Rolling Cables Pillow

Rolling Cables Pillow by Meg Roke

Project Overview

The Rolling Cables Pillow is an intermediate-level knitted cushion cover designed by Meg Roke. This project creates a decorative 18-inch by 18-inch pillow cover featuring cable stitch detailing. The finished pillow is constructed by knitting a rectangular piece measuring 18 inches by 38 inches before seaming, which is then folded and sewn together to form a square cushion cover that accommodates a standard 18-inch by 18-inch pillow insert.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques suitable for crafters with some experience. The primary stitch structures used include:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) – The base fabric construction, created by knitting all stitches on right-side rows and purling all stitches on wrong-side rows, producing the classic smooth, V-textured knit fabric
• Double Rib – A textured stitch pattern alternating knit and purl stitches (knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches on right-side rows; purl 2 stitches, knit 2 stitches on wrong-side rows) that creates vertical ridges and adds elasticity
• Cable Stitches – Advanced stitch techniques that create the rolling cable pattern featured in the pillow design

The pattern utilizes standard abbreviations and techniques including yarn overs (Yo), knit 2 together (K2tog) decreases, and purl 2 together (P2tog) decreases. These shaping techniques allow crafters to control stitch count and create structured shaping within the design.

Materials and Tools

The Rolling Cables Pillow requires approximately 230 yards of super bulky weight yarn. The pattern specifically recommends Lion Brand Thick and Quick yarn in the Fisherman colorway (#099), which is a blend of 82% acrylic, 10% wool, and 8% rayon. Each skein provides 106 yards (97 meters) and weighs 6 ounces (170 grams), requiring 3 skeins to complete the project.

Construction requires US size 13 (9 mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches long, or the size necessary to achieve proper gauge. A tapestry needle is needed for seaming the finished pieces together. The pattern also calls for 3 large buttons measuring 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter for embellishment or closure.

Gauge and Sizing

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this project's success. The pattern specifies a gauge of 8 stitches over 4 inches when working in stockinette stitch on US size 13 needles. Knitters should swatch before beginning to ensure their tension matches this measurement, as variations in gauge will affect the final pillow dimensions and fit of the 18-inch by 18-inch pillow insert.

Yarn Weight and Difficulty Level

This project uses super chunky weight yarn, which knits quickly and creates a bold, textured finished fabric. The super bulky yarn weight means fewer stitches and rows are required to achieve the finished dimensions, making this an efficient project despite its intermediate difficulty rating. The intermediate skill level accounts for the cable stitch techniques and the construction method of seaming the rectangular piece into a square pillow cover.