Two pillows in one

It is perfectly fine to knit two pillows at the same time – sometimes it can be pretty smart.

Materials

Fabric for backside, for example purple velvet, 60 × 52cm (24 × 203⁄4in) twice.

Yarn

Zara from Filatura Di Crosa (merino wool)

200g (7oz) dark purple no. 1494

150g (51⁄2oz) grey no. 1494

3.5mm (size 4) needles

Finished size: 30 × 50cm (12 × 20in)

CO 236 sts with purple yarn and knit p4, k110, p8, k110 and p4. Continue with the pattern from diagram 1 until it measures 12cm (43⁄4in), and at the same time knit p8 on each side to separate the two patterns. Knit diagram 2 and then continue with diagram 1 until the work measures 29cm (111⁄2in). Finish with 4 rows of purple yarn and cast (bind) off.

Cable edge:

CO 12 sts in purple (grey) yarn.

Knit k2, p8, k2.

*Knit p2, k8, p2 and k2, p8, k2 back 4 times.

Knit p2, place 4 sts on cn behind the work, knit k4, then the 4 sts on the cn k, p2.

Knit k2, p8, k2 back*. Repeat from * to * until the cable measures 1.6m (1.71⁄2yds).

Assembly:

Sew in all loose ends.

On the purl stitches on each side, machine stitch two seams of zigzag stitch before you cut the two pieces apart. Press (iron) the work carefully. Each piece should measure 30.5 × 50.5cm (121⁄4 × 201⁄4in).

Find suitable fabric for the back panel and cut out two pieces measuring 62 × 62cm (241⁄2 x 241⁄2in) – one for each pillow. Overstitch around the fabric with a machine. Place the wrong side of the knitted work on the right side of the fabric, about 10cm (4in) from the back piece’s bottom edge, pin and sew together. Make sure the work doesn’t stretch.

Place the velvet and the work right sides together with the edges towards each other, and sew together 10cm (4in) on each side. Press (iron) the seams apart before you sew in the zip (see Good Advice). Press (iron) the work carefully and sew the sides together from the right side.

Sew the cable to a circle and attach with pins. Sew with small stitches on the front side first and then on the backside so that you hide the seam that keeps the front- and backsides together. Do the same with pillow 2, making the cable from grey yarn this time.