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I love pillow covers—especially knit ones! They’re the perfect space-saving solution to refresh your decor without having to store a bunch of bulky pillows. My Cotton Candy Clouds pillow cover pattern is the perfect beginner knitting project and is easily one of my absolute favorite designs. It’s bright, fun, and totally customizable with any yarn you love—but I have to say, the yarn combo I used is next-level (you’ll find all the links below!).
Another reason I’m totally obsessed with knitting pillow covers? They’re simple and satisfying—exactly what I need with a toddler running around! This pattern is a great choice whether you’re an experienced knitter in need of a relaxing project, or you’re tackling your first beginner knitting project. No complicated stitches or counting—just pure, squishy fun on your needles.
Ready to Get Started?
Beginner Knitting Project
The Yarn
Before you dive into your beginner knitting project, you’ll want to gather all your supplies. The first thing you’ll need for this easy pillow cover pattern is yarn. For my Cotton Candy Clouds knit pillow cover, I used two different yarns that I already had on hand—and they ended up looking amazing together!
If you’d like to make your knit pillow cover just like the one pictured, you’ll need:
- Two skeins of RED HEART Super Saver Economy Yarn in Pretty ‘n Pink
- One skein of Caron Simply Soft Feathered Yarn
Both of these yarns are machine washable and incredibly easy to care for—a must in my house with two young kids! These pillow covers have survived countless loads of laundry and come out even softer and cozier each time.
Beginner Knitting Project
The Needles
Once you’ve got your yarn, the next thing you’ll need for your beginner knitting project is some good tools. For this knit pillow cover, I used my favorite needles ever—ChiaoGoo Red Lace Circular Needles in US Size 5.
I’ve tried everything over the years—plastic needles, bamboo, random mystery metal ones—and honestly, nothing compares to ChiaoGoo. If you’re just getting started and thinking about building up your knitting supplies, I can’t recommend the ChiaoGoo Twist Stainless Steel Interchangeable Set enough. They’re a little bit of a splurge, but seriously, they’ll be the only set you’ll ever need. Totally worth it!
Looking for the perfect tutorial to help you master your knitting or crocheting skills?
Check out my YouTube Channel for step-by-step tutorials!
Beginner Knitting Project
The Pillow Insert
Once you’ve finished this beginner knitting project, you’ll need a pillow to slip it over! This design is made to fit a 12×18 lumbar pillow. You can use a standard pillow form or repurpose any decorative pillow you already have lying around. Got a cozy rich fall pillow you are not using? Just cover it up with this bright and cheery textured knit and give it a fun spring makeover! If you’re using a pillow form, I recommend doubling up—two inserts in one cover—since they tend to flatten out over time and a fuller look makes your knit pillow extra plump and inviting.
Crafty Favorites: Knitting, Crocheting & More!
Discover my go-to yarns, tools, and lifestyle essentials for all things crafting—knitting, crocheting, and beyond. Plus, some fun extras like fake nails to keep your creativity going strong!
Beginner Knitting Project
Additional Supplies
There are a few other items that can make knitting this pillow cover pattern a bit easier. First, you might want to grab some stitch markers. For this project, I used three stitch markers. Placing them every few stitches helps break up the count into smaller, more manageable groups. You might also want a row counter. A fun choice that is gaining popularity in the knitting and crocheting community right now is the Counting Numbers Chart Pop It, which is a fun and effective tool. Having a row counter can be helpful to keep track of those big chunks of pink, especially if you’re new to knitting. Finally, you’ll need a tapestry needle or a small crochet hook to sew up the sides of the pillow cover.
There are a few other tools I like to use when I knit, though they’re not necessary. I like to use a yarn bowl to keep my yarn organized and prevent it from getting tangled, a fabric shaver to help create crisp lines and that makes the pattern really pop, and a yarn winder to create neat, center-pull yarn cakes.
Thank You!!
I hope you enjoy working on this beginner knitting project as much as I did! If you make this pillow cover, I’d love to see your finished project—feel free to tag me on Instagram (@amandahknitanddesign) with a photo. If you have any questions about the pattern or anything from this post, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d love to chat! And don’t forget to sign up for my monthly newsletter and blog post updates so you never miss a new project. Happy knitting!
(Complete Cotton Candy Clouds Knit Pillow Cover Shopping List Below)
Knit Something Fun + Fabulous!
Turn your couch into a tropical getaway with my Flamingo Lagoon pillow cover! Easy. Colorful. Beginner-friendly.
Your Cotton Candy Clouds Knit Pillow Cover Shopping List
- Cotton Candy Clouds Knit Pillow Cover – Pattern By Amanda Heake – AmandaHKnitandDesign
- Caron Simply Soft Feathered Yarn (1)
- RED HEART Super Saver Economy Yarn, Pretty n Pink (2)
- ChiaoGoo Red Lace Knitting Needle US Size 5
- 12×18 Lumbar Pillow
- Spacers
- Counter
- Tapestry Needle or Small Crochet Hook
Optional Tools of the Trade
- ChiaoGoo Twist Stainless Steel Interchangeable Set (this set comes with spacers)
- Yarn Bowl
- Fabric Shaver
- Yarn Winder (this set comes with spacers and counters)
