Squared Pillows Homeware Knitting Pattern

Squared Pillows Knitting Pattern

Project Overview

The Squared Pillows pattern from Spud and Chloe offers a versatile homeware knitting project available in four finished sizes: 8", 12", 16", and 26" square. This downloadable PDF pattern provides instructions for creating decorative pillows using classic knitting techniques, with options for single-color or multi-color striped designs. The pattern includes two distinct pillow variations: the Five Stripes Pillow (8" size) and the Two Stripes Pillow (12" size), with adaptable instructions for larger dimensions.

What Is Being Made

These are square decorative pillows constructed from knitted fabric panels. Each pillow consists of two identical knitted squares that are seamed together and stuffed with a pillow form insert. The pillows feature a classic, minimalist aesthetic suitable for home décor applications, with the option to incorporate horizontal stripes in contrasting colors for visual interest.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Squared Pillows pattern employs several fundamental knitting construction methods:

• Bottom-up construction: Both the front and back panels are knitted from the cast-on edge upward to the bind-off edge, allowing for straightforward row-by-row progress.
• Worked flat: The pillows are knitted on straight needles in flat pieces rather than in the round, creating two separate panels that are later joined.
• Seaming: The finished panels are seamed together using professional finishing techniques to create the three-dimensional pillow form.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

Stockinette stitch forms the foundation of this pattern, created by knitting on the right side and purling on the wrong side to produce the classic smooth, V-textured fabric. This stitch provides an ideal canvas for displaying color variations in the striped designs.

The pattern features two distinct stripe pattern options:

• Five Stripes Pattern: Creates a more complex color arrangement with five horizontal color bands across the pillow face.
• Two Stripes Pattern: Offers a simpler design with two main color blocks separated by a horizontal division.

Both stripe patterns are worked continuously as the fabric is knitted from bottom to top, with color changes introduced at specified row intervals to create the horizontal stripe effect.

Seaming Methods

The pattern utilizes two professional seaming techniques for finishing:

• Mattress stitch: Applied to the side edges of the pillow panels, this nearly invisible seaming method creates a seamless appearance by working through the horizontal bars between stitches on adjacent edges.
• Invisible horizontal seam: Used to close the opening after inserting the pillow form, this technique ensures a polished, finished appearance with no visible stitching on the exterior.

The pattern notes that when seaming edges with multiple colors, crafters should select a single color yarn that coordinates with the edge being sewn for optimal visual results.

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: The pattern is worked in Spud and Chloe yarn, with the photo sample shown featuring Carbon #7203 as the main color (MC), Rocket #7211 (A), Sunkissed #7206 (B), and Soapstone #7200 (C). Yarn weight and yardage requirements are calibrated to the finished pillow size selected.

Needles: Straight needles appropriate for the selected yarn weight are required for flat knitting.

Additional supplies: A tapestry needle is essential for seaming the panels together and weaving in loose ends. Square pillow forms in the corresponding finished size (8", 12", 16", or 26") are required as inserts.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 rounds equals 4" in stockinette stitch, ensuring proper finished dimensions. Stitch counts vary by pillow size: the 8" Five Stripes Pillow begins with 22 cast-on stitches, while the 12" Two Stripes Pillow uses 32 cast-on stitches. The pattern provides adaptable instructions to achieve the four available finished measurements.

Construction Process

Knitters begin by casting on the appropriate number of stitches and working stockinette stitch in horizontal stripes according to the chosen pattern variation. After completing the required number of rows, all stitches are bound off. Two identical