A knit pillow is one of the most satisfying home projects you can make. It is flat or a simple tube, there is no fitting to worry about, and the finished piece changes the look of a couch or bed in one afternoon. Pillows are also a smart way to practice a new stitch, like cables or colorwork, on something small.
Below you will find 13 free knit pillow patterns, from super chunky covers you can finish in an evening to finer cushions with texture and color. Each one lists the yarn, needles and skill level we saw on the designer’s page.
Knit Pillow Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Pillow forms in 16″, 18″ or 20″ square
- Circular knitting needles, 24″ to 36″ long
- Super bulky or worsted weight yarn
- Cable needle for cabled designs
- Large-eye tapestry needle for seaming
- Locking stitch markers
- Buttons or a zipper for removable covers
1. Down the Line Knit Pillow
This big 24″ square pillow uses a simple repeat of knit and purl stitches to make raised lines across the front. With jumbo yarn on US 17 needles it grows fast, so it is a good pick when you want a statement pillow for the couch without weeks of work. If you can knit and purl, you can make this one.
- Designer: Bernat / Yarnspirations
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Bernat Maker Big, bulky
- Needle size: US 17 (12.75 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Smushion
Photo: Emma Folds
Smushion is knit in the round, with a mix of thick and thin cables on the front and moss stitch on the back. A moss stitch button flap lets you slip the cover off for washing, which is handy on a pillow that gets used every day. It is a great second cable project once you know the basics.
- Designer: Emma Folds
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Bulky
- Needle size: 7 mm
- Price: Free (Ravelry download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Cabled Throw Pillow Cover
Photo: Emily M / Emily Does Everything
Two six-stitch cable panels run up the front of this cover, framed by columns of knit and purl. The super bulky yarn makes the cables pop and keeps the project quick. The full pattern is written right on the blog post, so you can start knitting without downloading anything. It is a friendly way to try your first cable.
- Designer: Emily M / Emily Does Everything
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6), about 250 yards
- Needle size: US 15
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Knit Basket Weave Pillow
Photo: Kathy Lewinski / Just Crafty Enough
Blocks of knit and purl stitches trade places every few rows to make a woven look. The cover is worked in the round on a long circular needle, sized for a 20″ insert, and closed with kitchener stitch. The designer calls it an easy knit, and the bulky yarn gives the basket weave a chunky, cozy texture.
- Designer: Kathy Lewinski / Just Crafty Enough
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6), 318 yards
- Needle size: US 11, 36″ circular
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Chunky Throw Pillow Set
Photo: Destiny / Knifty Knittings
You get three pillows in one pattern: stockinette, garter and herringbone. All three are knit in the round with two strands of yarn held together on giant needles, then seamed closed. Start with the stockinette version, which needs no purling, and work up to the textured herringbone. Together they make a matching set for a sofa.
- Designer: Destiny / Knifty Knittings
- Skill level: see pattern (varies by pillow)
- Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, held double
- Needle size: US 50 (25 mm), 32″ circular
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. The Elegant Stripes
Photo: Elita Lase
This 16″ pillow cover is knit flat in one piece and closed with a three-button envelope back. The pattern comes with both a chart and written steps, so you can follow it the way you like best. Worsted yarn makes it easy to find colors that match your room.
- Designer: Elita Lase
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: US 7 (4.5 mm)
- Price: Free (Ravelry download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Rib and Moss Rib Cushion Covers
Photo: Sini H / Knit ‘n Pearl
Two simple covers in one post: a knit 4, purl 4 rib and a moss-stitch rib. Each is a tube knit in the round, seamed at the bottom, then closed at the top after the cushion goes in. No buttons or zippers needed. It is a nice relaxing knit if you want texture without counting complicated rows.
- Designer: Sini H / Knit ‘n Pearl
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Novita Katri, 2 skeins per cushion
- Needle size: 5 mm, 60 cm circular
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Mitered Square Pillow
Photo: Norman / Nimble Needles
Eight mitered squares in garter stitch come together to make a colorful striped cover. Every square uses the knit stitch only, so this is a true beginner project with a big visual payoff. There is also a video to follow along. You can close it with a buttoned tab or a zipper, and the designer explains how to adapt it to other yarn weights.
- Designer: Norman / Nimble Needles
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Pascuali Nepal, about 590 yards in four colors
- Needle size: 2.5 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Chunky Knit Christmas Pillow Cover
Photo: Louise Bollanos / Handy Little Me
Red and cream yarns trade places across each row to make a bold two-color pattern, and big pom-poms sit in the corners. It is knit flat with two strands held together on huge needles, then folded and seamed with a button opening. It is a quick, festive way to practice stranded colorwork.
- Designer: Louise Bollanos / Handy Little Me
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6)
- Needle size: 25 mm (US 50) circular
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Shadow Magic
Photo: Frankie Brown
This clever pattern teaches you to knit magic squares that come with their own shadow, so the colors look like they float above the fabric. The designer joined the squares into a cushion cover, but you could also use them for a bag or blanket. It is a fun scrap-yarn project in DK.
- Designer: Frankie Brown
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: US 3 (3.25 mm)
- Price: Free (Ravelry download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Secret Message Pillow Cover
Photo: Kristen C Howard
Fits a 16″ pillow form and gives you four fabric choices: a Morse code message, illusion knitting, moss stitch or plain stockinette. The Morse code version spells out lines of an old knitting poem, which makes a great story to tell guests. There are three seaming options too, so you can make it your own.
- Designer: Kristen C Howard
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: US 7 (4.5 mm)
- Price: Free (Ravelry download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Checkerboard Cushion Cover
Photo: Julia Marsh / Hand Knitted Things
Ten rows of checkerboard squares give this cover a thick, textured look. The trick is knitting with three strands of aran yarn at once, so it feels chunky even if you only have regular yarn in your stash. A flap with buttonholes closes the back. The whole pattern is on the blog page.
- Designer: Julia Marsh / Hand Knitted Things
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Aran, three strands held together
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
13. Bold Art Deco Pillow Cover
Photo: Joleen Kraft (kraftling)
A strong geometric design in stranded colorwork, knit in two high-contrast colors. The designer calls it easy to knit, and the back is worked in the background color with an overlapping ribbed edge, so no buttons are needed. It suits a 16″ pillow and looks great in a modern room.
- Designer: Joleen Kraft (kraftling)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: US 8 (5 mm)
- Price: Free (Ravelry download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- Brand new to knitting? Start with #8, the Mitered Square Pillow. It is all knit stitches and has a video.
- Want it done tonight? Pick #1 or #5. Jumbo yarn and giant needles make a pillow in a few hours.
- Ready for your first cable? Try #3, then move on to #2 when you want a bigger challenge.
- Using up stash yarn? #10 Shadow Magic and #12 Checkerboard are made for odds and ends.
- Want to try colorwork? #9 is quick and chunky, while #13 is a finer worsted project.
FAQ
What size pillow form should I buy for a knit pillow?
Buy the size the pattern names, often 16″, 18″ or 20″. Knit fabric stretches, so many knitters pick a form one or two inches bigger than the cover. This makes the pillow look full and plump instead of saggy. Measure your finished cover flat before you buy.
What is the best yarn for a knit pillow cover?
Acrylic and acrylic-wool blends are easy to wash and hold up to daily use. Super bulky yarn is fast and cozy, while worsted shows off cables and colorwork better. Avoid very fuzzy yarns if you have pets, because they catch hair.
How do I wash a knitted pillow cover?
Take the cover off the form first. Check the yarn label: many acrylics can go in the washer on a gentle cycle, but wool should be hand washed in cool water. Lay it flat to dry and reshape it while damp so it keeps its square shape.
Pick one pattern, grab a pillow form, and you will have a handmade accent for your couch before the weekend is over.
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