Cedar Stitch Pillow: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Cozy Home Accent
There is something deeply satisfying about knitting a pillow. Unlike garments that require precise measurements and careful fitting, a pillow is wonderfully forgiving. It sits on your couch or armchair, looking beautiful and inviting, and the process of making it is just as enjoyable as the finished result. If you have been looking for a project that combines a striking textured stitch with a practical, decorative outcome, this Cedar Stitch Pillow is exactly what you need.
The Cedar Stitch is a beautifully rhythmic pattern that creates a dense, woven-looking fabric with a satisfying depth. It works up quickly once you get the hang of the repeat, and the finished texture catches the light in a way that makes the pillow look far more complex than it actually is to knit. Whether you are an intermediate knitter looking for something new to try or a confident beginner who has mastered the knit and purl stitch and wants to push further, this pattern is well within reach.
This post walks you through everything you need to know: the materials, the gauge, a full explanation of the Cedar Stitch itself, the complete pattern instructions, and some finishing tips to help you get a professional-looking pillow at the end. Bookmark this page, gather your yarn, and let’s get started.
What Is the Cedar Stitch?
Before diving into the pattern itself, it helps to understand what makes the Cedar Stitch distinctive. At its core, the Cedar Stitch is a slip-stitch pattern. It involves slipping stitches with the yarn held in front or back to create elongated floats across the surface of the fabric, which are then caught on subsequent rows to form the characteristic interlocked, almost basketweave-like texture.
The name “Cedar” evokes the tight, linear grain of cedar wood, and once you see the fabric take shape, the comparison makes immediate sense. The stitch creates vertical and diagonal lines of texture that feel sturdy and organic. When worked in a neutral earthy tone — think warm taupe, mossy green, slate grey, or natural cream — the effect is especially beautiful. That said, the stitch looks equally striking in deep jewel tones or bold contrasting colors.
Because this pattern uses a slip-stitch construction, it produces a relatively thick, dense fabric, which is part of what makes it perfect for a pillow. The pillow will feel substantial and well-made, with a satisfying weight that holds its shape nicely.
Materials You Will Need
Getting your materials sorted before you begin makes the knitting process much smoother. Here is what you will need for a standard 18-inch square pillow cover.
Yarn: Approximately 400 to 500 yards of a worsted weight yarn. A smooth, plied yarn works best for this pattern because the slip stitches and floats show up more clearly when the yarn has some sheen or definition. Natural fibers like wool, wool blends, or cotton all work beautifully. For a cozy, slightly rustic look, an undyed or minimally processed wool is ideal. For something more polished, a merino or alpaca blend gives a lovely drape.
Needles: US size 7 (4.5mm) straight or circular needles. If you prefer working in the round, you can adapt this pattern, but the instructions below are written flat for two separate panels that are seamed together at the end.
Notion: A tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends. Stitch markers are optional but can help you track the pattern repeat, especially when you are first learning the stitch. You will also need scissors, of course.
Pillow Insert: An 18-inch square pillow insert. Feather and down inserts give a fuller, more luxurious finish. Poly-fill inserts are widely available and more affordable. If you want your pillow cover to fit snugly without excess fullness, choose an insert that matches the finished dimensions exactly, or go one inch larger for a plump look.
Gauge
Gauge is important here, not because a slight variation will ruin the project, but because it will affect how much yarn you use and the final dimensions of your pillow. The Cedar Stitch naturally pulls in a bit due to the slip stitches, so it tends to produce a firmer gauge than plain stockinette.
Work a gauge swatch of at least 4 inches by 4 inches in the Cedar Stitch pattern (instructions below) and measure after a gentle wash and block. You are aiming for approximately 18 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches. Adjust your needle size up or down as needed to hit this gauge.
If your gauge is slightly off and you want to adjust your stitch count rather than switch needles, simply add or subtract the appropriate number of stitches in a multiple of 4 (since the Cedar Stitch repeat is worked over multiples of 4 stitches, with a few additional edge stitches).
Understanding the Cedar Stitch: A Detailed Explanation
The Cedar Stitch is worked over a repeat of 4 stitches, and it takes 4 rows to complete one full pattern repeat. Once you have the rhythm, you will find that your hands start to anticipate the movement and the rows fly by.
Here is the core of what the stitch involves. You will be slipping stitches purlwise with the yarn in front, then knitting or purling the remaining stitches in a specific order. The slipped stitches create elongated loops, and when they are eventually knitted together with another stitch on a later row, they form the characteristic locked, woven appearance.
Throughout this pattern, the following abbreviations are used:
k — knit
p — purl
sl — slip stitch purlwise
wyif — with yarn in front
wyib — with yarn in back
k2tog — knit two stitches together
CO — cast on
BO — bind off
RS — right side
WS — wrong side
The pattern is written flat, so right side rows and wrong side rows alternate. Right side rows build the visible texture, and wrong side rows are largely plain, which helps the pattern feel intuitive once you are in the flow.
The Free Cedar Stitch Pillow Knitting Pattern
Finished Size
Approximately 18 inches by 18 inches, designed to fit a standard 18-inch square pillow insert.
Gauge
18 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in Cedar Stitch pattern, after blocking.
Pattern Notes
This pattern is worked flat in two identical panels. The panels are then seamed on three sides, the pillow insert is placed inside, and the fourth side is seamed closed. For a more polished closure, you can work a button band or use an envelope-style closure (instructions for the envelope closure are included at the end).
Cast On
Cast on 82 stitches using your preferred cast-on method. The long-tail cast on works well here and gives a neat, elastic edge.
Cedar Stitch Pattern
The Cedar Stitch is worked over a multiple of 4 stitches, plus 2 for the edge stitches. With 82 stitches cast on, you will have 80 stitches in pattern plus 1 edge stitch on each side. The edge stitches (the first and last stitch of every row) are slipped purlwise to give a clean, chain-like selvedge.
Row 1 (RS): Sl 1 wyib, k2, sl 2 wyif; repeat from to last stitch, k1.
Row 2 (WS): Sl 1 wyif, p2, sl 2 wyib; repeat from to last stitch, p1.
Row 3 (RS): Sl 1 wyib, sl 2 wyif, k2; repeat from to last stitch, k1.
Row 4 (WS): Sl 1 wyif, sl 2 wyib, p2; repeat from to last stitch, p1.
These four rows form the Cedar Stitch repeat. Continue working rows 1 through 4 in sequence until the panel measures 18 inches from the cast-on edge.
Bind off loosely in pattern.
Make a second identical panel.
Finishing the Pillow
Weave in all ends on both panels. Block each panel lightly by wetting or steaming, shaping to 18 inches square, and allowing to dry completely before seaming. Blocking evens out the tension and really brings out the texture of the Cedar Stitch.
Hold the two panels with wrong sides facing each other and the right sides facing outward. This creates a clean, visible seam on the outside that can look intentional and neat, or you can hold right sides together for an invisible interior seam — the choice is yours.
Using your tapestry needle and a length of the same yarn, seam three sides together using mattress stitch. Insert the pillow form, then seam the fourth side closed. Weave in any remaining ends.
Envelope Closure Option
If you would like a more traditional pillow cover that allows you to remove and wash the cover, an envelope closure is a great alternative to a fully seamed pillow.
For this variation, instead of making two 18-inch square panels, make two rectangular panels: one measuring 18 inches wide and 18 inches tall (the same as the standard panel), and one measuring 18 inches wide and 24 inches tall. Fold the larger panel over so that it overlaps itself by approximately 6 inches at the back. The overlapping section creates the envelope closure. Seam the sides to secure, insert the pillow form through the opening at the back, and tuck the overlap into place.
This style is washable, adjustable, and requires no buttons or zippers — it is a wonderful practical touch for a functional home accent.
Tips for Knitting the Cedar Stitch Successfully
Like any slip-stitch pattern, the Cedar Stitch takes a little adjustment when you first start. Here are some things to keep in mind as you work.
Watch your float tension. The slipped stitches create floats on the back (and front) of the fabric. If you pull these floats too tightly, the fabric will pucker and lose its beautiful drape. Keep your tension relaxed and consistent. Spreading the stitches on your right needle before completing a slip stitch can help.
Keep track of your rows. Because the pattern shifts the position of the knit and slip stitches by half a repeat every two rows, it can be easy to lose your place, especially when you put the project down and come back to it. A row counter is your best friend here. You only need to track whether you are on row 1, 2, 3, or 4, so it is not complicated once you have a system.
Check your selvedge. The slipped edge stitches create a clean, tidy edge that makes seaming much easier. Make sure you are slipping the first stitch of every row purlwise (with yarn in back on RS rows, yarn in front on WS rows) and knitting or purling the last stitch. This creates a consistent two-row chain along each edge, which is ideal for mattress stitch seaming.
Swatch in the round if needed. If you decide to adapt this pattern to work in the round, note that the WS rows change slightly. Since there are no wrong side rows in circular knitting, you will need to adjust the purl stitches on the WS rows to knits. Working a small swatch in the round before committing to the full project is worth the extra time.
Yarn Suggestions and Color Ideas
One of the joys of this pattern is how well it adapts to different colorways and yarn characters. Here are a few directions you might take it.
For a natural, rustic feel, look for an undyed or lightly processed wool in oatmeal, sand, or warm brown. The texture of the Cedar Stitch really sings in these tones, and the organic variation in hand-dyed or minimally processed yarn adds depth without being distracting.
For a modern, minimalist aesthetic, a smooth, tightly spun merino in charcoal, slate, or soft white creates a clean and contemporary pillow that works beautifully in Scandinavian-inspired interiors.
For a bolder, more eclectic look, consider a deep teal, terracotta, or forest green. The structured geometry of the Cedar Stitch holds its own even in vivid colors, and a single bold pillow can become a standout accent in a neutral room.
For a two-color version, you can work the pattern in two colors by alternating colors every two rows. This creates a stranded effect that highlights the slip-stitch structure beautifully. Make sure both colors are a similar weight and fiber content for the best results.
Why Knit Your Own Pillows?
There is a practical and philosophical case to be made for knitting your own home accessories. Handmade pillows offer a level of customization that no store-bought item can match. You choose the color, the texture, the fiber content, and the size. You control the quality of the materials. And you end up with something that genuinely reflects your taste and your skill.
Beyond the customization, there is the process itself. Knitting is a meditative, grounding practice. Projects like this Cedar Stitch Pillow are repetitive enough to be calming but textured enough to keep you engaged. Many knitters find that working on a home project like this — something that will sit in their living space and be used every day — gives the craft an added dimension of meaning.
Handknitted pillows also make wonderful gifts. A pillow cover takes relatively little time compared to a sweater or a blanket, but the impact is enormous. Paired with a quality insert, a handknitted pillow cover is a heartfelt, personal gift that most people would never think to make for themselves but absolutely love to receive.
Caring for Your Finished Pillow
Because you have invested time and quality materials into this project, it is worth taking a few moments to care for it properly.
If you used wool, hand wash the pillow cover in cool water with a gentle wool wash. Avoid agitation, which can cause felting. Press out the excess water gently — do not wring or twist — then lay the cover flat on a clean towel to dry, reshaping it as needed.
Cotton and cotton blends can generally be machine washed on a gentle cycle in cool water. Always check the specific care instructions for your yarn before washing.
If the pillow cover becomes misshapen over time, a light steam block can restore its dimensions. Hold a steam iron a few inches above the surface and let the steam do the work, then pin or pat the cover back into shape and allow it to dry.
Final Thoughts
The Cedar Stitch Pillow is one of those projects that rewards you at every stage. The yarn feels good in your hands, the stitch is satisfying to work, the fabric grows quickly, and the finished object is something genuinely beautiful that you will use and enjoy for years. It is the kind of pattern that you will want to make again and again in different colors and yarns, and it makes a wonderful introduction to slip-stitch texture knitting if you have not explored that technique before.
Whether you are knitting this for yourself, for your home, or as a gift for someone you love, we hope you enjoy every stitch of it. Happy knitting.
