How to Make a Chunky Knit Pillow Cover in Under an Hour
This chunky knit pillow cover is the perfect project for a beginner knitter. If you have mastered the dishcloth or a scarf and can knit and purl, this project is for you.
There are no fancy seams or confusing patterns with this one, and it really does pull together in under an hour.
This pillow cover is a great way to breathe life into some old pillows, too. With a bit of yarn and a few hours, you could have a whole new look for your sofa.
Or in my case for my dining room nook.
I admit I am not the best knitter in the world (I’ve said this before).
This project isn’t about how perfect or not perfect the stitches are (please stop sending me messages and emails about it), it is about taking a few easy stitches and working on a project you can prop up on your sofa even if you are a beginner and even if you make a few mistakes.
The whole point of this blog is to try new crafts and make your own home decor, even if you’re not an expert.
But if you want a perfect stockinette stitch, don’t twist your purl rows like I did.
The other two pillows were handmade as well. If you’re interested I created a full tutorial on that pretty rosette pillow on the end.
Simple and Quick Knitted Pillow Cover
This was a stash buster project for me.
I ordered several different types of jumbo yarns for a comparison post I did last summer. I wanted to see what jumbo yarns I liked the best so I could remake the big knit blanket that I knitted.
One of the yarns I tested in that post was Lion Brand’s Wow. It ended up being one of my favorites (even though it sheds!), but I couldn’t figure out what to make with it.
Wow yarn does shed and pill, so it is not ideal for things like scarves or blankets.
I mean it would make an absolutely beautiful blanket, but I think after a very short time the shedding would ruin it.
But a decorative pillow? Yes, a perfect project for this yarn.
Isn’t it pretty?
Materials and Tools to Make A Chunky Knit Pillow Cover
~This post may contain affiliate links. If you click one and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
I only ever recommend what tools or materials I use for my projects. I also test all my projects before publishing and if something doesn’t work, I don’t share it! ~
So for this project, I used Lion Brand’s Wow jumbo #7 yarn in Non-Dairy Creamer. It’s a perfect creamy white and worked with my farmhouse style dining nook perfectly. I just love it.
But I don’t love the price. So I have a cheaper option for you –
Michael’s sells a yarn that is suspiciously similar. I say suspiciously because even the colour is a match. The yarn is by Loops and Threads and is called Spirit.
The Loops and Threads Spirit yarn ends up being far cheaper. Each skein of Spirit yarn has double the yardage and I’ve seen it on sale a few times now.
Materials
- Throw Pillows Inserts 14″ x 14″
- 3 skeins of Lion Brand Yarn Wow Yarn, Non-Dairy Creamer (look around your craft and yarn stores to find better prices) OR Pick up 2 skeins of Loops and Threads Spirit Yarn which you can find at Michaels (often on sale!)
- Small needle and thread
Tools
Step 1
Cast on 12 stitches
Step 2
Knit the first row.
Purl the second.
Repeat.
A simple stockinette pattern, a perfect classic look for our pillow.
(it really is that easy and all you need to know)
Step 3
Continue knitting and purling each row until your knitting measures 29 inches in length.
Step 4
I placed my pillow form on the end of my knitting and made sure that my knitting fit over my form.
You do not need and do want any overlap. If anything you want the pillow cover to stretch a tiny bit for a good fit.
I measured my knitting before I started to fasten it together and I found that 29 inches made for a good fit around my pillow form.
You do not cast off! Don’t cast off your knitting, there is no need
(see I said it would be super easy!)
Step 5
You will also eventually need to attach your skeins of yarn together.
Since this yarn is so thick it is best to simply sew the two ends together like in the photo below. I added about 10 stitches, 1/2 inch in from the end to get a good connection.
Since the yarn is super thick, trying to tie off, or attempting a magic knot just doesn’t work. This sewing method keeps the yarn from looking lumpy and bumpy and only takes a few minutes.
Step 6
This is the step where you fasten your chunky knit pillow cover around your pillow form.
I used a different colour yarn for the photo below so you could see what I did to fasten them together.
Take one long length of yarn, about 75 inches ( You won’t use it all, but better to have too much than not enough!) start at the bottom corner and start to weave your yarn through the knitted loops of your pillow cover.
Weave under not over.
If you look at the photo below, the first weave in from the right-hand side was done over the loops, not under.
I did this intentionally so you could see why going over looks weird. Go under and just keep going all the way around the pillow until you get to the final corner.
If you do it this way, your weaving will become invisible and you will not see that the seams were woven together.
Step 7
I wanted to show you what to do when you got to the end with that still has a knitting needle.
Just slip your knitting needle out and continue to weave the two sides together. Make sure you catch all those knitted loops on the top.
Step 8
Once you finish, weave in any ends and give your chunky knit pillow a fluff.
If you can see the dog hair in the photo please ignore it. I tried my best to pick it all off, but my labrador is shedding like mad right now and the dog hair is everywhere despite my best efforts.
If you know what I am talking about, drop me a comment to commiserate!
It’s seriously everywhere…
A Chunky Knit Pillow Cover Anyone Can Make
So this really is a simple beginner knitting project. There are no complicated stitches or counting rows, or even fussy seams to deal with.
Using super jumbo yarn makes it even easier because the whole chunky knit pillow knits up in less than an hour. Actually, I timed myself and it took me 40 minutes, 2 cups of coffee, and a phone call to knit the pillow. It was another 5 minutes to weave the sides together to create the pillow cover. And another 10 minutes removing dog hair!
I’m also going to add that if you choose to use a different yarn beyond the two I mentioned above this pattern will not work. Jumbo yarns, even if they are labeled jumbo do not at all guarantee similar sizes. Same goes for the knitting needles, if you change the size of the needles, I have no idea how the pattern will turn out.
I only add these notes because I know a few beginner knitters were confused by my quick knit basket pattern, so I wanted to add those notes here to avoid any confusion.
If you have any questions at all, feel free to drop me an email, or leave a comment below.
Thinking about switching from knitting to crochet? Check out these posts:
How to Make a Chunky Knit Pillow Cover in Under an Hour
A chunky knit pillow cover for a 14x14 inch pillow form. This big knit pillow is perfect for a beginner, has no difficult sites or seams, and comes together in less than an hour.
Materials
- 14 x 14-inch pillow form
- 3 skeins of Lion brand Wow (colour used is non-dairy creamer)
- OR Pick up 2 skeins of Loops and Threads Spirit Yarn which you can find at Michaels (often on sale!)
- Small sewing needle and thread
Tools
- 25mm size 50US Speedsticks
Instructions
- Cast on 12 stitches. Cast on method does not matter.
- Knit the first row
- Pearl the second row
- Continue alternating knit and pearl rows until your knitting measures 29 inches in length
- Do not cast off!
- Slide your knitting needle out and simply connect your open loops to the bottom side of your knitting by weaving them together.
- When you need to connect an additional skein of yarn to the first use a sewing needle and thread to connect them together.
- Wrap your knitting around your pillow form to verify the size you knitted will work.
- Take a 70 inch length of yarn and weave your seams together all the way around your pillow.
- Weave in any errant ends, and fluffy your pillow.
Notes
For this pattern is it important to use the yarns suggested. If you use a different size yarn, or even a different jumbo yarn the measurements will not be accurate.
Same for the knitting needles, if you use something larger or smaller the pattern will not work out the same way.
I’d like to make this in the round, would that be easier?
Hi Lisa, sorry for the late reply, it’s harvest season here and we’re knee deep in tomatoes. The pattern isn’t quite right for in the round, but if you’re a seasoned knitter, you should be able to make the pattern work fairly easily. I haven’t tested in the round but I have had lots of requests so we’re going to test it here in a week or two and update the post to add additional instructions. Cheers!
Love this pillow. Is there way to sew zipper on opening so can be washed.
Hey Kay ,sorry for the late reply, sewing a zipper on to this project would be a bit difficult. The yarn is very thick with large gaps between the stitches, I can’t see a way to add a zipper, but my readers might have a suggestion.
Can you please modify the directions for a 18×18 size pillow?
To modify the directions for an 18×18 inch pillow all you have to do is add additional stitches and measure across your pillow to see if those stitches will be adequate for the width. Knit until the cover fits the pillow (test as you go). Cheers!
Commiserations on the dog hair , I have a long haired Dachshund ! ! !
Love the pattern 💕
It gets everywhere! I mean everywhere. But I wouldn’t change that for the world. Glad you liked the pattern Susan and thanks so much for the comment! Cheers.
You must have super human hands and fingers! I’ve been at this pillow pattern for over an hour and only halfway done! The big needles are torturously difficult to handle, but I will persevere! The joining of the yarn does not look so great, but luckily it’s on the inside. I couldn’t find the white yarn so opted for the Mermaids tale instead. It’s going to look pretty too, if my poor old hands survive working with this yarn and the humongous needles! Thanks for the pattern!
Hi Sarah , sorry for the late reply, I was away. But you know, I never even considered my hands, but I do have freakishly strong fingers. I know when I first started knitting with the big needles, it was a bit awkward and since it is such an exaggerated motion, it’s almost like a work out for your hands. I absolutely love the mermaid colored yarn, I don’t think I have seen one that I didn’t like. I hope your pillow turns out well!
Can’t wait to try this pillow! I love that Micheals brand yarn. As a newbie knitter I am not ready to invest in more expensive yarn. Also, we have a lab. I saw a handmade sign once that read, “In our house dog hair is not only an accessory, it’s also a condiment.” I thought whoever made it must have a lab. #welostthedoghairfight
I love that hashtag, and I feel that every single day. I spend a lot of time editing out black dog hair from my photos. But I love her with all my heart despite the fact she does not want me to have nice things. I love the loops and thread spirit yarn too, it’s such a fun yarn to work up. Good luck with the pillow, drop me a line and let me know how it goes!
I want a lab. I have always wanted a lab. I envy you and the fact that you mentioned your lab makes me smile. Also, I will be making this pillow for my daughter for xmas. She is away at college and loving her new place off campus. Can’t wait to see her open it xmas morning!
Hi Kris, Labradors are great fun, we’ve had three over the years, one American, one English and one that was a mixed breed (he was mostly labrador), and they were and are wonderful companions. I feel they have a much longer “puppy” stage, like 3 years (no joking), they seem to stay in that manic puppy stage for a long long long time and then one day a switch flips and they seem to chill out. Our most recent labrador, Daisy, never chilled out until she was 8 years old. I am not even joking. Great dogs though. I hope your daughter loves the pillow!
Hey Laura,
Just realized I called you Lauren the other day in a comment, and then again in my effort to give you due credit with my proud post about the amazing pillow you helped me knit, I got your name wrong repeatedly. As a Lara who is constantly called Laura, I truly apologize for my mistake. So sorry! (just wanted to reach out and apologize for my oversight/mistake). Again, what a great post you put up. Very thankful for it!
Hey Lara! No worries, I get called Laurie, Lara, Lauren, Hey You, I answer to all of them. Your pillow turned out SO well. This is the whole idea about making your own home decor, you don’t have to be an expert to create something beautiful for your home and you nailed that. Thanks so much for the comment.
haha I am completely with you! Months later, one of my kids said he likes these pillows best because they’re made with love. So, even though, they’re not perfect, they’ve turned out to be pretty wonderful. Love seeing all your new stuff!
That is such a wonderful comment to leave. I know so many people got their panties in a twist over my twisted stitches, whatever! If you enjoy it, and you love it, that’s all there needs to be. Thanks again for leaving the comment, you made my day! I’ve been working on another blog project the last few months and I admit this blog has been a little neglected, but I am ramping up content creation this year so you will so a lot more from me. Cheers Lara!
You’re amazing! I just came across your blog and LOVE LOVE LOVE your pillow cases, I’ll get right to it once I’ve gathered all materials. I’m not the best knitter but I love it and pillow cases and this so super therapeutic!!! Keep up the good work!
Thanks so much, Michelle, and for the record, I am also not the best knitter (as evidenced by my twisted stitches!), but this pattern is so easy even if you mess it up like I did it will still be awesome. Thanks for the comment and for popping by!
Do you twist all your stitches on purpose?
I address the twisted stitches at the top of the post.