Free Knitting Pattern: Slip Stitch Pillow by Edie Eckman

There is something deeply satisfying about a project that looks more complicated than it actually is. The Slip Stitch Pillow designed by Edie Eckman is exactly that kind of knit — a stunning, textured cushion cover that appears intricate at first glance but relies on one of the most beginner-friendly techniques in the knitter’s toolbox. Whether you are just getting comfortable with needles and yarn or you have been knitting for decades and want a quick, enjoyable make, this pattern delivers beauty without the headache.

In this post, we are going to walk through everything you need to know about this free knitting pattern: the designer behind it, the slip stitch technique itself, materials, tips for success, and a full discussion of how to make this project your own. By the time you finish reading, you will have all the confidence and inspiration you need to cast on.

Who Is Edie Eckman?

Before diving into the pattern itself, it is worth taking a moment to appreciate the designer. Edie Eckman is a well-respected name in the fiber arts community. She is an author, editor, and designer with decades of experience in both knitting and crochet. Her books — including titles on crochet edgings and stitch dictionaries — have helped countless crafters level up their skills and feel more confident in their work.

What makes Eckman’s designs so appealing is her philosophy of approachable craftsmanship. She has a gift for taking techniques that feel intimidating and presenting them in a way that makes you think, “Oh, I can actually do that.” The Slip Stitch Pillow is a perfect example of this sensibility. It is a project that teaches you something while you are enjoying yourself, and that is the best kind of pattern there is.

Why Knit a Pillow?

Throw pillows are one of the most underrated knitting projects. They have a lot going for them that other projects do not. They are functional — you will actually use and display them. They are forgiving in terms of gauge, because a slightly larger or smaller finished piece just means a slightly roomier or snugger fit on your pillow form. They make wonderful gifts. And perhaps most importantly, they are large enough to feel satisfying and substantial, but small enough to finish in a reasonable amount of time.

Unlike a sweater, which requires precise fitting and potentially months of work, a pillow cover can be completed in a long weekend of focused knitting. Unlike a pair of socks, which demands near-perfect gauge and careful heel construction, a pillow can accommodate a range of skill levels. And unlike a delicate lace shawl, a pillow cover is something you can toss in the washing machine (with the right yarn choice) and not lose sleep over.

For anyone trying to build a knitting habit, finish a project, or explore a new technique, a pillow pattern is one of the smartest choices you can make.

The Magic of Slip Stitch Knitting

The heart of this pattern — and the reason it creates such a visually rich fabric — is the slip stitch technique. If you have never worked a slip stitch before, here is the good news: it is simply moving a stitch from your left needle to your right needle without knitting or purling it. You just slide it across. That is the whole thing.

Yet from this deceptively simple action, something magical happens to your fabric. Slipped stitches create elongated loops that travel over multiple rows. This gives the finished knit a kind of woven or mosaic appearance, especially when worked with two colors. The texture becomes dimensional, almost sculptural, because the slipped stitches pull slightly against the surrounding fabric and create subtle ridges and waves.

In color work knitting, slip stitch techniques are often called mosaic knitting, a term popularized by Barbara Walker. The beauty of this style of colorwork is that you only ever work with one color per row. There is no carrying yarn across the back, no untangling two strands, no floats to manage. You simply knit with color A, then switch to color B, and the slipped stitches from the previous row create the illusion of complex two-color patterning. It is colorwork without most of the difficulty.

Even if the Slip Stitch Pillow is worked in a single color — which produces a beautiful, tone-on-tone textured result — the technique still creates wonderful depth and visual interest. The fabric has a woven quality that looks hand-crafted in the best possible way.

Materials You Will Need

One of the things that makes this a genuinely accessible free knitting pattern is that it does not require a massive investment in materials. Here is a general guide to what you will want to gather before you sit down to cast on.

Yarn: The pattern works best with a smooth, plied yarn that allows the stitch definition to show clearly. A worsted weight yarn is a classic choice for pillow covers — it knits up quickly, creates a sturdy fabric, and comes in an enormous range of colors. Look for something with good stitch definition rather than a heavily textured or halo yarn, which would obscure the beautiful slip stitch pattern. Cotton or cotton-blend yarns are wonderful for pillows because they are washable, durable, and have a slight sheen that makes the texture pop. Wool or wool-blend yarns are also lovely if you prefer a cozier, warmer feel.

If you are planning a two-color version, choose colors that have good contrast. A deep navy paired with a warm cream, a charcoal with a dusty rose, an olive green with a golden yellow — any pairing where one color is noticeably lighter or darker than the other will make the pattern really sing.

Needles: For a worsted weight yarn, you will typically reach for US size 7 or 8 (4.5mm or 5mm) needles. Always refer to the specific pattern for needle recommendations, and remember that your own gauge swatch will ultimately determine what needle size gives you the right result.

Pillow Form: You will need a pillow insert to stuff your finished cover. Standard sizes include 16×16 inches, 18×18 inches, and 20×20 inches. The exact size will depend on the pattern dimensions. It is worth buying a pillow insert one or two inches larger than your finished knitted dimensions, because knitted fabric has stretch and a slightly overstuffed pillow looks plumper and more polished than one that is loosely filled.

Notions: A tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, stitch markers if you find them helpful, and scissors. That is genuinely all you need.

Before You Cast On: The Importance of Swatching

Yes, we are going to talk about swatching. Please do not skip this step, especially for a pillow cover. Here is why it matters even when gauge seems less critical than for a garment.

First, swatching gives you a chance to practice the slip stitch pattern before you commit to the full project. Working a 20-stitch, 20-row swatch in the pattern will familiarize you with the rhythm of the stitches and help you feel confident before you have 100 stitches on the needle.

Second, your gauge affects the final size of your pillow cover. If your gauge is significantly off from the pattern’s gauge, your finished cover could end up too small to fit your pillow form or so large that it looks sloppy and ill-fitting. A quick swatch, measured carefully, can save you from a frustrating outcome.

Third, swatching is a chance to test your yarn. Wash and dry your swatch the way you plan to wash the finished pillow. Does the yarn pill? Does it bloom and soften? Does it hold its color? Does the texture change after washing? Better to find out on a small swatch than after hours of knitting.

Reading the Pattern: Key Techniques Explained

If you are newer to knitting and have not worked a pattern with slip stitches before, a few of the abbreviations and instructions might look unfamiliar. Here is a quick guide.

Sl1 (slip 1): This means slip one stitch from the left needle to the right needle without working it. Unless the pattern specifies otherwise, slip stitches purlwise — meaning you insert the right needle from right to left, as if to purl, and simply slide the stitch across. This keeps the stitch from being twisted.

Wyif / Wyib: These stand for “with yarn in front” and “with yarn in back.” When you slip a stitch, the position of your working yarn matters. Wyib means you hold the yarn behind your work (the usual position for knitting), and wyif means you bring the yarn to the front before slipping the stitch (the usual position for purling). The pattern will specify which to use, and it affects the appearance of the slipped stitch on the right side of your work.

Multiple of X stitches: Slip stitch patterns are typically worked over a specific multiple of stitches, plus sometimes a few extra for selvedge edges. Make sure your cast-on count matches what the pattern requires.

Right Side (RS) and Wrong Side (WS): Pillow covers are typically worked flat in two panels that are seamed together. Pay attention to which side you are on, because the slip stitch instructions for RS rows and WS rows are often different.

Working the Slip Stitch Pattern

Once you have cast on and are ready to begin the pattern rows, you will quickly settle into a satisfying rhythm. This is one of the hallmarks of a well-designed slip stitch pattern — once you work through the repeat a few times, it becomes intuitive. Your hands learn what comes next before your eyes have to check the pattern.

The general structure of a slip stitch pattern alternates between rows where you knit normally and rows where you slip certain stitches. The slipped stitches create a raised, elongated column or geometric shape against the background of the worked stitches. As you build row after row, the pattern begins to emerge and reveal itself, which is genuinely one of the most rewarding aspects of this style of knitting.

Take your time on the first repeat. Count your stitches at the end of each row until you are confident you are not accidentally dropping the slipped stitches or adding stitches where you should not be. A stitch marker every 20 stitches or so can help you keep track of your place in the repeat.

Finishing Your Pillow Cover

Once you have knitted your two panels — front and back — the finishing work begins. How you seam them together will have a big impact on the final look and durability of your pillow.

The mattress stitch is the most popular seaming method for flat knitting because it creates an almost invisible join on the right side of the work. Work slowly, picking up one bar between the edge stitch and the next stitch on each panel, drawing the yarn snug every few stitches to keep an even tension.

Many pillow patterns leave one edge open (or partially open) so you can insert the pillow form and then seam the final edge closed. Some knitters prefer to leave an opening and add button closures or a zipper, which makes it much easier to remove the cover for washing. This is a lovely modification to make even if the pattern does not call for it — it just requires picking up and binding off a few extra stitches to create a neat button band.

After seaming, weave in all your ends securely. Because a pillow gets sat on, squished, and moved around frequently, you want those ends firmly anchored. Weave them in for at least an inch in one direction, then double back in another direction. This keeps them from working their way loose over time.

Block your finished cover before inserting the pillow form. Even a light blocking — pinning it to shape and spritzing with water, or a gentle steam — will even out the stitches and give the slip stitch texture its best possible definition.

Customizing the Pattern

One of the great joys of a simple pillow pattern is how easy it is to make it uniquely yours. Here are a few ideas for putting your own stamp on this project.

Change the color palette. The pattern works in almost any color combination you love. Consider your home’s décor and choose colors that complement your existing textiles, or go bold with a color combination that makes a statement on its own.

Scale the size up or down. If you want a lumbar pillow, work one long, narrow panel instead of two square ones. For an oversized floor pillow, simply cast on more stitches and work more rows — just be sure your stitch count still fits the pattern’s required multiple.

Mix textures. Try working the back panel of the pillow in a simple stockinette or seed stitch while keeping the beautiful slip stitch pattern on the front. This creates a subtle contrast between the two sides and uses slightly less yarn.

Add an edging. Once you have seamed the cover, you can pick up stitches around the edge and work a simple i-cord border or a few rows of seed stitch for a clean, polished finish.

Try it in different yarn weights. The pattern can be adapted to DK weight for a lighter, drapier fabric or to bulky weight for something that knits up extremely quickly. Adjust your needle size and expect a different finished measurement.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even a beginner-friendly pattern can present a few small challenges. Here are the most common issues knitters run into with slip stitch patterns and how to solve them.

The fabric is pulling in too tightly. This usually means you are pulling the yarn too snug when you slip your stitches or knit across them. Try consciously relaxing your tension, and if the problem persists, go up a needle size.

The pattern is not showing up clearly. Check that you are consistently slipping stitches purlwise rather than knitwise. Also check your yarn positioning — if you have yarn in front when it should be in back (or vice versa), the slipped stitches will not sit correctly on the fabric surface.

My stitch count keeps changing. This is usually caused by accidentally working into slipped stitches on the following row as if they were two separate stitches, or by adding yarn-overs when moving the yarn between front and back. Move the yarn under the right needle (not over it) when repositioning it for slip stitch work.

The two panels are slightly different sizes. This happens sometimes if your gauge shifts over a long project. A good blocking will often even things out. If the difference is significant, you may need to add or remove a few rows from one panel before seaming.

Why This Pattern Deserves a Place in Your Queue

There are thousands of free knitting patterns available online, and choosing which ones to spend your time and yarn on can feel overwhelming. The Slip Stitch Pillow by Edie Eckman stands out for several reasons.

It teaches you a skill — the slip stitch technique — that you will use again and again. It produces a finished object that looks genuinely impressive while being achievable for knitters at a wide range of skill levels. It is fast enough to stay motivating but substantial enough to feel like an accomplishment. And it gives you something beautiful and functional at the end: a pillow you will be proud to have on your sofa, or to wrap up and give to someone you care about.

Good design, accessible technique, beautiful results. That is the hallmark of a Edie Eckman pattern, and this pillow is no exception.

So pull out that skein of yarn you have been saving for something special, find your favorite needles, and cast on. Your next favorite knitting project is waiting.

Happy knitting! If you make this pillow, share your finished project in the comments below — we would love to see the colors and yarn choices you go with.