The Ember & Ash Woven Pillow: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Textured, Two-Tone Cushion

Introducing the Ember & Ash Woven Pillow

Bring a touch of handcrafted warmth to your home with the Ember & Ash Woven Pillow. This modern knitting pattern uses a unique woven stitch to create a stunning two-tone effect, combining a rich burnt orange with a soft heathered gray. The result is a cozy, autumnal cushion that is both stylish and inviting—perfect for any sofa, bed, or reading nook. The textured front panel mimics woven fabric strips, while the smooth stockinette back provides a clean, modern finish. This free pattern is designed for confident beginners and intermediate knitters alike.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in two colors:
  • Color A (Burnt Orange) – 200 yards (sample used Lion Brand Wool-Ease in 'Pumpkin')
  • Color B (Heathered Gray) – 200 yards (sample used Lion Brand Wool-Ease in 'Gray Heather')
• Needles: US 8 (5.0 mm) knitting needles
• Notions: Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving ends
• Pillow Form: 16" x 16" (40 cm x 40 cm)

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. Adjust needle size if necessary to match gauge.

Pattern Notes

• The pillow is worked flat in two pieces (front and back) and seamed together.
• The woven stitch pattern creates a beautiful, textured fabric that looks like woven strips.
• The pattern repeat is a multiple of 4 + 2 stitches.
• All slipped stitches are done purlwise (as if to purl) with the yarn held on the wrong side of the work (yarn in back on RS rows, yarn in front on WS rows).

Step-by-Step Instructions

Front Panel (with Color A and Color B)

Cast on: With Color A, cast on 66 stitches.

Row 1 (Right Side): With Color A, knit all stitches.

Row 2 (Wrong Side): With Color A, purl all stitches.

Row 3: With Color B, *k2, slip 2 stitches purlwise with yarn in back; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2.

Row 4: With Color B, *p2, slip 2 stitches purlwise with yarn in front; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, p2.

Row 5: With Color A, knit all stitches.

Row 6: With Color A, purl all stitches.

Row 7: With Color B, *slip 2 stitches purlwise with yarn in back, k2; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, slip 2.

Row 8: With Color B, *slip 2 stitches purlwise with yarn in front, p2; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, slip 2.

Repeat Rows 1-8 until piece measures 16 inches (40 cm) from cast-on edge, ending with a Row 8. Bind off loosely in pattern (knit the knits and slip the slips as you bind off, or use a standard bind-off if preferred).

Back Panel (with Color A only)

Cast on: With Color A, cast on 66 stitches.

Work in stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS) until piece measures 16 inches (40 cm) from cast-on edge. Bind off loosely.

Finishing

Weave in ends: Using a tapestry needle, weave in all yarn tails securely on the wrong side of the fabric.

Seaming: Place front and back panels with right sides together, matching edges. Using Color A yarn and a tapestry needle, sew three sides together using a mattress stitch (or your preferred invisible seam). Leave one side open.

Insert pillow form: Turn the pillow cover right side out. Insert the 16" x 16" pillow form through the open side.

Close the fourth side: Sew the remaining side closed using mattress stitch, ensuring the seam is neat and secure.

Blocking (optional): Lightly block the pillow cover if desired to even out stitches and enhance the woven texture. Lay flat to dry.

Your Ember & Ash Woven Pillow is complete! Enjoy the cozy, modern texture and the beautiful two-tone effect that will add warmth to any room.