A simple chevron stitch is used to make the base of this pillow in brightly colored cotton yarn. Cue the fireworks with a bursting red flower made with yarn that has a beautiful sheen.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Size: 11” and 14” (pillow); 9” diameter (flower)

Gauge: 1 chevron stitch repeat = 5” and 7 rows = 4”

Materials

Yarn:

 Omega Sinfonia (100% cotton; 218 yards [210 meters]/100 grams): #833 Royal Blue (2 balls), #801 White (1 ball)

 Berroco Captiva (60% cotton, 23% Polyester, 17% Acrylic; 98 yards [90 meters]/50 grams): #5566 Garnet (1 ball)

Hook: US size G/6 (4.0 mm)

Notions: Tapestry needle, 11” x 14” pillow form, matching sewing thread, optional: polyester Fiberfil, cotton fabric (white, 12” x 15”)

Special Stitches

Dc5tog = (YO, insert hook into next st, YO, draw up a loop, YO, pull through 2 loops on hook) 5 times, YO, pull through all 6 loops on hook

Dc3tog = (YO, insert hook into next st, YO, draw up a loop, YO, pull through 2 loops on hook) 3 times, YO, pull through all 4 loops on hook

Ext hdc = YO, insert hook into next st, YO, draw up a loop, YO, pull through 1 loop on hook, YO, pull through all 3 loops on hook

Pattern Notes

The pillow is made from a long rectangle of the chevron stitch made in alternating colors (every 3 rows), which is then sewn together to form pillow shape.

The peaks created by the chevron stitch along the top and bottom are eliminated (and hidden inside) when straight edges of pillow are sewn.

When changing color, leave about 6” for each yarn tail to use for assembly.

When dc3tog at end of each row, the ch-2 turning chain counts as 3rd st.

Join with sl st to first stitch at end of each round of Flower unless otherwise stated.

Pattern

Pillow Base

With Royal Blue, ch 153.
Row 1: Dc in 3rd ch from hook and in next 9 ch, *5 dc in next ch, dc in next 10 ch, dc5tog in next ch, dc in each of next 10 ch: rep from * across to last st. Turn. (6 V sts)
Row 2: Ch 2, sk 1st st, dc2tog over next 2 sts, dc in next 9 sts, *5 dc in next st, dc in next 10 sts, dc5tog over next 5 sts, dc in next 10 sts: rep from * across to last 3 sts, dc3tog over last 3 sts. Turn.

Rows 3–21: Repeat Row 2, changing color on Rows 4, 7,10,13,16 and 19.

Fasten off.

Flower

Round 1: With Garnet, work 16 dc in adjustable ring, join with sl st to first dc.

Round 2: Ch 1, sl st around post of next dc, *ch 3, sk next st, sl st around post of next st; rep from * around. (8 ch-3 sps)

Round 3: (Sc, 2 dc, sc) in each ch-3 sp around. (8 petals)

Round 4: Ch 2, working behind Round 3 petals, sk next st that has sl st around post, sl st in next st, *ch 4, sk next st, sl st in next st; rep from * around. (8 ch-4 sps)

Round 5: (Sc, dc, 3 tr, dc, sc) in each sp around. (8 petals)

Round 6:  Ch 2, working behind Round 5 petals, *sl st around center of next ch-4 sp at base of center tr, ch 5; rep from * around. (8 ch-5 sps)

Round 7: (Sc, dc, tr, 5 dtr, tr, dc, sc) in each ch-5 around. (8 petals)

Round 8: *Ch 10, sl st in 2nd ch and in next 8 ch, sl st in sc at base of ch-10, ch 6, sl st in sp between next 2 petals (making sure ch-6 goes behind current petal); rep from* around, ch 3, sl st to center back of last petal. (8 spokes)

Round 9: *Tr in each of next 5 sts, dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next st, sl st in last st, ch 1, working on other side of “spoke” and working in back loops only, sl st in next st, sc in next st, hdc in next st, dc in next st, tr in each of next 5 sts, sl st in center of next ch-6 sp; rep from * around. (8 large petals)

Round 10: *Ch 13, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, sl st in sl st at base of ch-13, ch 7, sl st in next sl st in sp between petals; rep from * around, ending with ch 4 and sl st to center of last petal. (8 ch-7 sps and 8 spokes)

Round 11: *Now working along next ‘spoke’ (that was created by ch 13 and sc of last round), dtr in each of next 6 sts, tr in next st, dc in next st, ext hdc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next st, sl st in last st, ch 1, now working along other side of ‘spoke’, sl st in next st, sc in next st, hdc in next st, ext hdc in next st, dc in next st, tr in next st, dtr in each of next 6 sts; rep from * around. (8 large petals)

Finishing

With RS facing each other, fold chevron rectangle in half and sew together, making sure stripes match up and using all yarn tails. Use blue yarn tails for blue stripes and white yarn tails for white stripes.

Shift rectangle so seam is in the center back of the pillow.

Using Blue yarn and needle, sew up one opening of tube in a straight line (see Diagram).

Using Garnet yarn and needle, sew flower to center of front of pillow.

Insert pillow form.

Sew up top opening of pillow with blue yarn and needle. Fold points of chevron stitch inward and use invisible stitch across.

Make your own pillow form (optional)

Using crocheted pillow base as a template, cut out 2 rectangle pieces of white cotton fabric. Sew up along all sides leaving a small opening for stuffing. Stuff with Fiberfil and sew up opening.