Fabulous Felted Pillow Cover

FABULOUS FELTED PILLOW COVER

Skill level: Easy/Intermediate

Finished size: Approx. 12" to 14" square - measures approx. 16-1/2" square before felting

Materials (sample shown in assorted colors of Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky, with "Fizz" eyelash accent):

NOTE: DO NOT USE white, off-white or superwash wool as it will not felt.

A variety of bulky wt. wool or wool-mohair blend that felts easily - about 125 yds each of 5 to 7 different colors, plus about 50 yds. of eyelash for accent, - OR - scraps of wool yarns in several colors totaling about 600 yds.

PLUS - 100 yds. of one solid color for final edging rounds and seams

Size P/16 (11 mm) crochet hook, or size needed to achieve gauge

Tapestry needle

Gauge: 7 single crochet, 7 rows = 4" with bulky wt. wool on size P/16 (11 mm) hook

Technique: Rows of single crochet are worked to measure approx. 22" to 24" square, then the corner points are brought together at center back with slip-stitch seams prior to felting.

Stitches/Terms: beginning (beg), chain (ch), repeat (rep), single crochet (sc), slip stitch (sl st), stitch (st)

NOTES: Work loosely to allow for maximum felting action. Work in a randomly striped pattern, changing colors as desired and occasionally holding a strand of eyelash together with the wool on some of the rows. At color changes, cut old color and join in new color as necessary, leaving 4" tails for weaving in ends securely prior to felting.

Pillow Cover

Row 1: With bulky wt. wool and size P hook, ch 37 loosely. Single crochet in second ch from hook and in ea ch across (36 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in ea sc across (36 sc)

Repeat Row 2, changing colors at random, varying width of stripes and adding eyelash accent as desired, until piece measures approx. 22" to 24" square. Fasten off.

Edging

Rnd 1: Attach solid trim color in any sc along end of piece, ch 1, sc in same st and sc in ea sc and ea row around, working 3 sc in ea corner, keeping tension even and loose along all four sides, with same number of stitches along ea side to maintain square shape. Join with sl st to beg sc.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in same sc and in ea sc around, join with sl st and fasten off.

Finishing:

Seams: With right sides together, fold first row of piece up to meet final row of piece. Attach matching color yarn in first stitch along short side of piece at right. Inserting hook under both loops of each sc on both front and back pieces, work a slip stitch seam across right edge of piece. Repeat on left edge of piece. Now bring side seams to center, so that the four original corners of the piece meet in the center. Working from outside toward center, attach yarn at right edge of the unsewn seam and work slip stitch across toward center, stopping 6" from center to leave an opening for inserting the pillow form. Repeat for remaining seam.

Turn pillow cover right side out and felt following instructions below. Before felting, be sure that all ends are woven in securely.

Felting instructions: Set washing machine to low water level, hot water, heavy duty agitation and add a drop or two of mild liquid soap (such as Ivory Liquid). Place pillow cover in washer along with old denim jeans. Let the machine agitate the pillow cover for 5 minutes, then check to see how it is felting. Do NOT let the water drain out or go to rinse cycle, but continue to check every 5 minutes until pillow cover has reached desired amount of felting (sample took about 15 minutes to felt). Keep resetting machine to agitation cycle if necessary. When pillow cover is desired size, remove from washer and rinse thoroughly in lukewarm water in sink. Press between dry towels to remove as much water as possible, then lay it flat on dry towels, shaping to make sure it is square. Leave to dry completely in a place with good air circulation. When cover is completely dry, insert pillow form or fiberfill stuffing and sew opening closed with a length of matching wool. Fluff up eyelash accent and enjoy your new pillow!

For personal or charity use only. Do not duplicate pattern for commercial purposes.