How to Knit a Pillow (for Beginners)

This project, is a quick knit and easy even for beginners. All you need to know is the garter (also known as the knit) stitch. The garter stitch is when you knit each row, instead of knitting a one row and purling in the other.

1. Buy 5 balls of yarn. Four of them should be a solid color and the last one should be "variegated yarn". "Variegated yarn" is simply yarn that is different colors. Choose colors that coordinate with one another.
2. Knit nine squares. Each square is approximately 4 inches in length and width. Knit one square for each of the solid colors. Also knit an extra square with any solid yarn, and four squares with the variegated yarn.  
   1. Cast on 12 stitches.
   2. Knit 12 rows.
   3. Cast off Yarn from a Knitting Needle
      
3. Sew the nine squares together so that they make one big square. Place the variegated squares in the corners. In the middle of the square, put one of the solid colors that you knit twice.
4. Felt the square. This step is optional and can only be done if you're using wool yarn. Felting makes your knitting softer and harder to differentiate the stitches. To felt, simply throw your work in the washer and put in a pair of jeans. The more friction the better!
5. Sew on a felt flower on top of the middle square. You can simply cut out a flower from felt. Also, it doesn't have to be a flower. It can be a felt star, circle, or whatever matches the theme of the room you'll be putting the pillow in.
6. Punch holes in the edges of your foam square with a hole puncher.
7. Using a yarn needle sew the yarn square to the foam square, weaving in and out of the holes. Make sure not to sew the top of your pillow, so you can fill it with stuffing.
8. Stuff your pillow. You can use anything soft you find at the crafts store.
9. Sew your pillow up for good.
10. Add tassles. Do this if you have extra yarn left. Just cut out a piece of yarn and fold several pieces of yarn over it. Tie another yarn around the folded yarn. Secure tassle to your pillow.

• 5 Balls of Yarn (4 solid, 1 variegated)
• 1 Knitting Needle (Size 8)
• A Foam Square approx. 10 in. by 10. in
• Stuffing for your Pillow
• 1 Yarn Needle
• A Hole Puncher