
Chunky knit pillows provide a touch of coziness and warmth to any room decor. To make a chunky knit pillow, you’ll need chunky yarn, large knitting needles, or even your arms, if you prefer arm knitting. Begin by casting on stitches to the size of your desired pillow, knit in your selected pattern until you’ve reached the required length, and then bind off. Sew three sides of the knitted piece onto a backing fabric, insert a pillow form, then stitch the remaining side closed. That’s a concise overview, now let’s dive into the details.
Materials and Tools
Before getting started, gather the materials and tools you’ll need for the project:
- Chunky Yarn: Look for a super bulky or chunky yarn. Wool or wool blend yarns are ideal due to their elasticity and fullness.
- Knitting Needles: You will need large needles, typically size US 15 (10mm) or bigger, depending on your yarn and desired gauge.
- Pillow Form: Select a pillow form in the size that you want your final pillow to be.
- Backing Fabric: Choose a fabric for the back of the pillow that complements the yarn. This can be a cotton, linen, or any fabric of your choice.
- Scissors & Tapestry Needle: For cutting yarn and weaving in ends.
- Sewing Thread & Needle: To attach the knitted panel to the backing fabric.
Choosing Your Yarn and Needles
The choice of yarn and needles is crucial to the texture and size of your chunky knit pillow.
Yarn Selection
Consider the weight and material of your yarn. A chunky, wool yarn will make a soft and squishy pillow. Acrylic yarns are a budget-friendly alternative and come in a variety of colors.
Needle Selection
Your needle size will determine the stitch size and overall look of the pillow. Larger needles create looser stitches, which can add to the chunkiness of your pillow.
The Knitting Process
Casting On
To start, cast on the number of stitches necessary for the width of your pillow form. The standard cast-on method works fine, but a long-tail cast-on offers more stretch, which can be beneficial for pillows.
Knitting the Body
Once you’ve cast on, you can choose a stitch pattern. The simplest is the garter stitch, achieved by knitting every row. For more texture, you could opt for a stockinette stitch, alternating between knitting one row and purling the next. Alternatively, seed stitch, which alternates between knits and purls within a row and from row to row, adds a more decorative texture.
Continue knitting until the piece measures twice the height of your pillow form. This will account for both the front and back of the pillow cover if you’re making a simple envelope-style cover. If you are knitting just the front panel and using fabric for the back, knit until the piece covers the height of the pillow form.
Binding Off
When your panel reaches the desired size, it’s time to bind off. This secures the last row of stitches and creates a finished edge.
Constructing the Pillow
Sewing the Pillow Backing
Cut your backing fabric to the size of your knitted panel, adding a half-inch seam allowance on each side. If you’re making an envelope backing, you’ll need two pieces, one of which should be about 2/3 the height of the pillow plus the seam allowance.
Position the fabric on the matching knitted side, right sides facing each other, and stitch around the edge, leaving an opening for the pillow form. If you have chosen to create an envelope back, hem the edges of your two fabric pieces and overlap them to create the full size of your pillow before attaching them to the knitted panel.
Inserting the Pillow Form
Turn the cover right side out and insert the pillow form. If you’re using an envelope cover, just slip the form inside and adjust as necessary. If you have a fully sewn cover, make sure to distribute the filling evenly before sealing the last edge.
Closing the Pillow
Once your pillow form is in place, it’s time to close the opening. If you left an open seam, hand-stitch it closed with a ladder stitch for a neat finish. For envelope covers, the overlapping fabric holds the pillow form inside, so no additional stitching is needed.
Finishing Touches
Weaving in Ends
With your tapestry needle, weave in any loose yarn ends from your knitting. This will give your pillow a more professional look and ensure that the ends won’t unravel over time.
Final Adjustments
Give your completed pillow a fluff to ensure the form is fitting well into the cover, making any last-minute adjustments for a smooth fit.
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Congratulations! You’ve completed a cozy chunky knit pillow that’s perfect for adding a touch of homemade warmth to any space. With your new skills, you can experiment with different yarns, stitches, and colors for future projects. The joy of this DIY project lies in its simplicity and the personalized flair it brings to your home. Not only does it serve as a comfy addition to your living room or bedroom, but it also stands as evidence of your handcrafted talent. Enjoy the process and sweet dreams with your new chunky knit creation by your side!