How to Crochet a Pillow for Beginners

You can also purchase it on Etsy and Ravelry.

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About this Easy Cushion Cover Pattern

Skill Level

This Simple Crochet Pillow pattern is a very easy cushion cover pattern and beginner friendly.

Size

The pillow pattern that we will be following makes a pillow cover that is 17″ x 17″ and fits perfectly over a 16″ x 16″ pillow insert. You can also use pillow stuffing instead of a pillow insert.

Gauge

The Gauge for this pattern is 4” x 4” = 13 sts and 12 rows following the pattern. I recommend using pillow stuffing if you don’t want to worry about exact sizing. If using a pillow insert, you’ll want to check gauge before starting (here’s a Guide to Gauge). There are also measurements throughout the pattern to ensure that your pillow cover will fit over your pillow insert.

Materials 

• Yarn: Any size 4 (medium), 100% acrylic yarn. You’ll need approx. 600 yds. I used Impeccable by Loops & Threads in the color “Pale Grey.” A skein is 285 yds / 260 m and 4.5 oz / 127.5 g. I used two and a quarter skeins. 
• Crochet Hook: H/8 (5.00 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.
• Other Materials: yarn needle, scissors, measuring tape, pillow stuffing or one 16” x 16” pillow insert. 

Abbreviations 

ch = chain 
sl st = slip stitch
st = stitch 
sc = single crochet 
dc = double crochet
sts = stitches 

Pattern Notes

• Always start a row in the first stitch (the stitch attached to the chain).
• Chain 1 does not count as a stitch.
• All rows have the same number of stitches (56).
• The front and back pillow panels are exactly same. 
• Each panel is made from the chain row up. The number of starting chains determines the width and the number of rows determines the height. You can adjust the width by making more or less starting chains in multiples of 2 + 1 (which means you’ll need an odd number of starting chains). You can adjust the height by making more or less rows.

How to Crochet a Pillow Video Tutorial

This video tutorial shows exactly how to crochet a pillow from start to finish. It follows the exact written instructions below to show you how to make this Simple Crochet Pillow.

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Simple Crochet Pillow Instructions

Foundation/Chain Row: Ch 57.

Row 1: In the second chain from hook, sc. In the next chain, dc. *In the next chain, sc. In the next chain, dc.* Repeat from * to * across entire row (56 sts). Ch 1 and turn.

Row 2: Sc in the first st (the top of the last dc you completed). Dc in the next stitch (the top of the sc from the previous row). *Sc in the next st. Dc in the next stitch.* Repeat from * to * across entire row (56 sts). Ch 1 and turn.

After Row 2, pillow width should measure approx 16.5” (it should grow to 17” after Row 8).

Row 3 and on: Repeat Row 2 until your pillow height is 17” (approximately 49 rows). Fasten off and weave in loose ends.

Make note of how many rows you complete as you should make the exact same number of rows for both panels.

Repeat these instructions to create a second pillow panel. 

Pillow Assembly

Place one panel directly on top of the other (it doesn’t mater which side is facing up) with the chain rows of both at the bottom and the stitches perfectly lined up. 

Attach a new strand of yarn to the bottom right corner stitch with a sl st (insert your hook from the top through both panels, put yarn on hook, pull yarn through both pieces and sl st). 

Sc through both panels into the same corner st (the st with the sl st attached). 

You will be working up the side, then across the top, down the side and across the bottom and single crocheting the two panels together. The top panel will be facing you the entire time. Always work into both panels.

Working up the side, insert your hook into the first gap space created at the end of the row (between the end of the row and the 1st st) of both panels. Pull yarn through both panels and sc. 

Continue to sc into each gap space up the side. At the corner, sc 3 times into the corner st. 

Sc across the top. At the corner, sc 3 times into the corner st. 

Sc into each gap space down the side. At the corner, sc 3 times into the corner st. 

If you are using a pillow insert, place your pillow insert into the pillow cover and sc across the bottom. 

If you are using pillow stuffing, sc about halfway across the bottom then fill your pillow with stuffing and sc the rest of the way across the bottom. 

When back at the first corner (where you attached the yarn with a sl st), sc into the corner st. Sl st into the first sc made to join.

Fasten off and weave in loose ends. 

Now you have a beautiful new pillow! I hope you enjoyed this pattern and learning how to crochet a pillow.

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