Yarn
Lerke from Dale Garn (merino wool/wotton)
100g (31⁄2oz) red no. 4018
50g (11⁄2oz) white no. 0020
250g (9oz) blue no. 5563
4.5mm (size 7) needles
Front:
CO 100 sts with red yarn and knit k back and forth for 24 rows so that you get 12 rows of garter stitch. *Switch to white and knit 12 rows of garter, switch to red and knit 12 rows of garter*. Repeat from * to * 3 times, until you have 4 red and 3 white stripes. Switch to blue yarn. Knit 24 rows of garter before you cast (bind) off to 7 button holes: Knit k13, cast (bind) off the next 2 sts, *knit k10, cast (bind) off the next 2 sts*. Repeat from * to * 6 times, knit the last k13. Knit k13 back, *CO 2 sts, knit k10*. Repeat from * to * 6 times. CO 2 sts and finish with k13. Continue until you have 28 blue rows of garter before you cast (bind) off.
Back:
CO 100 sts with blue yarn and knit k back and forth until it is the same size as the front piece. Cast (bind) off.
Stars:
Sew with double thread. Secure the thread as shown in Good Advice and sew two large cross stitches on top of each other to form a star. The stitches do not have to be even, look neat, or be the same size. Scatter them randomly around the blue section of the pillow.
Assembly:
Sew in all loose ends.
Sew buttonhole stitches with double thread around the 7 holes, as described in Good Advice. Use matching blue buttons.
Place the two pieces wrong sides together and use a sturdy overstitch or crochet together with blue yarn. The buttons are sewn onto the wrong side of the back piece.