Autumn Leaves Pillow

Autumn Leaves Pillow by Therese Chynoweth

Project Overview

The Autumn Leaves Pillow is an intermediate-level knitted cushion cover designed by Therese Chynoweth. This finished pillow measures 16 inches by 16 inches (40.5 cm × 40.5 cm) and features decorative leaf motifs worked in knitting, making it an ideal seasonal home décor project for knitters with some experience in cable and colorwork techniques.

What Is Being Made

This project creates a complete pillow cover featuring autumn-themed leaf designs. The pillow is worked in DK weight yarn and is designed to fit a standard 16-inch by 16-inch pillow form. The design incorporates multiple leaf varieties, including Maple Leaves, Oak Leaves, and Gingko Leaves, allowing crafters to create a visually dynamic piece with varied botanical elements.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Cable knitting: The design features cable panels that create textured, three-dimensional effects typical of traditional cable work
• Colorwork: The pattern supports optional multi-color leaf designs, allowing knitters to use different yarn colors for individual leaf motifs to enhance the autumn aesthetic
• Center block patterning: A structured center block pattern forms the foundation of the pillow design
• Circular knitting: The project utilizes circular needles for construction, allowing for seamless or nearly seamless assembly

Stitches and Stitch Details

The Autumn Leaves Pillow employs cable stitches as a primary textural element. The cable panels measure 21 stitches wide and create a finished width of approximately 2¾ inches (7 cm). The center block pattern is worked at a gauge of 21 stitches and 34 rows over 4 inches (10 cm). Cable needles are used to manipulate stitches and create the characteristic twisted, rope-like appearance of cable knitting. The pattern includes specific leaf motifs—Maple Leaves, Oak Leaves, and Gingko Leaves—each with distinct stitch counts and yardage requirements, suggesting the use of specialized stitch patterns or shaping techniques to define each leaf variety.

Materials Required

Yarn: The project requires 686 yards (627 meters) of DK weight yarn (Light #3). The design is shown in Red Barn Yarn Powder River, a blend of 75% Mountain Merino Rambouillet wool and 25% alpaca, with each hank providing 260 yards (238 meters) at 3½ ounces (100 grams). Three hanks are needed in the featured colorway, Precious Rubies. For knitters choosing to work leaves in multiple colors, individual leaf motifs require approximately 17 yards (15.5 meters) for Maple or Oak Leaf pairs and 23 yards (21 meters) for Gingko Leaf pairs of DK weight yarn.

Needles and Tools: Knitters will need US 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles in a 24-inch (60 cm) length, along with a matching pair of double-pointed needles, or the size required to achieve the specified gauge. Additional tools include a cable needle for manipulating cable stitches, waste yarn for holding stitches, a US I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook for finishing, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and assembly. A 16-inch by 16-inch (40 × 40 cm) pillow form is needed as the interior support.

Skill Level

This design is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and have experience with cable knitting techniques. The combination of cable panels, potential colorwork, and structured shaping requires solid foundational skills and attention to pattern details.