On the Bias Throw Pillow Cushion Knitting Pattern

On the Bias Throw Pillow in Lion Brand Hue & Me

What Is Being Made

This is a 16" x 16" knitted throw pillow cover designed by Two of Wands for Lion Brand Yarn Company. The project creates a modern, decorative cushion cover featuring bold diagonal stripes and oversized tassels. The finished pillowcase is intentionally sized slightly smaller than a standard 16"/40.5cm pillow insert, allowing it to stretch taut over the insert for a polished, professional appearance. This is a beginner-level knitting project (Pattern Number M20287.TWH, Level 1) that works up quickly and makes an excellent introduction to color work and shaping techniques.

Techniques Used

The pillow showcases several fundamental knitting techniques executed in a beginner-friendly manner:

• Diagonal construction: The pillowcase is worked from corner to corner rather than in traditional rows, beginning with a small cast-on and increasing at both ends to the widest point, then decreasing symmetrically back down to a bind-off. This creates the distinctive "on the bias" visual effect.
• Increases and decreases: The pattern uses make-one right (m1r) and make-one left (m1l) increases to shape the expanding half, then slip-stitch knit (SSK) and knit-two-together (K2tog) decreases for the contracting half, creating clean, symmetrical edges.
• Stranded color work: Rather than cutting yarn between color changes during the striped sections, the pattern instructs knitters to carry unused colors up the side of the work, a technique that strengthens edges and reduces finishing work.
• Tassel construction: Oversized decorative tassels are handmade from yarn lengths, adding texture and visual interest to the finished pillow.
• Seaming: Two identical panels are created and then seamed together on three sides before the pillow insert is added and the final side is closed.

Stitches Used

This beginner project relies almost exclusively on garter stitch, the simplest of all knit textures, created by knitting every row. Garter stitch produces a reversible, textured fabric with horizontal ridges on both sides. The pattern description notes that "the simplicity of garter stitch is taken to the next level" through the diagonal construction and bold striping, demonstrating how basic stitches can create sophisticated results. The only other stitch operations are the shaping increases (m1r, m1l) and decreases (SSK, K2tog) that form the diagonal silhouette.

Materials

The pillow is worked in Lion Brand Yarn Hue + Me, a versatile yarn line available in a curated color palette. The pattern calls for one skein each of three colors:

• Haze (617-144) for color A
• Peacoat (617-110) for color B
• Arrowwood (617-132) for color C

Knitting is worked on US 10.5 (6.5mm) needles, which are mid-range in size and comfortable for most knitters. The gauge is 11 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches in garter stitch, a relatively loose gauge that allows the project to work up quickly. Additional materials needed include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming the panels. The pattern requires a 16"/40.5cm pillow insert (not included in the downloadable pattern), which serves as the internal form that the knitted cover stretches over.

Project Summary

The On the Bias Throw Pillow combines beginner-friendly garter stitch with dynamic diagonal shaping and playful color blocking to create a modern home décor accent. The straightforward construction—increase, change colors, decrease, seam, and embellish with tassels—makes this an ideal project for knitters learning to combine multiple techniques. The use of Lion Brand Hue + Me yarn in coordinating colors (Haze, Peacoat, and Arrowwood) ensures a cohesive, contemporary aesthetic that works in a variety of interior design schemes.