Over the holidays, I participated in a Rowan Ambassador knitting challenge of sorts. Rowan invited us to come up with a design/pattern for a Pure Wool Worsted design competition. Individually, we each designed a home accessory using 3 balls of Rowan Pure Wool Worsted yarn in the colors of our choice. Which was super fun. And today, Rowan has published our designs in the Pure Wool Worsted Home Décor Online Collection, which is free to download for all Rowan Subscribers and Rowan Members. (And I'm guessing our patterns will be available on Ravelry as well. Soon!)

I chose three different colors of Rowan Pure Wool Worsted for my design – 112/Moonstone, 111/Granite and 131/Mustard. Which was a difficult decision to make, because PWW is available in 50 shades! This pillow/cushion has a modern and simple look and is easy enough for a beginner. I held the yarn double, which makes for an ultra-quick knit. I finished this pillow in two evenings. Instant gratification.

I actually feared that this design was going to be too simple to submit as a contest entry, but I honestly loved it the way it was. So I went with it. As I was knitting, I fell in love with the square panels of neat seed stitch rows. I smiled to myself as I added the mustard i-cord to the edge. I loved it. And wouldn't you know it ... it won the competition. Sometimes less is more. And simple is okay.

"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." – Confucius