How To Make A Chunky Knit Pillow Cover- Free Pattern

In this blog post, you will see  How To Make A Chunky Knit Pillow Cover – Free Pattern.

The pillow cover is really squishy, perfect for snuggling into over Christmas.

This is the perfect project to make for the holidays.

Made with super bulky yarn and big needles, you can knit a throw pillow in one afternoon.

It’s a great way to get ready for the holidays. 

Please scroll down to view the free pattern, or grab the printer-friendly ad-free PDF in my shop here.

Christmas Pillow Covers

Making some hand-knit covers that can go over your regular everyday pillows is really easy with this pattern.

Knit with a soft alpaca wool blend; this really is a project that you will want to make!

The opening that is created will allow you to slip it over your pillow easily, with a button fastening to close. 

Great Addition To Your Living Room Decor

A beautiful cover can upgrade a classic white pillow and uplift your living space.

The texture of hand-knit items adds another element to your home decor.

Make one in all of your favorite different colors.

Pair it with a cozy chunky blanket and add them to your living room couch.

How Much Yarn Do I Need To Make A Chunky Pillow?    

The amount of skeins of yarn you’ll need for a chunky pillow depends on various factors, including the size of the pillow, the stitch pattern used, the thickness of the yarn, and the size of the knitting needles. 

To determine the exact amount of yarn, you may need to check the specific pattern you’re following or make a gauge swatch to estimate the yarn usage.

Here are some general guidelines to help you estimate the amount of yarn needed for a chunky pillow:

1. Check the Pattern:
   • If you’re following a specific pattern, it should provide information on the recommended yarn type, weight, and the amount needed.
2. Calculate Based on Size:
   • Larger pillows will require more yarn than smaller ones. Measure the dimensions of the pillow you want to make (length, width, and height) and use this information to estimate the yarn requirements.
3. Consider Yarn Weight:
   • Chunky yarns come in different weights, so check the yarn label for the recommended needles and gauge. For example, If the pattern requires jumbo yarn, you will need less yardage than bulky yarn.
4.  Make a Gauge Swatch:
   • Before starting the actual pillow, make a gauge swatch using the chosen yarn and needles. Measure the number of stitches and rows per inch to determine the number of stitches and rows in your final project. This will give you an idea of how much yarn you’ll use.
5. Consider Extras:
   • It’s always a good idea to purchase a little extra yarn to account for any variations in gauge or if you decide to add extra details to your project.

To provide a more accurate estimate, you may need to know the specific dimensions, stitch pattern, and yarn weight you plan to use. 

If you have this information, you can use an online yarn calculator or consult the yarn label to determine the number of yards/meters per skein and calculate how many skeins you’ll need based on your project’s requirements.

• Learn everything about yarn weights here – Yarn Weight Guide {+ Conversion Chart} 
• Learn everything about yarn fibers here – Yarn Types Explained: A Guide To Different Fibers 

Fair Isle Explained

The pillow is knit using two colors, which is known as fair Isle knitting, which is also known more accurately as stranded knitting.

This is a technique for working two (or more) colors of yarn in the same row.

The color 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 cozy 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, please take a look at these posts:

• Easy Squishy Knit Throw Blanket Pattern
• Chunky Cable Knit Blanket Pattern
• How To Make A Chunky Knit Blanket: For Beginners
• How To Knit A Blanket – Free + Easy For Beginners
• DIY Chunky Knit Blanket Tutorial– An Oversized Throw

Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern

• Knitting cast-on methods
• Knitting Lessons
• How to cast on knitting
• How to cast off knitting for total beginners (step by step)
• How to knit garter stitch
• How to knit the purl stitch (for beginners + a video tutorial)
• How to knit stockinette stitch (for beginners)
• How to read knitting patterns for beginners
• Knitting abbreviations and terms (US and UK)
• How to knit rib stitch
• How to knit with two strands of yarn together

Chunky Knit Pillow Pattern

Get the inexpensive, ad-free, printable PDF pattern here.

Notes

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.

Copyright Info

• 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 copyrighted photos for your product listing.
• For the copyright T&C please read my Terms of Use.

Skill Level – Easy

The Supplies You Need

Yarn

Super bulky/Super chunky/14 ply yarn. (Yarn Weight Guide (+ Conversion Chart))

Yarn Art Alpine Alpaca (150g/5,28oz/120m/131,23 yds) in the following colors:

• Red 434 x 1 skeins
• Cream 433 x 3 skeins

Yarn Substitutes

• Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick
• Lion Brand Hometown USA
• Rowan Big Wool
• Bernat Softee Chunky
• Paintbox Yarns Simply Super Chunky
• Paintbox Yarns Wool Mix Super Chunky
• MillaMia Naturally Super Soft Super Chunky
• King Cole Big Value Super Chunky

Needles

• 25mm (US 50) circular knitting needles

Notions

• Darning needle
• Scissors
• Tape measure
• Pom Pom Maker (Clover Large)

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 cm

Laying flat

Length = 42 inches / 107  cm

Width = 18 inches / 46 cm

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

Pattern Instructions

• 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)

• Row 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 color 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 color and stitch them 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.

Could you share your work with us?

I love seeing your finished projects on social media.

If you enjoyed making the pattern, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.

I’d love to see your work!