Deco Fan Cylinder Pouf Knit Free Pattern

Introduction

This Deco Fan Cylinder Pouf is the perfect project for anyone who wants a big, satisfying home-decor piece without complicated shaping. It is knit as one straight tube, so there is no increasing, decreasing, or tricky construction to worry about — just relaxing knit rounds with a simple eyelet lace round every few inches. The dusty rose stripes against a soft grey give it that vintage 1970s, art-deco feel, and the radiating fan of eyelet holes adds texture and interest. Worked in a linen-cotton blend, the finished pouf is firm, smooth, and sturdy enough to sit on, making it a beautiful and practical floor cushion for a living room or reading nook.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight linen blend (for example, 50% linen, 50% cotton). Approximately 400 yards total: 250 yards in grey (MC) and 150 yards in dusty rose (CC).
• Needles: 5.0 mm (US 8) circular needle, 24-inch length, or size needed to obtain gauge.
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming, scissors, and a tape measure.
• Stuffing or lining: Two 18-inch circles of sturdy cotton canvas for lining, or one 20-inch circular pillow insert.
• Finished size: Approximately 18 inches in diameter and 12 inches tall.

Abbreviations

• CO: Cast on — make the starting stitches on your needle.
• MC: Main color — the grey yarn.
• CC: Contrast color — the dusty rose yarn.
• K: Knit — the basic knit stitch.
• P: Purl — the basic purl stitch.
• K2tog: Knit two stitches together — a decrease that leans to the right.
• SSK: Slip, slip, knit — slip two stitches one at a time as if to knit, then knit them together through the back loops; a decrease that leans to the left.
• YO: Yarn over — wrap the yarn around the needle to create an eyelet hole.
• St(s): Stitch(es).
• Rep: Repeat.
• Rnd(s): Round(s) — one full pass around the tube.

Gauge

16 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Knit a small swatch in the round (or flat and measure the knit side), then measure a 4-inch section to confirm you match this gauge before beginning.

Tips Before You Start

• Because the pouf is knit in the round as a tube, check after the first few rounds that your stitches are not twisted around the needle — it is hard to fix later.
• Keep your color changes tidy by carrying the unused yarn loosely up the inside of the tube; the inside will be hidden by the lining or insert.
• Count your stitches after every eyelet round. Each repeat of the eyelet round uses 6 stitches and returns 6 stitches, so you should always have 144 stitches.
• Knit the first and last few rounds a little more firmly than usual so the top and bottom edges sit flat and firm when closed.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Pouf Body (worked in the round as a tube)

Use MC for all plain knit rounds unless the instructions say to change to CC.

Set-up: With MC, CO 144 sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.

Rnds 1-6: Knit (144 sts).

Change to CC.

Rnd 7: [K2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1] rep to end (144 sts).

Rnds 8-12: Knit (144 sts).

Change to MC.

Rnds 13-18: Knit (144 sts).

Change to CC.

Rnd 19: [K2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1] rep to end (144 sts).

Rnds 20-24: Knit (144 sts).

Change to MC.

Rnds 25-30: Knit (144 sts).

Change to CC.

Rnd 31: [K2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1] rep to end (144 sts).

Rnds 32-36: Knit (144 sts).

Change to MC.

Rnds 37-42: Knit (144 sts).

Change to CC.

Rnd 43: [K2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1] rep to end (144 sts).

Rnds 44-48: Knit (144 sts).

Change to MC.

Rnds 49-54: Knit (144 sts).

Change to CC.

Rnd 55: [K2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1] rep to end (144 sts).

Rnds 56-60: Knit (144 sts).

Change to MC.

Rnds 61-66: Knit (144 sts).

Change to CC.

Rnd 67: [K2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1] rep to end (144 sts).

Rnds 68-72: Knit (144 sts).

Change to MC.

Rnds 73-78: Knit (144 sts).

Bind off all stitches loosely.

Optional Edging (top and bottom)

Work this edging on both the top and bottom edges.

Set-up: With right side facing and MC, pick up and knit 144 sts evenly around the edge. Join in the round.

Rnd 1: Purl (144 sts).

Rnd 2: Knit (144 sts).

Bind off loosely. Repeat for the other edge.

Assembly and Finishing

Cut two circles of sturdy cotton canvas, 18 inches in diameter, for the inner lining. Sew or crochet the knitted tube to the fabric circles at the top and bottom, easing the knitting to fit evenly around each circle. Alternatively, use a 20-inch circular pillow insert and seam the knitted tube closed around it using mattress stitch, matching the top and bottom edges to the insert. Weave in all ends neatly on the inside. Block lightly to measurements by misting with water and patting the pouf into a smooth, even drum shape, then let it dry completely before using.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the dusty rose for mustard, teal, or terracotta to change the vintage palette while keeping the same stripe layout.
• Work the eyelet round twice in a row within a stripe for a bolder, more open fan effect.
• Add a simple crochet chain or braided cord around the top rim as a decorative detail, or leave it plain for a cleaner art-deco look.