The perfect ottoman can help you create a cozy and comfortable space for knitting, as well as give your room a little extra style. Whether you need a place to prop up your feet in the living room or a spot to rest while putting on socks in your bedroom, this ottoman can be the perfect solution!

This project is knit in three pieces, then joined with a simple crochet slip stitch chain. A photo tutorial is provided for the crochet technique, plus an alternative suggestion for a knitted joining technique is also given. Top and bottom pieces are knit in the round and the rectangle that becomes the sides of the ottoman is knit flat. The knitting goes faster than you’d think since the yarn is held double and the entire project only uses the knit stitch! Pick the perfect bulky-weight yarn to give your room a splash of color and jump in to a new home decor project!

Techniques used:
• Knitting flat
• Knitting in the round
• Knitting into the Right Leg increases (link to an illustrated article showing this technique provided)
• Magic Circle Cast On (link provided to a video demonstrating this technique.)
• Your choice of using a regular cast on and seaming the rectangle into a circle with a needle & yarn, or using a provisional cast on and seaming with Kitchener Stitch.
• Slip Stitch Crochet Chain to join top & bottom to the side piece (written instructions + photo tutorial provided in pattern)

Materials Needed:
• Bulky-weight yarn - Sample shown required 2175 yds, but I strongly recommend buying an extra skein for swatching and “insurance” (Sample shown was made from Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky in the “Wine” colorway. 100% wool, 137 yds per 100g skein)

Ravelry requires that I post the combined yarn weight as super bulky, but in order to get a nice, thick, sturdy ottoman fabric, I strongly discourage knitters from using one strand of super bulky yarn. Doubling the bulky yarn and holding two strands together is integral to this project having a good result.

• US Size 9 / 5.5mm 40” circ needle
• Size I / 5.5mm crochet hook
• Scrap yarn or st markers (1 traveling, 8 stationary)
• Yarn needle

Interior Construction Materials:
1) For a more “tailored” ottoman
• 1”-thick upholstery foam with styrofoam peanuts
• Two 24” cardboard or wood disks (Pre-cut wood “Craft Rounds” are sold at some US home improvement stores in the 24” diameter. I bought mine at Lowes.)
• 1”-thick upholstery foam (enough to cut out a circle to cover the top piece of wood/cardboard and, if desired, a second for the bottom disk.)
• 19 2-liter soda bottles
• Packing tape
• Plastic wrap
• Quilt batting or old towels

2) For a more “casual” ottoman:
• Styrofoam balls (from the inside of an old beanbag chair - if they are very tiny, you may want to leave them inside the casing of the beanbag chair or transfer them to a cloth drawstring bag - look in the laundry aisle of a Walmart-type store. Make sure you have enough to really pack the ottoman tight so it doesn’t end up too droopy.

I am always available to answer questions and to direct you toward resources on the web to help you through my patterns if there are any techniques you aren’t familiar with, or any instructions you aren’t sure about. You should always feel free to e-mail me with any questions.

Many thanks to ShelbyWoo who sent me the perfect idea for the “innards” of this ottoman. FAR easier and lighter than the construction I originally had in mind….thanks for making this a far easier & cheaper project to take on, Kelly!