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.

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?

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!

*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:

• *3 Skeins of Red Heart Soft Weight 4 Medium (100% Acrylic, 256 yd / 234m, 141g / 5oz) in Cinnabar – Approx. 665 yds used in this project
• *18″ x 18″ Pillow Insert
• *4.5mm crochet hook
• *Yarn Needle
• Scissors
• *16″ Zipper
• Sewing Thread
• Sewing Needle

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.

• Lion Brand Jeans, Weight 4 Medium (100% Acrylic, 246yd / 225 m, 100 g / 3.5 oz)
• Lion Brand Heartland, Weight 4 Medium (100% Acrylic, 251 yd / 230 m, 142 g / 5 oz)
• Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling, Weight 4 Medium (100% Acrylic, 185 yd / 170 m, 100 g / 3.5 oz)
• Lion Brand Wool Ease, Weight 4 Medium (80% Acrylic & 20% Wool, 197 yd / 180 m, 80 g / 3 oz)
• Knit Pick’s Brava Sport Weight 2 Yarn (100% premium acrylic, 273 yd/ 250 m, 3.5 oz/ 113 g)

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″

Other Crochet Patterns You’ll Love:

• The Whimsical Stripes Pillow
• Retro Velvet Circular Pillow
• That 70’s Pillow

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).

• 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.

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.

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. 

Rows 6 – 8: Repeat Row 2.

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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