Portrait Pillow Cushion Knitting Pattern

Portrait Pillow in Juniper Moon Neve - Knitted Cushion Cover

What Is Being Made

The Portrait Pillow is a 20-inch square knitted cushion cover designed to coordinate with the Portrait Throw from the Stria Collection by Juniper Moon Farm. The pillow cover is constructed from multiple two-color mitered squares that are arranged and seamed together to create one of two distinct geometric patterns. The finished pillow measures 20 inches (51 cm) square and is designed to fit a standard 20-inch pillow form.

Design Options and Patterns

This pattern offers two design variations:

• Option A (Cubes Pillow): Features a multi-color arrangement of mitered squares in various hues including Aruba, Mazzy, Seattle, Morning Glory, Tree Frog, Lily Pad, Pondicherry, Monet, and Posy from the Juniper Moon Farm Neve yarn line.
• Option B (Chevron Pillow): Creates a chevron pattern using three colors—Aruba as the main color, Sandbox, and Morning Glory—arranged in a coordinated striped design.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

The pillow cover employs the mitered square technique, a specialized knitting method that creates geometric shapes by working from corner to corner. Each mitered square measures 4¾ inches (12 cm) across the diagonal. The two-color mitered squares are constructed by casting on at one corner and working decreases toward the center, then increasing back out to complete the square. The color work involves knitting the first half of each square in one color, then switching to a second color for the second half, creating a striking two-tone effect on each square.

The reversible nature of the garter-stitch mitered squares means that either color can be worked first without affecting the final appearance. Once all individual squares are completed, they are arranged according to either the Cubes or Chevron diagram and seamed together using a whip stitch. The squares are first sewn into four horizontal strips, then those strips are seamed together to create the complete pillow cover.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

This project utilizes fundamental knitting stitches and techniques:

• Garter Stitch: The primary stitch pattern used for the mitered squares, created by knitting every row. Garter stitch provides a textured, reversible fabric with excellent drape and stability.
• Stockinette Stitch: Referenced in the gauge specifications for comparison.
• Decreases: Knit two together (k2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk) decreases are used to shape the mitered corners.
• Increases: Make one left (m1L) and make one right (m1R) increases are employed to expand the squares after the center point.
• Bind Off: Used to secure stitches and finish the edges of completed squares.

Materials Required

Yarn: Juniper Moon Farm Neve, a premium yarn available in multiple colorways. For Option A (Cubes), the pattern requires 2 hanks of Aruba (#05) as the main color plus 1 hank each of eight additional colors. For Option B (Chevron), 2 hanks each of Aruba (#05), Sandbox (#01), and Morning Glory (#07) are needed.

Needles: US 6 (4 mm) circular needle, sized to achieve the specified gauge of 22 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, or 22 stitches and 44 rows over 4 inches in garter stitch.

Additional Notions: A tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, plus one 20-inch pillow form to insert into the finished cover.

Skill Level and Suitability

This project is well-suited for knitters with intermediate experience who are comfortable with color work, shaping techniques, and seaming. The mitered square construction method requires attention to decreases and increases, while the two-color work adds visual interest without the complexity of stranded colorwork. The geometric patterns created by arranging the finished squares make this an excellent project for those looking to develop their understanding of modular knitting construction.