Woven Harvest Basketweave Throw Pillow Free Pattern – Knit a Cozy Textured Cushion

Wrap your living space in the timeless charm of basketweave with this plush, knit throw pillow. Its rich, interlocking texture and warm autumnal palette create a snug, inviting accent for any cozy corner. Whether you're curling up with a book or adding a rustic touch to your sofa, this handmade cushion brings farmhouse warmth and cabin comfort to your home. Best of all, this free knitting pattern is beginner-friendly, using simple knit and purl stitches to create a stunning woven effect.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies to ensure a smooth knitting experience:

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in two colors:
  • Color A (Cream) – 250g
  • Color B (Burnt Orange) – 250g
• Needles: US 8 (5mm) knitting needles
• Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming
• Pillow Form: 18-inch square pillow insert

Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Always knit a gauge swatch to ensure your pillow matches the finished dimensions.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pillow is knitted flat in two identical panels, then seamed together. The basketweave pattern is created by alternating blocks of knit and purl stitches, giving a woven, dimensional look. Follow along carefully, and you'll have a beautiful textured cushion in no time.

Panel 1 (Make 2)

Cast On: With Color A, cast on 80 stitches using your preferred method (long-tail cast on works well).

Row 1 (Right Side): Knit all stitches.

Row 2 (Wrong Side): Purl all stitches.

Row 3: With Color A, *K10, P10; repeat from * to end of row. (You will have four sets of 10 knit stitches and four sets of 10 purl stitches.)

Row 4: With Color A, *P10, K10; repeat from * to end of row. (This reverses the pattern so the purl blocks sit above the knit blocks on the right side.)

Rows 5–12: Repeat Rows 3 and 4 four more times. This creates a total of 10 rows of basketweave blocks in Color A. The blocks will measure approximately 2 inches in height.

Row 13: Switch to Color B. *P10, K10; repeat from * to end of row. (Notice the pattern shifts – the purl blocks now start the row.)

Row 14: With Color B, *K10, P10; repeat from * to end of row.

Rows 15–22: Repeat Rows 13 and 14 four more times. This completes 10 rows of basketweave blocks in Color B, creating a beautiful contrast band.

Rows 23–42: Repeat Rows 3–22 once more. This creates a second set of alternating blocks – Color A again, followed by Color B.

Rows 43–62: Repeat Rows 3–22 once more for a third set of blocks.

Rows 63–82: Repeat Rows 3–22 once more for a fourth set of blocks.

Rows 83–102: Repeat Rows 3–22 once more for a fifth set of blocks. At this point, your panel should measure approximately 17 inches in length.

Row 103: With Color A, knit all stitches.

Row 104: With Color A, purl all stitches. This creates a neat border edge.

Bind Off: With Color A, bind off all stitches knitwise. Cut yarn, leaving a 12-inch tail for seaming.

Repeat: Make a second panel exactly the same way.

Finishing

Step 1 – Seaming: Place the two panels with right sides together, matching the edges carefully. Using a tapestry needle and the yarn tails, sew three sides together using a mattress stitch or whip stitch. Leave one side completely open for inserting the pillow form.

Step 2 – Turning: Turn the pillow cover right side out through the open side. Gently push out the corners with a blunt tool or your fingers for crisp edges.

Step 3 – Inserting the Pillow Form: Carefully insert the 18-inch pillow form into the cover, making sure it fills the corners evenly.

Step 4 – Closing the Opening: Sew the remaining side closed with an invisible seam. Use a ladder stitch or mattress stitch, working from the outside so the seam is nearly invisible.

Step 5 – Weaving in Ends: Weave in all loose ends with a tapestry needle, hiding them within the seams or the fabric of the pillow.

Care Instructions

To keep your handmade pillow looking its best, hand wash in cold water with a gentle detergent. Lay flat to dry, reshaping as needed. Avoid wringing or machine drying to preserve the texture and shape.

Enjoy your beautiful Woven Harvest Basketweave Throw Pillow! This cozy accent piece adds warmth and texture to any room, and makes a thoughtful handmade gift for friends and family. Happy knitting!