Fox Pillow

Fox Pillow by Stana D. Sortor

Project Overview

The Fox Pillow is a knitted cushion cover featuring a charming fox design. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a decorative pillow measuring 18 inches (46 cm) square, with an optional larger 20-inch (51 cm) square variation. The finished pillow combines a primary color base with contrasting accent colors to form the fox motif, making it a striking decorative piece for home décor.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a knitted pillow cover designed to house an 18-inch or 20-inch square pillow insert. The cover features an integrated fox design worked into the knit fabric and includes a zipper closure for easy insertion and removal of the pillow insert. The finished cushion serves as both a functional home accessory and a decorative textile art piece.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Stockinette Stitch – The primary stitch structure used throughout the pillow, creating a smooth, flat fabric with characteristic V-shaped columns on the right side
• Circular Needle Knitting – The pattern employs US #3/3.25 mm circular needles to work the main fabric, allowing for seamless construction or flat knitting depending on preference
• Double Pointed Needles (DPN) – Used for sections requiring smaller needle work or specialized shaping
• Intarsia or Color Work – The fox design is created using multiple yarn colors (main color, contrast color 1, and contrast color 2) worked into the fabric to form the motif
• Increases and Decreases – Shaping techniques including knit front and back (KFB) for increases and knit together decreases (K2tog, K3tog) to form the fox silhouette and facial features
• Zipper Insertion – The pattern includes finishing techniques for integrating an 18-inch or 20-inch zipper into the knitted fabric for a professional closure

Stitches and Abbreviations

The Fox Pillow pattern uses fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for intermediate crafters:

• K (Knit) – The basic knit stitch forming the foundation of stockinette
• KFB (Knit Front and Back) – An increase technique that creates two stitches from one stitch, used for shaping the fox design
• K2tog (Knit Two Together) – A single decrease that combines two stitches into one, used for contouring
• K3tog (Knit Three Together) – A double decrease combining three stitches into one, used for more pronounced shaping
• BO (Bind Off) – The finishing technique used to secure stitches and complete edges
• CO (Cast On) – The foundation row technique for beginning the pillow
• MC (Main Color) – The primary yarn color forming the base of the pillow
• C1 and C2 (Contrast Colors) – Secondary yarn colors used to create the fox motif and facial details

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Fox Pillow pattern calls for Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, an extra fine sport weight yarn composed of 55% Wool, 33% Acrylic, and 12% Cashmere. This blend provides softness, durability, and a luxurious feel appropriate for a decorative pillow. The yardage is 125 meters per 50-gram skein.

Yarn Requirements by Size:

• 18-inch pillow: 6 skeins Sienna 340067 (main color), 2 skeins Ecru 340101 (contrast color 1), 1 skein Black 340300 (contrast color 2)
• 20-inch pillow: 8 skeins Sienna 340067 (main color), 2 skeins Ecru 340101 (contrast color 1), 1 skein Black 340300 (contrast color 2)

Needles and Notions

Needles: US #3/3.25 mm circular needles (primary tool) and US #3/3