in a coordinating colour and stitch into each corner of the pillow.
*You may want to add pom poms to the corners or tassels to give your pillow cover extra flair!*
I added one large pom-pom in Yarn B to each corner of the pillow cover, using a Large pom pom maker from Clover.
I love seeing your finished projects!
If you enjoyed making the pattern, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.
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