Candy Gingham Nordic Knit Pillow Free Pattern
Introduction
This Candy Gingham Nordic Knit Pillow is a sweet, beginner-friendly project that turns three pastel shades of worsted yarn into a soft woven-looking check. It's perfect for knitters who have mastered knit and purl and want a gentle first taste of stranded colorwork, since the gingham blocks are simple and easy to follow. The front is a smooth stockinette square in white, pink, and mint, while the back is plain white with a clever envelope flap so you can slip a pillow form in and out with no buttons or zippers. Finished with a crocheted white scallop border, it looks like a cozy little bakery treat for your sofa or bed.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (CYC 4), 100% acrylic, 170 yd (155 m) per 3 oz (85 g) skein. Color A (white): 2 skeins; Color B (pink): 1 skein; Color C (mint): 1 skein. About 300 yd total.
- Knitting needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) 24" circular needle (worked flat).
- Crochet hook: US H-8 (5.0 mm) for the border.
- Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure.
- Finished size: Approx. 18" x 18" (46 cm x 46 cm), sized for an 18" x 18" pillow form.
Abbreviations
- A, B, C: Color A (white), Color B (pink), Color C (mint).
- CO: Cast on — make the starting stitches.
- st(s): Stitch(es).
- st st: Stockinette stitch — knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows.
- k: Knit.
- p: Purl.
- BO: Bind off.
- RS/WS: Right side / wrong side of the fabric.
- sc: Single crochet.
- dc: Double crochet.
- ch: Chain.
- sl st: Slip stitch.
- sk: Skip.
- rep: Repeat.
Gauge
18 sts and 24 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch with the US 7 needle. Knit a 4" swatch in st st, block it lightly, and count stitches and rows over 4" to check before starting.
Tips Before You Start
- Wind small bobbins or balls of B and C before you begin so the color changes stay tidy and don't tangle.
- Keep your floats loose on the wrong side — stranded colorwork pulls in, and a tight float will make the pillow front pucker.
- Each gingham block is 20 sts x 20 rows; place a marker every 20 stitches to keep the 4x4 grid easy to track.
- Work the front and back to the same row count so the squares match exactly when you seam them.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Pillow Front (gingham colorwork, worked flat)
Work in stockinette stitch (k on RS rows, p on WS rows), changing colors to form a 4x4 grid of 16 blocks, each block 20 sts x 20 rows. Arrange A, B, and C in alternating blocks so the three colors form a woven check across the front.
Row 1 (RS): With A, CO 82 sts, then k across (82 sts).
Rows 2-20: Continue st st, following the gingham chart, changing colors at each 20-st block boundary as indicated (82 sts).
Rows 21-90: Continue st st, changing colors at each 20-row block boundary as indicated, until 90 rows are complete (82 sts).
Row 91: BO all sts.
Pillow Back (Color A only, worked flat)
Row 1 (RS): With A, CO 82 sts, then k across (82 sts).
Rows 2-90: Work in st st (purl on WS rows, knit on RS rows) (82 sts).
Row 91: BO all sts.
Assembly
Place front and back with RS together. Sew the side and bottom edges using mattress stitch.
Envelope flap: Fold the top edge of the back down 4" (10 cm) to the inside. Sew the side edges of the folded section to the side seams to create the envelope opening.
Crocheted Scallop Edging
With white yarn and the US H-8 hook, join yarn at the bottom right corner of the pillow cover.
Rnd 1: Work sc evenly around the entire outer edge, working 3 sc in each corner. Join with sl st to first sc.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, *sk 1 sc, 5 dc in next sc, sk 1 sc, sl st in next sc; rep from * around, adjusting at corners to keep scallops flat. Join with sl st. Fasten off.
Assembly and Finishing
Weave in all ends on the wrong side, working them through a few stitches so they stay secure. Lightly block the cover to the 18" x 18" (46 x 46 cm) measurements, pinning the scallops flat and letting it dry fully. Insert the 18" x 18" pillow form through the envelope opening at the top and smooth the front into place.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the pastel trio for any three shades you love — a soft blue, cream, and gray make a calm, modern gingham.
- For a fuller look, use a 20" pillow form in the 18" cover so the gingham stretches slightly and the scallops sit crisp.
- Add a second scallop round in Color B or C for a two-tone border that ties the front colors together.
