Counterpane Pillow Pattern

This pillow pattern is inspired by a white cotton counterpane bureau scarf in the collection of the Huron County Museum and Historic Gaol located in Goderich, Ontario.

A traditional counterpane would have been made in white cotton and constructed from a number of smaller units (squares or octagons, for example) that are worked separately and then joined together to create an overall design or effect.

The front of our counterpane pillow features the 4-part counterpane square as does the back of the pillow. The pointed lace edging is a recreation of the original edging on the bureau scarf.

Pattern

FINISHED SIZE This pattern consists of triangles joined together to form a square. Each triangle measures 9” from leaf point to cast-off straight edge. Assembled square measures 18” square, with pointed lace edging, 24” square.

YARN Worsted weight yarn. The sample in the photo was knit with worsted weight yarn from Steele Wool Farm; approximately 3 hanks needed to complete pillow front.
NEEDLES Size US 7 (4.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

GAUGE 4 to 5 stitches per inch on a size 7 (4.5mm) knitting needle (gauge is approximate).

NOTIONS
Tapestry needle
Extra yarn for sewing together
18” pillow form

Instructions

Counterpane Triangle (make 8)
Cast on 3 sts
1st Row: (Yo, k1) 3 times
2nd Row: Yo, p5, k1 (wrong side)
3rd Row: Yo, p1, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, p1
4th Row: Yo, k1, p7, k2
5th Row: Yo, p2, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, p2
6th Row: Yo, k2, p9, k3
7th Row: Yo, p3, k4, yo, k1, yo, k4, p3
8th Row: Yo, k3, p11, k4
9th Row: Yo, p4, k5, yo, k1, yo, k5, p4
10th Row: Yo, k4, p13, k5
11th row: Yo, p5, k6, yo, k1, yo, k6, p5
12th Row: Yo, k5, p15, k6
13th Row: Yo, p6, K7, yo, K1, yo, K7, p6
14th Row: Yo, k6, p17, k7
15th Row: Yo, p7, k8, yo, k1, yo, k8, p7
16th Row: Yo, k7, p19, k8
17th Row: Yo, p8, ssk, k15, k2tog, p8
18th Row: Yo, k8, p17, k9
19th Row: Yo, p9, ssk, k13, k2tog, p9
20th Row: Yo, k9, p15, k10
21st Row: Yo, p10, ssk, k11, k2tog, p10
22nd Row: Yo, k10, p13, k11
23rd Row: Yo, p11, ssk, k9, k2tog, p11
24th Row: Yo, k11, p11, k12
25th Row: Yo, p12, ssk, k7, k2tog, p12
26th Row: Yo, k12, p9, k13
27th Row: Yo, p13, ssk, k5, k2tog, p13
28th Row: Yo, k13, p7, k14
29th Row: Yo, p14, ssk, k3, k2tog, p14
30th Row: Yo, k14, p5, k15
31st Row: Yo, p15, ssk, k1, k2tog, p15
32nd Row: Yo, k15, p3, k16
33rd Row: Yo, p16, k3tog, p16 (top of the leaf)
34th Row: Yo, p34 (stockinette stitch portion; 4 rows)
35th Row: Yo, k35
36th Row: Yo, p36
37th Row: Yo, k37
38th Row: Yo, k38 (note: change from stockinette to reverse stockinette)
39th Row: Yo, p39
40th Row: Yo, k1, *yo, k2tog, k3, *repeat from *ending last repeat with k2 (eyelet row)
41st Row: Yo, purl row
42nd Row: Yo, knit row; 43 stitches.
43rd Row: yo, knit row (stocking stitch begins)
44th Row: Yo, purl row
45th Row: Yo, knit row
46th Row: Yo, purl row
47th Row: Yo, p1, *k1, yo, k1, yo, k1, p4, repeat across row; purl last stitch (beginning of small leaves) 48th Row: Yo, k1,p5, k4, *repeat across row
49th Row: Yo, p2, *k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, p4 *repeat; purl remaining stitches
50th Row: Yo, k2, *p7, k4, *repeat across row
51st Row: Yo, *p3, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, p4, repeat; purl remaining stitches 52nd Row: Yo, k3,p9, k4; repeat across; knit last stitches
53rd Row: Yo, p4, *k4, yo, k1, yo, k4, p4, *repeat; p last stitches
54th Row: Yo, k4, *p11, k4, *repeat across; knit last stitches
55th Row: Yo, p5, *ssk, k7, k2tog, p4, *repeat; purl last stitches
56th Row: Yo, k5, *p9, k4, *repeat; knit remaining stitches
57th Row: Yo, p6, *ssk, k5, k2tog, p4, *repeat; purl last stitches
58th Row: Yo, k6, *p7, k4, repeat. K remaining stitches
59th Row: Yo, p7, *ssk, k3, k2tog, p4, *repeat. Purl remaining stitches
60th Row: Yo, k7, *p5, k4; repeat. Knit remaining stitches
61st Row: Yo, p8, *ssk, k1, k2tog, p4, *repeat. Purl remaining stitches
62nd Row: Yo, k8, *p3, k4; repeat. Knit remaining stitches
63rd Row: Yo, p9, *k3tog, p4, *repeat. Purl remaining stitches
64th Row: Yo, purl across
65th Row: Yo, knit across
66th Row: Yo, purl across
67th Row: Yo, knit across
68th Row: bind off loosely

POINTED LACE EDGING
CO 9 sts
1st row: K1, (YO, K2tog) three times, YO, K2
2nd and every alternate row: Knit to end
3rd row: K2, (YO, K2tog) three times, YO, K2
5th row: K3, (YO, K2tog) three times, YO, K2
7th row: K4, (YO, K2tog) three times, YO, K2
9th row: K5, (YO, K2tog) three times, YO, K2
11th row: K6, (YO, K2tog) three times, YO, K2
13th row: K7, (YO, K2tog) three times, YO, K2
15th row: Knit to end
16th row: Bind off 7 sts, K8
Rows 1-16 form pattern. Repeat for desired length.

FINISHING
Wash all pieces and lay flat to block, pinning to correct measurements.

CONSTRUCTION
For the front and back of the pillow, arrange four triangle units wrong-side up so the leaf corners align at the centre and single crochet triangle units together. Mattress stitch can be used instead of single crochet, but arrange triangles right-side up for this method. Using a whip stitch, sew front and back assembled squares together, leaving one side open for the pillow form to slide in. Slide pillow into place. Sew last side closed or leave open, depending on your personal choice. Attach pointed lace edging around the perimeter of the pillow using mattress stitch. Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS
BO bind off
CO cast on
DEC decrease
K knit
K2tog knit two stitches together
P purl
P2tog purl two stitches together
RS right side
WS wrong side
YO yarn over

About the designer

Sharlene Young-Bolen is a Blyth-based knitter with a love & appreciation for all things vintage & handmade. For pattern support or questions, please contact sbolen@stitchrevivalstudio.ca.
Irene Kellins is the past owner of Stitches with a Twist, a yarn and sewing shop in the village of Blyth, Ontario. She has had years of experience knitting, crocheting, and sewing, and she especially enjoys instructing others in the needle arts. Irene works out of her home studio in Blyth, Ontario and consulted on this pattern project.