pumpkin pillow two!

two sizes of pillow-toss pumpkins

Pumpkin season has arrived, sooner than later this year! Cooler weather, shorter days.

After publishing the Pillow-Toss Pumpkin pattern, I continued playing and came up with a smaller version of the pillow. The smaller pillow measures about 9.5-inches across (the bigger pumpkin pattern measures about 12-inches). With a few edits to the pattern (see link to download below), you too can create a smaller pumpkin pillow!

12-inch pillow-toss pumpkin

Small-Size Pumpkin Instructions:
Knit the pumpkin the same as the original pattern, Pillow-Toss Pumpkin, up to the completion of Round 15 (78 its). Stop after this round. Jump then to Rounds 20-39 and knit the following pattern: *k13, p1*; repeat *to* to the end for 20 rounds.

NOTE: Change to size 11 dps at any time for ease of knitting. Place a stitch pin marker at this point to indicate the BOR.

Once the 20 rounds are complete, jump to Round 44, and begin the decrease rounds. Knit the rest of the pattern as per the original instructions. Assemble the smaller pumpkin pillow the same as the larger one, but use 2 to 3 total yards of Color B yarn for creating the furrow lines (instead of the original 4 yards).


For the smaller pillow-toss pumpkins, I don't attach
a knit leaf or curly vine. Just keep the smaller pillow simple and sweet. The combination of two pillow sizes makes a beautiful autumnal display!

Pillow-Toss Pumpkin Addendum download


Happy knitting!

'k1b' pumpkin tutorial

cable-knit pumpkin

HELP ME, please? Are you having troubles figuring out the 'k1b' in my newest pumpkin patterns (pumpkin patch, cable-knit or tartan-plaid)? Well, you are not alone. I am finding out that 'k1b' can mean a lot of different things out on the web. This tutorial will put your searching to rest so you can finish that pumpkin with a smile still on your face!

The reason I chose a 'k1b' is because it is near-invisible increase and doesn't leave a hole. Holes are not good when stuffing with fiberfill. I am used to dealing with felted wool where everything evens out in the wash. I am having to learn new stitches to get the final results I want in my patterns, thus the 'k1b'. So here is a quick tutorial.

To create a 'k1b', first insert your right needle into the back of the stitch below the next stitch on the left needle. Insert the needle into the stitch and lift that stitch up onto the left needle, then knit it. Those two moves (lifting and knitting) is the 'k1b'.

Now, the original stitch (the stitch on the needle above) is still there to be knit, BUT it is NOT part of the 'k1b' sequence.

So for instance, in my cable-knit pattern on Round 4 it says to *k1, k1b, k1*; repeat *to* to end of round (36 its):

You knit one stitch (k1), lift and knit into the stitch below (k1b), knit one stitch (k1). That is the pattern. For every two stitches on the needle, you are increasing one more with the 'k1b'. Repeat this sequence throughout the round and you will have increased 12 stitches for Round 4.

Hope that makes sense. If not, email me and I can help you further. I am here to help. My patterns are meant to be enjoyable, producing enjoyable results. So, if you are not enjoying it, give me a holler.

mariemayhewdesigns@gmail.com


Happy knitting!