How To Hand Knit A Pillow

Have you ever wondered how to hand knit a pillow? This is my first project and I’m happy to say that you’ll love this easy it is to make. If you want to knit but are afraid of needles, then this post on How to Hand Knit a Pillow is for you! I never was great at knitting, but for some reason, this whole arm knitting and hand knitting trend are right up my alley.

How to hand knit a pillow

A while ago, I tackled the whole chunky arm knit blanket thing. The wool yarn on that project is so thick and soft and the blanket is stunning. After my first attempt of arm knitting, I quickly realized that I like knitting without knitting needles.

* The following post contains affiliate links.

Ok, maybe you have a few questions about this unique way to knit. So, let’s get these questions answered.

What kind of yarn can I use for this pillow?

For this pillow and a chunky blanket, you’ll want some thick yarn. You can make it with wool or the chenille. I made mine with jumbo chenille, and I think if you use the thick wool, the directions might be slightly different since the yarn is thicker. I guess you don’t need as many stitches.

If you need a resource for the chenille yarn, I love Larissa from BeCozi. She supplies me the yarn for my projects.

What do I need to hand knit a pillow?

All you need to for this project is some jumbo chenille yarn, polyfill pillow stuffing, and scissors: no knitting needles or complicated instructions. Just watch my video below, and you’ll have your pillow done in no time.

How long will it take me to make this pillow?

Well, to be honest, I did watch Larissa’s video a couple of times. I made the pillow maybe three times and unraveled it since, with my first attempts, the stitches were a bit too tight. There is a fine line between too tight and too loose. But, once I got the process down, it took me under an hour to make the pillow.

Are there any difficult stitches?

After you figure out how to cast your chain, there are two other tricky parts. Casting on your first row of stitches is a tiny bit confusing, and then collapsing the project is a bit tricky. Watch my video to see what I’m talking about. But basically, there are three stitches, casting on, knitting and finishing.

Here’s what you’ll need to hand knit a pillow

2 skeins of Jumbo Chenille (each skein contains 8 oz and approx 19 yards)

Polyfill

scissors

ruler

*After watching the video, make sure to check out the instructions below.

Instructions

1. Unravel Yarn

Either keep it in a pile or roll it all up into a ball.

2. Make a Chain – Cast on 13-16 stitches.

Your project will have your working yarn and tail. Leave a tail of about 13-16 inches, and from there, you’ll start your first simple loop. I found that a loop of about 6 inches was the right size.

Then through that loop, you’ll pull your working yarn through it to create another loop. You’ll repeat this for 13-16 loops.

3. Flip The Chain Over And Begin Stitching The First Row

So, now you are looking at the backside of your chain.

Ok, let’s get started on how to hand knit a pillow.

When you look at the chain there are two stitches, one on the right and one on the left. Then there is a stitch in the middle of them, this is the stitch you’ll be working the yarn through.

5. Now Connect The Chain

But first, let’s take your chain and puts the ends together to form a circle.

6. Create Two Rows of Stitches

Then place your tail in the center of the circle. Then take your working yarn and pull it through the first loop after the tail. This will connect your chain into a circle. As your pillow is laid out flat knit in the circle two rows. The video shows how to do this step pretty nicely.

7. Now Bring the Sides Together

This step is a bit tricky. Once you finish your second row of stitches, place the top and bottom edges together. So, in other words, you have a shape like a taco. Then begin stitching, just like step five. But now your pillow is no longer flat but in a collapsed circle. The stitches now will be tighter since it isn’t spread out like a doughnut. Why are all my references food? Maybe I’m hungry!

8. Finish off the bottom

complete six rows of stitches. Then to finish the bottom you will turn your pillow upside down. Grab ahold of the tail and pull it through each outer stitch. Weaving it through each one. Pull yarn gently as you go and cinch up the bottom until you have gone through every loop and there no longer is a hole. Place the tail through a stitch and then pull it through the hole to the inside of the pillow. Then knot the tail and let it just sit inside the bottom of the pillow.

9. Fill the pillow with polyfill

If you want a soft pillow, then use a small amount of fill. If you would rather have a firm pillow, then fill it tightly.

10. Finishing off the top of the pillow

Take the working yarn and thread it through the outside stitches and then cinch it together, so it closes up the hole. Then knot the end so that it doesn’t fray. Next, make a knot and place it through the hole. You’ll create a little middle for the pillow and it will resemble the middle of a flower.

So now that you know how to hand knit a pillow let’s check a few more of my projects.

Here is another easy hand knit project. It is a fun wool wreath that seriously takes a couple of minutes to make. Also, it is so classic that it goes nicely with every season and decor.

Ok, that’s a wrap on How To Hand Knit A Pillow in a nutshell. It is so adorable and pretty easy to make. It is an excellent introduction to knitting without needles. Next, you are ready for arm knitting a chunky blanket. I’m planning on teaching it in my Nester’s Circle. This is a private membership that is over on Facebook. It is $15 a month, and you can find out more over on this page.

Happy Crafting!

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Janine Waite

I named my blog Happy Happy Nester because I love everything related to the home. I’ve always enjoyed decorating my surroundings. Get cozy and stay for a bit, thanks for visiting!