Who else loves soft, squishy, and snuggly throw pillows?  This velvet crochet pillow hits all of those marks!

Made with Bernat Velvet yarn, using the Tunisian Full Stitch (aka Mesh Stitch Pattern, or Gobelin Stitch Pattern) and 3 colors of yarn make a great pillow to add to your decor.  

When I saw these 3 colors of yarn together, my thought was Valentine’s Day decor – thus the name Sweetheart Stripes.  But, the pattern is simple enough for this pillow to hang out on the couch at least through spring (or year-round if these colors go with your decor).  

Of course, you can use any other colors to make a unique piece for your home!  The color changes are easy, but make such an impact with this stitch. A velvet crochet pillow to snuggle with all year long? – Yes, please!

The velvet yarn made a plush, squishy fabric and I really enjoyed the process of making this pillow.  At one point my husband felt the fabric and said: “This may become my new favorite pillow.”… lol. So maybe this pillow will even win over those guys who don’t understand why we love throw pillows so much!  

Ready to make your own?  Read on for all the details.

This pattern assumes you are familiar with Tunisian Crochet and in particular the Tunisian Full Stitch.  The Tunisian Full stitch worked over a 2-row repeat is also known as the Gobelin or Mesh Stitch pattern. Here is a good tutorial from KnitDenise – which also just happens to be the brand of Tunisian Crochet hook I used for this project.  https://youtu.be/w9w9EWT_8s0

Once you are familiar with how to work the stitch, here is what you will need.

Supplies:

• Bernat Velvet Yarn (Size 5, Bulky): 1 skein each  (I found at my local Joann Store
  • 105 yds Color A (Vapor Grey)
  • 175 yds Color B (Blush Pink)
  • 105 yds Color C (Burgundy Plum)
• Tunisian Crochet Hook – size K / 10.5 / 6.5mm (I like my Denise Interchangeable Crochet Hooks) 
• Yarn Needle (My plastic needle worked great for this project)
• 18” x 18” pillow form (I picked mine up at my local Joann Store)
• Tape Measure

Abbreviations

ch: chain
sts: stitches
yo: yarn over
sp: space
bo: bind off

Gauge

6 sts x 6 rows in stitch pattern = 2” square  

Size

Finished pillow measures 18” x 18” square

Notes

1. Do not turn work after each row.  In Tunisian Crochet, work is always done with the right side facing you.  Each row of Tunisian Crochet consists of a Forward Pass and a Return Pass.  
2. The pattern is a 2-row repeat, with an even number of stitches.
   1. The pattern can easily be modified to fit other size pillow forms by adding or subtracting stitches, maintaining an even number of stitches & rows.
3. The final/edge stitch of the Forward Pass is always worked the same: insert hook through both vertical bars of the final stitch, yo, pull up a loop.  (If you need a refresher, the tutorial video from KnitDenise includes how to work the edge stitch.) 
4. Color changes: unless instructed, do not cut the yarn when changing colors. Yarn can be carried up the edge of the piece.  (Less ends to weave in – yay!) Drop the color being used, and just let it hang out on the edge until you return to pick it up again, yo with new color and begin working. 
5. The pattern makes a rectangle that is then folded and seamed up around the pillow form.

Ready to get started?

Sweetheart Stripes Pillow – {Free Velvet Crochet Pillow Pattern}

Using size K (6.5mm) Tunisian Crochet hook, and Color A

Row 1: Foundation Row: ch 54 loosely

Forward pass: working in back bump of ch sts, insert hook into 2nd ch st from hook, yo and pull through loop (now 2 loops on the hook).  Continue picking up loops in this fashion until you reach the end of the chain. The number of loops on the hook should be the same number as the starting chain (54).

Return Pass (do not turn work): yo, pull through the first loop on hook, * yo, pull through 2 loops *, repeat *to* across, until 1 loop remaining on hook.  

Row 2: (Begin 2-row pattern repeat) 

Forward pass:  Insert hook into sp between the 2nd and 3rd vertical bars, yo, pull up a loop.  *insert hook into the sp between the next 2 vertical bars, yo, pull up a loop*, repeat * to* until the last sp is worked.  Work edge stitch (see #3 in Notes section above). 

Return Pass (do not turn work): yo, pull through the first loop on hook, * yo, pull through 2 loops *, repeat *to* across, until 1 loop remaining on hook.  

Row 3: 

Forward pass: Insert hook into sp between the 1st and 2nd vertical bars, yo, pull up a loop.  *insert hook into the sp between the next 2 vertical bars, yo, pull up a loop*, repeat *to* until one vertical bar space left. Skip the last space, work edge stitch. 

Return Pass (do not turn work): yo, pull through the first loop on hook, * yo, pull through 2 loops *, repeat *to* across, until 1 loop remaining on hook.  

Rows 4 – 15: repeat rows 2 & 3

Row 16: 
Forward pass: work as row 2
Return pass: Change to color B, work return pass

Row 17:
Forward pass: work as row 3
Return pass:  Change to color A, work return pass

Row 18: 
Forward pass: work as row 2
Return pass:  Change to color B, work return pass

Row 19:
Forward pass: work as row 3
Return pass:  Change to color A, work return pass

Row 20: 
Forward pass: work as row 2
Return pass:  Change to color B, work return pass
Cut color A leaving a tail long enough to weave in.

Rows 21 – 36 will be color B

Row 21: repeat row 3

Rows 22 – 35: repeat rows 2 & 3

Row 36: 
Forward pass: work as row 2
Return pass: Change to color C, work return pass

Row 37:
Forward pass: work as row 3
Return pass:  Change to color B, work return pass

Row 38: 
Forward pass: work as row 2
Return pass:  Change to color C, work return pass

Row 39:
Forward pass: work as row 3
Return pass:  Change to color B, work return pass

Row 40: 
Forward pass: work as row 2
Return pass:  Change to color C, work return pass
Cut color B leaving a tail long enough to weave in.

Rows 41 – 56 will be color C

Row 41: repeat row 3

Rows 42 – 55: repeat rows 2 & 3

Row 56: repeat row 2

Starting Back of Pillow

Row 57: 
Forward pass: work as row 3
Return pass: change to color B, work return pass

Row 58:
Forward pass: work as row 2
Return pass: change to color A, work return pass

Row 59: 
Forward pass: work as row 3
Return pass: change to color B, work return pass

Row 60:
Forward pass: work as row 2
Return pass: change to color C, work return pass

Rows 61 – 112:  repeat rows 57 – 60

Row 113: repeat row 57

Row 114/Bottom Seam: Bind off, while at the same time begin seaming edges together.

With right sides facing together, fold the starting edge of work (starting chain/foundation row) up to the last row of work (row 113).  

Working through both layers: bind off by inserting hook through 1st chain of foundation row then 1st st of forward pass of row 114, yo, pull thru all loops on hook.  (Creating a slip stitch; one loop remains on hook. Bind off row does not pick up stitches on the hook as you work across and therefore a Return Pass is not worked after binding off.)

Continue working in this fashion (inserting hook through next stitch of foundation chain, and next stitch of row 114, yo, pull through all loops on hook) until reaching the end of the row.  

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At the end of the row/corner, put another bind off stitch in the same stitch. (This will help with turning to work down the next side of the square.) 

Side Seam 1:

Continue working bind off stitches down the side joining front and back together.  

At the end of side 1, cut yarn, tie off, and weave in all ends.

At this point, 3 sides of the pillow cover are done!   

Turn the pillow cover right side out, remember to push out the corners, and insert the pillow form.  It’s so close to being done!  

Side Seam 2:

I find it easiest to use stitch markers every 5 – 10 stitches to hold front and back panels together and keep stitches lined up while seaming up this final side.  

Using color B, cut a length of yarn 3 – 4 times the length of the side.

With a yarn needle, use the mattress stitch (or your favorite seaming stitch) to seam the side closed.  

Tie off, weave in ends…and snuggle up with this fun pillow ASAP!

If you’d like a tutorial on the mattress stitch, Moogly has a good written and video tutorial here:  https://www.mooglyblog.com/mattress-stitch-seaming/

I’d love to see pictures of your finished velvet crochet pillow!  Share on IG or FB and tag me @tiffanicreates or #tiffanicreates so I can see!

Want some ideas for other holiday decor? Check out this post for a cute paper valentine garland. Or, how about a cute crochet shamrock garland or printable?