How to Make a Chunky Knit Pillow Cover in Under an Hour

Materials and Tools required

Materials

• Throw Pillows Inserts 14″ x 14″
• Three skeins of Lion Brand Yarn Wow Yarn, Non-Dairy Creamer
• Small needle and thread

Update 2024: Lion Brand WOW was discontinued, and the replacement we were recommending from Michaels has also been discontinued. Here are the updated yarns that can work for this project that are available as of February 2024:

Fat & Sassy Merino 

• The texture of this yarn is single-ply.
• The gauge (3 sts / 10 cm) falls within the suggested range given for the original yarn.
• This yarn’s warmth, drape, elasticity, and durability reasonably match the original.
• Less dense. The fabric will be lighter than the original yarn.
• The fiber content is different. This yarn contains Merino Wool (100%)
• This yarn is much softer. The fibers in this yarn are finer than those in the original yarn and may not stand up to heavy wear as well as the original.
• This yarn comes in 1000g / 100m balls. For each ball of the original yarn, you will need 0.19 balls of Fat & Sassy.

You can also try doubling or tripling thick yarns to get the gauge you need to make the pillow.

Tools 

• Susan Bates 14″ Xtreme Wood Knit Needles, Size 50

Step 1: Cast On

Start by casting on 12 stitches.

Step 2: Knit and Pearl The First And Second Row

• Knit the first row.
• Purl the second.
• Repeat.
• A simple stockinette pattern, a perfect classic look for our pillow. 
• (it is that easy and all you need to know)

It really is that easy, and all you need to know!

Step 3: Continue the pattern

Continue knitting and purling each row until your knitting measures 29 inches in length. 

Step 4: Fit the Knitting Over the form

Place your pillow form on the end of the knitting and make sure that your knitting fits over the form. 

You do not need and do not want any overlap.  If anything, you want the pillow cover to stretch for a good fit. 

I measured my knitting before fastening it together and 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.

Step 5: Attach Skeins together to Continue Knitting

You will also eventually need to attach your skeins of yarn together. 

Since this yarn is so thick, it is best to sew the two ends together like in the photo below.  I added about ten stitches, 1/2 inch from the end, to get a good connection.  

Since the yarn is super thick, trying to tie off or attempting a magic knot doesn’t work.  This sewing method keeps the yarn from looking lumpy and bumpy and only takes a few minutes. 

Step 6: Sew the Knit Pillow Cover Around the Form

This step is where you fasten your chunky knit pillow cover around your pillow form.  

I used a different color 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 it’s better to have too much than not enough!). Start at the bottom corner and 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 go around the pillow until you reach 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: Weave the Sides together

I wanted to show you what to do when you get to the end with one 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: Fluff and fuss until your pillow looks perfect

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 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, comment to commiserate! 

Expert Tips

Working with size 50US knitting needles and big, thick, bulky yarn can create wonderfully textured, cozy items in a fraction of the time it takes with smaller needles and yarn. Here are some expert tips to help you get the best results:

1. Loose Tension: Working with bulky yarn and large needles requires a looser tension than you might be used to. Moving the stitches along the needles will be difficult if you knit too tightly. Keep your hands and wrists relaxed.
2. Use the Right Yarn: Not all bulky yarns are created equal. Look for yarns that are specifically recommended for use with size 50 needles. These yarns are typically super bulky or jumbo and will give you the best results.
3. Knit With Your Whole Arm: Because of the size of the needles, you’ll need to use your whole arm to knit, not just your wrists. This can take some time but will help you maintain an even tension and prevent fatigue.
4. Joining Yarns: When you need to join a new skein of yarn, try to do so at the end of a row to make it easier to weave in the ends. With bulky yarn, the woven-in ends can be quite noticeable if not done carefully. See our tip for sewing the yarns together vs knotting them in the post.
5. Stitch Selection: Simple stitches often look best with bulky yarns, as they allow the texture and thickness of the yarn to stand out. Try garter stitch, stockinette, or ribbing for impactful visual and tactile effects.
6. Care and Maintenance: Bulky knits can be prone to pilling and wear. Follow the care instructions on your yarn label closely, and consider using a garment bag if machine washing is allowed.

FAQ

Final Remarks

So, this is a simple beginner knitting project.  There are no complicated stitches counting rows or even fussy seams.  

Super jumbo yarn makes it even easier because the chunky knit pillow knits up in less than an hour.  I timed myself, and it took me 40 minutes, 2 cups of coffee, and a phone call to knit the pillow.  Weaving the sides together took another 5 minutes to create the pillow cover.  And another 10 minutes removing dog hair!

Related Posts

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on January 8th, 2018, and updated on February 9th, 2024. The post and headers were reformatted and updated for clarity. FAQs, expert tips, and related posts were added for the reader’s benefit.