Pump Up the Plaid Pillow

Description

It seemed apropos to add this plaid blanket to the plaid collection, I’d like nothing better than to make everything plaid — Bold, bright vertical and horizontal lines of plaid. But the pattern lends itself so well to the tartans or clans that many knitters will recognize. I’ve seen some lovely plaid designs come out of the blanket pattern and it seems many a knitter has a bit of yarn leftover.

Finished measurements: 16 (20)” square

Yarn: Approximately 875 (1,250) yds DK or Aran weight divided between 4 colors.
Sample pillows were knit using Brown Sheep Prairie Spun DK (100% wool, 256 yds/100g) per ball.
MC: 150 (261) yds / CC1: 150 (174) yds) / CC2: 150 (174) yds / CC3 38 (87) yds
Back: 384 (552) yds single color or combination of colors

NEEDLE: US size 10.5 (6.5mm) 24-inch circular needle Note: Pillow front & back are worked flat. The circular needle helps facilitate finishing.

GAUGE: 13 sts and 26 rows = 4” (3.25 sts and 6.5 rows = 1”) in Garter stitch, before weaving is done

NOTIONS: 16 (20)” square pillow form; spare needle 1 size smaller than working needle for holding sts and working the 3-Needle Bind Off; 5” weaving
needle (makes weaving infinitely easier)

SAMPLES
Samples were knit with Brown Sheep Prairie Spun DK (100% wool; 256 yds/100g) per ball.
Blue Sample: Colorways Denim Jeans; Swallowtail Butterfly; Dewdrop; Half & Half, with 2” fringe.
Red Sample: Colorways Red Barn; Blackbird; Swallowtail Butterfly; Half & Half, with 2” fringe.

PATTERN NOTES
Optionally use a provisional cast on so you will have live stitches at both ends to work the 3-Needle Bind Off for seaming the front and back together. This
really does make finishing easier. Each 16 row set equals 8 Garter stitch ridges. Each 8 row set equals 4 Garter stitch ridges. Keep your weaving loose as it tends to pull in the work. The front may need stretched to the correct measurements when blocked.