Mid Century Modern Orange Crochet Pillow Free Pattern

How to Crochet the Burst of Sunshine Pillow

Hi guys! If you’ve been following along on my blog, you may have noticed that I like making pillows. I can’t help it; once I start one design, I have a million ideas for more swirling around my head. Welcome to my third crochet pillow pattern designed to brighten up your home! This pillow is great for two reasons: it’s soft and comfy – I challenge you to rest your head on this pillow and NOT fall asleep – and the cover is removable, making it easy to clean. If you love the half double crochet stitch and have always wanted to try bobbles, you’ll love this crochet bobble pillow. Let’s dive in! You can find the free pattern below, or purchase an ad-free printable PDF here.

Modern Crochet Pillow with Bobbles Free Pattern
This post contains affiliate links that support the content on ThisPixieCreatesBlog. Each affiliate link has a * beside it. All opinions are my own. Find more information about affiliate links, as well as my Privacy & Disclosures Policy here. Thank you for your support!

About this Crochet Bobble Pillow:

  • It is made in two pieces (front and back); sewn together on three sides; and a zipper is placed on the fourth side to make it removable for washing.
  • The front piece is designed using single crochet, half double crochet and the modified bobble stitch. The back piece is made of repeat rows of half double crochet.
  • This pattern is designed to fit an 18″ x 18″ pillow form.
  • THIS PATTERN HAS BEEN TECH EDITED AND TESTED!

Why Design Crochet Pillows?

World Market Bobble Stitch Duvet and Pillow Set

While I love designing pillows, I crochet with a purpose. A few months ago, my husband and I made our first big home decor purchase: we bought an area rug for our living room! It’s colourful to say the least; so I figured that the best way to tie in the colours from the rug with the rest of the room, is to make pillows.

I have about six 18″ x 18″ pillow forms, and a lot of yarn that needs to be used. So these pillow projects have been the perfect budget friendly project to add some colour, texture, and warmth to our living room. I designed these pillows to be removable because we have two huskies who shed like crazy; for this reason, we need to constantly wash our pillows and blankets. Being able to remove pillow covers and toss them in the wash, without having to wash the ENTIRE pillow or make a trip to the dry cleaners, is such a blessing.

My inspiration for this crochet bobble pillow design came from a duvet and pillow cover set from Urban Outfitters. So pretty and so textured! For this design, I used a 5.0mm crochet hook to make my stitches tight. The only problem was that my bobbles weren’t popping with the 5.0mm. So, I modified the bobble stitch to make them really “pop”.

Pin this Crochet Bobble Pillow for Later – Here!

Burst of Sunshine Crochet Pillow Pinterest Pin

*Continue scrolling down for the free version on the blog with ads.*

You can purchase an INEXPENSIVE Ad-Free Printable PDF of this pattern on Etsy HERE and Ravelry HERE! This 9 page PDF includes the complete pattern and step-by-step pictures, so you can follow along on paper, highlight and make notes.


Materials:

Alternative Yarn Options: 

Each yarn listed below has been tested and meets the gauge swatch measurements. These yarns are just a few options to get you thinking, but you can use any yarn as long as it meets the gauge.

My Mistake/Lesson Learned

I added a zipper to make this pillow cover removable, but I used a 7″ zipper on an 18″ x 18″ pillow form. Let’s just say that while the zipper works great, the pillow cover can no longer be removed through the tiny opening. Lesson learned! So if you have a zipper at home, make sure your it’s long enough before you sew it on; if it’s not, buy one that will fit your pillow cover. I would recommend using a zipper that is either the same size as the pillow form (18″) or 1 – 2″ shorter (16 – 17″). This will ensure that your pillow cover can be removed easily for each washing.

Pattern Measurements for the Crochet Bobble Pillow:

This pillow cover is designed to fit an 18″ x 18″ pillow form.

  • Front Panel: 18″ x 18″
  • Back Panel: 18″ x 18″
Modern Orange Bobble Crochet Pillow Pattern

Other Crochet Patterns You’ll Love:

The Modified Bobble Stitch Tutorial

Normally, bobble stitches are made by double crocheting 5 stitches together, all in one stitch. To make the modified bobble stitch, triple crochet 5 stitches together. This makes the bobble stitch more pronounced and circular. The key to the modified bobble stitch is to YO twice before inserting the hook into the stitch, and only draw through two loops before starting the next part of the stitch!

  • 1. YO twice and insert the hook into the indicated stitch (A & B).
  • 2. YO and draw up a loop (C).
Drawing up a Loop in Crochet
  • 3. YO and pull through only two loops on the hook (D, E, & F).
  • Repeat Steps 1 – 3, four more times in the same stitch. There should be 11 loops on the hook (H). YO and pull through all 11 loops on the hook (H, I, & J). And you are done!

Let’s start making this crochet bobble pillow! This pillow cover is made using 2 pieces (1 front and 1 back panel) that are sewn together on three sides, and closed with a zipper on the fourth side.

Abbreviations:

  • St(s) – stitch(es)
  • Ch – chain
  • Sc – single crochet
  • Hdc – half double crochet
  • mbob – modified bobble
  • [] – Repeat the instructions inside the brackets according to the number of times indicated after the brackets.

Gauge Swatch (4″ x 4″):

You might be tempted to skip this step, but since the insert has to fit inside of our finished pillow cover, it is important that your gauge is accurate before you start crocheting.

  • Ch 16
  • Row 1: Hdc in third chain from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (14 hdc)
  • Rows 2 – 11: Ch 2, hdc in each stitch across. Turn. (14 hdc)

Trouble with Gauge? 

  • If your gauge swatch is too small, try using a thicker weight 4 yarn or a larger crochet hook, until you meet the gauge. 
  • If your gauge swatch is too big, try using a thinner weight 4 yarn or a smaller crochet hook, until you meet the gauge.
Orange Bobble Crochet Pillow Free Pattern

Pattern:

Notes:

  1. The beginning ch of each row does not count as a st. 
  2. [] Repeat the instructions inside the brackets according to the number of times indicated after the brackets. Ex. [mbob in next st, sc in next 5 sts] 10 times, means you will make a modified bobble stitch, followed by 5 single crochet stitches, and this will be done a total of 10 times before moving onto the next instructions.
  3. Work the last st of each row in the beginning ch of the previous row. This will create a straighter edge.
  4. This pillow is made in two pieces (front and back panel) and sewn together on three sides, with a zipper on the fourth side.
  5. Odd numbered rows are considered the WS, and even numbered rows are considered the RS.

Front Panel:

Ch 65

Row 1 (WS): Hdc in third ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (63 hdc)

Row 2 (RS): Ch 2, hdc in each st across. Turn. (63 hdc)

Rows 3 – 4: Repeat Row 2.

Bobble Stitch Backside

Row 5 (WS): Ch 1, sc in first 4 sts, [mbob in next st, sc in next 5 sts] 9 times; mbob in next st, sc in last 4 sts. Turn. (10 mbob + 53 sc) 

Tip: Crochet the mbob sts with loose tension to create larger/fuller bobbles. 

Modified Bobble Stitch

Rows 6 – 8: Repeat Row 2.

Orange Big Bobble Stitch

Row 9: Repeat Row 5.

Rows 10 – 12: Repeat Row 2.

Row 13: Repeat Row 5.

Rows 14 – 16: Repeat Row 2.

Row 17: Repeat Row 5.

Rows 18 – 20: Repeat Row 2.

Row 21: Repeat Row 5.

Rows 22 – 53: Repeat Row 2.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Orange Bobble Stitches Crochet and Half Double Crochets

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Back Panel:

Ch 65

Row 1 (WS): Hdc in third ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (63 hdc)

Row 2 (RS): Ch 2, hdc in each st across. Turn.(63 hdc)

Rows 3 – 52: Repeat Row 2.

Note: The back panel is one row shorter than the front panel to account for the increased height of the hdc rows vs. 5 of the sc/mbob rows in the front panel. 

Fasten off and leave a long tail (approx. 25 – 30″) to sew the front and back panels together. Weave in all ends except for the long tail.

Sewing Your Panels and Adding a Zipper

This is arguably the worst part of any crochet project, but when it comes to pillows, it’s exciting. You never know your 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.

Seaming Method:

  • Line up your front and back panels. You can use pins to keep them together, but this is optional. Thread your yarn needle with the long tail that you left.
Sewing a Crochet Pillow Tutorial
  • Begin whip stitching along the three sides of your pillow cover.
  • The next step is to attach the zipper to the fourth side. Place the zipper between the front and back panels panels, making sure that it is centered on both sides (A). You will be sewing one side of the zipper to the front panel and the other side of the zipper to the back panel.
  • Sewing the Zipper to the Front Panel: Using thread and a sewing needle, begin whip stitching across the zipper and front panel to sew them together; make sure that the needle moves through both the panel and the zipper (A, B).
  • Tip: Try to sew the panel as close to the zipper opening as possible; this will ensure a seamless look.
  • The picture below shows one side of the zipper sewn to the front panel.
Removable Crochet Pillow Cover How-to
  • Sewing the Zipper to the Back Panel: Unzip the zipper before you begin to sew the back panel to the other side of the zipper. Using thread and a sewing needle, begin whip stitching across the zipper and back panel to sew them together; make sure that the needle moves through both the panel and the zipper (Photos below).
  • If your zipper is an inch or two shorter than the width of the pillow, use your remaining yarn tail to sew up any gaps on the fourth side with the whip stitch.

Proper Care and Washing Instructions

Here is an easy tutorial to follow for washing crochet pillow cover to maintain their shape, look, and feel!

And You’re Done!

Voila! You have finished your first Burst of Sunshine Pillow. Congratulations! I hope that this pillow brightens up your home, and puts a smile on your face every time you see it. Now you can cozy up with this beauty, while you work on your next crochet project.

Disclaimer: You are welcome to sell items that you’ve made from this pattern; however, you are not allowed to use my pictures or sell my pattern as your own (Copyright @ ThisPixieCreates).

Check out some more fun and budget-friendly crochet patterns on this blog.

Questions?

If you have any trouble throughout the pattern and need some clarification, please feel free to comment below, or send me a message through the “Contact” section of this website. I would be more than happy to help!

Thank you guys so much for following along. I can’t wait to see what you create!

Love, Dayna
Instagram: @thispixiecreates

21 thoughts on “How to Crochet the Burst of Sunshine Pillow”

  1. I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
    Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?
    Plz answer back as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to
    find out where u got this from. cheers

    1. Thank you!! I designed the website myself because it was too expensive for me to hire someone. I can tell you that I used the Astra theme (the free version – not paid) through the Site Ground self-hosting platform. I also used the “Elementor” plugin to help me design the Home Page and Contact Page. I’m not an expert – far from it – but if you have any questions as you work on your blog, I can try to help.

  2. I love this pillow cover! Can it be made with super bulky (6) weight yarn? How would you adjust for it?

    Thank you.

  3. Pingback: How to Crochet a Simple Boho Placemat & Coaster - This Pixie Creates

  4. Pingback: 45+ Free Bobble Stitch Crochet Patterns – Crochet

  5. Pingback: #45+ Free Bobble Stitch Crochet Patterns

  6. Pingback: 45+ Loose Bobble Sew Crochet Patterns – Crochet – smartchoice

  7. Pingback: 45+ Free Bobble Stitch Crochet Patterns – Crochet – The-Crafty-Dad

  8. Pingback: 45+ Free Bobble Stitch Crochet Patterns – Crochet – Household Attire

  9. Pingback: 45+ Free Bobble Stitch Crochet Patterns - DIY GALAXY

  10. Pingback: How to Make the Halloween Striped Crochet Pillow - This Pixie Creates

  11. Hi!

    Do you HDC in both loops or BLO? Your pillow looks like more defined ridges but the pattern doesn’t specify. Thanks so much!

    1. Hi Amanda,

      Thanks for asking! The ridges just happen naturally when you work regular hdc’s in back and forth rows. So each HDC is worked in both loops. I hope this helps. 🙂

  12. Pingback: 21 Pillows to Warm Your Home This Winter - Underground Crafter

  13. Pingback: 14 Circular Crochet Pillow Patterns to Make Over Your Space - This Pixie Creates

  14. Can you help me understand what you mean when you say “Work the last st of each row in the beginning ch of the previous row. This will create a straighter edge.” I’m wondering how to do that. Thank you!

    1. Hi Kathy,

      Thanks for asking! In this pattern, I skipped the last st of the row, and worked my final st into the beginning/turning chain 2 of the row below. I hope this makes, but if not, you can crochet each row normally. So work the final st of each row into the last fully formed st of the row below.

      Sincerely,
      Dayna

  15. Pingback: 20 Amazing Crochet Pillow Patterns

  16. Pingback: How to Crochet the Simple Textured Pillow - This Pixie Creates

  17. Pingback: 20 Free Crochet Pillow Patterns (Updated 2022) - DIY to Make

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

https://reporting.mediavine.com/sites/14093/settings/disable-ads