December 17, 2023
Not only does this pillow look pretty, it’s also comfy – a great quality of any pillow – and functional. This pillow case is designed to be removable, so you can wash it without having to toss in the entire pillow, or make a trip to the dry cleaners. This crochet textured pillow cover can also be adjusted to fit any sized pillow form. If you have mastered the single crochet stitch, then this is the perfect project for you.
Pillows add a touch of warmth, color and texture to every space; and can be placed on chairs, benches, couches, beds, outdoor furniture, and floors (of all places). Pillows designed to look handmade are especially trendy. I am making this pillow to use on top of my bed.
This pattern is written by Dayna at
About Dayna
My name is Dayna, and I am so excited to have you here! Ever since I was little, I’ve loved making things. My dad would encourage me to try a new craft every year on my birthday, by getting me all the supplies I would need. I went from painting, to drawing, to rug hooking, to scrap booking, and back to painting, before I found crochet. I picked up a hook in 2016, and although I gave up a few times, I haven’t put it down since.
While I love all things crochet, I am a born crafter. Anything crafty interests me, and I have this innate desire to try everything at least once. In 2019, I started refurbishing old furniture and giving it a new life; I tried my hand at resin crafts; and I got more passionate about thrifting. I graduated from Brock University with a degree in Mathematics and Education in 2017.
My goal in life was to be a high school math teacher who inspired students to find their passion in life. I have been an occasional teacher (a.k.a substitute) for the public school board for the past two years, where I’ve filled in for teachers on medical and maternity leave.
While I really like teaching in a school setting, I realized it isn’t my passion. Hence, the beginning of This Pixie Creates.
This blog is a way for me to combine my love of teaching, with my passion for creating. I love being able to share my making process, so you can try similar projects on your own.
Materials:
18″ x 18″ Pillow Insert (or any sized pillow insert)
2 – 3 buttons (optional)
Sewing Thread (optional)
Yarn and Yardage:
Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick Weight 6 Super Bulky (80% acrylic, 20% wool, 106 yd/ 97 m, 6 oz/ 170 g)
Colors: Fisherman OR Butterscotch
Yardage: 4 Skeins or approximately 404 yds used
Abbreviations:
St(s) – stitch(es)
Ch – chain
Sc – single crochet
BLO – back loops only (only make your single crochets in the back loops)
Gauge:
Approximately 8 sts x 8 rows in 4″ x 4″
We all crochet a little differently: some loose, some tight, and some in between. So it is important to check your gauge as you crochet. The pillow is worked like a rectangle, so 4” x 4” is approximately 8 sc wide by 8 rows long.
Trouble with Gauge?
If your gauge is too small, try using a thicker weight 4 yarn or a larger crochet hook, until you meet the gauge.
If your gauge is too big, try using a thinner weight 4 yarn or a smaller crochet hook, until you meet the gauge.
If you are having trouble meeting the gauge, read the customizing instructions to see how easy it is to create a pillow cover to fit your insert.
Single Crochet in the Back Loops Only Method/Video Tutorial:
To make this pillow, we will be single crocheting in the back loops only! Each stitch has a front and back loop; the front loop is the closest to you, and the back loop is the furthest from you.
Normally, we crochet through both loops (front + back). However, working single crochets in the back loops only creates a ridge pattern that adds texture to your finished piece.
If you prefer to learn through a video, here is a link to a tutorial that will show you how to single crochet in the back loops only.
Pattern Measurements:
This pillow cover is designed to fit an 18″ x 18″ pillow form.
Front Panel: 18″ x 18″
Back Panel(s): 12.5″ x 18″
Customize the Size of your Pillow Cover:
If you are working with a pillow insert that isn’t 18″ x 18″, don’t panic! This pattern can be adjusted to fit any sized pillow form. The first step is to measure your pillow.
Length:
Front Panel:
This pillow cover is worked length-wise, which means that the starting chain will determine the length of your pillow case. Make your chain the exact length of your pillow OR no more than an inch shorter than the length of your pillow. Continue on with the pattern as normal.
Back Panel:
The back panels are also worked length-wise, so chain the same number of chains as the front panel.
Width:
Since the pillow cover is worked length-wise, the number of crocheted rows determines how wide your pillow case will be. Also keep in mind that by working in the back loops only, the fabric will be stretchy, so make sure to stretch out your panels before measuring them.
Front Panel:
If the width of your pillow is smaller than 18″, work fewer rows (less than 36 rows); if your pillow is larger than 18″, work more rows (more than 36 rows). Stretch out and measure your fabric to see if it is the proper width before you fasten off.
Pattern Measurements:
This pillow cover is designed to fit an 18″ x 18″ pillow form.
Front Panel: 18″ x 18″
Back Panel(s): 12.5″ x 18″
Customize the Size of your Pillow Cover:
If you are working with a pillow insert that isn’t 18″ x 18″, don’t panic! This pattern can be adjusted to fit any sized pillow form. The first step is to measure your pillow.
Length:
Front Panel: This pillow cover is worked length-wise, which means that the starting chain will determine the length of your pillow case. Make your chain the exact length of your pillow OR no more than an inch shorter than the length of your pillow. Continue on with the pattern as normal.
Back Panel: The back panels are also worked length-wise, so chain the same number of chains as the front panel.
Width:
Since the pillow cover is worked length-wise, the number of crocheted rows determines how wide your pillow case will be. Also keep in mind that by working in the back loops only, the fabric will be stretchy, so make sure to stretch out your panels before measuring them.
Front Panel: If the width of your pillow is smaller than 18″, work fewer rows (less than 36 rows); if your pillow is larger than 18″, work more rows (more than 36 rows). Stretch out and measure your fabric to see if it is the proper width before you fasten off.
Pattern:
Notes:
The beginning ch 1 does not count as a st.
Work the last sc of each row in the beginning ch 1 of the previous row. This will create a straighter edge.
This pillow is made up of 3 pieces – 1 front panel and 2 back panels – that are sewn together; buttons are added to the back to make it removable for washing.
Front Panel:
Ch 36
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, and in each ch across. Turn. <35 sc>
Rows 2 – 36: Ch 1, sc in the BLO in each st across. Turn. <35 sc>
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Back Panel (Make 2):
Ch 36
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, and in each ch across. Turn. <35 sc>
Rows 2 – 19: Ch 1, sc in the BLO in each st across. Turn. <35 sc>
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Sewing Your Panels Together to Make a Pillow
Cover:
Sewing is arguably the worst part of any crochet project, but when it comes to pillows, it’s exciting. You never know your crochet pillow cover will turn out until you sew your sides together and pop in your insert.
To sew these panels together, we will be using a technique called the whip stitch. If you are unfamiliar with this stitch, there is a great tutorial by Wool and the Gang to help you here.
Method:
We will be sewing one back panel at a time.
Using the whip stitch, sew the first back panel to your front panel along the 3 dotted lines shown in the diagram below. Do not sew along the fourth inside length. The fourth edge is your opening for the pillow insert to fit through.
Sewing a Pillow Together Diagram:
Now, it’s time to sew your second back panel on. Your second back panel will overlap your first back panel by about 4 stitches. Therefore, you will be sewing through both the front panel and the first back panel along these 4 stitches.
Line up your second panel and begin whip stitching along the 3 dotted lines shown in the diagram below. Do not sew along the fourth inside length. The fourth edge is your opening for the pillow insert to fit through.
Now, it’s time to sew your second back panel on. Your second back panel will overlap your first back panel by about 4 stitches. Therefore, you will be sewing through both the front panel and the first back panel along these 4 stitches.
Line up your second panel and begin whip stitching along the 3 dotted lines shown in the diagram below. Do not sew along the fourth inside length. The fourth edge is your opening for the pillow insert to fit through.
Your crochet textured pillow case is almost complete! Insert your pillow to see how it looks.
To hold my pillow case in place, I sewed 3 buttons onto the first back panel (green in the diagrams). Then, I pulled on the second back panel (red in diagrams) until I was happy with the position. I squeezed each button through a stitch in the second back panel to close.
And You’re Done!
Congratulations! You just made your first Simple Textured Crochet Pillow. I hope you enjoyed making it as much as I did. Now you can snuggle up with this beauty while you work on other projects. It really is as comfy as it looks!