Scrap Busting Tassel Pillow Knitting Pattern –

Scrap Busting Tassel Pillow Knitting Pattern

In every knitter’s life, there comes a point when you find yourself surrounded by piles of leftover yarn. These beautiful bits and bobs, evidence of past projects and hours of handiwork, can easily accumulate, creating what looks like a small mountain of vibrant, mismatched threads. Not quite enough to embark on a full project, but too valuable to discard, these yarn scraps can be challenging to manage. If you’re wondering what to do with your treasure trove of yarn remnants, look no further—here is a delightful and practical way to turn your leftovers into a beautiful home décor accent: the Scrap Busting Tassel Pillow.

This engaging knitting project allows you to explore your creativity while providing a functional item for your living space. It combines the attractiveness of tassels with the versatility of a pillow, giving your knitting a fun and eclectic twist. This project is beginner-friendly but also offers plenty of customization options for more experienced knitters looking to put their own spin on the design.

Materials Needed

Before we start knitting, let’s gather everything we’ll need. For a standard 18×18 inch pillow cover, you should prepare:

• Yarn Scraps: The beauty of this project is that any type of yarn can be used. Mix and match different textures and colors to create a visually intriguing patchwork masterpiece. Just ensure you have enough of the dominant colors to create a cohesive look.
• Knitting Needles: Depending on the weight of your dominant yarn scraps, size US 8 (5 mm) needles are a good starting point, but feel free to adjust as necessary.
• Pillow Insert: Get an 18×18 inch pillow form or an existing throw pillow that could use a fresh cover.
• Tapestry Needle: Essential for weaving in ends and sewing up the sides of your pillow.
• Scissors: Necessary for trimming your tassels and ends.
• Measuring Tape: To ensure correct dimensions for your pillow cover.

Skill Level

This knitting pattern is suitable for beginners, as it mainly involves knitting garter stitch and basic sewing. The most advanced technique used here is creating tassels, which is quite simple with a little practice.

Pattern Instructions

Step 1: Planning Your Design

Before diving in, take a moment to open up your yarn stash and select the color scheme you want for your pillow. Group colors that go well together or create a vibrant misfit look with contrasting hues—your home’s décor might influence this decision.

For a more uniform appearance, choose a dominant color to create coherence, then use smaller bits of yarn as accents. Remember, the beauty of this pillow lies in its patchwork effect, so no stress if your colors don’t match perfectly!

Step 2: Knitting the Pillow Front

The pillow cover uses a simple garter stitch pattern, which is just knitting every row. Here’s how to create the front of your pillow:

1. Cast On: Based on your gauge, you will want to cast on enough stitches to match slightly over 18 inches in width. For many knitters using worsted weight yarn, this will be approximately 70-80 stitches.

2. Knit in Garter Stitch: Knit every row in garter stitch until the piece measures 18 inches long. Feel free to switch colors whenever you run out of a yarn scrap or want to try a new color. Leave tails at each color change long enough to be woven in later.

3. Bind Off: Once you’ve reached 18 inches in length, bind off your stitches, leaving a long tail for seaming later on.

Step 3: Knitting the Pillow Back

For the back, you have several options. You can knit another garter stitch square or add an envelope closure by knitting overlapping rectangles.

• Simple Back: Repeat the same process used for the front.
• Envelope Back: To create an envelope back, knit two separate pieces, each measuring about 12×18 inches. This allows for an overlapping closure.

Step 4: Creating the Tassels

Tassels add a playful and decorative element to the pillow. If you have yarn in lengths less than 10 inches, you can use it here effectively.

1. Make a Cardboard Template: Cut a piece of cardboard to the desired length of your tassels (5-7 inches is standard).
2. Wrap Yarn Around the Cardboard: Wrap the yarn around the cardboard 30 times or more for a fuller tassel.
3. Secure the Top: Cut a separate piece of yarn, about 12 inches long, and slide it under the loops at the top of the cardboard. Knot tightly.
4. Cut the Bottom: Slide your scissors carefully through the loops at the bottom of the cardboard and cut through the yarn to create the tassel fringe.
5. Finishing the Tassel: Take another short piece of yarn and tie it around the tassel about a half-inch below the top to form the “neck.” Trim the ends to make them even.
6. Repeat for as many tassels as desired, typically one at each corner of the pillow.

Step 5: Assembly

The final assembly brings your pillow to life:

1. Weaving in Ends: Use the tapestry needle to weave in all loose ends on both pillow pieces.

2. Sewing the Pieces Together:

   • If you’re creating a simple pillow back, align the front and back pieces with right sides together.
   • Use the long tail left from binding off and thread it through the tapestry needle. Whipstitch or mattress stitch the edges, leaving one side (or a gap on one side) open for inserting the pillow form.
   • Insert the pillow form, then sew up the remaining side or gap.

3. Attaching the Tassels:

   • Secure a tassel to each corner of the pillow. You can do this by threading the top strands of the tassel through the knit fabric, tying them off securely on the inside.

Step 6: Enjoy Your Creation

Once you’ve inserted the pillow form and attached the tassels, your Scrap Busting Tassel Pillow is ready to grace your couch, bed, or favorite chair. Not only have you created a chic and personal piece of home décor, but you’ve also used up those pesky yarn leftovers in a fun and creative way.

Customizing Your Pillow

Think of this pattern as a blank canvas for your creativity. There are numerous ways you can modify it to suit your taste:

• Experiment with Stitch Patterns: While garter stitch is simple and sturdy, you could incorporate stripes of stockinette, seed stitch, or any textured pattern.
• Incorporate Different Yarn Weights: Mix bulky, worsted, and even fingering weight yarns for varied texture.
• Embellishments: Besides tassels, consider adding buttons, embroidery, or knitted flowers for added flair.
• Shape Variations: Create rectangular, oval, or cylindrical pillows instead of the classic square. Adjust your stitch count and row length to fit the desired shape.

Conclusion

There you have it—the Scrap Busting Tassel Pillow is not just a project; it’s an opportunity to delve into your yarn stash, revisit past projects, and develop a unique, functional piece of art. Whether you’re a beginner knitter learning to hone your skills or a seasoned crafter looking for a fun weekend project, this pattern offers a chance to engage with your materials creatively.

Not only will you benefit from a decluttered yarn stash, but you’ll also achieve the satisfaction of recycling and repurposing materials in an environmentally friendly way. The next time you’re sifting through those remnants, remember the potential they hold. Happy knitting! And may your home be filled with colorful, comfy, and creative pillows.