Pillow covers are such a great project to practice stitch patterns and color combinations and see what you like. You can choose colors to fit your décor and change them when you redecorate. Try making several of these pillow covers and change up the order of the colors or the stitch pattern sections to create several different looks from this same pattern. The stitch patterns here were inspired by a few of the many shapes of fences.

Finished Size: pillow cover to fit an 18” x 18” pillow as measured along the pillow edges

Needles: US Size 6 (4 mm) 32” circular needle – or size needed to obtain gauge
Spare needle in same size for 3-needle bind off

Yarn Requirements for 1 pillow:
1 skein each - 3 contrasting colors of worsted weight wool
C1 – 200 yds / 183 m
C2 – 215 yds / 197 m
C3 – 150 yds / 137 m

Notions: tapestry needle, stitch marker, size G - crochet hook, waste yarn for provisional cast on, 18”x18” pillow form

Pattern Notes

• Gauge is very important so that your finished pillow cover fits your pillow and is neither too large nor too small. Please take the time to knit a gauge swatch and block it.
• The stitch pattern repeat is 6 stitches, so you can make smaller or larger pillows by adding or subtracting stitches in 6 stitch increments. Remember, you will also have to add or subtract length as well to keep it square. The plain stockinette at the top and bottom are good places to make adjustments in length.

• There are 3 cast on/bind off options. So choose the one that works best for you:
o 3-needle bind off: Use a provisional cast on so that both the top and bottom of the pillow can be seamed using a 3-needle bind off, creating a small seam along the top and bottom. The benefit of this option is that it is a quick and easy bind off method.
o Kitchener: Use a provisional cast on so that both the top and the bottom of the pillow can be closed with a kitchener stitch. The benefit of this method is the appearance of seamlessness.
o Crochet: Use a long-tail cast on and standard bind off, then seam the ends closed using matching yarn and a crochet hook, creating a small seam along the top and bottom. The benefit of the crochet seam is that you can easily pull out the single crochet later if you want to change pillow covers and there won’t be live stitches that may unravel. It can easily be stored for later reuse.