Cat Eye's Pillow

Cat Eye's Pillow by Knitting Munchkin

Project Overview

Cat Eye's Pillow is an intermediate-level knitting project designed to create an adorable accent cushion perfect for cat lovers. This downloadable PDF pattern from independent designer Knitting Munchkin provides instructions for a 12" x 12" decorative pillow featuring charming cat eye details. The finished pillow cover measures approximately 13" x 13" once sewn together, making it compatible with standard 12" square pillow forms while allowing for a comfortable fit.

What You'll Create

This project results in a customizable accent pillow that can be easily modified to match your home décor or personal style preferences. The pillow features cat eye embellishments that make it an ideal decorative piece for any couch or seating area. The design is versatile enough to work with various color schemes, allowing crafters to select yarn colors that complement their existing interior design.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Cat Eye's Pillow pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for intermediate-level crafters. The main construction uses stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric ideal for pillow covers. The pattern also incorporates Reversed Mock Rib for the back of the pillow, adding textural interest and structural variation to the finished piece.

Essential knitting abbreviations used throughout the pattern include:

• K – knit stitch
• P – purl stitch
• CO – cast on
• BO – bind off
• MC – main color
• CC – contrasting color
• Rep – repeat
• RS – right side
• WS – wrong side

Materials and Yarn Requirements

This project uses worsted weight yarn, specifically acrylic yarn for durability and easy care. The sample pillow was created using KnitPicks Brava Worsted, though crafters can substitute with other worsted weight options. The yarn requirements are:

• Main Color (MC) – approximately 215 yards
• Eye Color (Contrasting Color/CC) – approximately 50 yards
• Black – approximately 20 yards
• White – scrap yardage

The pattern calls for US #7/4.5mm needles, which pair perfectly with worsted weight yarn to achieve the proper fabric density and drape.

Notions and Additional Supplies

Beyond yarn and needles, the following notions are required to complete the project:

• Two 3-7/8" (2.22 cm) buttons for eye details
• Three stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats
• Yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming pillow pieces together
• One 12" square pillow form (optional, for stuffing the finished cover)

Gauge and Construction Details

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for this project's success. The pattern specifies a gauge of 4.5 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch. Maintaining this gauge ensures that the finished pillow cover will fit properly over a standard 12" pillow form and that the cat eye details will be appropriately sized and positioned.

The pillow is constructed by knitting separate front and back panels, which are then sewn together. The Reversed Mock Rib stitch on the back adds visual interest while the front showcases the charming cat eye design. The approximately 13" x 13" finished dimensions provide a slight overlap when placed over a 12" form, creating a professional, polished appearance.

Difficulty Level and Suitability

Rated as an intermediate project, Cat Eye's Pillow is suitable for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to work with pattern repeats and color changes. The combination of stockinette stitch and Reversed Mock Rib, along with the incorporation of contrasting colors for the cat eyes, provides an engaging challenge without overwhelming newer knitters. This makes it an excellent project for expanding knitting skills while creating a practical, decorative home accessory.