Noro Woven Pillows Homeware Knitting Pattern

Noro Woven Pillows

Project Overview

The Noro Woven Pillows pattern is an intermediate-level knitting project designed to create decorative homeware pieces. This downloadable PDF pattern from Noro Knitting Magazine provides instructions for constructing woven pillow covers that feature a sophisticated interlocking design created through strategic placement of knitted strips and flaps.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces finished pillow covers measuring approximately 15 x 15 inches (38 x 38 centimeters) without edging. The design accommodates standard 16 x 16 inch (40.5 x 40.5 centimeter) pillow forms. The pattern includes instructions for creating multiple coordinated pillows, with the woven construction technique creating visual interest through the layering and intersection of knitted components.

Construction Techniques

The Noro Woven Pillows employ several key knitting techniques to achieve their distinctive appearance:

• Worked Flat: All pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for straightforward seaming and assembly.
• Seamed Construction: Components are joined together using seaming methods to create the final pillow structure.
• Pick-Up and Knit: Flaps are created by picking up and knitting stitches along marked sections of the base strips, a technique that allows for precise placement and integration of design elements.
• Short Row Shaping: The pattern includes wrap and turn short row techniques to create dimensional shaping within the flaps.
• Marker Placement: Split ring markers are strategically positioned along the strips to guide the placement of flaps and ensure accurate construction of the woven pattern.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches suited to intermediate-level crafters:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch throughout the pattern, creating a smooth, classic fabric that showcases the yarn's color variations.
• Knit 1, Purl 1 Ribbing (K1, P1 Rib): Used for edging and finishing details, providing elasticity and a refined appearance.

Materials and Yarn

The Noro Woven Pillows pattern calls for Noro Kureyon yarn, available in three color options: #260, #270, or #276. The pattern requires 5 skeins of Noro Kureyon per pillow, allowing crafters to choose their preferred colorway. Noro Kureyon is known for its distinctive variegated color patterns, which enhance the visual appeal of the woven design.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires two pairs of needles in different sizes: one pair of size 7 (4.5mm) needles and one pair of size 8 (5mm) needles, or the size needed to obtain gauge. The smaller needles are used for picking up stitches and creating the flap details, while the larger needles are used for the base strips. Additional tools include split ring markers for tracking placement points and four ¾-inch (19mm) buttons for finishing details.

Gauge

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this pattern:

• Using larger needles: 14 stitches and 22 rows equal 4 inches (10 centimeters) over stockinette stitch
• Using smaller needles: 18 stitches and 24 rows equal 4 inches (10 centimeters) over stockinette stitch

The pattern emphasizes the importance of checking gauge before beginning to ensure the finished pillows meet the specified measurements.

Pattern Structure

The Noro Woven Pillows pattern is organized into distinct components that are assembled to create the final design. Long strips form the foundation of each pillow, with five strips required per pillow. Cross piece flaps are then strategically added to strips 1, 2, 3, and 4, creating the woven appearance. Each flap section is worked using pick-up and knit techniques, with flaps divided into multiple segments separated by marked intervals. This modular approach allows for precise control over the final design and ensures consistent results across multiple pillows.