Knit Goodnight Moon Pillow Free Knitting Pattern
There is something quietly magical about the book Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. First published in 1947, it has lulled generations of children to sleep with its soft, rhythmic language and its gentle images of a great green room, a red balloon, a bowl of mush, and of course, the moon itself. For knitters who love to bring that sense of warmth and nostalgia into a handmade object, a Goodnight Moon pillow is one of those projects that feels genuinely meaningful the moment you cast on. It is not just a pillow. It is a piece of childhood, stitched together with yarn and love, ready to sit in a nursery, a reading nook, or a child’s bed for years to come.
This free knitting pattern will walk you through everything you need to create a beautiful moon-inspired pillow that captures the spirit of that beloved book. Whether you are knitting it as a baby shower gift, a nursery decoration, or simply as a cozy accent for your own home, this pattern is designed to be approachable for knitters with some basic experience while still producing a result that looks polished and heirloom-worthy. We will cover materials, gauge, stitch instructions, shaping, finishing, and plenty of tips along the way.
Why a Knitted Goodnight Moon Pillow Makes the Perfect Gift
Before we dive into the pattern itself, it is worth taking a moment to think about why handmade pillows inspired by children’s literature hold such a special place. When you knit something for a child, you are not just making an object. You are putting hours of your time and attention into a gift that carries meaning beyond what you could buy in any store. A Goodnight Moon pillow sits at the intersection of literary nostalgia, nursery decor, and the enduring art of knitting, making it one of those rare gifts that parents tend to keep long after their children have grown.
The moon motif itself is wonderfully versatile. A simple circular or crescent shape rendered in a soft golden or cream yarn against a midnight blue or deep navy background evokes that famous illustration without requiring any complicated colorwork techniques. You do not need to be an advanced knitter to achieve a stunning result. The secret is in the yarn choice and the finishing.
Materials You Will Need
For this pillow, you will work with a DK weight or worsted weight yarn depending on how large you want the finished pillow to be. A DK weight will give you a slightly finer fabric with more stitch definition, while worsted weight works up quickly and produces a plush, cuddly feel that is perfect for a children’s accessory.
Yarn: Approximately 200 yards of your main color (MC) and 80 yards of your contrast color (CC). For a classic Goodnight Moon look, choose a deep navy, dark teal, or indigo for your main color and a warm golden yellow, soft butter, or cream for your contrast color. Lion Brand Wool-Ease, Cascade 220, Paintbox Simply DK, and Drops Lima are all excellent choices for this type of project.
Needles: US size 7 (4.5mm) circular or straight needles for worsted weight, or US size 5 (3.75mm) for DK weight. You may also want a set of double-pointed needles or a second circular needle if you choose to work the moon motif in the round.
Other supplies: A 14-inch or 16-inch square pillow insert (polyester fill or a pre-made pillow form works beautifully), a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming, stitch markers, scissors, and optionally some removable stitch markers or locking markers for tracking your moon placement.
Gauge: For worsted weight, aim for 18 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. For DK weight, aim for 22 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches. Always knit a gauge swatch before beginning, especially if you plan to use a pillow insert of a specific size. A gauge that runs even slightly loose or tight over the full width of the pillow will result in a finished size that does not match your insert.
Understanding the Design
This pillow is worked flat in two panels: a front panel and a back panel. The front panel features the moon motif worked using the intarsia method, which involves using separate lengths of yarn for each color section rather than carrying yarn across the back. Do not be intimidated if you have not tried intarsia before. For a simple circular or crescent shape, it involves only two or three yarn sources at any given time, and the result is a clean, smooth motif without any puckering or carried floats distorting the fabric.
The back panel is worked entirely in your main color, either in plain stockinette or with a simple textured stitch like seed stitch or garter if you prefer a little more visual interest. The two panels are seamed together on three sides, the pillow insert is placed inside, and the fourth side is seamed closed.
If you prefer an envelope-style closure so you can remove the cover for washing, you can divide the back panel into two overlapping pieces. Instructions for that variation are included at the end of the pattern.
The Moon Chart
The moon motif is worked from a simple chart. The full moon version is a circle approximately 50 stitches wide and 60 rows tall, which, at worsted gauge, translates to roughly an 11-inch diameter circle centered on the pillow front. If you prefer a crescent moon, you will simply work a partial arc rather than a full circle, and a crescent chart is also provided below.
Because charts can be difficult to reproduce in plain text, here is how to think about the full moon shape in plain English: the motif begins with a narrow band of contrast color stitches at the center of a row near the bottom of your pillow front, widens as you move upward through the body of the moon, and then narrows again as you approach the top. At its widest point, the moon stitches span the center section of your work with approximately 50 contrast color stitches flanked by main color stitches on each side.
For a printable chart, many free knitting chart generators online allow you to input a circular shape and download a grid-based chart. Stitch Fiddle is a particularly user-friendly free option that knitters often use for exactly this kind of simple colorwork design.
Pattern Instructions: Front Panel
Cast on 66 stitches using your main color and US size 7 needles (for worsted weight). If using DK weight, cast on 80 stitches.
Rows 1–8: Work in garter stitch (knit every row) to create a tidy bottom border.
Row 9 (RS): Knit across.
Row 10 (WS): Purl across.
Continue in stockinette stitch (knit on right side rows, purl on wrong side rows) until your work measures approximately 2.5 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a wrong side row.
Beginning the moon motif: On the next right-side row, work across in your main color to the center of the row. Refer to your chart or the following placement guide to begin introducing your contrast color yarn.
Using the intarsia method, attach a separate length of contrast color yarn at the beginning of the moon section. Work the contrast color stitches for that row, then attach another separate length of main color yarn to work the remaining stitches of the row to the right edge. On wrong-side rows, work the stitches in their established colors, twisting the yarns at each color join to prevent holes in the fabric.
Continue working the moon motif following your chart, increasing the number of contrast color stitches as the moon widens and then decreasing them as it narrows toward the top of the circle. The motif should be complete by the time your work measures approximately 10 to 11 inches from the cast-on edge.
After the moon motif is complete, continue in stockinette stitch in your main color only until the front panel measures 14 inches (or your desired finished size) from the cast-on edge, ending with a wrong-side row.
Rows ending: Work 8 rows of garter stitch to match your bottom border.
Bind off all stitches loosely.
Pattern Instructions: Back Panel
Cast on 66 stitches (or 80 for DK weight) using your main color.
Rows 1–8: Work in garter stitch.
Continue in stockinette stitch until the back panel measures 14 inches from the cast-on edge (or matches your front panel exactly).
Work 8 rows of garter stitch.
Bind off all stitches loosely.
Finishing Your Pillow
Before seaming, block both panels. Blocking is one of those steps that knitters sometimes skip, but for a pillow project it makes a significant difference. Wet blocking is ideal for natural fibers. Soak your pieces in cool water for about 20 minutes, gently squeeze out the excess water without wringing, then pin the pieces to your measurements on a blocking mat or a folded towel and allow them to dry completely. For acrylic yarns, steam blocking or the “wet cloth and iron” method works well.
Once blocked and dry, hold the front and back panels with wrong sides together. Using your tapestry needle and a length of main color yarn, seam three sides of the pillow using mattress stitch or whipstitch. Mattress stitch produces an almost invisible seam on the right side of the work, which is worth the extra effort for a gift-quality piece.
Insert your pillow form through the open fourth side, making sure it fills the corners fully. Then seam the final side closed.
Weave in all remaining ends securely. Pay particular attention to the ends at the color joins of your intarsia moon, as these tend to work loose over time if not anchored well. You can also add a small drop of seam sealant to the ends on the inside of the pillow if you want extra security.
Optional Embellishments
Once your basic pillow is complete, there are several ways to add a little extra detail that brings the Goodnight Moon theme to life.
You can embroider a small crescent of stars around the moon using a single strand of gold or silver metallic embroidery floss. Simple straight stitches or French knots make beautiful, tiny stars. You can also add a duplicate stitch “halo” around the moon motif using a slightly lighter shade of your contrast color to give the moon a soft glow effect.
If you want to include the title of the book, simple block letters can be worked in intarsia or duplicate stitch along the bottom border of the pillow. “Goodnight Moon” in a cream or gold yarn on a navy background looks elegant and makes the literary reference unmistakable.
A row or two of crochet edging in a contrasting color around the perimeter of the finished pillow adds a charming, folk-art quality that works beautifully in a nursery setting.
Tips for Knitting Success
Intarsia can feel awkward at first, particularly when managing multiple balls or lengths of yarn. A few habits will make the process much smoother. Wind your contrast color yarn into a small butterfly bobbin so it does not tangle as you work. When you switch between colors, always bring the new color up from underneath the old color so the yarns twist together and seal the join. Tension at color joins tends to be uneven for beginners, but it usually evens out with blocking.
If you find the intarsia method daunting, there is a simpler alternative: work the entire front panel in your main color, then work the moon motif in duplicate stitch after the knitting is complete. Duplicate stitch allows you to trace over existing stitches with a contrasting yarn, creating the appearance of colorwork without actually knitting with two yarns simultaneously. It is slightly more time-consuming but requires no special technique beyond basic embroidery.
For the best pillow insert fit, knit your panels to a finished size that is half an inch to one inch smaller than your pillow form. A slightly snug fit prevents the cover from looking saggy or deflated and keeps the moon motif centered and taut.
Envelope Back Variation
If you want a removable pillow cover, divide the back panel into two overlapping pieces instead of one solid piece. Cast on your full number of stitches and work until the panel is approximately 9 inches tall, then bind off. Work a second piece that begins 5 inches from the bottom. When assembled, these two pieces overlap in the middle, creating an envelope opening through which you can insert or remove the pillow form. No buttons or zippers are needed, and the cover can be laundered easily.
Yarn Substitutions and Color Ideas
While the classic Goodnight Moon palette of navy and gold is stunning, this pillow lends itself beautifully to a wide range of color combinations. A soft sage green background with a cream moon feels fresh and gender-neutral. A blush pink background with a white moon is dreamy and sweet. A charcoal heather with a pale lavender moon has a modern, sophisticated look that works equally well in a nursery or a living room.
For a completely different mood, consider working the pillow in reverse: a golden or cream background with a dark navy moon, as though you are looking at a full moon reflected in still water. The shapes work just as well inverted, and it creates a striking effect.
If you are knitting for someone who loves the original illustrations, look closely at Clement Hurd’s artwork. The colors in those pictures are intentionally flat and bold, which translates beautifully to simple two-color knitting.
Caring for Your Finished Pillow
A knitted pillow cover in a wool or wool-blend yarn should be hand-washed in cool water with a gentle wool wash and laid flat to dry. Acrylic or acrylic-blend yarns can usually be machine-washed on a gentle cycle and tumble-dried on low, making them a practical choice for a child’s room where washability is a priority. Check the care label on your specific yarn before washing, and always remove the pillow insert first if you used an envelope back closure.
A Note on Sizing
The pattern as written produces a pillow cover sized for a standard 14-inch square pillow insert. To adjust the size, simply add or subtract stitches in multiples that keep your moon motif centered. For a 16-inch pillow, add approximately 9 stitches to each panel (for worsted gauge) and adjust the height accordingly. For a 12-inch pillow, subtract approximately 9 stitches and shorten the length to match.
You can also adapt this pattern to make a rectangular pillow by working the back and front panels to different dimensions. A 12-by-16-inch lumbar pillow with the moon motif centered on the front makes a beautiful accent for a reading chair or a child’s bed.
Sharing Your Finished Pillow
When you finish your Goodnight Moon pillow, consider sharing a photo on Ravelry, Pinterest, or Instagram with a tag so other knitters can find this pattern and be inspired. The handmade knitting community is one of the warmest corners of the internet, and there is something lovely about seeing the same pattern interpreted in dozens of different yarns and color combinations. Your version of this pillow will be uniquely yours, shaped by the yarn you chose, the tension of your hands, and the love you put into every row.
Whether you tuck it into a crib, prop it on a nursery shelf, or give it to someone who grew up falling asleep to the sound of Goodnight Moon being read aloud, this pillow carries a kind of quiet tenderness that is rare in a handmade object. It says goodnight to the moon, and it says it in the most beautiful way possible: stitch by stitch, row by row, made by hand.
Happy knitting.
