10 Fun, Fantastic, and Free Knitting Patterns for Pillows

With graduation and wedding season upon us, one of these free knitting patterns for pillows could make the perfect gift

Ah, summertime is in the air. It means we feel the sun beaming on our face, our bare arms are kissed by the gentle breezes, our heads don’t need hats to stay warm. 😎

(Apologies to those of you not in a summertime or nearly-summertime season. It’ll be here before you know it!)

Does that mean the knitting season is over? It almost feels that way, doesn’t it? Few people need scarves or hats or mittens from us now. It’s barely even blanket season.

But still, in late spring and early summer, we have two seasons upon us. 🗓️

One: Graduation season.

And two: Wedding season!

The Season of Moving Forward

It’s true! During late spring and early summer, intrepid high school and college seniors are finally freed. 🎓 And couples in love prepare to tie the proverbial knot. 💒

Fortunately, for us knitters, hallelujah — knitting season is definitely not over! 🥳

Kindergarten graduates need us. The high school seniors preparing for college need us. Those college seniors about to join the “real world” need us.

And those married-couples-to-be? They most definitely need us!

Why Pillows Are Ideal Gifts for Life’s Transitions

Knitters have so many delightful possibilities for graduation and wedding gifts: 🎁

1. Dishcloths and towels.
2. Blankets.
3. Pillows.

To me, the perfect gift is a pillow. Dishcloths and towels are fine, but they’re almost too practical — not a lot of romance there. Blankets are wonderful, but they’re also pretty time-consuming!

Knitting patterns for pillows hit the sweet spot. 🥰They’re practical but not too practical. They take some time but not quite as much time as a blanket. And because they’re a lot smaller than blankets, you can really have some fun with them.

How much fun?

Check out the following free knitting patterns for pillows and find out just how much fun! I’ve divided this collection into “pure fun” (for the smiles and giggles) and “pure class” (for stunning additions to decor).

Pillows Full of Pure Fun

Sternkissen Asterisk

• What you’ll need to make it: 400 to 500 yards fingering weight yarn; US Size 1.5 or 2 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to work in the round; stitch holders or spare DPNs; stuffing; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder how to knit you into a pillow… this pattern shows you how! Really, how adorable and lovely is this star-shaped pillow? It’s available in both German and English.

Bobble Sheep Pillow

• What you’ll need to make it: 270 yards main color bulky-weight yarn and 75 yards contrasting color DK-weight yarn; US Size 9 and 4 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer knitting in the round; stitch markers (one should be unique); stuffing; bulky-weight scrap yarn and matching crochet hook, for provisional cast-on

• Why you’ll want to: This is a mighty fine substitute for owning your own sheep. If you know any sheep-lovers — maybe a fellow knitter? — this pattern is the perfect way to knit a very special gift. (I have this bizarre fantasy whereby I use a bunch of these knitting patterns for pillows to create a “flock of sheep.” I know, I’m weird.)

Goodnight Moon

• What you’ll need to make it: 110 to 120 yards light worsted or worsted weight yarn; US Size 4 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; stuffing; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: Goodnight sun, goodnight moon, goodnight cow jumping over the moon. All this cuddly, adorable pattern needs is a cow! This pattern could be perfect for a kindergarten graduate. (Are kindergarten graduations the most adorable ceremonies on earth? 😍 Discuss.)

eReader Pillow Prop

• What you’ll need to make it: Whatever leftover worsted weight yarn you have on hand (you likely won’t need a full skein); US Size 8 needles, in whatever configuration you prefer for both flat and circular knitting; stuffing; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: This pattern is so clever, I want to make it for myself! (And then maybe I’ll make more… 😂) It creates a delightful pillow is perfect for laying against your legs and propping up your eReader, tablet, phone, 2-in-1 laptop, or any other sort of lightweight electronic device.

Tooth Fairy Pillow

• What you’ll need to make it: About 80 to 100 yards worsted weight white yarn, plus scraps of other colors for the pocket and the face embroidery or duplicate stitch; US Size 5 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; spare circular needle, stitch holder, or scrap yarn for holding live stitches; crochet hook (for provisional cast-on); stitch markers; stuffing; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: Like “Goodnight Moon,” this pillow is ideal for a kindergarten graduate. It’s such an adorable way to ensure that baby teeth awaiting the tooth fairy don’t get lost (nor the all-important monetary reimbursement! 😉).

Union Jack Pillow

• What you’ll need to make it: 400 to 500 yards worsted weight yarn in white, red, and blue; US Size 7 needles; 12″ by 16″ pillow form; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: And here’s a pillow for the UK folks (or Anglophiles) in your life! This pillow makes a great introduction to intarsia, in addition to being utterly stylish on its own.

Pillows with Pure Class

Handspun Cushion

• What you’ll need to make it: 400 to 500 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 7 needles; 14 square inch pillow form; four large buttons; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: This simple, elegant pattern was designed to create a cushion cover that shows off handspun yarn, but you can use it with any worsted-weight yarn. This design couldn’t be simpler, and the buttons across the top complete its classy appeal.

Smushion

• What you’ll need to make it: 300 to 350 yards bulky weight yarn; US Size 10.5 or 11 circular needles (you could use DPNs, but you’d need a lot of them to hold all the stitches); cable needle or spare DPN; 16 square inch pillow or cushion form; four 1-inch buttons; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: Similar to the Handspun Cushion pattern, this design was also created to be a cushion cover. This stylish design features cables in the front and a moss stitch pattern in the back. Buttons are used to hold the cover closed once you slip the cushion inside. So pretty!

Knit Pouf

• What you’ll need to make it: 416 to 437 yards super bulky yarn; US Size 11 needles; crochet hook of equal size; sewing needle and thread; scissors; stuffing (see some stuffing options below)

• Why you’ll want to: Have you ever wanted to knit a piece of furniture? This pattern makes a big, luxurious “pouf” (similar to an ottoman or a beanbag chair) that you can snuggle into cozily. You can stuff it with old pillows, old worn-out duvets/bedspreads/blankets, or even an old beanbag chair.

Celtic Knot Pillow

• What you’ll need to make it: 880 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 9 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; stuffing; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: For the Celtophiles in your life, this pillow is perfect! You’ll knit a long tube, stuffing as you go, and once it’s long enough, you’ll twist it into a knot. Makes a stunning piece for any home.

Thanks to these knitting patterns for pillows, I hope you’ll never again feel unneeded as a knitter again as springtime approaches!