Knitty: Tushy Cushy - Winter 2008

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model: Morgana, 2 weeks old

photos: Michelle Hotchin

by Nicky Epstein

Sometimes comfort can come from unexpected places.

Editor's note: This pillow is not intended and should not be used as a support for babies. It is intended to be used as a decorative object only.

The photographs were styled for visual appeal only, not to indicate how the pillow should be used.

SIZE

One

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Approx. 14 inches square

MATERIALS

Trendsetter Kashmir [65% cashmere, 35% silk; 110yd/100m per 50g ball]; color: #26558 Pink; 4 balls

Recommended needle size:

1 set US #8/5mm straight needles
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]

Smooth waste yarn

Spare needle

Yarn needle

Sharp tapestry needle

Polyfil or other stuffing

14-inch square pillow form
Note: If desired, the pillow front can be made, stuffed and sew on onto a purchased pillow. If only the front is made, 2 balls of yarn are required.

GAUGE

18 sts / 22 rows = 4 inches in stockinette st

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

S2KP: Slip next 2 sts together, knitwise, as if to work a k2tog. Knit next st, then pass both slipped sts together over st just knit. This forms a centered double decrease.

m1p: Make 1 purl stitch: Insert left needle, from back to front, under strand of yarn which runs between last stitch on left needle and first stitch on right needle; purl into front of this stitch.

Three-Needle Bind Off
Hold both pieces of knitting with right sides together.
Insert needle into first st on front needle and first st on back needle, and knit them together. *Repeat this for the next st on the front and back needles. Draw the first st worked over the second st.*
Repeat from * to * until all sts have been bound off. Break yarn and draw through remaining st.

Directions for running stitch can be found here.

DIRECTIONS

FRONT

Left Cheek:
CO 15 sts.

Row 1 [RS]: [Kfb] in each st. 30 sts.

Row 2 [WS]: P1, m1p, p to last st, m1p, p1. 32 sts.

Row 3 [RS]: K1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1. 34 sts.

Work Rows 2 and 3 three times more, then work Row 2 once more. 48 sts. Use waste yarn to mark each end of last row worked.

Work in stockinette st until piece measures 7 inches, ending with a WS row.

Break yarn and place all sts on spare needle.

Right Cheek:
Work as for left cheek, but do not break yarn or remove sts from needle.

Join Cheeks:
Next Row [RS]: K all sts of right cheek; place held sts of left cheek on left needle, k all sts of left cheek. 96 sts.
Continue in stockinette st until piece measures 10 inches, ending with a WS row.

Shape Hips:
Row 1 [RS]: [K6, S2KP] 10 times, k6. 76 sts.
Row 2 [WS]: P all sts.
Row 3 [RS]: K5, [S2KP, k4] 10 times, k1. 56 sts.
Row 4 [WS]: P all sts.
Rows 5-10: K all sts. Place sts on spare needle.

BACK
CO 56 sts. Work in stockinette st until piece measures 14 inches.
Join to held sts of front using three-needle bind off.

FINISHING

Weave in ends.

Work a line of running stitch along lower edge of each cheek, between ends of marked row. Sew cheeks together above marked row. Sew outer edges of cheeks to edges of back piece.
Insert pillow form. Use sharp needle to sew outer edges of cheeks to pillow form. Sew center seam (between cheeks) to pillow form; this will help keep stuffing in place. Stuff each cheek, making bottom as ample as you like.

Gather lower edge of each cheek, adding any additional stuffing necessary to give desired shape. Sew lower edges of cheeks to lower edge of back piece, tacking to pillow form if necessary.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Nicky Epstein has a sense of humor.