How to Crochet the Retro Velvet Circular Pillow

Velvet is back! From couches to curtains to rugs to pillows, velvet is popping up everywhere. Velvet comes in an array of colours and is soft and silky to the touch, making it a great fabric for pillows.

Take a trip back to the 60’s with this Retro Velvet Circular Pillow. It’s easy to make, works up quick, and looks amazing in any space. Did I mention that it’s beginner friendly, and uses less than one skein of yarn? If you know how to single crochet and double crochet, then this is the project for you. Let’s get started!

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Inspiration for this Retro Circular Crochet Pillow

I’ve been watching a lot of Mad Men lately, and I keep seeing couches adorned in circular velvet cushions. After watching close to 6 seasons, I figured it was time to make one for my couch. I really love the design of the inverted button pillows (pictured below), but I also enjoy the simplicity of the plain round velvet cushions. I think the design I’ve created is a blend of the two, with a simple construction that is easy to work up. You will be amazed at how quickly this pillow will come together!

About this Circular Crochet Pillow:

• It is made using less than one skein of Bernat Velvet Yarn. Who doesn’t love a project that only uses one skein?
• This pattern is designed to fit a 12″ circular pillow form, but can easily be adjusted to fit any sized pillow form!
• This circular pillow is made using two crochet circles that are sewn together. To make each circle, we will start with a magic ring, and continue working in the round.

Pin this Circular Crochet Pillow for Later – HERE!

Materials:

• 12″ Circular Pillow Form
• 7.0mm Crochet Hook
• Yarn Needle
• Scissors

Yarn and Yardage:

• Bernat Velvet Weight 5 Bulky (100% Polyester, 315 yd/ 288m, 10.5 oz/ 300 g)
  • Colour: Softened Blue
  • Yardage: 1 skein – used approximately 172 yds in this project

Abbreviations:

• Ch – chain
• St(s) – stitch(es)
• MR – magic ring
• Sl st – slip stitch
• Sc – single crochet
• Dc – double crochet
• Rnd – round
• [] – Repeat the instructions inside these brackets.

Gauge: Approximately 11 dc x 5 rows in 4″ x 4″

• Ch 14
• Row 1: Dc in third ch from hook, and in each ch across. (11 dc)
• Row 2: Ch 3, dc in each st across. (11 dc)
• Rows 3 – 5: Repeat Row 2.

Customize the Size of Your Circular Crochet Pillow:

This circular crochet pillow is 12″ in diameter. However, if you decide to make your pillow using a different size pillow form (not 12″ in diameter), don’t worry! This pattern can easily be adjusted to fit any pillow form with some trial and error.

Before we start, it’s important to have a general understanding of crochet circles. If you look at the pattern below, you may notice a “mathematical pattern” happening. We start with 10 double crochet stitches as our base round, and every round after, we increase by 10 double crochet. Keep this in mind as you make your adjustments.

Now, it’s time to measure your pillow to determine the diameter (the total distance from one edge of your pillow to the other).

Smaller: If your pillow form is smaller than 12″, continue working the pattern until you are approximately 0.5″ away from your desired diameter (ex. If you have a diameter of 11″, you will continue to work double crochet rounds until your work measures about 10.5″). Then, work your last round in single crochet stitches to finish your circle.

Larger: If your pillow is larger than 12″, you will work Round 11 in double crochet stitches. Each round is increasing by 10 double crochet stitches; so Round 12 will have 120 double crochet, and Round 13 will have 130 double crochet. You will continue on with this pattern, until your circle is approximately 0.5″ away from your desired diameter (ex. If you have a diameter of 14″, you will continue to work double crochet rounds until your work measures about 13.5″). Then, work your last round in single crochet stitches to finish your circle.

Pattern:

Notes:

• The beginning chain of each round does not count as a stitch.
• This pattern is written to fit a pillow form of 12″ diameter. If your pillow form is smaller or larger than 12″, please read the “Making Adjustments to Your Pillow” section.
• Rnd 11 is the only round of single crochet.
• You will make two circles and sew them together to create your pillow!
• Making a Magic Ring tutorial.
• [] – Repeat the instructions inside these brackets.

Circle (Make 2)

Make a MR.
Rnd 1: Ch 2, make 10 dc in MR. Join with a sl st. (10 dc)

Rnd 2: Ch 2, make 2 dc in each st around. Join with a sl st. (20 dc)

Rnd 3: Ch 2, [1 dc in first st, 2 dc in next st] around. Join with a sl st. (30 dc)

Rnd 4: Ch 2, [2 dc in first st, 1 dc in next 2 st(s)] around. Join with a sl st. (40 dc)

Rnd 5: Ch 2, [1 dc in first 3 st(s), 2 dc in next st] around. Join with a sl st. (50 dc)

Rnd 6: Ch 2, [2 dc in first st, 1 dc in next 4 st(s)] around. Join with a sl st. (60 dc)

Rnd 7: Ch 2, [1 dc in first 5 st(s), 2 dc in next st] around. Join with a sl st. (70 dc)

Rnd 8: Ch 2, [2 dc in first st, 1 dc in next 6 st(s)] around. Join with a sl st. (80 dc)

Rnd 9: Ch 2, [1 dc in first 7 st(s), 2 dc in next st] around. Join with a sl st. (90 dc)

Rnd 10: Ch 2, [2 dc in first st, 1 dc in next 8 st(s)] around. Join with a sl st. (100 dc)

Rnd 11: Ch 1, [1 sc in first 9 st(s), 2 sc in next st] around. Join with a sl st. (110 sc)

Fasten off, making sure to leave a long tail (about 20″) and weave in the rest of your ends (excluding the long tail).

Repeat this process to make a second circle!

Sewing Your Circular Pillow Together:

Sewing is probably my least favourite part of any project, but when you start to sew the two circles together, you will be able to watch your pillow come to life. It’s so exciting! To sew these circles 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.

• Place the circles on top of each other, making sure that the right sides are facing outward. Thread the yarn needle with the long tail you left (about 20″), and begin to whip stitch around the circle.

• When you have sewn halfway around your circle, insert your pillow form. Continue to whip stitch around your circle.

• When you have sewn your last pair of stitches together, you will work your remaining tail through your work. I recommend making a knot before you cut your yarn tail – this makes your work more secure and will stop it from unraveling between washes.

End Notes:

Congratulations! You just made your first Retro Velvet 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.

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

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).

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!

If you liked this pillow project, and are dying to make another, try the Simple Texture Pillow. It’s an easy removable pillow case that works up quickly with super bulky yarn and a large crochet hook. You will be amazed at how comfy and practical this pillow turns out to be.

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

Love, Dayna
Instagram: @thispixiecreates