Free Cushion Knitting Patterns: The Bex Pillow Stashbuster You’ll Want to Cast On Right Now
There is something deeply satisfying about a knitting project that solves two problems at once. The Bex Pillow is exactly that kind of project — a gorgeous, textured cushion that uses up your leftover yarn stash while producing something genuinely beautiful for your home. Whether you are a seasoned knitter looking for a weekend project or a confident beginner ready to try something new, this free cushion knitting pattern delivers all the pleasure of a creative challenge without the anxiety of a complicated construction.
In this post, we are going to walk through everything you need to know about the Bex Pillow pattern — what makes it such a beloved stashbuster, what techniques are involved, how to adapt it for different yarn weights, and of course, the full free pattern so you can cast on today.
What Is a Stashbuster Knitting Pattern?
If you have been knitting for any length of time, you almost certainly have a stash. It starts innocently enough — a skein of gorgeous fingering weight picked up at a festival, a few balls of chunky wool leftover from a sweater, some bright DK that seemed irresistible at the time. Before long, you have a bin, a basket, possibly an entire dedicated shelf of yarn that you absolutely love but have not yet found the perfect project for.
A stashbuster pattern is designed specifically to make use of these leftovers. The best stashbusters are flexible enough to accommodate different yarn weights, forgiving enough that gauge does not need to be precisely matched, and satisfying enough in their construction that you actually want to knit them. Cushion covers tick all of these boxes beautifully. A pillow cover does not need to fit a human body, so there is natural flexibility built into the design. As long as your finished fabric is roughly the right size to wrap around a cushion insert, you are golden.
The Bex Pillow is a particularly clever stashbuster because its textured stitch pattern plays beautifully with almost any yarn — smooth merino, rustic wool, even cotton. The texture adds dimension and visual interest regardless of the fiber content, which means you can dip into several different balls from your stash and the results will still look intentional and cohesive.
Why Knitted Cushion Covers Are Worth Your Time
Before we dive into the pattern itself, let us take a moment to appreciate knitted cushion covers as a category. They are, in many ways, the ideal home knitting project.
First, they are fast. Even working in a relatively fine yarn, a cushion cover can be completed in a weekend or over a couple of evenings. You get that wonderful sense of completion — a finished object in your hands — without the months-long commitment of a sweater or blanket.
Second, they are low-stakes. Unlike a garment, a cushion cover does not need to fit a specific person. You are aiming for a rectangle of a particular size, and even then there is a degree of stretch and give in knitted fabric that accommodates minor deviations in gauge. This makes cushion covers genuinely accessible to knitters at a range of skill levels.
Third, they are genuinely useful. A beautiful hand-knitted cushion transforms a sofa, a bed, or a reading nook. It adds texture, color, and warmth to a space in a way that a shop-bought cushion simply cannot replicate. People notice hand-knitted textiles in a home. They ask about them. They want to touch them. A knitted cushion is a small, daily pleasure.
Finally, they are gift-worthy. A hand-knitted cushion cover makes a wonderful housewarming gift, a birthday present, or a thoughtful gesture for someone who has just moved into a new home. And because you can adapt the color and yarn to suit the recipient, they always feel personal.
About the Bex Pillow Pattern
The Bex Pillow takes its name from its textured, interlocking stitch pattern that creates a fabric with beautiful visual depth. The design features a combination of knit and purl stitches arranged to form a repeating geometric texture — think of something that sits between a classic seed stitch and a more elaborate basketweave, with a rhythm that is easy to memorize and pleasant to work.
The pattern is worked flat in two identical panels, which are then seamed on three sides, stuffed with a cushion insert, and seamed along the final edge. This construction is intentionally simple — there are no complicated closures, no buttonholes, no zippers. The cushion is designed to be a permanent cover that you slip onto the insert and leave there, which keeps the knitting itself beautifully uncomplicated.
What makes the Bex Pillow particularly beloved among stashbuster knitters is the way the stitch pattern works across a range of yarn weights. The pattern notes below are written for a worsted weight yarn, but guidance is included for adapting to DK and bulky weights. The stitch pattern scales well regardless, maintaining its character and texture at different gauges.
Materials You Will Need
To make the Bex Pillow in the standard worsted weight version, you will need the following:
Yarn: Approximately 200–250 yards of worsted weight yarn (this is a great opportunity to use up multiple skeins — just ensure they are of similar weight). Any fiber works beautifully here. Wool, wool blends, cotton, and acrylic all produce lovely results.
Needles: 5mm (US 8) straight or circular needles. If you prefer to work in the round, you can adapt the pattern, but working flat is recommended for beginners.
Other materials: One 40cm x 40cm (16 inch x 16 inch) cushion insert, a tapestry needle for seaming, and scissors.
Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10cm (4 inches) in the stitch pattern. Gauge is not critical for this project, but if your tension differs significantly, you may need to adjust the number of stitches and rows to achieve the correct dimensions.
Stitch Pattern Explained
Before we begin the pattern, it helps to understand the stitch pattern you will be working with throughout. The Bex texture is built on a four-row repeat across a multiple of six stitches plus two edge stitches.
Row 1 (right side): Knit all stitches.
Row 2 (wrong side): K2, p4, k2; repeat from to end.
Row 3 (right side): P2, k4, p2; repeat from to end.
Row 4 (wrong side): Purl all stitches.
Row 5 (right side): K2, p4, k2; repeat from to end (note this is the same as Row 2 but worked on the right side, which shifts the pattern).
Row 6 (wrong side): P2, k4, p2; repeat from to end.
These six rows form the complete repeat. Work them continuously from cast-on to bind-off and you will produce the distinctive interlocking texture that gives the Bex Pillow its name. After a few repeats, the pattern becomes completely intuitive — you will find yourself knitting it without reference to the instructions.
The Bex Pillow Free Knitting Pattern
Finished size: Approximately 40cm x 40cm (16 inches x 16 inches) to fit a standard cushion insert of the same size.
Abbreviations:
K = knit
P = purl
RS = right side
WS = wrong side
Rep = repeat
St(s) = stitch(es)
CO = cast on
BO = bind off
Front Panel
CO 74 stitches.
Work two rows in garter stitch (knit every row) to create a neat, stable lower edge.
Begin the Bex stitch pattern as described above, working the six-row repeat continuously until the front panel measures approximately 39cm (15.5 inches) from the cast-on edge, ending on a Row 4 or Row 6 of the pattern repeat.
Work two rows in garter stitch to match the lower edge.
Bind off all stitches loosely. A loose bind off is important here — if the edge is too tight, it will pull and distort the finished cushion.
Back Panel
Work exactly as the front panel. The two panels are identical, which means once you have made the first one, the second feels familiar and quick.
Finishing
Weave in all ends on both panels before seaming. It is much easier to do this now than after the cushion is assembled.
Place the two panels together with right sides facing outward (this is an external seam, which creates a neat ridge on the outside of the cushion — this is intentional and adds to the textured aesthetic of the finished piece). If you prefer an invisible seam, place right sides together and seam with the wrong side facing you.
Using your tapestry needle and a length of yarn, seam along three edges using mattress stitch or whipstitch, depending on your preference. Mattress stitch produces a neater, flatter seam and is recommended if you are comfortable with the technique.
Insert the cushion form through the open fourth edge. Adjust so the fill sits evenly within the cover, with the seamed edges sitting neatly at the corners.
Seam the final edge closed using the same method as the other three sides, taking care to keep the tension even so the seam matches the others.
Block the finished cushion gently if desired — a light steam or a damp towel pressed over the surface will even out any irregularities and help the stitch pattern settle beautifully.
Adapting the Pattern for Different Yarn Weights
One of the best things about the Bex Pillow pattern is how naturally it adapts. Here is how to adjust for the two most common alternatives:
DK weight yarn: Use 4mm needles. Cast on 86 stitches (adjusting to the nearest multiple of six, plus two). Work the same stitch pattern and continue until the panel measures the correct dimensions. You will use approximately 280–320 yards of DK weight yarn for the full cushion.
Bulky or chunky weight yarn: Use 6mm or 6.5mm needles. Cast on 56 stitches. The stitch pattern works just as beautifully at a larger scale, and the chunky version works up incredibly quickly — a single panel can be completed in an evening. You will need approximately 150–180 yards of bulky yarn for the complete cushion.
In each case, work a swatch before you begin (yes, even for a cushion) so you have a sense of how your fabric is behaving. The goal is a fabric that is firm enough to hold its shape but not so tight that it feels stiff or papery.
Color Options and Using Multiple Yarns
Here is where the stashbusting potential of the Bex Pillow really shines. The geometric texture of the stitch pattern makes it a wonderful canvas for color.
Striped versions: Simply change color at the beginning of a new row. Because the stitch pattern has natural horizontal rhythm, stripes integrate seamlessly. Random stripes using up odd leftover balls have a joyful, spontaneous quality. Planned stripes in a two or three-color palette look crisp and intentional.
Tonal versions: Working the pattern in a single tonal or gradient yarn lets the texture speak for itself. This is a lovely approach if you have a single beautiful skein that you have been saving for the right project.
Contrast front and back: A striking option is to work the front and back in different colorways — perhaps one neutral and one bold, or two complementary tones. The cushion can then be flipped depending on the season or your mood.
The main thing to keep in mind when using multiple yarns is consistency of weight. Mixing a DK and a worsted within the same panel will create an uneven fabric. Stick to the same weight throughout each panel, even if you change color frequently.
Tips for Success
A few final thoughts to help your Bex Pillow come out beautifully:
Tension on the bind off. It bears repeating — bind off loosely. If you are prone to tight bind offs, try using a needle one size larger for the final row.
Seaming matters. The quality of your seaming will make a significant difference to the finished cushion. Take your time with this stage, work in good light, and use a yarn that matches your knitting closely in color and weight.
Blocking transforms knitting. Even a quick press with a damp cloth will improve the finished fabric noticeably. If you are using wool, a gentle wet block followed by pinning to dimensions and drying flat is worth the effort.
Choose your insert wisely. A good quality cushion insert makes all the difference to the drape and shape of your finished cover. Feather and down inserts produce the most luxurious result. Synthetic fiber inserts are more affordable and work perfectly well, but choose one that is slightly larger than your cover for a full, plump look rather than a flat or saggy one.
Why This Pattern Deserves a Place in Your Knitting Queue
The Bex Pillow is the kind of pattern that earns a permanent place in a knitter’s repertoire. It is simple enough to work while watching television or listening to a podcast, but textured and interesting enough to hold your attention. It produces a finished object that genuinely enhances a home. It uses up stash yarn responsibly and joyfully. And it comes together quickly enough that you can cast on in the morning and have a finished cushion cover by evening if you commit to it.
The fact that the pattern is entirely free makes it even better. There is no barrier between you and a beautiful new addition to your living room — just yarn, needles, and an afternoon.
If you make the Bex Pillow, we would absolutely love to see how yours turns out. The variations that come out of this simple pattern are endlessly varied and always beautiful — stripes, tonals, multicolors, different textures achieved through different fiber choices. Every single one is unique. That is the magic of a well-designed knitting pattern. The structure provides the frame; you bring the personality.
Cast on. Your stash will thank you.
