Embroidered Initialed Zippered Pillow Cases

A friend of mine asked me to make some pillows as a Christmas gift. This is her design, and I wrote it up as a pattern in case someone else wanted to make them!

Materials

3 balls of Bernat Home Comfort (I used a little more than 2)

4 skeins of embroidery floss (2 for each pillow, I had 2 pink, 2 blue)

Size 10 (6mm) knitting needles (straight or circular, your choice)

Yarn / darning needle

2 pillow forms - 13x20

Gauge

16.5 stitches over 4 inches using 6mm needles

I made it fairly tight since I thought it made for a nice taught fabric on the pillow. I wanted no slouch at all.

Instructions

1. See note on Step 7.
2. Cast on 76 using provisional cast on.
3. Knit in stockinette until piece measures 12” (or 1” less than finished pillow length, this allows for a nice snug fit).
4. Embroider letter where desired using a chart from an embroidery book I have (you could google similar charts under ‘knitting charts letters’. I put my knit piece on the pillow to help judge placement of the letter because of the curve the pillow causes.
5. Put provisionally cast on stitches on a needle so that both needle ends are parallel to each other for grafting. Kitchener stitch knit ends together.
6. Sew up the right side using mattress stitch.
7. Sew on zipper using needle and thread. I stitched just outside of the selvedge edge. *Note: I would try a different edge next time, the selvage was not attractive, such as a slip stitch or chained edge.
8. Weave in all ends.
9. Insert pillow, zip up and enjoy your beautiful work!

Sol Hoodie

I made a Sol Hoodie and wanted to share since I didn't see a lot of examples out there.

http://jamiechristina.com/products/sol-hoodie-e-pattern

• I made a Small on top graded to a Medium at the waist and hip. 
• I was in love with the ribbon in the pattern example, I found it online and used that.
• Because I loved the ribbon, and the pattern wanted me to add it at the beginning, I assembled all the major parts first, then added the ribbon as one of the last steps, to make sure everything fit before commiting.
• Added topstitching on the hood to keep the ribbon flat.