11. Farmhouse Buffalo Plaid Pillow

Rustic checks knit in contrasting red-and-black or black-and-white stranded colorwork instantly bring mountain-lodge warmth to cabin and country decor.

  • What This Idea Means: A classic checked buffalo plaid grid created via fair isle stranded knitting techniques using three tonal yarn shades.
  • How to Make It: Select three shades: Black, Charcoal (or Medium Red), and Heather Grey (or Bright Red). Cast on 64 stitches on 5mm circular needles to knit in the round. Work an 8-stitch by 8-row grid, alternating solid squares with blended tweed squares across the entire circumference. Graft top and bottom shut.
  • Tips and Variations: Catch yarn floats behind your work every 3 stitches to keep interior threads neat and maintain uniform stretch across the cushion.
  • Materials Needed: 150g Black yarn, 200g Charcoal yarn, 150g Heather Grey yarn, 5mm 24-inch circular needles, 18×18-inch pillow insert.