Product Description
My mother is an exceptionally talented quilter. Throughout my childhood I was surrounded by beautiful fabrics, quilts and quilting books. So naturally, as a knitter, I have come to love the look of quilt-inspired knits.
Kite Tails is a pillow cover with a trifold construction and buttons/buttonholes in the back for closure. The front panel features a classic "flying geese" triangle patchwork motif, reminiscent of kite tails, worked in stockinette stitch in two similar tones of color with a contrasting color background. The back panels are knit in two different rib stitch patterns. Four buttonholes are worked into the end of a back panel. The pillow cover is worked flat and the sides are seamed with a generous overlap.
Finished Measurements 34” [85 cm] approx length unbuttoned 14” [35 cm] approx width 14” x 14” [35 cm x 35 cm] after seaming
You can read more about the inspiration and design of this pattern [here.][1] Materials Yarn Shepherd’s Wool by Stonehedge
Kite Tails Knitted Cushion Cover by Meg Roke
Project Overview
Kite Tails is a knitted cushion cover design by independent designer Meg Roke. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished cushion measuring approximately 14" x 14" [35 cm x 35 cm] after seaming, with an unbuttoned length of 34" [85 cm]. The design features a button-front closure, making it both decorative and functional for home décor applications.
What Is Being Made
This pattern produces a knitted cushion cover with a distinctive kite-themed colorwork design. The cover is constructed to fit a standard 14" x 14" [35 cm x 35 cm] pillow insert and features a buttoned front panel that allows for easy insertion and removal of the pillow form. The extended unbuttoned length suggests an overlapping button-front construction typical of envelope-style cushion covers.
Knitting Techniques Used
The Kite Tails pattern employs colorwork knitting as its primary technique, specifically using the stranded colorwork method worked in stockinette stitch. This technique involves carrying multiple yarn colors across rows to create the kite-themed pattern. Knitters will also use seaming to join the knitted pieces together, creating the finished cushion cover structure. The pattern includes decreasing techniques such as knit 2 together (k2tog) for shaping elements.
Stitches and Stitch Patterns
- Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the colorwork sections, creating a smooth, flat fabric ideal for displaying the kite pattern
- Double rib (knit 2, purl 2): Used for ribbed edging or finishing details, providing elasticity and a polished appearance
- Colorwork stockinette stitch pattern: The main decorative element, worked at a gauge of 22 stitches and 27 rows per 4" [10 cm]
- Bind off and cast on: Standard techniques for beginning and finishing the knitted pieces
Materials and Yarn Requirements
The pattern calls for Shepherd's Wool by Stonehedge Fiber Mills, a 100% Merino wool yarn available in 250-yard [229-meter] skeins weighing 113 grams each. The colorway combination includes Navy as the main color (MC), White as the first contrast color (CC1), and Frosty Blue as the second contrast color (CC2). Specific yardage requirements are 2 skeins in Navy (approximately 300 yards total), 1 skein in White (approximately 100 yards), and 20 yards in Frosty Blue. Knitters may substitute with any yarn providing the specified yardage amounts.
Needles and Notions
The pattern is worked on US 6 (4 mm) straight or circular needles, with the needle size adjustable based on individual gauge. Additional notions required include a 14" x 14" [35 cm x 35 cm] pillow insert, 4 medium buttons measuring 5/8" to 1" in diameter for the front closure, scissors, a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, and optional stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats.
Gauge and Sizing
The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 27 rows per 4" [10 cm] when working the colorwork stockinette stitch pattern using US 6 needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished cushion dimensions of 14" x 14" [35 cm x 35 cm]. Knitters should work a gauge swatch in the colorwork pattern before beginning the project to ensure accurate sizing.
Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Designer: | Meg Roke |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
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