The Coral Reef Throw Pillow: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Textured, Ocean-Inspired Cushion
Dive Into Texture: The Coral Reef Throw Pillow
Bring the serene beauty of the ocean into your home with this unique knitted pillow. The Coral Reef Throw Pillow combines bobbles, cables, and lace to create a tactile, organic design that mimics the intricate structure of a coral reef. This free pattern is perfect for intermediate knitters looking to expand their skills with texture and colorwork, resulting in a stunning accent piece for any coastal or bohemian-inspired space.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) cotton or cotton-blend yarn in three colors:
- Main Color (MC) - Sandy Beige: approx 250 yards
- Contrast A - Coral Pink: approx 150 yards
- Contrast B - Seafoam Green: approx 100 yards
- Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles (straight or circular for working flat)
- Notions: Cable needle, tapestry needle, stitch markers (optional), 16-inch square pillow form
- Gauge: 20 stitches x 28 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette stitch, after blocking
Step-by-Step Instructions
Pillow Front (Worked Flat)
Cast On: With MC, cast on 80 stitches.
Ribbing Border
Row 1 (RS): K2, *p2, k2; repeat from * to end.
Row 2 (WS): P2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to end.
Repeat Rows 1-2 for 1 inch of ribbing, ending with a WS row.
Main Cable Pattern (Rows 1-12)
Row 1 (RS): K4, *C6F (slip next 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, k3 from left needle, then k3 from cable needle), k4; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k4.
Row 2 and all even rows (WS): Purl all stitches.
Row 3 (RS): K4, *k6, k4; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k4.
Row 5 (RS): K4, *k6, k4; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k4.
Row 7 (RS): K4, *C6B (slip next 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, k3 from left needle, then k3 from cable needle), k4; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k4.
Row 9 (RS): K4, *k6, k4; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k4.
Row 11 (RS): K4, *k6, k4; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k4.
Row 12 (WS): Purl.
Full Pattern Sequence (Rows 1-32)
Rows 1-12: Work the Main Cable Pattern as above using MC.
Row 13 (RS, with MC): K4, *C6F, k4; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k4.
Row 14 (WS, with MC): Purl.
Row 15 (RS, with MC): K4, *k6, k4; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k4.
Row 16 (WS, with MC): Purl.
Row 17 (RS, with MC): K4, *C6B, k4; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k4.
Row 18 (WS, with MC): Purl.
Row 19 (RS, with MC): K4, *k6, k4; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k4.
Row 20 (WS, with MC): Purl.
Bobble Insertion (Rows 21-26, using Contrast A)
Row 21 (RS, with A): K4, *k1, MB (Make Bobble: k1, p1, k1, p1, k1 all in same stitch, then pass the 4th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st made stitches over the last made stitch), k4; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k4.
Row 22 (WS, with A): Purl.
Row 23 (RS, with A): K4, *k6, k4; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k4.
Row 24 (WS, with A): Purl.
Row 25 (RS, with A): K4, *k1, MB, k4; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k4.
Row 26 (WS, with A): Purl.
Lace Insertion (Rows 27-32, using Contrast B)
Row 27 (RS, with B): K4, *yo, k2tog, k4; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k4.
Row 28 (WS, with B): Purl.
Row 29 (RS, with B): K4, *k2, yo, k2tog, k2; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k4.
Row 30 (WS, with B): Purl.
Row 31 (RS, with B): K4, *k4, yo, k2tog; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k4.
Row 32 (WS, with B): Purl.
Repeat and Finish Front
Return to MC and repeat the 32-row pattern sequence (Rows 1-32) two more times, then repeat Rows 1-12 once more.
Finishing Front: Work 1 inch of ribbing as at the beginning (Rows 1-2 of ribbing). Bind off in pattern.
Pillow Back (Worked Flat)
With MC, cast on 80 stitches. Work in Stockinette stitch (knit RS, purl WS) until piece measures the same length as the front. Bind off.
Assembly
Place front and back pieces with right sides together. Sew three sides using mattress stitch. Turn right side out. Insert a 16-inch square pillow form. Sew the fourth side closed using invisible stitch.
Blocking
Gently wet block the pillow cover to open up the lace and even out the cables. Lay flat to dry.
