These pin cushions are quick projects that are also great for leftover yarn. Most are free. Updated 3/23/24
To get the knitting patterns, scroll down the page to the individual pattern you want and click on the link to that pattern.
These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
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Free Patterns
Cactus Pincushion
Pin cushion designed to look like a cactus in a pot so the pins are the spines. DK weight yarn. Designed by Amanda Berry.
Blossom Pin Cushion
Flower pincushion knit in with 4 squares folded to form a cushion and then embellished with a knit flower with leaves. Perfect for using up scraps of leftover yarn. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Lu Douglas. Pictured projects by designer, strick-tick, and ForaCraftland
Elda's Pin Cushion
Easiest pincushion knit in a garter stitch strip with 7 colors and then rolled into shape. Perfect for using up scraps of leftover yarn. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Kristin Roach.
Cupcake Pin Cushion
Cupcake shaped pin cushion knit in the round. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Faye Perriam-Reed.
Lemon Pincushion
Lemon shaped pin cushion knit flat in garter stitch wedges with leaves knit separately. Also great for decor or toys. Based on a 19th century pattern from Weldon’s Practical Needlework. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Heather Vaughan Lee.
Owl Pincushion Wristband
Owl pin cushion to wear like a bracelet. Knit flat and felted. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Debi Rodriguez. Aran weight yarn. Pictured projects by designer and tricotoune
Macaron Pin Cushion
Pin cushion inspired by the delicious French pastries macarons. Knit flat in garter stitch and shaped with short rows with an i-cord cream filling. Designed by The Noble Thread. Fingering weight yarn.
Chloe's Cushions
Double sided pincushions with stranded designs, different on each side. 3 cushions with 6 different designs. Designed by Yamagara Knits. DK weight yarn.
Cupcake Pincushion
Cupcake pin cushion that can also be used as a toy or decoration. Size 3" wide x 3" tall. Designed by Susan B. Anderson. Aran weight yarn. Pictured projects by ladynthread who made a smaller base ande PointyHead
Keep Calm And Carry On
Small sachet pillows with the phrases Keep Calm and Carry On. Would also make great pin cushions. Designed by Vivienne Morgan. Fingering weight yarn.
Miniature House
Small knitted house makes an adorable pincushion, toy, or tree ornament. Designed by Sangmi Lee. Sport weight yarn.
Sea Urchin
Whimsical, bobbled sea urchin makes a splendid pincushion, toy, or displayable object. Designed by Hanna Breetz. Bulky weight yarn.
Bumble Bee Pin Cushion or Toy
Easy bee softie pincushion that uses pins as wings. An option to create a bee toy with wings instead. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by ChemKnits. Worsted weight yarn. Pictured projects by fiberbuzz and RainbowWalkyrie
More Free Patterns
Apple Pincushion
Easy apple softie. Can be used as a pin cushion, decoration, cat toy, and more. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Linda Dawkins. DK weight yarn.
Acorn Pincushion
Easy acorn softie by Amanda Berry knit flat and seamed. Designed as a pin cushion, it also is great as an autumn decoration, cat toy, and more. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Approximately 9cm tall.
Fair Isle Pincushions
Five pin cushion designs with stranded flower, heart, and diamond designs. Great way to try fair isle knitting and a perfect way to use up leftover yarn. Designed by Sachiyo Ishii. Fingering weight yarn.
- Get the free rectangle pin cushion knitting pattern
- Get the free round pin cushion knitting pattern
Get more toy knitting patterns by Sachiyo Ishii on Amazon
Pocket Pincushion
This pincushion has a lined pocket to hold scissors or a packet of needles and is worked in a mixture of textured stitches. It uses less than 10g of DK weight yarn in each of three shades - two variegated and one a solid colour, so it's a great use for leftover or scrap yarn. Designed by Frankie Brown.
Tomato Pin Cushion
Classic tomato pincushion re-invented as a knitting project. Medium, 9" circumference. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Lynne Shields. 45 - 60 yards (41 - 55 m) of Fingering weight yarn. Great use for leftover yarn and stash busting! Pictured projects by designer and NFLDgirl
Pin Cushion or Doo-dads Cushion
Easy holder for pins, needles, and other knitting notions created with garter stitch strips. You can leave the center open for thimble or larger tools or sew up. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Carol Ann Dubrow. Worsted weight yarn. Great use for leftover yarn and stash busting! Pictured projects by JudyfromIndy and KnittingFits
Posey Pincushion
3 tier flower pin cushion that takes a few hours to knit. Finished Measurements : Approx. 3"width 3½" height. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Kris Knits. Worsted weight yarn. Great use for leftover yarn and stash busting!
Mug Pincushion or Toy
Knit cup with coffee or tea given body with stuffing. Perfect as a pincushion, a gift, or decoration. Designed by Anjie Davison. DK weight yarn. Pictured project by StrikSofie
- Get the free knitting pattern at the Internet archive
- See the Ravelry page
- See more Pincushion Knitting Patterns
Fairy and Pin Cushion
Tiny fairy doll can be knit on her own or with her pin cushion. Pin cushion garden is made from two identical knitted squares. Designed by Wendy Phillips. DK weight yarn.
Cactus Pincushions
Lucille Randall designed these three miniature cacti that make perfect pin cushions. Add a few crochet or knit blossoms and put in tiny pots and you have perfect gifts.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See more Flower Knitting Patterns
- See more Botanical Knitting Patterns
Voodoo Doll Pincushion
Alison Hogg of Crazy Dazy designed this cute pincushion for personal use.
Converse Pincushion
MadMonkeyKnits created this cute crafting design that’s a quick gift for crafters — she says it only took her an hour to knit. Worked flat and knit entirely in one piece. Great stash buster!
Patterns for Purchase
Twirling Doughnut Dolls or Pincushion
These cuddly dolls with their rounded skirt bottoms make soft, safe toys for very young children. They will also make excellent pincushions or jewelry holders for brooches, earrings and more. Great stash buster for odds and ends of brightly coloured yarn. 3 sizes Small doll – 10cm (4in), Medium doll – 12.5cm (5in), Large doll – 15cm (6in). Knit flat on two straight knitting needles. DK weight yarn. Designed by toyshelf
Miss Tilly Tidy Craft Organizer Doll
Just the companion to help keep your bits and pieces tidy while you work on your crafts, at your desk, or in your kitchen. Two deep pockets and three small are just the right sizes to hold knitting needles, crochet hooks, small scissors, cottons and threads, stitch holders and markers, tape measures, pens, and more. Her chić hairstyle is also a pincushion to hold your pins and sewing needles safely. Size:14 inches/36cms. Knit flat on two straight knitting needles. Designed by Pat Alinejad
Hedgehog or Mouse Pincushion
Pincushion or toy knitting patterns knit flat. Kensington Hedgehog is 7.5 cm tall and 9.5 cm long. Squeaky Mouse in a Basket is 7 cm long (not including the tail) and the basket is 8 cm diameter. DK weight yarn. Designed by Amanda Berry.
- Get the Kensington Hedgehog knitting pattern on Etsy
- Get the Squeaky Mouse in a Basket knitting pattern on Etsy
Squirrel Pin Cushion
Pinny Fuzzytuft oi cute pin cushion stitching companion. This obliging little squirrel will hold your needles and pins in her skirt and apron, your scissors under her arm and your thimble inside her tiny acorn-cup basket. HEIGHT - 18cm (7in). Knitted flat. DK weight yarn. Designed by fuzzytuft
Rowena Rabbit Pincushion
Cute bunny pincushion sewing companion. She will hold your needles and pins, secure scissors under her arm, and keep your thimble inside her tiny basket. SIZE: Height is 18 cm (7 in) to tips of ears. Base has 10 cm (4 in) diameter.
Tavistock Tortoise and Jimbob Tortoise
Tavistock Tortoise or Turtle toy, shown as pincushion, or Jimbob Tortoise or Turtle Cushion designed by Amanda Berry and knit flat. Tavistock is approximately 8 cm tall and 13 cm long. Jimbob is 25 cm wide and 24 cm tall. DK weight yarn.
Voodoo Doll Pincushion
The finished doll is approximately 18cm tall (12cm when sitting).
Mousey Pin Cushion
Phoeny designed this pin cushion 5 inches wide by 3 inches deep.
Toadstool Pincushion and Fairy
SIZE – Toadstool pincushion 10cm (4in). Fairy 9cm (3½ in). Can be used for pins and needles or as a tiny toy.
Bambi Pin Cushion
Bambi is 1.96 inches – 5 cm from the head to the end of the tail. Forest Green Pincushion Pillow 3.4 inches- 8 cm. (length) x 2.75 inches-7cm. (width). Would also make a great teeny toy!
- Get the knitting pattern on Etsy
- See more or HandMade Awards’ Pin Cushion Patterns
- See more Teeny Toy Knitting Patterns on our site
