Merry & Cheers Christmas Pillows Knitting Pattern

I'm happy to announce a new Christmas knitting pattern just in time for 2014 gift giving.  You will find the "Merry & Cheers Christmas Pillows" knitting pattern on Ravelry and in my Etsy shop.

"Merry" Christmas Pillow Knitting Pattern

The "Merry & Cheers Christmas Pillows" pattern includes full size felt applique patterns for both the "merry" and "cheers" designs.  I picked a fun, casual font style and modified the letters to suit the 12" x 16" pillow size.  

In the pattern you will find that the letter patterns are full size....all you have to do is print the page and cut out the paper letter patterns.  No resizing of the patterns needed!

This knitted pillow is a quick and easy project.  It is knit flat and seamed on the sides and bottom. 

This pattern uses super bulky weight yarn.  This pattern knits up so quickly you have plenty of time to knit more than one to wrap up before December 25th!

"Cheers" Christmas Pillow Knitting Pattern

I used Loops & Threads Cozy Wool super bulky weight yarn from Michael's Craft Store in the U.S.  This bright, traditional Christmas red is called 'Claret'.  I really like this yarn because it is very reasonably priced and the yarn is very soft.  You can also use many other super bulky weight yarns for this project.

Other supplies needed include an inexpensive pillow form (12" x 16"), nice quality felt, DMC embroidery floss and basic sewing and crafting supplies.  I recommend a good quality pair of scissors for cutting out the felt letters.

I suggest using the best quality felt you can find.  My favorite source for good quality, wool blend felt is Sweet Emma Jean's Etsy Shop where you will find an incredible selection of felt colors.  

This pattern includes detailed, step-by-step instructions for finishing.  As with any knitting project, careful finishing makes all the difference in the outcome of the finished project.  I make every effort to outline each individual step in the pattern and provide close up photos to illustrate the steps.

To find out more about this pattern visit my Etsy shop or see my pattern listing on Ravelry.

Happy Holidays! 

Main Line Pillows - Color Block Inspired Knitting Pattern

The "Main Line Pillows" knitting pattern includes two (2) color block inspired designs.  This pattern is available on Ravelry, Craftsy and Etsy.

This design is simple with clean lines and a modern style.  Both pillow designs would look great knit in any number of color combinations to go with any decor.

This version of the Main Line Pillow uses three colors with one "main line" slightly off center (see the white stripe in the photo below).

Main Line Pillows knitting pattern - Two designs included.

The other version (shown below) uses five wide stripes with three yarn colors.  With the colors that I used, the dark navy in the center becomes the "main line".  However, with different color choices other lines could become more dominant and change the appearance.  It would be fun to experiment with colors....and even try knitting each of the five stripe color blocks in a different color.

Main Line Pillow - Five "Main Lines" Design

This pillow is knit with super bulky yarn so it knits up very quickly.  The pillow cover is knit flat in one piece, sideways, and then seamed on the bottom and sides.  There are detailed finishing instructions (with photos) in the knitting pattern.

Knit with super bulky yarn and large knitting needles.  

I used Loops & Threads Cozy Wool which is sold at Michael's Craft Store in the United States.  I'm pretty much addicted to this yarn!  It is available in a nice variety of colors.  This is a nice, soft yarn at an economical price.

This pattern will also work well with many other super bulky yarns including Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick or Lion Brand Hometown USA.

This is also a great pattern for using up stash super bulky yarn!

This pattern is designed for a 12" x 16" pillow form.  I used an inexpensive, basic pillow form from the craft store.  For this modern style I prefer a firm pillow form.

This pillow makes a great gift for anyone!  It won't take you long to knit the pillow and you won't spend much on the materials.

These two pillow designs (the Main Line Pillows knitting pattern includes two design charts to do both designs shown in the photos above) would look great in other colors.  For a modern neutral style, either pattern would look fantastic in black, gray and white.  For Valentine's Day it would look so cute in red, pink and white.  For a sports fan, choose favorite sports team colors.  (The design with five lines reminds me of a classic rugby shirt!)  I included more color combination ideas in the pattern.

I have four or five new knitting pattern designs in the works right now.  Now that it is so cold outside I'm knitting every day!  Thank you so much for stopping by to check out my knitting patterns.  Happy knitting!

Mary Lee
Fifty Four Ten Studio

Line Up Pillow Knitting Pattern - Lots of Stripes!

The Line Up Pillow knitting pattern is all about stripes.  I love stripes.  Stripes are classic and timeless.   There's something about the symmetry and balance of stripes.

The Line Up Pillow knitting pattern includes two (2) stripe pattern charts to knit pillow covers to fit 12" x 16" basic pillow forms.

The pattern also includes blank charts for you to design your own stripe patterns.

The first stripe pattern I designed was centered around my favorite color combination of navy and white.  This pattern has seven thin white stripes with wider navy stripes.  In these colors the pillow has a nautical, summery look.

Line Up Pillow Knitting Pattern - Quick & easy project!

I used Loops & Threads 'Cozy Wool' in the colors 'Sapphire' and 'Fleece'.  I use this yarn all the time because it is so soft and has a nice appearance at very economical price.

This pattern would look great in many color combinations.  For a modern look you could try black (or dark gray) and white.  For neutral decor it would look nice in soft light tan or light gray with white or ivory thin stripes.  How about red and white for Christmas?  Or...for a sports fan use favorite sports team colors.

The second strip design included in the pattern was inspired by all of the leftover bits of super bulky yarn in my stash.  I wanted to knit a pillow using all of these colors but I wanted it to look organized.  I came up with a design chart for 13 stripes in equal widths.  I placed all of my yarn options on the floor and tried out different arrangements for the colors  Then I arranged the colors in the order I wanted to use them in my striped pillow.

Line Up Pillow knitting pattern includes two stripe design charts.

I ended up using one or two neutral colors twice in this sample.  Most of the yarn in this sample is either Loops & Threads 'Cozy Wool' or Lion Brand Wool-Ease 'Thick & Quick".  I still have a lot more odds and ends so I can make another version with the stripes in a different order!  (You may have noticed that I'm addicted to designing and knitting pillows!  I'm sure I can find a spot for one more pillow in the house!)

This is a very easy pattern!  Great for beginning knitters or experienced knitters who want a quick project.  

The pattern is knit flat in one piece with two needles and seamed.  If you prefer, this pattern can be knit in the round.  Cast on the same number of stitches indicated in the pattern.  Join and knit all rounds following the stripe chart of your choice. Be sure to mark the beginning of the round to make sure you start and stop stripes at same point each time.  (This pattern is geared towards beginners, as well as all levels of knitters.  More advanced knitters may prefer knitting in the round and more advance finishing techniques.)

You will need to know how to cast on stitches, knit and purl confidently, bind off stitches, weave in ends and sew up simple seams.  If you have not sewn up seams before, there are detailed photo illustrated instructions in the pattern.  My patterns include lots of detailed directions to walk you through every step of the finishing process.

Detailed finishing instructions included in the pattern.

If you are wondering how much yarn you need for these pillows....plan on about 220 - 235 yards total.  

For the two color stripe pattern (navy & white version above) you will need about 170 yards of the main color and 60 yards for the thin stripe color.  

For the multi color pattern (where each of the 13 stripes is a different color) you will need about 17 yards for each stripe....with the first and last stripe needing about 24 yards to allow for casting on and sewing up seams.

Grab your stash yarn and start knitting!  (I promise not to tell if you buy new yarn to knit these striped pillows!)

The Line Up Pillow knitting pattern is available in my Etsy shop and on Ravelry.

Joy & Believe Pillows - New Knitting Pattern with Felt Appliqué

One of my favorite things to do is design and make Christmas ornaments.  Last year, I designed and published two Christmas ornament patterns.  This year I've been designing and knitting a lot of pillows so it's not surprising that my newest pattern is....a Christmas themed pillow.

I designed and made the "Joy" Pillow for my mom because she has been saying for months that I should design a "Joy" themed pillow.  I can't tell you how many times I would tell her about my latest knitting pattern and she would be interested and supportive as always....but add "are you working on the Joy pillow design?"  Well, I was working on it....it just took a while for it to really come together in my mind.  Like a lot of my patterns, I think about the design for quite a while before I start knitting.  I am so thrilled with how the "Joy" pillow turned out that I could not wait to give it to my mom.  She stopped by the other day to visit and I gave her an early Christmas gift....she loved it, of course!

Joy & Believe Pillows Knitting Pattern - with Felt Applique

I couldn't stop with just the "JOY" design....I also made another pillow with "Believe" felt applique letters.

The "Joy & Believe Pillows" knitting pattern is available on Ravelry and in my Etsy shop.

Pattern includes patterns for both JOY and Believe letter designs.

My new "Joy & Believe Pillows" knitting pattern includes full size patterns for the felt applique designs to make both the "JOY" and the "Believe" designs.  I love this letter style!  I searched around and looked at a lot of different font styles before settling on this letter design.  In the pattern, you'll find that the letter patterns are already full size....all you have to do is print the page and cut out the paper letter patterns and you are ready to go.  No resizing of the patterns needed!  (It drives me crazy when I have to enlarge pattern pieces on the copy machine to get the right size!)

This is a quick and easy knitting project.  It is knit flat and seamed.  With super bulky yarn and big needles it is easy to finish this pillow project in a weekend or just a couple evenings.  (If you need a last minute DIY gift...this could be the one!)

I used Loops & Threads Cozy Wool super bulky yarn in the color 'Claret'.  This is a bright, traditional Christmas red.  I really like this yarn for pillows because it is very soft to the touch.  This yarn is inexpensive but has a very nice appearance.  You can find Loops & Threads Cozy Wool at Michael's Craft Store in the U.S.  This pattern will work will with just about any super bulky weight yarn.  

This pillow would look great in many color combinations.  It would be fun to knit the pillow in white and use red felt for the letters with white stitching.  Or, for a year round look (happy words like "joy" and "believe" never go out of season!) it would look nice in a neutral light tan and white combination.  Or, Loops & Threads Cozy Wool comes in a beautiful dark gray called 'Granite' (reminds me of an old chalkboard).  I'd love to try that color with white letters and use either charcoal gray or red embroidery floss for the applique stitches.   

Other supplies needed include a 12" x 16" pillow form (an inexpensive, basic pillow form is perfect), some nice quality felt, DMC embroidery floss, and basic sewing and crafting supplies.  A good quality pair of scissors (such as sewing shears) is helpful for cutting out the felt letters.

Speaking of felt....I recommend wool blend or good quality polyester felt.  Try to stay away from the inexpensive "craft felt" in the kids crafting section of the craft store.  Most fabric stores carry a nicer quality felt by the yard.  Small quilt shops often carry wool blend felt.  I also like Sweet Emma Jean's Etsy Shop.  They have an incredible selection of felt in many beautiful colors.  You can pick your own colors and get a custom set of 9" x 12" wool blend felt sheets.

Detailed finishing instructions included in the pattern.

This pattern includes detailed, step-by-step finishing instructions.  The finishing is not hard.  But, I put a lot of thought into providing you all the details of how to finish the pillow so that you can obtain the best results possible.  That's why I include every step (such as placing a piece of thin cardboard inside the knitting so it makes it easier to stitch the felt letters in place) and provide lots of close up photos like the one above.

I used some of my ribbon collection and old light bulbs for props.

I had so much fun taking the photos for this new pattern.  I have a box filled with pieces of previously used ribbon...lots of holiday plaids and red and white polka dots.  I also have a set of beautiful ribbons and baker's twine that my mom gave me several years ago.  They are so pretty I've never used an inch of any of the ribbons and twines!  The original set of seven spools are always displayed on a bookshelf at our house.  Look for these in future knitting pattern listing photos.  It was fun to use the spool shapes and texture of the ribbons to add to the holiday theme.  

"Joy & Believe Pillows" Knitting Pattern - available on Etsy

If you have looked at my other knitting pattern listing photos, you have probably noticed a wood cabinet in the background of several photos.  I love being able to use the shelf in the center of the cabinet to change the scene.  The white pedestal candy dish in the photo above was my grandmother's.  The Santa hiding in the shadows is metal and extremely heavy!  Most of my Christmas decorations are hidden away in boxes right now but that heavy Santa was sitting in the "Christmas" closet where I could reach him so he got to be in the photo.

I love combining the textures of knitting with felt applique. My Mini Mitten Christmas Ornament and The Little House knitting patterns both have felt applique. I'm excited to add the Joy & Believe Pillows knitting pattern to my collection.  And...I have a couple more patterns in the works which will add to the felt applique word theme.  Check back soon!

Celebrating Fifty Four Ten Studio's One Year Anniversary!

One year ago today I opened my Fifty Four Ten Studio knitting pattern business and listed my first knitting pattern in my Etsy shop!  I'm still so appreciative of my first customer who purchased my pattern just four days after I listed my first pattern.  In the past year I've had people visit my Etsy shop from over 80 countries and have had sales from customers in 12 countries outside of the United States!

I have learned so much in the last year!  And, the best part is I love what I am doing!

A lot of thanks goes to some special people in my life: my husband for supporting and encouraging my new venture (and for tolerating a lot of yarn around our house!); my mother for teaching me to knit and buying me yarn when I was a girl and suggesting pattern ideas today; my daughter for telling me about new photo editing and graphic design programs, helping with graphic design ideas and teaching me to use Blogger; my son for answering my computer questions and being my technical assistant when needed; and all my family and friends for admiring and "liking" my finished knitting projects in person and often being the first to "like" my new pattern posts on Facebook.  I am very lucky to have all these wonderful people in my life!

Many thanks to all my customers!  Every time they "favorite" one of my patterns or purchase a pattern it makes my day and encourages me to keep designing and working.  It's also been fun to connect with some very nice fellow knitting designers.

My Mini Sweater Christmas Ornament was the first knitting pattern I published and I'm happy to say that it remains one of my most popular patterns.

"Joy" Mini Sweater Christmas Ornament - Knitting Pattern

Mini Sweater Christmas Ornament - Knitting Pattern

The pattern includes five duplicate stitch designs to create "Joy" and "Ho Ho" word designs as well as designs for a heart, tree and sailboat.

The designs are added after knitting is complete using the duplicate stitch technique.  If you have never done duplicate stitch before, there are detailed step-by-step instructions with photos in the pattern.

Detailed instructions for duplicate stitch are included in the pattern.

These mini sweater ornaments are knit in the round on double pointed needles with worsted weight yarn.  The pattern includes instructions for making a mini hanger for the sweater ornament.

Pattern includes step by step instructions to make a mini wire hanger.

I have four patterns in the works right now and I hope to publish these very soon!  Every time a customer purchases one of my patterns it inspires me to continue developing new ideas and designing new patterns.  My list of pattern ideas is very long and my goal is to continue adding new patterns to my collection.  Here's a sneak peak at some of my work in progress...

New patterns in the works!

Watch for an announcement about new patterns very soon!