Pair of Big Pillows by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas

Pair of Big Pillows

Knitting
February 2020
Bulky (7 wpi) ?
0 stitches = 4 inches
in Stockinette Stitch
US 13 - 9.0 mm
US 17 - 12.0 mm
206 - 220 yards (188 - 201 m)
Big Color Blocked Pillow Cover: Approx. 15' x 15"/38 x 38cm square (to fit 16"/41cm square pillow form.) Marled Pillow Cover: Approx. 17" x 17"/43 x 43 cm square (to fit 18"/46cm square pillow form).
English
This pattern is available for free.

THE DESIGN
“One project, two pillows!” (In Two Gauges)
These cozy pillow covers make your home feel even more homey! Knit both of these pillow covers using one free pattern and one bundle of chunky-weight yarn—a total of six skeins for two, cuddly pillows.

First we knit the color-blocked pillow cover using four colors of a chunky-weight yarn held single. Knit flat in two easy pieces of two colors each, we achieved the graphic effect of intarsia without the need to carry two balls of yarn!

Next, using the yarn left over from our first pillow, we knit a pillow cover featuring four bands of marled color! Knit in the round, we picked a contrasting main color, then—using the yarn remnants—held two colors together as the scrap yarn lasted. The result is like the layered walls of a canyon.

These pillows are quick, fun knits in Rowan Big Wool—a woolly mammoth of a yarn that makes simple stitch patterns really pop! Spun from 100% merino wool, this yarn’s bulk belies an easy-to-work-with softy that knits up any project in a jiff.


THE DETAILS
FINISHED SIZES
Big Color Blocked Pillow
Pillow Cover: Approx. 15 x 15”/38 x 38cm square, after seaming; to fit 16”/41cm square pillow form with a little stretching.
Marled Pillow
Pillow Cover: Approx. 17 x 17”/43 x 43 cm square, after seaming; to fit 18”/46cm square pillow form with a little stretching.

YARN
Big Color Blocked Pillow
4 skeins Rowan Big Wool (87 yds/80m each); 1 skein each in 4 colors.
Or approx. 60 yds/55m each in 4 colors of an equivalent super-bulky weight yarn.
Sample shown in colors 48 Linen, 61 Concrete, 56 glum, 7 Smoky.
Marled Pillow
2 skeins Rowan Big Wool (87 yds/80m each) in main color (MC), plus 37 yds/34m each in 4 contrasting colors (CC), held double throughout.

Note: We used remainder bits from our Big Color-Blocked Pillow, or approx. 50 yds/46m in MC and 37 yds/34m each in 4 contrasting colors of an equivalent super-bulky weight yarn.
Sample shown in colors 48 Linen, 61 Concrete, 56 glum, 7 Smoky, 64 Prize.

NEEDLES/NOTIONS
Big Color Blocked Pillow
US 13 (9mm) needles, or size to obtain gauge.
16”/41cm square pillow form.
Marled Pillow
US 17 (12-12.75mm) 24”/60cm needle, or size to obtain gauge.
1 stitch marker.
18”/46cm square pillow form.
For both: Large darning needle to finish.

GAUGE
Big Color-blocked Pillow: Approx. 10 sts/14 rows = 4”/10cm with yarn held single in stockinette stitch, after blocking.
Marled Version: Approx. 7 sts/10 rounds = 4”/10cm with yarn held doubled in stockinette stitch, after blocking.