Amanda The Panda Pillow

Amanda The Panda Knit Pillow by Ira Rott

Project Overview

Amanda The Panda Pillow is an intermediate-level knitting project designed by Ira Rott that creates a finished cushion measuring approximately 17" (43 cm) in width by 14" (35.5 cm) in height. This downloadable PDF pattern guides crafters through creating a decorative knit pillow featuring a panda design, suitable for those with intermediate knitting experience.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a stuffed knit pillow with a panda motif. The finished cushion is a decorative textile piece that combines knitted fabric panels with polyester stuffing to create a three-dimensional pillow form. The panda design is incorporated into the knit structure, making this both a functional home décor item and a showcase of colorwork knitting technique.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Intarsia knitting: The primary colorwork method used to create the panda design. This technique involves using separate yarn supplies for different colored sections, allowing for detailed motif work without carrying yarn across the back of the fabric.
• Magic Loop method: An in-the-round knitting technique employed for constructing the pillow ears using circular needles, allowing for seamless circular knitting on smaller circumferences.
• Garter stitch: The foundational stitch used throughout the pillow body, created by knitting every row, which produces a textured, reversible fabric.

Stitches and Construction

The pattern primarily utilizes garter stitch as the base fabric structure. Gauge is set at 19 stitches by 40 rows over a 4" by 4" (10 cm by 10 cm) swatch in garter stitch, which is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions. Crafters are advised to knit a gauge swatch before beginning the main project. The ears are constructed separately using the Magic Loop method for knitting in the round, then incorporated into the finished pillow.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The pattern calls for Bernat Super Value Yarn in worsted weight (weight category 4 / Medium). One 7 oz (198 g) skein with 335 yards (306 m) of White serves as the main color, and half a skein of Black serves as the contrast color for the panda details.

Needles and Notions: Circular needles measuring at least 32" (80 cm) long in size 4 mm (US 6) are required for the main body and ear construction. The pattern notes that while circular needles are used throughout, crafters may substitute straight needles for the Intarsia colorwork sections if preferred, though circular needles remain necessary for the Magic Loop ear technique. Additional tools include a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, two stitch markers for tracking pattern sections, and polyester stuffing or repurposed pillow stuffing to fill the finished cushion.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as intermediate, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to tackle colorwork methods like Intarsia and in-the-round construction using the Magic Loop technique.