Enchanted Heartwood Pillow Cover Sham Free Pattern – Textured Cable & Lace Knit

Wrap your living space in woodland romance with this richly textured heart-motif pillow sham, knit in a soft, heathered rose yarn. The intricate cable-and-lace heart pattern creates a dimensional, cozy heirloom piece that elevates any sofa or bed. This pattern is perfect for intermediate knitters looking to expand their skills with cables and lace, while still being accessible to confident beginners who are ready for a rewarding challenge.

The Enchanted Heartwood Pillow Cover features a stunning central heart motif that appears raised and sculptural, surrounded by delicate yarn-over eyelets and twisted cables. The seed stitch border frames the piece beautifully, and the optional cream embroidery adds a whimsical, romantic touch. Whether you're crafting for your own home or creating a heartfelt gift, this pillow cover is sure to become a treasured piece.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials to ensure a smooth knitting experience:

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in heathered rose (MC) and cream (CC), approximately 350 yards MC and 100 yards CC. A soft wool blend or acrylic worsted weight works beautifully for this project.
• Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles (straight or circular, whichever you prefer for flat knitting)
• Cable needle: For creating the twisted cable stitches
• Tapestry needle: For weaving in ends and seaming the panels together
• Pillow form: 16-18 inch square pillow insert
• Stitch markers (optional): Helpful for marking the center repeat and border sections

Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Always check your gauge before beginning to ensure your finished piece measures correctly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Finished Size and Abbreviations

Finished Size: 18 x 18 inches (fits a 16-18 inch pillow form)

Abbreviations:

• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
• SSK = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• YO = yarn over (creates a lace hole)
• C4B = slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold to back, knit next 2 stitches, then knit 2 from cable needle
• C4F = slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold to front, knit next 2 stitches, then knit 2 from cable needle
• MC = main color (heathered rose)
• CC = contrast color (cream)

Pattern Notes:

• The pillow cover is knit flat in two identical panels (front and back), then seamed together.
• The heart motif is created using a combination of cables and lace, giving a dimensional, romantic texture.
• Work all stitches in MC unless otherwise noted.
• Take your time with the cable rows – they create the beautiful dimensional texture that makes this pattern special.

Front Panel (Make 1)

Cast On: Cast on 90 stitches with MC using your preferred method (long-tail cast on works well).

Border (Rows 1-8)

This creates a neat seed stitch frame around your pillow cover.

• Row 1 (RS): K1, P1 across, end with K1.
• Row 2 (WS): P1, K1 across, end with P1.
• Repeat Rows 1-2 for 8 total rows (4 ridges of seed stitch border).

Body (Rows 9-88)

Now you'll begin the main pattern, maintaining the seed stitch borders on each side.

• Row 9 (RS): Work 6 stitches in seed stitch (as established), then work Chart A (see below) over the next 78 stitches, then work 6 stitches in seed stitch.
• Row 10 (WS): Work 6 stitches in seed stitch, then work Chart B over the next 78 stitches, then 6 stitches in seed stitch.
• Continue working the chart back and forth, maintaining the seed stitch border on each side throughout the entire body section.

Chart A (RS rows, 78 stitches wide):

The chart is a repeating pattern of 26 stitches, repeated 3 times across. Place stitch markers between repeats if helpful.

• Repeat 1 (26 sts): K4, P2, C4B, P2, K2, YO, SSK, K2, K2tog, YO, K2, P2, C4F, P2
• Repeat 2 and 3: Same as Repeat 1.

Chart B (WS rows, 78 stitches wide):

• Work all stitches as they appear (knit the knits, purl the purls, purl the YOs).
• For the cable stitches, purl them as they appear on the WS.

Heart Motif Insertion (Rows 25-64)

This is where the magic happens! To create the heart shape within the cable pattern, you'll work the center 26 stitches (the middle repeat) differently. The outer two repeats continue in the original chart pattern.

• Rows 25-32: Work the center repeat as: K4, P2, C4B, P2, K2, YO, SSK, K2, K2tog, YO, K2, P2, C4F, P2 (same as chart)
• Rows 33-40: Work the center repeat as: K4, P2, K4, P2, K2, YO, SSK, K2, K2tog, YO, K2, P2, K4, P2 (cables become stockinette to form the heart's top curves)
• Rows 41-48: Work the center repeat as: K4, P2, K4, P2, K4, YO, SSK, K2, K2tog, YO, K4, P2, K4, P2 (heart widens)
• Rows 49-56: Work the center repeat as: K4, P2, K4, P2, K6, K2tog, YO, K2, YO, SSK, K6, P2, K4, P2 (heart bottom forms)
• Rows 57-64: Work the center repeat as: K4, P2, K4, P2, K8, YO, SSK, K2, K2tog, YO, K8, P2, K4, P2 (heart point)
• Rows 65-72: Return to the original chart pattern for the center repeat.

Pro Tip: When working the heart motif, keep the outer two repeats in the original cable pattern. This creates a beautiful frame around the heart shape.

Continue Body

• Work Rows 73-88 following the original chart (Chart A on RS, Chart B on WS).

Border (Rows 89-96)

• Work 8 rows of seed stitch as in the beginning.
• Bind off loosely in pattern (knit the knits and purl the purls as you bind off).

Back Panel (Make 1)

The back panel is simpler, providing a smooth contrast to the textured front.

• Cast on 90 stitches with MC.
• Work in stockinette stitch (knit RS, purl WS) for 88 rows.
• Work 8 rows of seed stitch.
• Bind off loosely.

Finishing

Now it's time to bring your pillow cover together!

1. With right sides together, sew three sides of the pillow cover together using mattress stitch or whip stitch. Leave one side open for inserting the pillow form.
2. Turn right side out, gently pushing out the corners.
3. Insert pillow form through the open side.
4. Sew the fourth side closed with an invisible seam (use mattress stitch for a seamless finish).
5. Weave in all ends with your tapestry needle.

Optional Embellishment

Add a delicate, whimsical touch to your pillow cover:

• Using CC (cream), embroider small French knots or lazy daisy stitches around the heart motif.
• Space them evenly – perhaps 5-7 small flowers or dots scattered around the heart.
• This subtle contrast adds a romantic, hand-finished quality to your piece.

Tips for Success

• Block your panels before seaming to even out the stitches and enhance the cable definition. Gently wet block and pin to measurements, then allow to dry completely.
• Use stitch markers to separate the seed stitch borders from the chart section, and to mark the three repeats of the chart.
• Keep a row counter to track your progress through the heart motif section – this will help you stay on track.
• Check your gauge before starting. If your gauge is off, adjust your needle size accordingly.

This Enchanted Heartwood Pillow Cover is a beautiful project that combines cable and lace techniques to create a truly special piece. The dimensional heart motif and romantic rose color make it perfect for adding warmth and charm to any room. Whether you're an experienced knitter or ready to challenge yourself with something new, this pattern will reward you with a stunning, heirloom-quality pillow cover.

Happy knitting! May your needles click with joy as you create this woodland treasure.