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Looking for a fun, easy, fast, unique crochet gift idea or project that will look great in your home? This Paw Print Pillow Cover Crochet Pattern is an easy to follow, carefully designed pattern that works up quickly and looks fantastic when completed. It creates a professional-looking, super soft, removable 18″ x 18″ cushion cover. The only question is whether you keep it to enhance your own home decor or give it as a gift! It’s a terrific crochet gift for men or women, anyone who is a pet lover!
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Make More Paw Print Patterns
Add to your paw print collection with this free pattern: Paw Print Coasters Crochet Pattern
Keep your pet’s eating area tidy and add to your home decor with this Paw Print Love Mat Crochet Pattern.
And complete the look with this free Paw Print Blanket!
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A full video tutorial is now available! Watch step by step how to complete this pattern or scroll down for the written instructions.
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Paw Print Pillow Cover PDF
LINK TO “HOW TO CROCHET WITH TWO COLORS”:
The written instructions and video on how to crochet with two colors can be found here.
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Please contact me anytime with any questions, feedback or share pics of what you made!
2:09 – Foundation Row
2:48 – Row 1
3:29 – Row 2
5:21 – Rows 3 – 8
6:33 – Row 9
11:08 – Row 10
17:06 – Row 11
20:17 – Row 12
22:34 – Row 13
24:53 – Row 14
27:03 – Row 15
29:15 – Row 16
31:09 – Row 17
33:20 – Row 18
35:19 – Row 19
38:46 – Row 20
42:53 – Row 21
46:58 – Row 22
50:32 – Row 23
54:10 – Row 24
1:03:36 – Rows 25 – 41
1:07:16 – Rows 42 – 48
1:09:12 – Back of Pillow – Bottom Back Piece
1:10:19 – Top Back Piece
1:14:27 – Pillow Cover Assembly
CORRECTIONS TO ROWS 37 & 38:
Row 37 should be: With MC sc 10, change colors With CC sc 4, catch float With CC sc 1, change colors With MC sc 1, change colors *With CC sc 6 (video incorrectly says 5)* change colors, With MC sc 18
Stitch count from right to left: MC sc 11, CC sc 7, MC sc 2, *CC sc 7 (video incorrectly says 6),* MC sc 18.
Row 38 should be: With MC sc 17, change colors *With CC sc 3 (video incorrectly says 4),* catch float With CC sc 1, change colors With MC sc 2, change colors With CC sc 4, catch float With CC sc 1, change colors With MC sc 11
Stitch count from right to left: MC sc 18, *CC sc 6 (video incorrectly says 7),* MC sc 3, CC sc 7, MC sc 11.
*The written pattern is correct. It is just these two places in the video that are incorrect.*
Easily jump to any section of this pattern with these quick links:
The inspiration for this crochet pillow cover came from our dog, Charlie. We call him King Charles because he is really is the king of our house. One of his many many quirks is that he is very particular about his pillows. He likes to have one on each side of him on the couch. If they are not to his liking, he will let us know by pawing the furniture non-stop until we fluff them for his optimal comfort.
I wanted to design a crochet pillow cover in honor of him that would be a terrific gift for a pet lover. It was a ton of fun to make and was surprisingly really fast and easy. You can customize the colors to match your home decor or your gift recipient’s favorite color.
The yarn that I used (Red Heart Soft Essentials yarn) is super soft, absolutely perfect for a comfy, cozy soft crochet pillow cover.
It is King Charles tested and approved!
The pattern creates a pillow/cushion/throw cover that fits over an 18” x 18” pillow insert (46 x 46 cm).
It can be easily removed and hand-washed…thank goodness because after Charlie has swim in the ocean and then frolics in the mud, the white on this pillow won’t be white for long!
This Paw Print Pillow Cover crochet pattern is written in English for right-handed crochet using standard US crochet terminology. If you are more familiar with UK terminology, check out my US to UK Conversion Chart.
Easy – Colorwork & Simple Stitches
The pattern creates a pillow/cushion/throw cover that fits over an 18” x 18” pillow insert (46 x 46 cm). The actual pillow cover is slightly smaller but stretches to fit.
Yarn: Red Heart Soft Essentials. This yarn is Bulky (5) Weight, 100% acrylic, 5 oz. / 140 g
Colors used (as seen in the photos):
Crochet Hook Size: K/10.5 (6.5 mm) (or size needed to obtain gauge)
Other Materials: scissors, pins, yarn needle, measuring tape
Pillow: One 18” x 18” pillow insert
Optional: large buttons for the back of the pillow cover
4” x 4” = 11 single crochet stitches and 13 rows. The chain row and the first two rows should be approximately 17.5 inches (44.5 cm) wide.
Need help understanding gauge? Check out my Step by Step Guide to Crochet Gauge.
st = stitch
sc = single crochet: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull yarn through both loops
ch = chain: yarn over, pull though loop on hook
MC = Main Color: The background and back of the pillow
CC = Contrast Color: The paw print
RS = Right Side: The front/outside of the pillow cover
WS = Wrong Side: The inside of the pillow cover
New to colorwork? Read my step by step guide: How to Crochet with Two Colors. It goes over everything you’ll read in this pattern but with more detail so that you can be a pro in colorwork in no time!
For this Paw Print Pillow Cover Crochet Pattern, you will add/pick up and use the contrast color only when working on the paw print and carry the main color along the back until you are ready to use it again.
Once you get to the main color again, you will drop the contrast color (you don’t carry it to the end of the row). The rows are worked from right to left and then left to right so the contrast color will be right there when you need it again on the next row.
With the color you are currently working with:
1) Insert hook into the next stitch and yarn over.
2) Still with the current color, pull yarn through stitch (you will have two loops on your hook) but instead of finishing the single crochet stitch…
3) Put the new color on hook
4) Pull through new color, leaving the old color hanging (keep it attached to ball of yarn, don’t cut).
On right side rows, the yarn will hang in the back, behind the work. For wrong side rows, the yarn will hang front of you. Give the previous color a slight tug to keep stitch tight.
Now use the new color until the pattern says to switch back. To switch back, repeat the same steps.
Note: When you complete the color addition/switch, it counts as a stitch with the old color as you are setting up the next stitch with the new color.
When following the chart: always add/ switch color in the second half of the single crochet stitch (when you have two loops on your hook with the old color) BEFORE the chart shows the new color.
When following the written instructions: always add the new color in the second half of the last sc stitch of the current color (when you have two loops on your hook with the old color) BEFORE the written patterns says to use the new color.
When working on the paw print with the contrast color, you will be carrying the main color along the back (the wrong side). These strands of yarn are “floating.” To prevent these pieces of carried yarn from becoming too long, we “catch” them and incorporate them into the back of a stitch every 4-6 stitches.
As you can see in the pic above on the right the strands are “caught” in the back to prevent them from becoming too long.
Insert your hook into the stitch and take the strand of the opposite color and place it on the hook (behind the stitch). Yarn over with the color you are working with and pull through. The opposite color should not have come through but instead be caught in the stitch (hidden from the front of the work). Give the opposite color a little tug.
Take the strand of yarn you are trying to catch (the opposite color) and put it over the next stitch. Simply place it there (in the middle between your active stitch and the next stitch). Insert your hook into the next stitch. Take that piece of yarn that you just placed and bring it towards you. That puts the yarn in the middle between the yarn on your hook and your new stitch. Single crochet as you normally would. Give the opposite colour a little tug.
• The pattern does not indicate when to catch floats. You need to remember to do this every 4-6 stitches.
• There are 6 times when you need to catch the contrast color (normally you just catch the main color). These six times are indicated on the pattern.
• Check each “catch” to ensure the opposite colored yarn is not visible from the front.
Please note: This pattern and all images associated with this pattern cannot be copied, shared, altered or sold on your own. You are welcome to sell the finished product but please include a link (if online) and reference jototheworld.com.
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(See below for Pattern Chart)
Start with and use the main color until you are instructed to add the contrast color (on row 9)
Chain: 46
Row 1 (RS): In the 2nd chain from hook, sc. Sc in each stitch until the end of the row. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 2 (WS): Sc in each stitch across
***Measure your work*** If it is longer or shorter than 17.5 inches/44.5 cm) (give or take half an inch) start the pattern again. When correct, ch 1 and turn.
Row 3: Sc in each stitch across. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 4-8: Repeat row 3
Row 9 (RS): With MC sc 21, with CC sc 5, with MC sc 19. Ch 1 and turn.
What this means: Sc with main color across the next 20 stitches. On the 21st stitch, add the contrast color and sc. Make sure that the hanging yarn is in the back.This now concludes the 21 stitches in the main color.
Sc with the new colour for 4 stitches. On the 5th stitch, switch back to the main colour. Make sure that the hanging yarn is in the back. This now concludes the 5 stitches in the contrast color..
With the main color, sc 19 to the end of the row.
This is how it looks from right to left: 21 stitches in the main color, 5 stitches in the contrast color and 19 stitches in the main color. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 10 (WS): With MC sc 18, with CC sc 8, with MC sc 19.
What this means: Sc with main color across the next 17 stitches. On the 18th stitch, switch to the contrast color and sc. Make sure that the hanging yarn is towards you.
Sc with the contrast color for 7 stitches. (Remember to catch your float). On the 8th stitch, switch back to the main color. Make sure that the hanging yarn is in front of you.
With the main color, sc 19 to the end of the row.
(This is how it looks wth the wrong side facing you from right to left: 18 stitches in the main color, 8 stitches in the contrast color and 19 stitches in the main color). Ch 1 and turn.
Row 11: with main color (MC) single crochet (sc) 18, with contrast color (CC) sc 9, with MC sc 18. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 12: with MC sc 18, with CC sc 9, with MC sc 18. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 13: with MC sc 17, with CC sc 11, with MC sc 17. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 14: with MC sc 17, with CC sc 12, with MC sc 16. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 15: with MC sc 14, with CC sc 14, with MC sc 17. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 16: with MC sc 17 with CC sc 16, with MC sc 12. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 17: with MC sc 9, with CC sc 19, with MC sc 17. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 18: with MC sc 17, with CC sc 20, with MC sc 8. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 19: with MC sc 7, with CC sc 20, with MC sc 18* (Note: after about 5 stitches with the MC, catch the contrast color so that it is easily accessible for the next row) Ch 1 and turn.
Row 20: with MC sc 10, with CC sc 5, with MC sc 3, with CC sc 21, with MC sc 6. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 21: with MC sc 6, with CC sc 21, with MC sc 2, with CC sc 7, with MC sc 9. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 22: with MC sc 8, with CC sc 8, with MC sc 2, with CC sc 21, with MC sc 6. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 23: with MC sc 6, with CC sc 21, with MC sc 3, with CC sc 8, with MC sc 7. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 24: with MC sc 7, with CC sc 8, with MC sc 4, with CC sc 20, with MC sc 6. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 25: with MC sc 7 with CC sc 19, with MC sc 5, with CC sc 8, with MC sc 6. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 26: with MC sc 6, with CC sc 6, with MC sc 8* Note: after about 5 stitches with MC, catch the contrast color, with CC sc 15, with MC sc 10. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 27: with MC sc 13, with CC sc 12, with MC sc 9* Note: after about 4 stitches with MC, catch the contrast color, with CC sc 4, with MC sc 7. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 28: with MC sc 13, with CC sc 4, with MC sc 5, with CC sc 7, with MC sc 16. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 29: with MC sc 18 with CC sc 4, with MC sc 5, with CC sc 6, with MC sc 12. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 30: with MC sc 11, with CC sc 7, with MC sc 27* Note: after about 5 stitches with MC, catch the contrast color. After another 5 stitches with MC, catch the contrast color again. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 31: with MC sc 13, with CC sc 3, with MC sc 11* Note: after about 5 stitches with MC, catch the contrast color, with CC sc 7, with MC sc 11. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 32: with MC sc 10, with CC sc 8, with MC sc 3, with CC sc 3, with MC sc 4, with CC sc 5, with MC sc 12. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 33: with MC sc 11, with CC sc 6, with MC sc 3, with CC sc 5, with MC sc 3, with CC sc 7, with MC sc 10. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 34: with MC sc 10, with CC sc 6, with MC sc 3, with CC sc 6, with MC sc 2, with CC sc 7, with MC sc 11. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 35: with MC sc 11, with CC sc 7, with MC sc 2, with CC sc 6, with MC sc 4, with CC sc 5, with MC sc 10. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 36: with MC sc 11, with CC sc 2, with MC sc 5, with CC sc 7, with MC sc 2, with CC sc 7, with MC sc 11. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 37: with MC sc 11, with CC sc 7, with MC sc 2, with CC sc 7, with MC sc 18. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 38: with MC sc 18, with CC sc 6, with MC sc 3, with CC sc 7, with MC sc 11. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 39: with MC sc 12, with CC sc 5, with MC sc 4, with CC sc 6, with MC sc 18. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 40: with MC sc 19, with CC sc 4, with MC sc 5, with CC sc 4, with MC sc 13. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 41: with MC sc 14, with CC sc 2, with MC sc 7, with CC sc 3, with MC sc 19. Ch 1 and turn.
Cut the contrast color leaving a 6” tail.
Rows 42 – 48: with MC sc across entire row. Ch 1 and turn.
Fasten off and weave in all loose ends. Weave in the tail of the Contrast Color into only Contrast Color parts and weave in the tail of the Main Color into only Main Color parts.
More Gifts for Pet Lovers!
If you are making this as a gift and are looking for something else to go with it, here are some additional gift ideas for pet lovers (or for yourself!)
Back of Pillow Notes:
With main color, chain 46.
Row 1: Sc in the second chain from hook. Sc in each stitch across. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 2: Sc in each stitch across. Ch 1 and turn.
Repeat for a total of 34 rows (piece should measure approximately 10 inches tall). On the final row, do not ch 1 and turn. Fasten off and weave in ends.
With main color, chain 46.
Row 1: Sc in the second chain from hook. Sc in each stitch across. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 2-30: Sc in each stitch across. Ch 1 and turn. (Piece should measure approximately 9 inches tall.)
Row 31: Double crochet in each stitch across. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Place A (the front) face down, with the wrong side facing up (the paw toes at the top).
Place B (the bottom of the back) on top of A with the last row you completed on the bottom, in line with the bottom of A. The chain row of B will be just above the centre of A.
Place C (the top of the back) on top of B and A with the row of double crochet stitches in the middle. The middle of B will be in between A and C.
Pin the three pieces in place.
With the main color, attach yarn to bottom left corner. With the paw print facing you, sc into each stitch along the bottom. Sc into the corner stitch three times. Repeat around pillow cover: sc along each side and 3 sc in each corner, single crocheting the pieces together. At the final corner, single crochet twice into the final corner stitch. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Optional: you could sew on large buttons to top of Piece B that would go through the double crochet stitches made on Piece C to make the make more secure.
Congratulations on completing the Paw Print Pillow Cover crochet pattern! I hope you enjoyed creating this pillow cover.
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