Cottage Style

Its hard to believe July is sailing in for a finish next week. Where did all the time go?? There are still plenty of long, lazy days ahead, to catch up on summer reading, visits with friends, exploring new places, catching a breeze on a boat cruise, wandering through outdoor craft fairs, trying out new recipes on the grill.....

If you've had a chance to spend time browsing through upscale home decor stores, you may have noticed chunky knit cable pillows and throws are a hot item for that casual cottage look. Knitters just take one look at the price tag and know how quickly and inexpensively they can whip up a similar version.

Here is our version of the Muskoka Cottage Pillow, a super quick project to finish in a weekend. The secret is in the fabric backing, just knit the front with two balls of aran weight cotton and sew a pretty scrap piece to the back.

Muskoka Cottage Pillow

Finished Size: 20 in x 16 in

Yarn: 100g Aran Weight Cotton

Needles: 4.00 mm

Tension: 20 sts and 28 rows = 4 in

Cast on 94 sts. Work in Pattern St as follows-

Row 1- (WS) P3, *K2, P4, K2, P2*, rep *to*, end, P1

Row 2- K3, *P2, K4, P2, K2*, rep *to*, end, K1

Row 3- as Row 1

Row 4- K3, *P2, C4B (place 2 sts on Cable Needle at back of work, K2 sts from Left Needle, K 2 sts from Cable Needle), P2, K2*, rep *to*, end, K1

Row 5- as Row 1

Row 6- as Row 2

Rep these 6 rows until work measures 16.5 in ending with a Row 4. Cast off all sts on next row. Fasten off. Sew in ends.

Finishing:

Cut a fabric backing from scrap cotton material- approx 18 in x 22 in. Pin right side of pillow together with right side of fabric. Sew pieces together 1/4 in. from outside edge of knit piece, leaving a 4 in. opening for stuffing. Trim corners of fabric. Turn pillow to right side of work. Fill with pillow stuffing. Sew opening together with a Blind St.

Relax,

Knit,

Enjoy!