One-Skein Bamboo Neck Pillow

I am very pleased with how well my neck-pillow-for-migraine-sufferers came out so I thought I would write up the instructions. It is very easy and can be made by anyone who can knit in the round on double points. Gauge is not particularly important. It could be scaled up to make an ice-filled lumbar cushion or it could be stuffed with ordinary stuffing to make a travel pillow.

So here goes my first try at publishing a pattern:

BAMBOO NECK PILLOW FOR MIGRAINE SUFFERERS

Materials:
- 1 skein of Southwest Trading Company 100% Bamboo (or any other non-itchy yarn that suits your fancy)
- 1.5 yards ribbon or other material to make ties (twisted cords made of the Bamboo would be just fine)

Tools:
- one set of four or five size 4 (3.5mm) double points (or size to suit your yarn)

Gauge:
- Mine was 7ss/inch, but anything close will work.



DIRECTIONS:
Cast on 60ss (using whatever cast on you prefer) and join into round.

SECTION 1:
Rounds 1-2: *(P1,K1)* repeat to end of round
Round 3: *(K2tog, YO)* repeat to end of round (be sure to remember the final YO)
Rounds 4-5: *(P1,K1)* repeat to end of round

SECTION 2 (the boring part):
Knit straight for 9 inches
(You could add a color pattern to make it more interesting, but avoid adding texture unless you want to emboss it into your neck.)

Section 3:
Rounds 1-2: *(P1,K1)* repeat to end of round
Round 3: *(K2tog, YO)* repeat to end of round (be sure to remember the final YO)
Rounds 4-5: *(P1,K1)* repeat to end of round
Bind off all stitches fairly loosely.

END RUFFLE:
(Note - you could substitute any lace pattern that works over 60ss)
Pick up 60ss around one end of tube. Distribute onto 3 or 4 needles as desired.
Round 1: K
Round 2: *(K1, YO)* Repeat to end
Round 3: K
Round 4: P
Round 5: K

SIDEWAYS GARTER EDGING:
Increase 4 stitches on first needle as follows:
Knit 1st stitch, but do not remove from left needle. Instead put loop from right needle onto left. Now knit that loop and put it also on left needle. Continue 2 more times to make a total increase of 4 stitches.
Row 1: K3, K2tog, turn
Row 2: K4 (to end of needle), turn
Repeat these two rows until all stitches are consumed.
Graft last 4ss to first 4 increase stitches by either Kitchner or simply binding off and sewing together.

REPEAT END RUFFLE AND SIDEWAYS GARTER EDGING ON OTHER END.

Weave in any loose ends. Weave ribbon or other cord through the eyelet holes made in SECTION 1 and 3.

To use: put ice in a small zip-top bag and roll bag in a wash cloth. Put roll in neck pillow and cinch ends. Enjoy!