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Hudson Bay Pillows: A Simple Knitting Pattern Inspired by the Iconic Blanket

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by Robin

hudson bay pillows

So we went and bought 2 acres in the country.  And it came complete with a really dumpy mobile home!  Does that exclamation point seem out of place?

Maybe for some, but for us this two-bedroom disaster is a DIY lovers dream come true.  

Plus, it came fully stocked with so many things.  All the things.  

No really.  ALL the things – there’s a windmill that’s a pig in overalls riding a tractor.  Clearly, some of the stuff is not worth keeping.

Some stuff we’re hanging onto, though.  The couch and chairs in the living room, for example.  The couch is red, not something that I’d choose myself, but it’s good quality and it’s the BEST couch for cuddling.  

The chairs are dark blue lazy boys.  The colour isn’t bad, and we figure, where else can you lounge in lazy boys if not in your mobile home in the woods?

My dilemma was this – how do I decorate with a red couch and navy blue chairs?  If we were American this would be immediately clear: red, white and blue!  Stars!  Stripes!  Uncle Sams!  

But, we’re Canadians and that palette doesn’t naturally speak to us.

The look I’m going for our vacation home is “vintage cabin in the woods”.  (You can check out my Mobile Home Makeover Pinterest Board to get the idea.)  

I was a little baffled, what could I use to tie the blue chairs and red couch together with a vintage cabin theme?  I really thought about this longer than anyone ever should.  Then it dawned on me!

Hudson’s Bay Blankets!  

Vintage.  Cabin-y. With red and blue (and other colours to play with).  And truly Canadian!  

But, real Hudson’s Bay Blankets are dang expensive.  Even used they are way too much for me, besides being nearly impossible to find.

So here’s how I knit some Hudson Bay Pillows inspired by the iconic blanket.  And I’m pretty sure you can too because they are a true beginner project.

This pillow is magical – it can even make this lumpy old lazy boy look good.
Doesn’t she look cute with all her camp blanket friends?

Cost:

I made three of these pillows.  That took 6 balls of cream and 1 ball of each colour.  I bought all the yarn on sale for $2.99 a ball.  So, with tax it was just over $30 to make three – and about $10 each!

Hudson’s Bay Blanket Inspired Pillow: A Simple Knitting Pattern

Materials:

INSTRUCTIONS:

This whole pattern is done in stocking stitch, i.e. knit a row, purl the next, knit a row, purl the next…)

  1. In cream, cast on 120 stitches.
  2. In stocking stitch (i.e. knit one row, purl one row and repeat) knit 10 rows.
  3. Switch to blue yarn, stocking stitch for 8 rows.
  4. In cream yarn, stocking stitch for 8 rows.
  5. Switch to yellow yarn, stocking stitch for 8 rows.
  6. In cream yarn, stocking stitch for 8 rows.
  7. Switch to red yarn, stocking stitch for 8 rows.
  8. In cream yarn, stocking stitch for 8 rows.
  9. Switch to green yarn, stocking stitch for 8 rows.
  10. In cream yarn stocking stitch for 27 rows.
  11. Cast off.
  12. Fold in half lengthwise, sew two sides. Insert pillow form. Sew shut.

  copyright Frugal Family Times

For more of my truly simple knitting projects:

1) Did you notice the Basketweave Knit Throw Blanket above? It’s one of my patterns too! You can find the easy knit blanket pattern for beginners here!


2) PacMan Knitted Scarf


3) Harry Potter’s Gryffindor Scarf


4) And, of course, the Hudson’s Bay pillow’s gang of best buds: My 3 Vintage Camp Blanket Inspired Pillows!  (My favourite is the Swiss Army one.)

vintage camp blanket pillows knit pattern

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Anne Daniels

Sunday 23rd of December 2018

Finished my pillow I love it. My gauge must have been off because it fits over a queen size pillow.

Anne Daniels

Thursday 27th of December 2018

I still love it for sure!!!

frugalfamilytimes

Monday 24th of December 2018

I’m glad you love it, Anne! Sorry about the size. Maybe my stitches are really tight? I wish I could help - I’m no expert - just an enthusiastic amateur. :)

Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled

Tuesday 19th of December 2017

Great pillow! I grew up in Canada so Hudson Bay is big there; this brings me back to that cold life, lol! Visiting from Tip Junkie party.

Unknown

Saturday 14th of October 2017

Congratulations, these look wonderful. This maybe a silly question but I don't know how to knit and am teaching myself to crochet. Can this be done with a crochet hook? Keep up the good work

frugalfamilytimes

Saturday 14th of October 2017

I think so, Nancy! But I don't really know how to crochet - so I couldn't tell you how! :)

Anonymous

Thursday 16th of March 2017

I am going to make all of these for my cottage at the lake. Great job they are terrific. Thanks for sharing.

frugalfamilytimes

Thursday 16th of March 2017

You're so welcome! Thanks for your comment - they're perfect for a lake cottage - glad you like them. :)

Cindy

Sunday 22nd of January 2017

I really love all of your knitted pillows. Definitely want to try these.

frugalfamilytimes

Sunday 22nd of January 2017

Thank you, Cred! I'm an enthusastic amateur. I love them too. :)