Lana Grossa Multi Pattern Homeware Knitting Pattern

Lana Grossa Multi Pattern in Alta Moda Cashmere Pillow Cover

Project Overview

This downloadable knitting pattern from Lana Grossa creates a sophisticated pillow cover using the Alta Moda Cashmere 16 yarn. The finished pillow cover measures approximately 38 cm long by 58 cm wide, designed to fit a standard 40 x 65 cm pillow form. The design combines luxurious fiber content with striking visual contrast through a carefully planned color work and pattern sequence.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The pattern calls for 150 grams each of Lana Grossa Alta Moda Cashmere 16 in two colorways: Black (col 15) and Natural (col 16). This premium yarn blend contains 78% Merino wool, 12% cashmere, and 10% polyamide, with a yardage of 110 meters per 50 grams. The high cashmere content ensures a soft, luxurious finish suitable for a homeware accent piece. You will also need one size 8 mm circular needle measuring 80 cm long for working this project.

Knitting Techniques

This pillow cover is worked flat in one continuous piece, constructed side to side according to the directional schematic provided in the pattern. The seamed construction method allows for clean finishing edges. The pattern incorporates multiple knitting techniques to create visual interest and structural integrity:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): Knit on right-side rows and purl on wrong-side rows, creating the smooth, classic fabric base for most of the cover
• Garter Stitch: Knit every row to create a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges
• Garter Selvage: A selvedge technique worked throughout by knitting the first and last stitch of every row, ensuring neat edges for seaming
• Stripe Sequence: A repeating two-row stripe pattern alternating between Black and Natural yarns throughout designated sections, creating bold horizontal color blocks
• Chart Pattern Work: Two distinct charted patterns (Chart Patt A and Chart Patt B) incorporate color changes and stitch variations for visual complexity

Stitch Patterns and Construction Details

The pillow cover construction begins with 109 cast-on stitches in Black using the size 8 mm circular needle. The piece starts with 15 rows of stockinette stitch (measuring approximately 6.5 cm), during which 10 stitches are increased evenly across the last wrong-side row, bringing the stitch count to 119 stitches.

Following the initial stockinette section, Chart Pattern A is worked for 28 rows, with the pattern repeat worked 14 times across each row. This charted section uses the stripe sequence of alternating Black and Natural yarns. After completing Chart Pattern A, the Black yarn is dropped and Natural yarn is joined. The piece continues with 8 rows of stockinette stitch (approximately 3.5 cm), during which 10 stitches are decreased evenly across the first row, returning the stitch count to 109 stitches.

Chart Pattern B is then worked for 24 rows, featuring a unique construction method where stitches are slid to the opposite end of the circular needle between color changes, allowing the appropriate yarn color to be ready for working successive rows. This technique, sometimes called the two-color knitting method, creates seamless color transitions without cutting yarn.

The pattern concludes with Natural yarn worked in stockinette stitch for 8 rows (approximately 3.5 cm), with 10 stitches increased evenly across the first row to return to the original 109 stitch count.

Gauge and Sizing

Accurate gauge is essential for this project. On size 8 mm needles, the pattern specifies 15.5 stitches and 28 rows equal 10 x 10 cm in Chart Pattern A, while 14 stitches and 23 rows equal 10 x 10 cm in stockinette stitch. These gauge measurements ensure the pillow cover reaches the intended finished dimensions and fits the pillow form properly.

Chart Reading