Alpine Dune Reversible Pillow Free Pattern – Textured Knit Cushion

Bring the serene beauty of layered mountain landscapes into your home with this reversible knit pillow. Featuring a rich tapestry of cables, ridges, and seed stitch, this pattern creates a plush, tactile experience that complements any cozy corner. Crafted in earthy, heathered tones of moss green, sand, and storm grey, this pillow is as beautiful as it is functional—and it's completely reversible, giving you two stunning looks in one.

Whether you're an intermediate knitter looking to expand your cable skills or a beginner ready for a rewarding challenge, this pattern is designed to guide you through every step. The result is a 16-inch square cushion that evokes alpine tranquility and adds warmth to any room.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials. Having everything ready will make your knitting experience smooth and enjoyable.

Yarn

• Color A (Moss Heather): Approximately 150g worsted weight yarn
• Color B (Sand Dune): Approximately 75g worsted weight yarn
• Color C (Storm Grey): Approximately 75g worsted weight yarn

Total yarn needed: approximately 300g of worsted weight yarn in three colors.

Needles & Tools

• US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles (straight or circular, whichever you prefer)
• Cable needle
• Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends
• Stitch markers (4 recommended)
• 16-inch pillow form (for finishing)

Gauge

20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Always knit a gauge swatch before starting to ensure your pillow measures correctly. Adjust needle size if necessary to achieve gauge.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pillow is knitted flat in two identical panels and seamed together, creating a fully reversible design. Each panel features a central cable motif flanked by seed stitch and ridge patterns. Take your time, read through the entire pattern first, and enjoy the process.

Panel (Make 2)

With Color A, cast on 80 stitches.

Border Setup

Rows 1-6: Work in seed stitch: *K1, P1* across, ending with K1. (This creates a neat, dense border.)

Tip: Seed stitch is worked as K1, P1 across odd rows, and P1, K1 across even rows to maintain the alternating pattern. Since you have 80 stitches (an even number), Row 1 starts with K1 and ends with P1. Row 2 starts with P1 and ends with K1. Continue alternating this way.

Section 1: Stockinette with Color A

Row 7 (Right Side): With Color A, work 8 stitches in seed stitch, place marker, work 64 stitches in stockinette (knit across), place marker, work 8 stitches in seed stitch.

Rows 8-14: Continue in pattern, working seed stitch borders and stockinette center. On wrong-side rows, purl the center 64 stitches; on right-side rows, knit them. Maintain the seed stitch borders exactly as established.

Section 2: First Cable Cross

Row 15 (Cable Row): With Color A, work 8 seed stitch, slip marker, work 16 stitches in stockinette, then work the 8-stitch cable:

• Slip next 4 stitches to cable needle and hold in front of work.
• Knit 4 stitches from left needle.
• Knit 4 stitches from cable needle.

Work next 16 stitches in stockinette, then work another 8-stitch cable (this time, hold 4 stitches to the back of work, knit 4, then knit 4 from cable needle). Work remaining 16 stitches in stockinette, slip marker, work 8 seed stitch.

Rows 16-28: Work in pattern as established, with stockinette center and seed stitch borders. On wrong-side rows, purl the center 64 stitches.

Row 29: Repeat Row 15 for the second cable cross. This completes the first cable repeat.

Rows 30-42: Work even in pattern (stockinette center, seed stitch borders) with Color A.

Section 3: Ribbed Ridge with Color B

Row 43: Switch to Color B. Work 8 seed stitch, then work the center 64 stitches in a ridge pattern: *Knit 2, Purl 2* across, ending with K2 before the marker. Work 8 seed stitch.

Rows 44-50: Continue in this ribbed pattern with Color B, maintaining the seed stitch borders. On wrong-side rows, work the center as *P2, K2* across to maintain the rib.

Section 4: Stockinette with Color C

Row 51: Switch to Color C. Work 8 seed stitch, then work the center 64 stitches in stockinette (knit across on right side). Work 8 seed stitch.

Rows 52-58: Continue in stockinette with Color C, maintaining seed stitch borders. Purl the center on wrong-side rows.

Section 5: Full Seed Stitch with Color A

Row 59: Switch to Color A. Work 8 seed stitch, then work the center 64 stitches in seed stitch as well (so the entire row is seed stitch).

Rows 60-66: Work all 80 stitches in seed stitch with Color A. Remember to alternate the seed stitch pattern each row.

Section 6: Stockinette with Color B

Row 67: Switch to Color B. Work 8 seed stitch, then work the center 64 stitches in stockinette. Work 8 seed stitch.

Rows 68-74: Continue in stockinette with Color B, maintaining seed stitch borders.

Section 7: Reverse Stockinette with Color C

Row 75: Switch to Color C. Work 8 seed stitch, then work the center 64 stitches in reverse stockinette (purl across on the right side). Work 8 seed stitch.

Rows 76-82: Continue in reverse stockinette with Color C, maintaining seed stitch borders. On wrong-side rows, knit the center 64 stitches.

Section 8: Stockinette with Color A

Row 83: Switch to Color A. Work 8 seed stitch, then work the center 64 stitches in stockinette. Work 8 seed stitch.

Rows 84-90: Continue in stockinette with Color A, maintaining seed stitch borders.

Section 9: Final Cables

Row 91: Repeat the cable row (Row 15) using Color A. Remember: first cable holds 4 stitches to the front, second cable holds 4 stitches to the back.

Rows 92-98: Work even in pattern with Color A (stockinette center, seed stitch borders).

Row 99: Repeat the cable row again.

Rows 100-106: Work even in pattern with Color A.

Border Finish

Rows 107-112: Work all 80 stitches in seed stitch with Color A.

Bind off loosely in pattern. To bind off in seed stitch, work the first stitch as it appears (knit or purl), then bind off as usual. Continue across, working each stitch in pattern as you bind off. This keeps the edge flexible and neat.

Finishing

Now that both panels are complete, it's time to assemble your pillow.

1. Block both panels to the same dimensions (approximately 16 inches square). Wet block or steam block according to your yarn's care instructions. This step is crucial for even seams and a professional finish.
2. With right sides facing, use a tapestry needle and Color A yarn to whip stitch three sides together. Take small, even stitches through the edge stitches of both panels.
3. Insert a 16-inch pillow form through the open side.
4. Whip stitch the fourth side closed, matching the seam style of the other three sides.
5. Weave in all ends carefully with your tapestry needle, making sure they're secure and invisible.

Your Alpine Dune Reversible Pillow is complete! Flip it to either side to enjoy a different texture and color story. The cable side features the beautiful moss green braided motif, while the reverse showcases the ribbed and seed stitch textures in earthy tones.

This pillow makes a wonderful gift for nature lovers, a beautiful addition to your own living space, or a satisfying project to showcase your knitting skills. Enjoy the process and the cozy result!