Herringbone Stitch Pillow in Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick

There is something deeply satisfying about a stitch pattern that looks far more complicated than it actually is. The herringbone stitch is one of those magical techniques that produces a beautifully interlocked, almost woven texture — the kind that makes people pick up your finished project, turn it over in their hands, and ask, “Did you really make this?” And when you work it up in Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, the results come together faster than you might expect, with a chunky, cozy finish that feels right at home on a sofa, a reading chair, or a bed piled high with winter layers.

This herringbone stitch pillow pattern — catalogued as L0133AD — is a wonderful project for knitters who want to stretch their skills a little without committing to weeks of complicated work. It sits in that sweet spot between beginner-friendly and genuinely interesting. The yarn is thick and the needles are large, which means your stitches are easy to see and easy to count, and the stitch pattern itself has a satisfying rhythm once you settle into it. Whether you are looking to make a gift, refresh your living room for a new season, or simply have a cozy weekend project waiting for you, this pillow delivers.

Let’s walk through everything you need to know — from yarn and tools to the stitch technique itself, finishing tips, and ideas for making this pattern entirely your own.

Why Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick

Before we get into the pattern details, it is worth spending a moment on the yarn, because the yarn you choose shapes everything about a finished project. Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick is a super bulky weight yarn that has been a staple in the knitting community for years, and for good reason.

It is a blend of 80% acrylic and 20% wool. That combination gives you the best of both worlds: the warmth and natural feel of wool alongside the durability and easy care of acrylic. A pillow cover is going to get used regularly — it will be grabbed, leaned on, occasionally tossed to the floor, and probably need cleaning at some point — so having a yarn that can handle a machine wash cycle is a practical advantage. The wool content adds just enough body and memory that the pillow holds its shape beautifully over time, which is exactly what you want from a home decor project.

The yarn comes in a generous range of colors, from deep jewel tones and rich neutrals to soft pastels and bold brights. You can find classic shades like Fisherman, a creamy off-white that would look stunning as a neutral pillow in almost any room, or go deeper with colors like Barley, Oatmeal, Linen, or any of the more saturated tones in the line. Because herringbone is such a textural stitch, the pattern itself becomes the decorative element, which means solid or heathered colors tend to show it off best. Variegated or heavily striped yarns can compete with the stitch and make it harder to read — but if you love a heathered look, those are particularly beautiful choices for this pattern.

The super bulky weight also means the project works up quickly. If you have a free weekend and a comfortable chair, you can realistically finish both sides of this pillow cover in two days of relaxed knitting.

Tools and Materials You Will Need

Getting everything together before you start is one of those small habits that makes knitting feel like a pleasure rather than a scramble. Here is what you will want to have on hand.

For the yarn, this pattern typically requires approximately two skeins of Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, though the exact amount will depend on the finished pillow size you are working toward. A standard 18-inch pillow insert is a popular choice for this pattern, but you can easily adjust the stitch count and row count to match whatever pillow form you have or prefer. Each skein of Wool-Ease Thick & Quick contains 106 yards, so if you are planning any significant size adjustment, do the math ahead of time so you do not run short.

You will need a pair of US size 13 (9mm) knitting needles. Straight needles work perfectly for this flat construction, though circular needles used flat are equally fine if that is what you have available or prefer for larger work. Some knitters find that longer circular needles feel more comfortable when working with a large stitch count and bulky yarn.

You will also want a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, a pair of scissors, and your pillow insert. The finished cover is worked in two separate panels that are then seamed together on three sides, with the fourth side left open (or seamed after inserting the pillow, depending on how you prefer to finish it). Some knitters add a row of buttons along the open edge, which creates a lovely closure that also doubles as a design detail.

A measuring tape is helpful, and stitch markers are optional but can help you keep track of pattern repeats, especially when you are learning the herringbone rhythm for the first time.

Understanding the Herringbone Stitch

The herringbone stitch in knitting takes its name from the same source as the classic fabric and flooring pattern — the skeleton of a herring fish, with its V-shaped rows of bones radiating in alternating directions. In knitting, the stitch creates a similar interlocked, diagonal texture by working through stitches in an unusual order, essentially borrowing stitches from neighboring positions before they would normally be worked.

If you have never tried the herringbone stitch before, the most important thing to know is that it takes a few rows to feel natural, but once the motion becomes familiar, it flows beautifully. Many knitters describe it as having a slightly addictive quality once you find the rhythm.

The basic technique on the knit side works as follows. Rather than knitting one stitch at a time and slipping each worked stitch off the left needle individually, you knit two stitches together but only slip them off together after working the first one. This creates the interlocking, diagonal structure that defines the pattern. On the purl side, a similar principle applies — you purl two stitches together but again manage the slipping off carefully to maintain the pattern’s integrity.

Written out in standard knitting notation, the herringbone stitch is typically described in a way that varies slightly across published patterns, but the essential structure is consistent. Because this is Lion Brand’s own pattern, their written instructions are your authoritative guide, and following them exactly as printed — at least for your first swatch — is the best approach.

Speaking of swatching: yes, please do swatch. In a project like this, where gauge affects the finished dimensions of your pillow cover, a few minutes spent working a gauge swatch will save you from the frustration of a cover that does not fit your pillow insert. The herringbone stitch also has a slightly tighter, denser gauge than plain stockinette in the same yarn on the same needles, so do not assume your stockinette gauge will transfer directly.

Pattern Overview and Construction

The L0133AD pillow pattern is constructed in a straightforward, approachable way. You knit two flat panels — a front and a back — and then seam them together around the edges to create the envelope that holds your pillow insert.

The front panel features the herringbone stitch pattern across its full width, which is what gives the finished pillow its distinctive texture. The back panel is typically worked in a simpler stitch — often garter stitch or stockinette — which creates a nice visual contrast while also being faster to complete. This is a thoughtful design choice that keeps the project engaging without demanding the same concentration for the full duration of the work.

Once both panels are blocked and finished, they are held together with wrong sides facing and seamed using a mattress stitch or whip stitch around three sides, with the fourth side left open to insert the pillow form. After the pillow is inside, you can seam the final edge closed using a slip stitch or whip stitch worked gently so the seam remains tidy on the visible side. As mentioned, adding a button band is an optional but lovely finishing detail that also makes it easier to remove the cover for washing.

The overall construction is beginner-friendly in the sense that it does not require any shaping, short rows, or complex decreases beyond what the herringbone stitch itself requires. If you are comfortable with knitting and purling and have a little patience for learning a new stitch pattern, this is completely within reach.

Tips for Success

A few practical thoughts that will help the process go smoothly.

Tension matters more than usual with the herringbone stitch. Because you are working two stitches together repeatedly, there is a tendency for some knitters to pull the yarn tight and end up with a fabric that is stiffer and smaller than expected. Try to consciously keep your tension relaxed, especially as you are getting the feel for the stitch. If you find your gauge is significantly tighter than the pattern calls for, try going up a needle size.

Keep your stitch count consistent. The herringbone stitch pattern has a specific repeat, and it is easy to accidentally lose or gain stitches, particularly at the edges of rows. Counting your stitches at the end of every few rows — at least while you are learning the pattern — will catch any mistakes before they compound.

Use good lighting. This is a practical tip that applies to any textured stitch, but it matters especially here. The herringbone structure can be a little difficult to read in low light, and being able to clearly see what is happening with your stitches makes it much easier to catch any errors early and to verify that your pattern is developing correctly.

Block your finished panels before seaming. Blocking makes an enormous difference with any knitted fabric, but it is especially valuable with textured stitches. A quick wet block or steam block will open up the herringbone pattern, even out any tension inconsistencies, and bring the panels to their correct finished dimensions. It also makes the seaming process much easier, since you are working with flat, stable pieces rather than curled edges.

If you are making this as a gift and are not sure which color to choose, you genuinely cannot go wrong with a neutral. Fisherman, the creamy off-white, and the warm gray tones in the Wool-Ease Thick & Quick line are perennial favorites for home decor projects because they work with such a wide range of interior styles. That said, a deep teal, a rich burgundy, or a forest green can be absolutely stunning if you know the recipient’s home palette.

Customizing the Pattern

One of the things that makes knitting so endlessly satisfying is the ease with which you can adapt a published pattern to suit your own needs and tastes. This herringbone pillow is a wonderful canvas for customization.

The most obvious adjustment is size. The stitch count is worked in a specific repeat for the herringbone pattern, so when you resize, you will want to add or subtract stitches in multiples of that repeat to keep the pattern working correctly. Lion Brand’s pattern notes will specify the repeat unit, and working within those increments gives you flexibility to size up to a 20-inch or even 22-inch pillow or down to a smaller 14-inch version.

Color is another easy way to make the pattern your own. Working both the front and back panels in the same color creates a very refined, tonal look. Using two different colors — perhaps a warm neutral for the front and a contrasting tone for the back — gives you a reversible pillow that can be flipped for a different look depending on your mood or season. Some knitters have worked stripe sequences into the simpler back panel to add an extra element of interest, keeping the front’s herringbone as the star of the show.

You could also experiment with the finishing details. A set of large, beautiful buttons along the opening edge — wood, horn, or ceramic buttons all look wonderful with chunky natural-fiber blends — elevates the pillow from a simple knitting project to something that looks genuinely designed. Simple fringe or tassels at the corners are another option that works particularly well with bulky yarn.

If you want to add a coordinating element to a room, this pillow pattern is also very easy to scale into a set. Knitting two or three pillows in the same stitch but in a curated group of colors creates a cohesive look that feels intentional and polished. A set of herringbone pillows in varying shades of a single color family — say, ivory, warm gray, and a deep slate — would look beautiful together on a sofa or arranged across a bed.

Caring for Your Finished Pillow

Because Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick is an acrylic-wool blend, care is straightforward. The yarn is machine washable, which is a significant practical advantage for a pillow cover that will see regular use. Use a gentle cycle with cool water and a mild detergent, and either tumble dry on low or lay the cover flat to air dry. Laying flat is gentler on the fibers and helps the cover maintain its shape over time.

Do not use high heat, either in the wash or the dryer, as the acrylic content can be affected by excess heat. Ironing is not recommended — if the cover needs any refreshing after washing, a light steam from a distance will smooth things out beautifully.

With proper care, a pillow cover made from this yarn should look wonderful for years. The construction of the herringbone stitch produces a dense, sturdy fabric that wears well with regular use.

Why This Pattern Is Worth Adding to Your Queue

There are countless pillow patterns available to knitters, so it is fair to ask what makes this one worth your time. The honest answer is that it offers a genuinely satisfying combination of elements: a stitch pattern with real visual impact, a yarn that is a pleasure to work with and easy to care for, a construction method that is accessible without being boring, and a finished object that is both beautiful and genuinely useful.

Home decor knitting has a particular kind of reward to it. Unlike a garment, a pillow does not need to fit a specific person. It does not need to account for ease or length or sleeve width. It just needs to be well-made and well-finished, and then it gets to live in your home or the home of someone you love, adding warmth and texture and a little handmade character to a room.

The herringbone stitch itself is one of those techniques that, once you learn it, stays with you. You will find yourself looking for other patterns that feature it, or improvising it into your own designs. It is the kind of stitch that makes you feel like a more skilled knitter — because it genuinely is a skill, even if it is a learnable one.

And the speed of the project — driven by the super bulky yarn and large needles — means you do not have to wait long to see the results. That gratification is not a small thing. It keeps us coming back to knitting, one satisfying project at a time.

Whether you are new to textured stitches or simply looking for a beautiful, practical project to add to your making, the Lion Brand Herringbone Stitch Pillow in Wool-Ease Thick & Quick — pattern L0133AD — is a genuinely excellent choice. Pull out your needles, pick a color that speaks to you, and enjoy the process of creating something that will add warmth to a space for years to come.