Initial Here Pillow – Free Crochet Pattern

 

This pillow is so cute and is a great introduction to Tunisian Crochet! The “F” initial is cross-stitched over the Tunisian Simple Stitch, so you can use any cross-stitch pattern in the middle. It would make a great wedding or baby gift! And it works up quickly so even if you only have a few days to complete it, it’s no problem!

With Tunisian Crochet, the biggest difference from traditional crochet is that each row will contain a forward pass (from right to left) and then a pass to close the stitches (from left to right). On each row, you first pick up all the stitches, then you go the opposite direction and close them. If you’d like to see a video on how to do the Tunisian Simple Stitch or Afghan stitch, here is the video that I’d recommend. If you know how to chain and single crochet, you can do this stitch!

What You’ll Need:

• 210 yards of Aran weight yarn in primary color – I used 2 skeins of Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Aran in white
• 35 yards of Aran weight yarn in secondary color – I used less than 1 skein of Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Aran in charcoal
• 14” X 14” pillow form
• Tunisian Crochet Hook Size K (6.5mm)
• Crochet Hook Size I (5.5 mm)
• Yarn Needle to weave in ends

Gauge

• In Tunisian Simple Stitch, 15 stitches and 14 rows = 4”

Abbreviations

• ch = chain
• YO = yarn over
• sk = skip
• sc = single crochet
• sp = space
• st = stitch

Pattern

Pillow Front- Tunisian Simple Stitch

• Using the Tunisian Crochet Hook, Ch 46
• Row 1
  • Forward Pass – Insert hook in 2^nd ch from hook and pull up a loop. Repeat in each ch across. (46 loops on hook.)
  • Return Pass (To Close) – YO and draw through 1 loop. *YO and draw through 2 loops* Repeat across until there is only 1 ch on the hook. (45 stitches across)
• Row 2
  • Forward Pass – Insert hook from right to left under next vertical bar, YO and pull up a loop. Repeat across.
  • Return Pass (To Close) – Same as Return Pass on row 1
• Rows 3- 45 – Repeat Row 2
• Slip Stitch Bind off – *Insert hook under next vertical bar, YO and pull through both loops on hook* Repeat across.
• Do not cut yarn. Continue working a border around the pillow front
• Place a marker in each corner stitch including the last stitch across the top. This helps to ensure that you have the same number of stitches around the pillow.
• Round 1 – ch 1, 1sc in each stitch down each side and the top and bottom. 3 sc in each corner stitch with the marker. Move marker to center stitch in 3-sc cluster. End with 3 sc in last stitch across the top and ss to 1^st (45 stitches between markers)
• Round 3 & 4 – Change color and repeat round 1
• Round 5 – Change back to primary color – Repeat for 1 round (51 stitches between markers)
• Finish off. Weave in ends.

Cross Stitch your design. I laid out my design for the letter “F” using an excel spreadsheet with 45 columns and 45 rows (indicating the area with Tunisian Crochet). I marked the center stitch so I could make sure the design was centered on the spreadsheet, then it was easy to transfer the design to the pillow following that pattern.

(You’ve done all of the hard work! The rest goes really fast!)

Pillow Back

• Using Size I Crochet Hook, Ch 52
• Row 1 – sc in 2^nd ch from hook. *ch 1, sk next ch, sc in next ch* Repeat across
• Row 2 – Ch 1, sc in 1^st sc, sc in ch-1 sp, *ch 1, sk next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp* Repeat across to last sc. Sc in last sc. Turn
• Row 3 – ch 1, sc in 1^st *ch 1, sk next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp* Repeat across to last 2 sts. Ch 1. Sk next sc, sc in last sc. Turn.
• Rows 4-50 – Repeat rows 2 and 3
• Do not cut yarn. Continue working a border around the pillow back, marking corner stitches for counting.
• Border Row 1 – Turn so you’ll work the row you just completed first. 3 sc in 1^st sc in each sc and ch-1 sp. 3 sc in last stitch of row. (51 stitches between marked stitches)
• Continue working down side. Sc in each row, placing 3 sc in the corner marked stitch. Continue around the bottom and side of the pillow. Ss to 1^st sc to join (51 stitches on each side)
• Do not cut yarn.
• Use stitch markers or safety pins to pin the front and back together with right sides facing out.
• Joining round – sc through both the back and front pieces of the pillow around, putting 3 sc in each corner. Once you’ve completed 3 sides, place the pillow form inside and continue to sc the last edge together.
• Finish off. Weave in ends.

Hope you enjoy!