Project Notes:

Here’s how I made this rather simple throw pillow:

Gauge was about 4.25 stitches per inch in star stitch pattern.

Materials: 2 skeins of Malabrigo worsted
1 16”x16” pillow insert (I bought one from West Elm )

I cast on 67 stitches (includes a selvage stitch at each end that’s knit on the knit side and purled on the purl side). I bound off when the square was 15.5 inches long. Then I knit another square the same way. After wet blocking, I sewed together 3 of the sides, then inserted the pillow and sewed the fourth side shut. For the top and bottom seams, I used Nancie Wiseman’s “woven shoulder seam” from p. 79 of her book The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques (thanks, giorgi ). This method allows you to stitch together too piece from the outside.

The fabric stretched quite a bit after soaking and I had to unstretch it to the right dimensions. Next time I’d consider casting on 63 stitches and casting off when the squares measure 15”. Still, the fit is very good.

Star Stitch pattern is on p. 76 of The Harmony Guide to Knitting Stitches Volume II but can also be found here.

I think this pattern looks good knit up in a multicolored yarn.

The colors in the photos are off. The pillow is a bit deeper teal, and the sofa is a little bit more red.

The pillow is VERY soft. Malabrigo…MMMMMMMM!

Next time I might attempt inserting a zipper on one of the sides.