Easy Knit Word Pillow

This easy knit word pillow post contains affiliate links.

I love to have a lot of pillows around the house to add a cozy feeling, a bit of color, and a bit of added comfort as well. I saw a neat idea for a knit word pillow one time in a magazine and I’ve had it in my mind as a DIY project ever since. This pillow idea is no-sew and can be made easily even if you have only beginner knitting skills.

Supplies Needed for a Knit Word Pillow

To make a knit word pillow, you’ll need a pillow cover {storebought or handmade}, coordinating yarn, and two double pointed needles in a gauge suggested on the yarn label.

You won’t want to use a super bulky yarn for this project since it’ll be hard to knit up. I love cotton or a similar type yarn.

How to Make the Knit Word

To make the word on the pillow, you’ll need to knit an i-cord in the appropriate length. An i-cord is just a tube that’s knitted in the round, the same technique I used to make the knit garland for my Christmas tree.

To start, cast on 6-8 stitches, depending on the thickness of your yarn. Once cast on, knit a row just as you normally would.

After knitting that row, slide all the stitches from one end of the needle to the other. You’re now going to knit that row without turning the needle. The yarn will be coming from the last stitch but you’ll pull it tight and knit the row.

Repeat, sliding the stitches each time and pulling the yarn from the last stitch to the first stitch. This is what creates the tube.

If you have any trouble understanding what I mean, you can find all kinds of videos online.

Knit the i-cord until it’s long enough to create the word. The only way to figure this out is to knit a bunch and then lay it out on the pillow. Once the i-cord is long enough, cast off and use a plastic yarn needle to weave in the ends.

How to Finish the Knit Word Pillow

To finish the pillow, twist and lay the i-cord to create the word you want. Some words will be harder than others and you’ll need a word with letters that easily join together.

Place the word wherever you want it on the pillow cover but leave a bit of space near the bottom to account for the rounded edge that the pillow form will create. I wish I had placed my word about an inch higher than I did.

Once the word is laid out the way you like it, simply hot glue it into place.

Start by using small dabs of hot glue on key points along the way, gently pressing the knit cord down into the pillow form. Fill in other areas as needed.

The finished pillow adds a fun sentiment …

… and a bit of color and texture to a room.

I love this pillow in my family room but it would also be cute in a child’s room with a sweet word like hope or dream … or even a name if it’s not too long.