Basic Sunburst Pillow Pattern (Free)
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Intro:
A beginner friendly, easy crochet pattern for those wanting to dip their toes into the art of pillow making :) These squares are just slip stitched together and the result is a perfectly squishy pillow you can feel good about. Not only are the colour options endless-the sunburst squares always fill me with joy. Work them up solid coloured for an easy, carefree crochet experience OR change up the colours each round and create a multicolored masterpiece!
L, M
ps. If you want the ad-free, printable PDF of the pattern you can grab one in my Ravelry or Etsy Pattern Shops:
Notions
US 4.50 mm (size 7) crochet hook
Needle for weaving in ends
Scissors
14”x 14” washable pillow form (insert)
18”x 18” washable pillow form (insert)
Yarn
18” Pillow:
Hue Loco Merino DK, 100% SW Merino, (230yds/100g):
Farm Fresh: (732yds/318g) 4 skeins
14” Pillow:
Ravenswood Fibre Co. 85/15% Merino Nylon, (246yds/100g):
Not If I See You First: (519yds/211g) 3 skeins
Additional Yarn Colour Inspiration
** any DK weight yarn will work as long as gauge is met. Here are some of my favourite alternatives:
Gauge
4 rnd sunburst square= 3.5” square
Finished Size
14”x 14” pillow
18”x 18” pillow
Glossary (using US Crochet Terminology)
st(s)- stitch(es)
ch- chain
ch-sp- chain space
sl st- slip stitch
rnd- round
YO- yarn over
SC- single crochet
HDC- half double crochet
DC- double crochet
tr- treble crochet
cl st(s)- cluster stitch(es)
4 DC cl– 4 double crochet cluster stitch
puff- puff stitch
BLO- back loop only
RS- right side
WS- wrong side
How to puff stitch: YO and insert hook into st, YO and pull up a loop (pull up to about the height of a DC). Repeat this 2 more times. There should be 7 loops on the hook. YO and pull through all 7 loops.
How to 4 DC cl: YO and insert hook into sp, YO and pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2. Repeat 3 more times. There should be 5 loops on the hook. YO and pull through all 5 loops.
Pattern Notes
Ch 2 will count as DC throughout.
Ch 3 will count as tr throughout.
Gauge will affect yarn quantities. Please adjust hook size to meet gauge.
There is a wide range of DK weight yarns out there so yarn quantities are estimations only. Please be aware that the size of the squares is what matters most. Gauge is listed above as 3.5” per square. If squares aren’t measuring 3.5” across—adjust the hook size. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a panel that doesn’t fit.
I’ve shown an 18” pillow made with worsted (218yds/100g) yarn as well. It’ll be in on page 6. Since light worsted is also the equivalent to 2 strands of Fingering/Sock weight yarn (held double!) you can use that as well.
In some cases, the video tutorials have been used for other patterns. Please follow the yarn recommendations, hook size and stitch counts in the written pattern- the videos are only meant as visual guides.
Don’t forget to share your makes on Instagram and Facebook! I always love seeing what you have all worked up. Tag me on Instagram @nautikrallcrochet or Facebook @nautikrall_crochet, or use the hashtag: #basicsunburstpillow
Schematic
Pattern Sunburst Granny Square
Round 1
Ch 5, sl st into 5th chain from hook to create centre ring.
Ch 2, 15 DC into centre ring (16 total).
Join with sl st to the top of first DC (not the chain 2).
Do not fasten off…
Round 2
Ch 1, puff into same st, ch 1.
[Puff, ch 1] into each st around (16 puff sts).
Sl st into the sp between the first two puff sts (NOT into top of the first puff st).
Do not fasten off…
Round 3
Ch 2, work a [4 DC cl, ch 2] into same sp.
Work a [4 DC cl, ch 2] into each ch-1 sp around (16 cl sts).
Sl st into the ch-2 sp between the first two cls (NOT into the top of the cl st).
Do not fasten off…
Round 4
Ch 3, work [2 tr, ch 2, 3 tr] into same sp (completes 1st corner of square).
*Work 3 DC into the next ch-sp.
Work 3 HDC into the next ch-sp.
Work 3 DC into the next ch-sp.
Into the next ch-sp work [3tr, ch 2, 3 tr].*
Repeat from * to * 2 more times.
Work 3 DC into the next ch-sp.
Work 3 HDC into the next ch-sp.
Work 3 DC into the next ch-sp.
Sl st to the top of first tr (not the ch 3).
Fasten off, weave in all ends.
***Please see the YouTube video tutorial below on how to make Sunburst Granny Squares:
Assembling Pillow Panel
Arrange squares in a 5x5 or 6 x 6 layout matching the schematics above.
Once squares are placed in preferred arrangement; follow along with the video tutorial below to sl st the squares together.
**Please see video tutorial below for how to join squares with slip stitches in BLO to create pillow panel/cover:
Assembling Finished Pillow Cover
Final pillow panel should measure approximately 18”x 18” (for the 14” pillow) or 22”x 22” (for the 18” pillow) ---don’t worry if it’s not exact-it will stretch to fit the pillow…
Place pillow cover down with WS up.
Fold corners of pillow cover into the centre; seam together using SC into the BLO.
On the final seam, remember to leave enough room to stuff your pillow into the cover before seaming all the way shut.
Fasten off, weave in all ends.
**Please see the video tutorial for how to seam/assemble pillow panel: “How to SC in BLO to close pillow panel”
~The End~
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