Christmas Bow Pillow

If you make this pillow as a gift, you won't even have to wrap it! But if you make it as a gift, you might not want to give it away because it's so cute! Better just make a couple Christmas Bow Pillows from this free knitting pattern.

Materials:

• Caron International's Simply Soft (100% acrylic; 6 oz/170 g, 315 yds/288 m skein): 1 skein each in 2 colors
• DMC Gold Glitter thread (optional) Shown in: #9707 Dk. Sage (MC); #9730 Autumn Red (CC), with a strand of Gold held together with CC.
• One pair size US 8 (5 mm),knitting needles or size to obtain gauge
• Yarn Needle
• Split-ring stitch marker or safety pin
• 14" Pillow Form
• Three buttons – 3/4" diameter
• OPTIONAL: 1/2 yard dark green fabric, for lining pillow cover

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Pillow measures approximately 14"/35.5 cm square

GAUGE

Gauge is not critical for this project.
In Stockinette stitch, 18 sts and 26 rows = 4"/10 cm

ABBREVIATIONS

k1-f/b (increase): Knit next st, then knit it through the back loop.
k2tog (decrease): Knit 2 sts together through the front loops.

STITCHES USED

Stockinette stitch (St st): Knit on RS, purl on WS.
Seed stitch (Seed st)
Row 1 (RS): * K1, p1; repeat from * across.
Row 2: Knit the purl sts and purl the knit sts as they face you.
Repeat Row 2 for Seed st.

Instructions:

NOTE

Pillow cover is worked using MC in Stockinette stitch, and lined (if desired); Bow and Sash are worked separately in Seed stitch, using CC and a strand of gold Glitter held together.

HELPFUL
When working Bow, place a marker (pm) at beginning of RS rows, to indicate which edge is being shaped.

PILLOW COVER – Back and Front (both alike)

Using MC, cast on 50 sts.

(RS) Begin St st; work even until piece measures 14" from beginning.

Bind off all sts.

With RS's of Pillow pieces facing each other, sew pieces together along 3 sides.

Lining (optional): Cut 2 pieces of fabric 15" square, or size to fit Pillow Cover pieces plus 1/2" on all sides for seam allowance. With RS's of Lining pieces facing each other, sew pieces together along 3 sides. Insert Lining into Pillow Cover, with WS's facing each other.

Pillow Form: Insert form into Pillow cover; turn under seam allowance on lining, sew edge. Sew remaining edge of Pillow cover neatly together.

RIBBON SASH

Using CC (and Gold Glitter, if desired), cast on 32 sts.

Begin Seed st; work even for 2 rows.

Buttonhole Rows: (RS)Continuing in Seed st, work 3 button holes across, having 5 sts at beginning and end of row as follows: Work 5 sts, bind off 3, work 6 sts, bind off 3,work 7 sts, bind off 3, work to end.

(WS) Work across in Seed st, casting on 3 sts over bound off sts.

Continuing in Seed st, work even until piece measures 28" from beginning.

Bind off all sts loosely in pattern.

BOW

Using CC (and Gold Glitter, if desired), cast on 2 sts.(RS) [k1-f/b] twice—4 sts.

Begin Seed st; work 1 row even; pm at beginning of next row to indicate edge being shaped.

Shape Side

(RS) Beginning this row, increase 1 st (k1-f/b) at beginning of every other row 28 times, working increased sts in Seed st—32 sts; keep marker in place after last increase row.

Work even in Seed st until piece measures 41" from marker (last increase row), end with a WS row.

Shape Side

(RS) Beginning this row, decrease 1 st at end of every other row until 1 st remains, as follows: Work across to last 2 sts, k2tog. Note: The shaping is being worked at the opposite edge of the Bow piece.

Fasten off.

FINISHING

Using yarn needle, weave in ends.

Sew buttons opposite buttonholes on sash; wrap sash around pillow and button in place.

Bow: Tie Bow piece in large bow (see photo); attach to Front of Pillow.