Hand Knit a Giant Yarn Throw Pillow and Take Cozy to a Whole New Level

There’s a lot to love about giant yarn. It’s super cozy, knits up really fast and has to-die-for texture. Which is why it’s perfect for making a throw pillow. Plus, there are no needles required for this project — you just knit the super-sized material on your fingers.

Of course, that means there’s no consistent needle size to guide your stitches, so you may end up with some variation while you’re getting the hang of it. And while that can, of course, alter the overall dimensions of the finished project, this beauty magically comes together with just a few rows of stitches — so if you get to the end and aren’t happy, you can simply unravel and try again. Amazing, right?!

Giant Yarn Throw Pillow

Level: Easy

What You Need

Instructions

Good to Know For small stitches, three fingers should fit inside the stitch. For regular stitches, you’ll want four fingers for correct sizing.

1. Cast On and Join In the Round

Measure 7½’ into your giant yarn and tie a slip knot. To do this, twist the yarn to make a small loop, reach through the loop to grab the yarn, pull it through, and snug down to create a secure loop that’s three fingers wide. This slip knot is your first cast-on stitch.

Cast on 12 additional small stitches using the long tail method (aka creating a series of slip knots). Start by making a small loop with the 7½’ tail you measured out, then pull the live yarn (the yarn connected to your skein) up through, and snug down to create another three-finger loop. Continue until you have a total of 13 cast-on stitches.

Make sure your row of cast-on stitches isn’t twisted. Then, temporarily pull part of the yarn tail through the final stitch you cast on, so it doesn’t fall out while knitting your first round. (Once you make it around to that stitch on your first round of knitting, you’ll pull the tail out and knit like normal.)

Draw the live yarn through the very first cast-on stitch and snug it around your three fingers. You’ve now created the first stitch of your first round of knitting — see how joining in the round pulls your project into a little circle?

2. Knit Your Rounds

Continue drawing the live yarn through the loops and snugging it around your fingers to knit two rounds of small stitches (three fingers wide). Then, knit six rounds of regular size stitches (four fingers wide).

Turn your work over and weave the yarn tail through every other loop from your cast on stitches. Gently pull tight to close the opening, then pop the tail down into the inside of the project.

Turn the work back over so you’re looking at the inside of the project. Pass the yarn tail through one of the cast on stitches and tie a secure knot.

3. Add Your Insert

Place your pillow insert on the inside of your work. Knit two or three rounds of small stitches up around the pillow insert.

Pro Tip: Since you’re using your hands instead of a specific size knitting needle, the pattern is variable. Use your judgment to determine if you can comfortably close your work with just two rounds, or if you need a third.

4. Finish It Up

Cut your yarn (leaving plenty of length), then pass the end through your stitches and gently pull your work closed. Pass the end of the yarn through one of the last stitch loops and tie a knot to secure. Tuck the rest of the yarn inside your project.

Take the 15″ piece of sturdy yarn and loop it through the final stitches. Pull them tightly closed and tie a secure double knot. Tuck the ends inside the project.

Good to Know: This yarn will be tougher than your giant yarn and will be able to take this pressure better.

Now pop that gorgeous pillow on your couch and settle in for some serious cozy time!