Continuous Granny Square Pillow – Free Crochet Pattern

Easy Pillow Cover

Learn how to crochet a granny square pillow with this easy Continuous Granny Square Pillow Crochet Pattern!

This removable square pillow cover can be made to fit any size square pillow insert such as 14″ x 14″, 16″ x 16″, 18″ x 18″, 20″ x 20″, etc. Simply continue repeating the same simple round until it fits your square pillow insert.

You can make your granny square pillow with any number of colors. The pillow cover has an envelope-style back with buttons, making it removable so you can easily change up your decor for different seasons.

Whether you make it as a Christmas pillow like I did or choose colors to match your decor, you’ll be so proud to show off your new crocheted pillow!

The pattern includes step-by-step written instructions, helpful diagrams and photos as well as a full video tutorial showing how to crochet this classic pillow cover from start to finish.

Use the Table of Contents below to jump to any section of the pattern or keep scrolling down to view all the details, the video tutorial and the written instructions.

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Purchase the printer-friendly, ad-free PDF of this pattern that you can instantly download! It includes everything from this free pattern but you can easily save, print and access it anytime!

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Pattern Details

Skill Level

Easy

Size

The pattern creates a removable square pillow cover that can be made to fit any square pillow insert size, such as 14” x 14”, 16” x 16” or 18” x 18”.

The size I made fits a 14” x 14” pillow insert.

Note: The finished pillow cover will be a different size than the pillow insert.

Materials

Yarn: You can use any size 4 (medium) yarn. 

For a 14” x 14” pillow cover, you will need approx. 430-470 yds in total. See the “Color Options” section below for additional details.

If making a pillow cover for a larger pillow insert, additional yarn will be needed. 

As a general estimate, an 18” x 18” pillow cover requires approx. 650–700 yds. The amount needed will vary depending on your yarn and the fullness of your pillow insert.

Crochet Hook Size: H/8 (5.00 mm).

Other Materials: Any size square pillow insert, five 20 mm (0.75”) buttons, sewing thread, sewing needle, safety pins, yarn needle, scissors and a measuring tape. Optional: a stitch marker. 

Terminology

This pattern is written for right-handed crochet using standard US terminology. If you’re more familiar with UK terms, here’s my US to UK Conversion Chart. 

Abbreviations

• approx. = approximately
• ch/chs = chain/chains
• ch-2 sp = chain two space
• dc = double crochet
• RS = right side 
• sk = skip
• sl st = slip stitch
• sp/sps = space/spaces 
• st/sts = stitch/stitches
• WS = wrong side 

Gauge

Because the pillow cover can be made to fit any square pillow insert size by repeating Round 5, matching an exact gauge is not important for this pattern.

For reference, after Round 3, my work measured 3.75” x 3.75”.

Pattern Notes

• Every time you make 3 dc sts in the same space, it counts as a cluster. The starting chains and the first 2 dc sts of each round count as your first cluster.
• Unlike some granny square patterns, you don’t make a ch 1 between clusters.
• “Sp between clusters” refers to the space between two groups of 3 dc sts from the previous round. Work into the space between the clusters, not into any stitches.
• Each round has four ch-2 sps. These ch-2 sps form the four corners of your square.
• You will turn your work at the beginning of each round. When working a right side (RS) round, the front of your work will be facing you. When working a wrong side (WS) round, the back of your work will be facing you. Turning after each round creates a more even-looking finished square.
• You may find it helpful to place a stitch marker in the top of the first dc st made in every round. 

Color Options

You can make this pillow cover with one, two, three or more colors! You can change colors every round or every two, three, four or more rounds. 

How to Change Colors: 

At the end of the round (after joining), place the new color on your hook and pull it through the loop of the old color currently on your hook. Fasten off the old color (cut the yarn that’s attached to your skein). Proceed to the next round’s instructions.

Pillow with One Color

For the 14” x 14” pillow cover pictured above, I used approx. 430 yds of Soft Classic Solid by Loops & Threads in the color “Cornflower.” This yarn is size 4 (medium) and 100% acrylic. A skein is 354 yds / 324 m and 7 oz / 198 g. I used 2 skeins. 

Pillow with Two Colors

For the 14” x 14” pillow cover pictured above, I used Impeccable yarn by Loops & Threads. This yarn is size 4 (medium) and 100% acrylic. A skein is 285 yds / 260 m and 4.5 oz / 127.5 g. I used 1 skein of each color. 

• Color A: “Dark Emerald” (green): approx. 270 yds
• Color B: “Cherry” (red): approx. 200 yds 

I changed colors every 2 rounds: Start, Rounds 1 & 2 with Color A; Rounds 3 & 4 with Color B; Rounds 5 & 6 with Color A, etc. My last round was Round 22 with Color A. I used Color A for joining.

Pillow with Three Colors

For the 14” x 14” pillow cover pictured above, I used Soft Classic Solid by Loops & Threads. This yarn is size 4 (medium) and 100% acrylic. A skein is 354 yds / 324 m and 7 oz / 198 g. I used 1 skein of each color. 

• Color A: “Off White”: approx. 170 yds
• Color B: “Sage” (green): approx. 115 yds
• Color C: “Cornflower” (blue): approx. 145 yds

I changed colors every 2 rounds: Start, Rounds 1 & 2 with Color A; Rounds 3 & 4 with Color B; Rounds 5 & 6 with Color C; Rounds 7 & 8 with Color A, etc. My last round was Round 20 with Color A. I used Color A for joining.

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Video Tutorial

Watch the step-by-step video tutorial below or keep scrolling down for the written instructions.

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Just a Reminder!

This pattern is also available as a PDF, which includes everything listed here but as a printer-friendly, ad-free PDF that you can instantly download, save, print, make notes on and keep forever.

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Pattern Instructions

Pillow Cover Body

Start: Make a Magic Circle.

Round 1 (RS): Ch 1. 

In the Magic Circle, make 2 dc. 

*Ch 2. In the Magic Circle, make 3 dc.*

Complete the instructions from * to * a total of 3 times.

Ch 2. 

Pull the starting tail of the Magic Circle tight to close. 

Sl st into the top of the first dc to join. 

(Stitch count: 4 clusters) 

Round 2 (WS): Turn. 

In the ch-2 sp below (this is the starting corner), sl st. 

Ch 2. 

In the same ch-2 sp below, make 2 dc.

*In the next ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc).*

Complete the instructions from * to * a total of 3 times.

In the next ch-2 sp (the starting corner), make 3 dc. 

Ch 2.

Sl st into the top of the first dc to join. 

(Stitch count: 8 clusters)

Round 3 (RS): Turn. 

In the ch-2 sp below (the starting corner), sl st. 

Ch 2. 

In the same ch-2 sp below, make 2 dc.

*In the next sp between clusters, make 3 dc. 

In the next ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc).*

Complete the instructions from * to * a total of 3 times.

In the next sp between clusters, make 3 dc. 

In the next ch-2 sp (the starting corner), make 3 dc. 

Ch 2. 

Sl st into the top of the first dc to join.

(Stitch count: 12 clusters)

Round 4 (WS): Turn.

In the ch-2 sp below (the starting corner), sl st.

Ch 2. 

In the same ch-2 sp below, make 2 dc.

*In the next sp between clusters, make 3 dc. 

In the next sp between clusters, make 3 dc. 

In the next ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc).*

Complete the instructions from * to * a total of 3 times.

In the next sp between clusters, make 3 dc. 

In the next sp between clusters, make 3 dc. 

In the next ch-2 sp (the starting corner), make 3 dc. 

Ch 2. 

Sl st into the top of the first dc to join.

(Stitch count: 16 clusters) 

Round 5 (RS): Turn.

In the ch-2 sp below (the starting corner), sl st.

Ch 2. 

In the same ch-2 sp below, make 2 dc.

*Until the next ch-2 sp, work in each sp between clusters and make 3 dc.

In the next ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc).*

Complete the instructions from * to * a total of 3 times.

Until the next ch-2 sp (the starting corner), work in each sp between clusters and make 3 dc. 

In the next ch-2 sp (the starting corner), make 3 dc. 

Ch 2. 

Sl st into the top of the first dc to join.

(Stitch count: 20 clusters) 

Rounds 6 and on: Repeat Round 5 until your work fits over your pillow insert (see “Checking the Size” below). 

(The stitch count increases by 4 clusters each round.)

When making a 14” x 14” pillow cover with Soft Classic yarn, I completed 20 rounds in total. My finished square measured 22” x 22”. Note: your finished square may be a different size depending on the actual size and fullness of your pillow insert.

Checking the Size

Place your pillow insert in the center of your work, with the corners of your work positioned at the top, bottom and sides of the pillow insert (see image below). Fold the corners of your work over the pillow insert, similar to folding an envelope. Pin the corners together to hold them in place.

Your work should cover the pillow insert, fit snugly and be slightly stretched. It should not be so tight that the stitches are pulling or the pillow insert is being compressed. Slight gaps where the sides meet are normal.

If your work is too small, remove the pins and repeat Round 5 until it fits as described above.

You can end after completing either a RS round or a WS round. Once you’ve reached your desired size, remove the pins and fasten off (meaning to cut the yarn that’s attached to your skein and pull the end through the loop that was on your hook). Weave in all loose ends.

Joining

Joining – Start

You will join the two sides with a flat slip stitch joining technique, which is a quick way to create a flat, polished-looking seam that securely holds the sides in place.

With the WS of your finished work facing up, fold any two corners towards the middle. Rotate your work so the ch-2 sp of each corner is facing you.

Make a slip knot and place it on your hook. Always keep your working yarn in between the two sides and under the loops on your hook.

You will start by working into the outer loop of the second of two chains in each corner. The outer loops are the loops furthest away from the middle of your square. They are also known as the back loops.

Make the first flat slip stitch: 

Step 1: Starting with the side on your right, insert your hook into the outer loop of the second ch. Note: insert your hook into the stitch from right to left so the hook comes out in between the two sides. You will have two loops on your hook. 

Step 2: Next, work into the side on your left. Insert your hook into the outer loop of the second ch. Note: insert your hook into the stitch from the left to the right so the hook comes out in between the two sides. You will have three loops on your hook. 

Step 3: Note: ensure your working yarn is in between the two sides and under the loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull the yarn through the three loops on your hook. 

Your first flat slip stitch has now been made.

Continue Joining

Note: If you come across the sl st that joined the final round of the Pillow Cover Body, skip over it and do not work into it.

Work into the outer loops of each corresponding* stitch on both sides, making flat slip stitches to join them: 

Step 1: Starting with the side on your right, insert your hook into the outer loop of the next st. Note: insert your hook into the stitch from right to left so the hook comes out in between the two sides. You will have two loops on your hook. 

Step 2: Next, work into the side on your left. Insert your hook into the outer loop of the next st. Note: insert your hook into the stitch from the left to the right so the hook comes out in between the two sides. You will have three loops on your hook. 

Step 3: Note: ensure your working yarn is in between the two sides and under the loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull the yarn through the three loops on your hook. 

Your next flat slip stitch has now been made.

*Corresponding means the same stitch on both sides. For example, join the third stitch of the side on your right to the third stitch of the side on your left.

Continue working into the outer loops of each corresponding stitch, making flat slip stitches until the two sides meet. You may have one stitch left. If so, don’t work into it.

Once the two sides are joined, fasten off. 

Joining – Other Side

Fold the corner to the left of your two joined sides towards the middle. 

Repeat the joining instructions, starting with “Joining – Start,” to join these two sides.

Once the other side is joined, fasten off and weave in all loose ends. 

Buttons

Using a sewing needle and sewing thread, attach five 20 mm (0.75”) buttons. 

Attach the center button at the bottom of the corner ch-2 sp (on top of the 6 dc sts made in the corner).

Place the other four buttons evenly apart along the second last round of the Pillow Cover Body, on top of a cluster.

When the top flap is closed, the sps between clusters serve as buttonholes and go over the buttons.

For my 14” x 14” pillow cover, I placed the buttons as shown above. If you made your pillow cover a different size, adjust the placement of the four other buttons so they are evenly spaced and in the same position on both sides. 

Place your pillow insert inside and now you have a new pillow cover!

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More Granny Square Patterns

I have lots more really fun granny square patterns! A few of my favorites are below. Looking for more pillow patterns? View all my crochet pillow patterns.

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