Summer Throw Pillows

Once in a while I get to design something fun for the shop and this time it was decorative pillows! The crochet pillow case has a medallion in the middle that reminds me of both a flower and a sun. The knit pillow case utalizes the dragon skin stitch. I'm not sure what it is about dragons that says summer, but maybe it has something to do with the fun stories that allowed me to escape reality, just like summer allowed me to escape school when I was younger. Both patterns are designed specifically to work with solids and multi-colored yarns, making the projects an infinite possibility! We can't wait to see your versions!

Summer Medallion Pillow - Crochet

US size H hook

For a 10-inch square pillow

Gauge: 15 dc = 4 inches (after blocking)

Abbreviations:

rnd = round

ch = chain

ss = slip stitch

sc = sincle crochet

st = stitch

dc = double crochet

sp = space

yo = yarn over

2dctog = two double crochets together - yo, insert hook into next st & pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yo & pull loop through 2 loops (2 loops on hook), yo, insert hook into next st & pull up a loop (4 loops on hook), yo & pull loop through 2 loops (3 loops on hook), yo & pull loop through all 3 loops on hook. - 2 st dc decrease

3dctog = three double crochets together - yo, insert hook into next st & pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yo & pull loop through 2 loops (2 loops on hook), yo, insert hook into next st & pull up a loop (4 loops on hook), yo & pull loop through 2 loops (3 loops on hook), yo, insert hook into next st & pull up a loop (5 loops on hook), yo & pull loop through 2 loops (4 loops on hook), yo & pull loop through all 4 loops on hook. - 3 st dc decrease.

beg = beginning

Pattern - Front:

Rnd 1: Ch 8, ss in first ch to form ring.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 5, (skip 1 sc, dc in next sc, ch 3) 11 times, ss in 2nd sc

Rnd 3: Ss in next 2 ch, ch 1, sc in same ch-5 sp as ss, ch 3, (sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3) 11 times, ss in first sc.

Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 2, (3 dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in next sc) 11 times, 3 dc in last ch-3 sp, ss in 2nd ch.

Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 1, 2dctog, ch 7 (3dctog, ch 7) 15 times, ss in 2dctog.

Rnd 6: Ss in first ch-7 sp, ch 1, sc in same ch-7 sp, ch 4, (dc, ch 2) 4 times in same ch-7 sp, *sc in next ch-7 sp, ch 2, dc in next ch-7 sp, (ch 2, dc in same ch-2 sp) 4 times, ch 2, repeat from * 6 more times, sc in last ch-7 sp, ch 2, ss in 2nd ch.

Rnd 7: SS in first ch-2 sp, ch 1, sc in same sp, (ch 4, sc in next ch-2 sp) 47 times, ch 4, ss in first sc.

Rnd 8: SS in next ch-4 sp, sc in same sp, ch 1, *5 dc in next ch-4 sp, ch 1, sc in next ch-4 sp, ch 7, skip next 3 ch-4 sps, (sc in next ch-4 sp, ch 1) 2 times, sc in next ch-4 sp, ch 7, skip next 3 ch-4 sps, sc in next ch-4 sp, repeat from * 2 more times, 5 dc in next ch-4 sp, ch 1, sc in next ch-4 sp, ch 7, skip next 3 ch-4 sps, (sc in next ch-4 sp, ch 1) 2 times, sc in next ch-4 sp, ch 7, skip next 3 ch-4 sps, ss in first sc.

Rnd 9: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next ch-1 sp, *sc in next 2 dc, 3 dc in next dc, sc in next 2 dc, sc in next ch-1 sp, sc in next sc, 5 sc in next ch-7 sp, (sc in nex sc, sc in next ch-1 sp) twice, sc in next sc, 5 sc in next ch-7 sp, sc in next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp, repeat from * 2 more times, sc in next 2 dc, 3 dc in next dc, sc in next 2 dc, sc in next ch-1 sp, sc in next sc, 5 sc in next ch-7 sp, (sc in nex sc, sc in next ch-1 sp) twice, sc in next sc, 5 sc in next ch-7 sp, ss in first sc.

Rnd 10: Ch 3, dc in next 4 sts, 3 dc in next dc, (dc in next 25 sts, 3 dc in next dc) 3 times, dc in next 20 dc, ss to top of beg ch.

Rnd 11: Ch 3, dc in next 5 dc, 3 dc in next dc, (dc in next 27 sc, 3 dc in next dc) 3 times, dc in next 21 dc, ss to top of beg ch.

Rnd 12: Ch 3, dc in next 6 dc, 3 dc in next dc, (dc in next 29 dc, 3 dc in next dc) 3 times, dc in next 22 dc, ss to top of beg ch.

Rnd 13: Ch 3, dc in next 7 dc, 3 dc in next dc, (dc in next 31 dc, 3 dc in next dc) 3 times, dc in next 23 dc, ss to top of beg ch.

Fasten off.

Pattern - Back A

Ch 35

Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook and in next 31 ch (33 dc - 1st ch counts as dc for whole pattern)

Row 2: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st (33 dc)

Rows 3-23: Repeat row 2.

Fasten off.

Pattern - Back B

Ch 35

Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook and in next 31 ch (33 dc - 1st ch counts as dc for whole pattern)

Row 2: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st (33 dc)

Rows 3-14: Repeat row 2.

Fasten off.

Finishing: Block all pieces. Arrange front and back with wrong sides facing so that Back B overlaps Back A. Sc all layers together around edge. Place over pillow. - Optional - Last row of dcs on Back B can be used as button holes with small button(s) being sewn into corresponding spots on Back A.

~Pattern adapted from 201 crochet motifs, blocks, projects, and ideas by Melody Griffiths - fan border medallion, pg. 36

Dragon Scales Pillow - Knit

US Size 5 needles

For a 10-inch square pillow

Gauge: 18 sts = 4 inches in stockinette (after blocking)

Abbreviations:

st(s) = stitch(es)

k = knit

p = purl

M1 = make one - lift bar between st just used and next st & put on left needle, k into back leg of lifted bar

ssk = slip, slip, knit

k2tog = knit two together

Pattern:

Note - The pattern starts by knitting part of the back of the pillow, then the front, and finally the other part of the back. The sides are then stitched together to create an envelope in en-case your pillow.

Cast on 52 sts using your favorite cast on (I used a Twisted German Cast On)

Rows 1-2: (K2, p2) across.

Rows 3-51: Stockinette st. - knit on right side, purl on wrong side

Rows 52-53: Knit.

Row 54 (and all even rows until otherwise noted): Purl.

Row 55: (K1, M1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k3, M1, k2, M1, k3, ssk, k4, k2tog, M1, k1) twice.

Row 57: (K1, M1, k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k4, M1, k2, M1, k4, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1, M1, k1) twice.

Row 59: (K1, M1, k2, ssk, k2tog, k5, M1, k2, M1, k5, ssk, k2tog, k2, M1, k1) twice..

Row 61: (K1, M1, k3, ssk, k4, k2tog, M1, k2, M1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k3, M1, k1) twice..

Row 63: (K1, M1, k4, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1, M1, k2, M1, k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k4, M1, k1) twice.

Row 65: [K1, M1, k5, ssk, k2tog, k2, (M1, k2) twice, ssk, k2tog, k5, M1, k1] twice.

Rows 66-77: Repeat rows 54-65.

Rows 78-89: Repeat rows 54-65.

Rows 90-101: Repeat rows 54-65.

Rows 102-113: Repeat row 54-65.

Rows 114-120: Repeat rows 54-60.

Rows 121-123: Knit.

Row 124: Purl.

Rows 125-160: Stockinette st.

Row 161: elongated knit stitch across. - insert right needle into next stitch kwise, wrap needle 3 times, bring right needle through stitch, pull stitch off left needle

Row 162: Knit across dropping extra wraps from previous row.

Rows 163-166: Knit.

Bind off.

Finishing: After blocking, with the wrong sides of the front and backs together, lay the shorter back part (with the elongated knit stitches) on top of the longer back part. Sew sides together. Place over pillow. - Optional - Elongated knit stitches can be used as button holes with buttons being sewn on corresponding spots on the longer back part.

~Pattern adapted from A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns by Barbara. Walker - Dragon Skin, pgs. 136-137.