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Bold geometric colorwork gives this crochet pillow its crisp, modern look, while the simple single crochet fabric keeps the construction approachable. Make the charted front and solid navy back, then join the panels around a pillow form. It’s a satisfying home décor project for crocheters who want to practice color changes and create a handmade accent for their own space or as a gift.
Why you’ll love this pattern
The pillow is worked in single crochet, so the basic stitch is easy to settle into. The charted front adds a chance to practice reading colorwork, while the solid back offers a calm, repetitive finish. Because the panels are worked flat and joined around the pillow form, there are no complicated shaping techniques to manage.
The bold teal, green, berry, and navy palette makes the finished piece a noticeable accent on a sofa, reading chair, or bed. It also makes a thoughtful housewarming or holiday gift.
“I enjoyed seeing the angles take shape row by row. The single crochet kept the front manageable, and the navy back made the finished pillow feel polished.”
Pattern overview
You’ll crochet two rectangular panels, each starting with a chain of 58 stitches and measuring 57 single crochet stitches across. The front begins in Grass and follows a color chart through its 56th row. It then gets two Bright Teal rows. The back is worked in Navy until it matches the front in size.
Single crochet is the main stitch. The front requires color changes and chart reading: follow right-to-left directions on right-side rows and left-to-right directions on wrong-side rows. To finish, hold the panels with their wrong sides together and single crochet through both layers around the edges, placing three single crochets in each corner. Insert the pillow form before closing the final side.
This is a good project for a confident beginner who knows single crochet and is ready to try colorwork. The time needed will depend on your pace and experience with the chart.
Materials you’ll need
- Bernat® Super Value™ yarn (7 oz/197 g; 426 yds/389 m) in Bright Teal, Grass, Berry, and Navy
- U.S. H/8 (5 mm) crochet hook
- Pillow form
The yarn label’s care instructions are the best guide to washing the finished pillow. If you use a different yarn, choose one with a similar thickness and check your gauge: a change in yarn or hook can affect the panel size and how neatly the pillow form fits.
Step-by-step instructions
Abbreviations: ch = chain; sc = single crochet; sl st = slip stitch; RS = right side; WS = wrong side.
Front
- With Grass, ch 58.
- Row 1 (RS): Sc in the second ch from the hook and in each ch to the end. Turn. You should have 57 sc.
- Row 2: Ch 1. Sc in each sc across. Turn.
- Work the chart in sc until the 56th chart row is complete. Read RS rows from right to left and WS rows from left to right. Join Bright Teal at the end of the last chart row.
- With Bright Teal, ch 1 and sc across. Turn.
- Repeat the previous row once more. Fasten off.
Back
- With Navy, ch 58.
- Row 1 (RS): Sc in the second ch from the hook and in each ch to the end. Turn. You should have 57 sc.
- Row 2: Ch 1. Sc in each sc across. Turn.
- Repeat Row 2 until the back measures the same as the front. Fasten off.
Finishing
- Place the front and back together with their WS facing each other. Work through both layers.
- Join Navy with a sl st in a corner, then ch 1.
- Sc evenly around the edges, working 3 sc in each corner.
- Insert the pillow form before you join the fourth side.
- Join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off.
Ways to use your finished project
Use the pillow as a bold accent on a sofa, armchair, or bed. Its geometric front pairs well with solid-color cushions and simple furnishings. It also makes a useful handmade housewarming gift, especially when the colors are chosen to suit the recipient’s home.
How to care for your crochet project
Check the yarn label before washing, since care recommendations depend on the yarn’s fiber content. If the label allows machine washing, use a gentle cycle and cool water; otherwise, hand wash gently. Avoid twisting or wringing the pillow.
Reshape the cover while damp and let it dry thoroughly. If the cover is removable, take it off before cleaning the pillow form and follow the form’s care instructions. Store the pillow clean and fully dry, away from prolonged direct sunlight. For strong or dark colors, wash gently and separately the first time in case of color transfer.
Tips for success
- Count as you go. Keep 57 sc in each row and check periodically so accidental increases or missed stitches don’t distort the panels.
- Mark the first and last stitch. A stitch marker at each edge can make it easier to work evenly, especially across the colorwork.
- Keep the chart handy. Track each completed row and confirm whether the next row is RS or WS before following the chart direction.
- Change colors neatly. Join the new color as directed at the end of the chart row, and avoid pulling carried strands too tightly if your chart technique requires carrying yarn.
- Measure the panels together. The back should match the front before assembly. If their lengths differ, adjust the back rows before joining.
- Distribute the border stitches evenly. Along row ends, space the sc so the edging lies flat rather than puckering or flaring.
Customize your project
Try a different color palette to suit a room or season, while keeping the contrast between chart colors clear enough for the angles to stand out. A contrasting border can also frame the design; note that a different border color will change the finished look and may use additional yarn.
You can adjust the size by changing the starting chain and working a proportionally sized chart, but this will alter the finished dimensions and yarn requirements. Simply adding more rows to the back will not make the whole pillow larger unless the front is adjusted to match. A different yarn weight or hook size can also change the panel dimensions, thickness, and fit around the pillow form.
Frequently asked questions
Is this crochet pillow pattern beginner-friendly?
It can suit a confident beginner who is comfortable with single crochet and can keep an even stitch count. The charted front adds a colorwork step, so familiarity with reading charts is helpful.
What yarn works best for this pattern?
The listed yarn is Bernat® Super Value™ in Bright Teal, Grass, Berry, and Navy. If substituting, choose a similar yarn thickness and check your gauge, since a different yarn can change the panel size and pillow fit.
Can I use a different hook size?
You can, but it may change the size and density of the fabric. A larger hook usually makes looser, larger stitches; a smaller hook usually makes tighter, smaller stitches. Check your panel dimensions before making both pieces.
How much yarn do I need?
The pattern lists the yarn line and colors but does not give a separate amount for each color. The listed skein size is 7 oz/197 g and 426 yds/389 m. Check the original pattern’s chart and yarn details for color-by-color quantities before starting.
How do I make the pillow larger or smaller?
Change the starting chain and use a chart adjusted to the new width, then make the back to match the front. Changing the dimensions will also change the yarn needed and may require a different pillow form.
Why are my panel edges uneven?
Check that each row has 57 sc, and make sure the turning chain is not being mistaken for a stitch unless the pattern specifies it. Marking the first and last stitch can help keep the edges straight.
Can I sell finished pillows made from this pattern?
The pattern instructions provided here do not state whether finished items may be sold. Check the original designer’s usage terms before selling a pillow made from the pattern.
Print
Geometric Colorwork Crochet Pillow
Description
This crochet pillow features bold geometric colorwork and a simple single crochet back, making it an approachable project for crocheters looking to practice color changes. It serves as a modern accent in any space.
Materials
- Bernat® Super Value™ yarn in Bright Teal (1 skein), Grass (1 skein), Berry (1 skein), Navy (1 skein)
- U.S. H/8 (5 mm) crochet hook (1)
- Pillow form (1)
Instructions
- With Grass, ch 58.
- Row 1 (RS): Sc in the second ch from the hook and in each ch to the end. Turn. You should have 57 sc.
- Row 2: Ch 1. Sc in each sc across. Turn.
- Work the chart in sc until the 56th chart row is complete. Read RS rows from right to left and WS rows from left to right. Join Bright Teal at the end of the last chart row.
- With Bright Teal, ch 1 and sc across. Turn.
- Repeat the previous row once more. Fasten off.
- With Navy, ch 58.
- Row 1 (RS): Sc in the second ch from the hook and in each ch to the end. Turn. You should have 57 sc.
- Row 2: Ch 1. Sc in each sc across. Turn.
- Repeat Row 2 until the back measures the same as the front. Fasten off.
- Place the front and back together with their WS facing each other. Work through both layers.
- Join Navy with a sl st in a corner, then ch 1.
- Sc evenly around the edges, working 3 sc in each corner.
- Insert the pillow form before you join the fourth side.
- Join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off.
Notes
The project is suitable for a confident beginner. Ensure the back matches the front in size before assembly.