The Cream Pillows are two indoor/outdoor pillows featuring an original design on the front.
The design is perfect for adding beauty and texture to any decor, and super bulky yarn makes this project a satisfying and fast knit. And see if you can stop at just one!
Add texture to your decor with the Cream Pillows, available in 2 versions: Whipped Cream featured mock pleats and can be knit with 1 color, and Sour Cream, featuring a box pleat for a two-color version.
A great project to learn how to mock pleats or a box pleat and create a decorative piece. Pom poms and tassels (optional) adorn each corner of these pillows to add a little extra flair.
There is also a button opening at the back for the pillow insert and to make them washable.
Please scroll down for the free pattern, or get the ad-free, printer-friendly PDF version of this pattern in my Ravelry, Etsy, and ariannafrasca.com.
SIZING
Sizes: 16×16″ (18×18″, 20×20″, 22×22″, 24×24″, 26×26″) / 40×40 (45×45, 50×50, 55×55, 60×60, 65×65) cm
GAUGE, NEEDLES, NOTIONS
Gauge: 10 stitches and 13 rounds over 4โ/10cm
Needles: US 11 – 8 mm 24โ- 60 cm circular needles and DPN for knitting pleats.
US L – 8 mm crochet hook for Provisional Cast-on (try to use one that matches your knitting needle size).
Notions: Waste yarn of similar weight for Provisional Cast-on, Stitch markers, 3 x 1โ/2.5 cm buttons, Darning/tapestry needle, Tape measure
Pillow insert: To make the pillow look extra plush, I recommend using a 2×2โ (4cm) bigger insert 18×18″ (20×20″, 22×22″, 24×24″, 26×26″, 28×28″) / 45×45 (50×50, 55×55, 60×60, 65×65, 70×70) cm
YARN
I used: Yarn Hobbii Amigo Giga (100% HB Acrylic; 150 g/5.2 oz, 103 yds/95 m) in White (MC), Navy Blue (CC1), and Curry (CC2).
Yarn: weight 6 (Super Bulky, Roving)
Yardage:
Whipped Cream pillow
MC: 101 (128, 158, 192, 228, 267) yds / 92 (117, 144, 175, 208, 244) m
Pom poms (optional): 8 yds / 7.3 m, each pom pom is 2 yds / 1.8 m
Sour Cream pillow
MC: 89 (112, 139, 168, 200, 235) yds / 81 (102, 127, 153, 182, 215) m
CC1: 36 (46, 56, 68, 81, 95) yds / 33 (42, 51, 62, 74, 86) m
Tassels (optional): 8 yds / 7.3 m, each tassel is 2 yds / 1.8 m
CONSTRUCTION
Whipped Cream is knit in one piece with mock pleats (ribbing). It starts at the bottom part and is worked in the round toward the body. At the top, you will bind off the back and knit flat the front for the button closure. In the end, you will seam the bottom.
Sour Cream is knit in one piece with a box pleat. It starts with a provisional cast-on at the bottom part and is worked in the round toward the body. At the top, you will bind off the back and knit flat the front for the button closure. In the end, the provisional cast-on is then removed, the box pleat closed, and the live stitches are seamed with a three-needle bind off.
RESOURCES
โข Provisional Cast-On method 1: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/provisional-cast-on/
โข Provisional Cast-On method 2: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/provisional-cast-on-video/
โข Knitting A Box Pleat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSkKQrhXs-I
โข Pom Pom Tutorial: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/pom-pom-tutorial/
โข Tassel Tutorial: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/tassel/
Please scroll down for the free pattern, or get the ad-free, printer-friendly PDF version of this pattern in my Ravelry, Etsy, and ariannafrasca.com.
STITCH ABBREVIATION
BO: bind off
BOR: the beginning of the round
CC: contrast color
CO: cast on
DPN: double pointed needle
K: knit
Ktbl: knit through the back loop
M: marker
MC: main color
P: purl
Pfb: purl through the back loop
Pm: place marker
Rm: remove marker
Rnd(s): round(s)
RS: right side
Sl: slip
Sm: slip marker
St st: stockinette st
St(s): stitch; stitches
WS: wrong side
Choose which version of the Cream pillow do you want to knit: Whipped Cream – mock pleats, one color, or Sour Cream – box pleat, two colors.
WHIPPED CREAM
Using size US 11 / 8 mm circular needle, in MC, CO 80 (88, 100, 108, 120, 128) sts.
Join for working in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts, pm for BOR.
Pillow sizes 16×16″ (18×18″, 20×20″ , – , -, -) / 40×40 ( 45×45, 50×50, -, -, -) cm ONLY:
Setup round: K13 (15, 18, – , -, -), pm, p1, kfb1, p1, kfb1, p2, k2, p2, kfb1, p1, kfb1, p1, pm, k13 (15, 18, – , -, -), pm, k to the end.
Pattern round: K13 (15, 18, – , -, -), sm, p1, kfb1, p1, kfb1, p2, k2, p2, kfb1, p1, kfb1, p1, sm, k13 (15, 18, – , -, -), sm, k to the end.
Repeat pattern round until piece measure 15″ (17″, 19″, -, -, -) / 38 (43, 48, -, -, -) cm from the cast-on edge.
Rib round: K13 (15, 18, – , -, -), sm, p1, kfb1, p1, kfb1, p2, k2, p2, kfb1, p1, kfb1, p1, sm, k13 (15, 18, – , -, -), sm, *k1, p1; repeat from * to the end.
Repeat rib round three times, 4 rnds in total.
Bind off the back: K13 (15, 18, – , -, -), sm, p1, kfb1, p1, kfb1, p2, k2, p2, kfb1, p1, kfb1, p1, sm, k13 (15, 18, – , -, -), rm, bind off 40 (44, 50, -, -, -).
Note: You will work the next section back and forth in rows over the 40 (44, 50, -, -, -) front stitches.
Row 1 (RS): K13 (15, 18, – , -, -), sm, p1, kfb1, p1, kfb1, p2, k2, p2, kfb1, p1, kfb1, p1, sm, k to the end.
Row 2 (WS): P13 (15, 18, – , -, -), sm, k1, pfb1, k1, pfb1, k2, p2, k2, pfb1, k1, pfb1, k1, sm, p to the end.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 three times, 8 rows in total.
Go to ALL PILLOW SIZES.
Pillow sizes – (-, – , 22×22″ , 24×24″, 26×26″) / – (-, – , 55×55, 60×60, 65×65) cm ONLY:
Setup round: K – (-, -, 16, 19, 21), pm, p1, kfb1, p1, kfb1, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, kfb1, p1, kfb1, p1, pm, k – (-, -, 16, 19, 21), k to the end.
Pattern round: K – (-, -, 16, 19, 21), sm, p1, kfb1, p1, kfb1, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, kfb1, p1, kfb1, p1, sm, k- (-, -, 16, 19, 21), sm, k to the end.
Repeat pattern round until piece measure – (-, -, 21″, 23″, 25″) / – (-, -, 53, 58.5, 63.5) cm from the cast-on edge.
Rib round: K – (-, -, 16, 19, 21), sm, p1, kfb1, p1, kfb1, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, kfb1, p1, kfb1, p1, sm, k – (-, -, 16, 19, 21), sm, *k1, p1; repeat from * to the end.
Repeat rib round three times, 4 rnds in total.
Bind off the back: K – (-, -, 16, 19, 21), sm, p1, kfb1, p1, kfb1, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, kfb1, p1, kfb1, p1, sm, k – (-, -, 16, 19, 21), rm, bind off – (-, -, 54, 60, 64) sts.
Note: You will work the next section back and forth in rows over the – (-, -, 54, 60, 64) front stitches.
Row 1 (RS): K – (-, -, 16, 19, 21), sm, p1, kfb1, p1, kfb1, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, kfb1, p1, kfb1, p1, sm, k to the end.
Row 2 (WS): P – (-, -, 16, 19, 21), sm, k1, pfb1, k1, pfb1, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, pfb1, k1, pfb1, k1, sm, p to the end.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 three times, 8 rows in total.
Go to ALL PILLOW SIZES below.
ALL PILLOW SIZES – Now, you will start the Buttonholes Rows:
Buttonholes Row 1: K 5 (5, 5, 7, 7, 7) sts on your right needle, BO2, k 12 (14, 17, 17, 20, 22), BO2, k 12 (14, 17, 17, 20, 22), k to the last 7 (7, 7, 9, 9, 9) sts, BO2, k to the end.
Buttonholes Row 2: P 5 (5, 5, 7, 7, 7) sts on your right needle, backward cast on 2 sts, p 12 (14, 17, 17, 20, 22), backward cast on 2 sts, p 12 (14, 17, 17, 20, 22), p to the last 5 (5, 5, 7, 7, 7) sts, backward cast on 2 sts, p to the end.
Work in ribbing 1×1 for 4 rows in total.
Loosely BO all sts.
Cut yarn, leaving a tail approximately 7 ft / 2 m long.
Fold the cast on edge in half with WS together, sew sides together using mattress stitch.
Finishing
OPTIONAL: Make 4 Pom Poms to your pillow. Pin the pom poms to the 4 corners and baste in place with your tapestry needle.
Weave in all ends and sew on your buttons.
Wet block and lay flat to dry.
SOUR CREAM
Using size US 11 / 8 mm circular needle, crochet hook, waste yarn, then MC yarn, and the Provisional Cast-on method CO 100 (108, 120, 136, 162, 156) sts.
Join for working in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts, pm for BOR.
Colorwork Setup round (RS): in MC k15 (17, 20, 20, 23, 25), pm, k10 (10, 10, 14, 14, 14), pm, in CC1 k10 (10, 10, 14, 14, 14), pm, in MC k10 (10, 10, 14, 14, 14), pm, k15 (17, 20, 20, 23, 25), pm, k40 (44, 50, 54, 60, 64).
Now you will start the Colorwork with the intarsia technique between stitch markers.
Rnd 1: in MC P to m, sm, p to m, sm, p to m, sm, in CC1 p 10 (10, 10, 14, 14, 14), sm, in MC p to m, sm, p to m, sm, p to BOR.
Rnd 2: in MC k15 (17, 20, 20, 23, 25), sm, k10 (10, 10, 14, 14, 14), sm, in CC1 k10 (10, 10, 14, 14, 14), sm, in MC k10 (10, 10, 14, 14, 14), sm, k15 (17, 20, 20, 23, 25), sm, k to BOR.
Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until piece measure 15″ (17″, 19″, 21″, 23″, 25″) / 38 (43, 48, 53, 58.5, 63.5) cm from the provisional cast-on edge, end on rnd 1.
Rib round 1: in MC k15 (17, 20, 20, 23, 25), sm, k10 (10, 10, 14, 14, 14), sm, in CC1 k10 (10, 10, 14, 14, 14), sm, in MC k10 (10, 10, 14, 14, 14), sm, k15 (17, 20, 20, 23, 25), sm, work in k1, p1 till the end of the round.
Rib round 2: in MC work in k1, p1 till m, sm, p to m, sm, p to m, sm, in CC1 p 10 (10, 10, 14, 14, 14), sm, in MC p to m, sm, p to m, sm, p to BOR.
Repeat Rib rounds 1-2 once more, 4 rnds in total.
Now you will knit the Box pleat round.
Box pleat round: in MC k15 (17, 20, 20, 23, 25), rm, sl next 5 (5, 5, 7, 7, 7) sts purlwise onto a DPN, sl next 5 (5, 5, 7, 7, 7) sts purlwise onto another DPN, rm, in MC make the Box Pleat Row (right side) on 5 sts, sl next 5 (5, 5, 7, 7, 7) sts purlwise onto a DPN, sl next 5 (5, 5, 7, 7, 7) sts purlwise onto another DPN, rm, in MC make the Box Pleat Row (left side) on 5 sts, rm, k15 (17, 20, 20, 23, 25), rm, b off the next 40 (44, 50, 54, 60, 64) sts. Cut CC1 yarn.
Note: You will work the next section back and forth in rows over the 40 (44, 50, 54, 60, 64) front stitches.
Row 1 (WS): Purl.
Row 2 (RS): Knit
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 three times, ending with row 1, 9 rows in total.
Now you will start the Buttonholes Rows:
Buttonholes Row 1: K 5 (5, 5, 7, 7, 7) sts on your right needle, BO2, k 12 (14, 17, 17, 20, 22), BO2, k 12 (14, 17, 17, 20, 22), k to the last 7 (7, 7, 9, 9, 9) sts, BO2, k to the end.
Buttonholes Row 2: P 5 (5, 5, 7, 7, 7) sts on your right needle, backward cast on 2 sts, p 12 (14, 17, 17, 20, 22), backward cast on 2 sts, p 12 (14, 17, 17, 20, 22), p to the last 5 (5, 5, 7, 7, 7) sts, backward cast on 2 sts, p to the end.
Work in ribbing 1×1 for 4 rows in total.
Loosely BO all sts.
Now you will work the live stitches from the provisional cast-on.
Holding the work with the provisional cast-on edge up, from right to left, starting at the left-back (where your BOR was), carefully slide the needle through all the 100 (108, 120, 136, 162, 156) sts that are on the contrast yarn, being careful that all sts face in the same direction, and at the same time pull out the contrast yarn.
Join yarn.
Now you will knit the Box pleat round.
Box pleat round: in MC k55 (61, 70, 74, 83, 89), sl next 5 (5, 5, 7, 7, 7) sts purlwise onto a DPN, sl next 5 (5, 5, 7, 7, 7) sts purlwise onto another DPN, make the Box Pleat Row (right side) on 5 sts, sl next 5 (5, 5, 7, 7, 7) sts purlwise onto a DPN, sl next 5 (5, 5, 7, 7, 7) sts purlwise onto another DPN, make the Box Pleat Row (left side) on 5 sts, k15 (17, 20, 20, 23, 25).
Loosely bind off using the three needles bind off.
Finishing
OPTIONAL: Make 4 tassels for your pillow. Pin the tassels to the 4 corners and baste them in place with your tapestry needle.
Weave in all ends and sew on your buttons.
Wet block and lay flat to dry.
SHARING
Posting on Instagram?! Use the hashtags #creampillows #whippedcreampillow and #sourcreampillow. Be sure to tag @ariannafrasca82 too!
Please knit the free pattern, or get the ad-free, printer-friendly PDF version of this pattern in my Ravelry, Etsy, and ariannafrasca.com.