Knit Herringbone Throw Pillow

Happy Fri-yay!

I am so excited to finally get this spectacular knit project released on the blog today! It was such a joy to design and create this color striped pillow. I really let the yarn speak to me and it clearly told me “I want to be a super squishy pillow!” I’m also quite thrilled to share this with everyone since this was my first attempt making something knit that wasn’t pure garter or stockinette stitch.

The knit herringbone stitch was a fun challenge to learn and in fact, is actually quite easy once you get a rhythm going! I love the look of the herringbone pattern as it draws your eyes across the surface of the pillow. I’m already certain I’ll be making some more knit herringbone items because of its beauty and simplicity.

Alright, I know what you’re thinking. Enough gushing already Amanda – let’s get on to the pattern!

Knit Herringbone Throw Pillow

Knit Pattern written by Amanda White of Yarnanigans, Copyright 2017

All my patterns are available for free. Please do not copy, sell, redistribute or publish this pattern as your own. If you wish to share this pattern on your site or social media, please link back to my site. You may sell items produced using this pattern provided you give credit and do not use my copyrighted photos for your product listing.

Materials

• US size 15 (10mm) 14 inch straight knitting needles* (I highly recommend these needles!)
• At least 220 yards super chunky yarn (I used Yarn Bee Urban Adventure – 2 skeins gray, 1 skein each of denim, white, black. It has been discontinued by Hobby Lobby. See pattern notes below for alternative yarn choices)
• 14″ x 14″ pillow form*
• scissors
• super jumbo tapestry needle*

Abbreviations

• sts – stitches
• CO – cast on
• K – knit
• P – purl

Size

Finished pillow size = 14.5 inches x 15 inches

Gauge

8 sts and 10 rows per 4″

Special Stitch Definition

Knit Herringbone Stitch

Row 1

1. K first stitch.
2. Slip 1 stitch knit-wise.
3. K 1.
4. Insert the left needle into the previous slipped stitch.
5. Lift it over the knitted stitch but do not drop it off the left needle.
6. Insert the right needle into the slipped stitch from right to left.
7. Wrap the yarn around the needle and pull it through as you would for a regular stitch.
8. Repeat steps 2-7 for the remainder of the row.

Row 2 (wrong side)

1. Insert your right needle in the next 2 stitches and P together, making sure not to slip them off the left needle.
2. P in first stitch on the left needle, then slip both stitches off.
3. Repeat steps 1-2 for the remainder of the row.

Continue to repeat rows 1 and 2.

A great resource that I used to learn this stitch was the knit herringbone tutorial video from Wool and the Gang. It is incredibly thorough and demonstrates each of the steps so simply that any beginning knitter could follow them.

Pattern Notes

Alternate yarn choices

When I saw the Urban adventure yarn in my local Hobby Lobby store, I knew I had to use it to make a soft and squishy home decor project. It was marked down to $2.99 a skein and that in itself should have been a warning to me that it was being discontinued. Normally I’ll try not to develop a project for the blog featuring a yarn that you can no longer buy yourself but I was really excited to make and share a project using this yarn. For that instance, I’ve compiled a list of similar yarns you could use instead, just be aware that the yardage or needles needed to achieve gauge for the project will vary from yarn to yarn.

• Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick – a super soft 80/20 acrylic wool blend yarn with a wide range of colors
• Bernat Blanket – a cozy chenille-style yarn in a range of stylish shades
• Bernat Mega Bulky – 100% acrylic with a bit of shine for elegance and style
• Red Heart Grande – a jumbo weight acrylic/wool blend yarn
• Mary Maxim Simply Casual – a bulky 50/50 acrylic cotton yarn
• Knit Picks Mighty Stitch Super Bulky – an easy care 80/20 acrylic wool blend
• Any other bulky or jumbo size yarn that suits your fancy

Binding off

Being fairly new to knitting, I wasn’t aware that when using a pattern stitch, you also must bind off in pattern. My first attempt to bind off each and every stitch caused the edge to flair out since I cast off every loop on the needle. To save you all the trouble of reversing the bind off row, take note that when you bind off, do so in the knit herringbone row 1 pattern.

As you can see in the photos below, the panels do slant some. You can block the panels if you want to to get a straight edge on all four sides. It didn’t bother me having them slant so I just went with it!

The last note of advice on the pattern is to leave a long tail (approximately 48-60″) after you fasten off for sewing the front and back side panels together.

Pattern Instructions

Back Side

 

1. With Gray color, CO 50 stitches.
2. Follow the special stitch instructions for Row 1.
3. Follow the special stitch instructions for Row 2.
4. Continue repeating rows 1 & 2 until the fabric measures 15 inches.
5. Bind off in the herringbone pattern sequence.

Front Side

1. With Blue color, CO 50 stitches.
2. Repeat rows 1 and 2 from front side pattern above until fabric measures 2.5 inches.
3. Switch to Black. Repeat Step 2.
4. Switch to White. Repeat Step 2 but keep knitting until the fabric measures 5 inches.
5. Repeat Step 3.
6. Switch to Blue. Repeat Step 2.
7. Bind off in the Row 1 herringbone pattern sequence.

Weave in all loose ends except for the long tail.

Assembly

1. Stack your knitted pieces on top of each other with wrong sides facing. With your super jumbo tapestry needle* and the long tail from either your front or back side panels, begin sewing the edges together using the mattress stitch.
2. Continue sewing around the edge until 3 sides are closed.
3. Slide the pillow form into the opening of the pillow case.
4. Sew the last side closed.
5. Fasten off and secure the loose end to the inside of the pillow.

 

Have fun making one, two or several of these pillows to match your space! Feel free to comment below with what color(s) you love using to decorate your home.