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Granny Throw Pillows

April 6, 2015 4 Comments

A free crochet pattern & tutorial for granny square throw pillows!
With unlimited design possibilities, ways of seaming squares together, and how easy they are to make, I don’t think crocheted granny squares will ever disappear from the yarn craft world. I wanted to incorporate more knitting and crochet into my home decor this year, so in addition to the bulky knit rug I shared a couple weeks ago, I recently whipped up this pair of granny throw pillows to add some color, texture and classic kitsch to my living room.

A free crochet pattern & tutorial for granny square throw pillows!
While I followed the same repeating color pattern for both of these pillows (ABCB), I used lavender for color B in the first pillow and dark purple for color B in the second. It was really fascinating how much making that small change impacted the look of each pillow. For me, that’s the biggest reason granny square projects are, and will probably always be, popular crochet projects – they’re so easy to customize!

A free crochet pattern & tutorial for granny square throw pillows!

Granny Throw Pillows Pattern

Abbreviations

ch – chain
dc – double crochet
sl – slip
rnd – round
clr – color
sp – space

Supplies

1 skein each Patons Classic Wool Roving yarn in Plum, Frosted Plum & Aran (3 total skeins)
two 15″ square pillow forms with shams
size J crochet hook
sewing needle
coordinating sewing thread

Cushion front
Begin by forming a magic ring.
Rnd 1. Clr A: ch 3, dc 2, ch 3, (dc 3, ch 3), rep from ( to ) twice more, sl st into original ch 3 to join.
Rnd 2. Clr B: ch 3, dc 2, ch 3, dc 3, ch 3, (dc 3, ch 3, dc 3, ch 2), rep from ( to ) twice more, sl st into original ch 3 to join.
Rnd 3. Clr C: ch 3, dc 2, ch 3, dc 3, ch 2, dc 3, ch 2, (dc 3, ch 3, dc 3, ch 2, dc 3, ch 2), rep from ( to ) twice more, sl st into original ch 3 to join.
Rnds 4 – 10* – (alternating colors in the following pattern: ABCB)
first corner: ch 3, dc 2, ch 3, dc 3, ch 2, dc 3, ch 2
subsequent corners: dc 3, ch3, dc 3, ch2
non-corner gaps: dc 3, ch 2 in each gap along the sides
At the end of each round, sl to join.

*You may include more or fewer repeats if you’re working with a different size pillow and/or yarn than what’s listed in the supplies.

When your square reaches 15 by 15 inches, or the size of the front of your throw pillow, break the yarn, draw tail through, and weave in all ends to finish.

Attaching the square to the pillow
Using a sewing needle and coordinating thread, sew your square to your throw pillow/pillow sham using a running stitch. As you work, try your best to conceal your stitches as you work for a clean finished pillow.

A free crochet pattern & tutorial for granny square throw pillows!
A free crochet pattern & tutorial for granny square throw pillows!

Filed Under: Crochet, Free Patterns, Knitting & Crochet Tagged With: crochet pattern, crochet pillow, free crochet pattern, granny square pattern, granny square throw pillow, how to crochet a throw pillow

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Comments

  1. Donna

    April 7, 2015 at 2:35 am

    Beautiful

    Reply
  2. Kathy

    May 19, 2015 at 12:06 am

    Nice throw pillows Heidi! When my kids were teens I made them each a 12 inch granny square pillow. They took them on car rides, camping, and sleepovers. I used variegated yarn (no need to switch colors!) in worsted weight. The pattern I made had hdc 3, ch 1. That was 20+ years ago. They still use them today. Granny squares are indeed timeless classics!

    Reply
  3. Linda

    December 11, 2017 at 7:00 pm

    I have always loved these pillows and would like to know if you have a knit pattern for those of us that don’t crochet. I would love to make a set for my son’s new home and my own. Look forward to your response.

    Reply
    • Heidi

      December 14, 2017 at 11:09 am

      I don’t yet have one, but I’d love to do a knit throw pillow soon on the blog. :) I’ll add it to my to-do list!

      Reply

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

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Craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
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Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admitte Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admittedly insane) intarsia project. One day, this will be a seamed sweater, but today is not that day. 🧶 
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Have a good weekend, everyone! 
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Yarn: @universal_yarn’s Fibra Natura Cobblestone in Antarctica & Dragon’s Breath 
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#handsoccupied #intarsia #intarsiaknitting #wip #knitting
Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for e Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for easier continental style knitting. With this purling method, the working yarn says tensioned (held) at the back of your knitting at all times. For many knitters, always holding the yarn at the back helps with tension issues, as well as feeling a little more comfortable. 
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Have you ever encountered this style of purling before? If you’ve tried it, have you found it helps with your purl tension and knitting speed? I’m curious.
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For a written tutorial, visit handsoccupied-dot-com. For video, you guessed it, You2be. Both of these platforms allow for longer, more in-depth versions of this tutorial, including full transcripts, alt text & the ability to pause, slow down or speed up at will. (Like if you really want to learn this, I recommend using a platform that doesn’t keep your hands occupied. Thinking of putting this in all my captions these days tbh - shout out to you if you made it this far. 🙌🏻😂)
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#handsoccupied #learntoknit #continentalknitting #howtoknit #norwegianpurl #norwegianknitting #knit #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #knittinghack  #handknitting #handknit #norwegianpurling
Have you ever tried this style of purl? . All thi Have you ever tried this style of purl? 
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All this recent talk about throwing vs. continental style knitting made it clear many people struggle with purling in continental knitting. Turns out that Norway may have the answer! In Norwegian purling, the working yarn stays tensioned at the back at all times, helping with speed and tension. 🤯
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Head to the bl0g (🔗 in bi0) for a more in-depth look at how to work a Norwegian purl stitch, including a photo tutorial with animated GIF & a video tutorial. Wrapping your mind around how to work a stitch you’re familiar with in a totally new way can be confusing, so I tried to give a few options for clarity. 🤙🏻 Video is also on You2be. 
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#handsoccupied #norwegianpurl #norwegianknitting #norwegianpurling #continentalknitting #howtoknit #learntoknit #knitterofinstagram #knitters
It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or reintroduced myself, so here goes! I’m Heidi Gustad, a craft book author, pattern designer, and tutorial creator who specializes in yarn crafts. Lately, I’ve been focused on releasing quality knitting videos and related blog posts to help teach things like the difference between provisional cast ons and how to fix common knitting mistakes. Next week I’m shooting requested crochet and latch hook videos, so h👀kers, your time is coming! And if you ever have tutorial requests, please let me know. ☺️
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TLDR: I’m Heidi. I design & teach yarn crafts. You can find tutorials on my blog (est. 2010) & You2be. I also have several knitting & crochet patterns + a book about latch hook available. / All of these can be found on my website, the 🔗 is where you’d think. 
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#handsoccupied #fridayintroduction #heidigustad #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #yarncrafts #latchhookbook
Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Contine Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Continental or English Style? Here’s a quick overview of the differences between the two most common knitting styles, including a side by side comparison. (A good one to save for future reference. 👍🏻) 
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There’s more on the differences between picking and throwing in my latest blog post & You 2ube video - the l1nk is where you’d think!
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