This free crochet pillow pattern is part of a collaboration with Lion Brand Yarn. This post contains affiliate links.
I am so excited to share a new FREE crochet pattern with y’all! I designed this pillow with Lion Brand Yarn (truly, my favorite brand of yarn), and it turned out just how I envisioned.
This pillow was born from a not-so-kind comment I received from someone once. I read the comment on a day that was hard. My 12-week-old baby wasn’t eating or sleeping well, the other three kids were extra difficult that day, I was stressed trying to make some deadlines I had, and it was my 10-year-anniversary.
I got the message, and ooof. Blow to the gut.
Cozy Nooks Designs has been around since 2013, so I have gotten the occasional bad review and criticism. Statistically, those are inevitable, and I am prepared for that. I was not prepared for the cutting remarks this last time, though. Truly, it crossed a line. It was a personal attack.
I saw these two quotes, and it helped me to get over the intentionally hurtful words:
"Whoever is trying to bring you down is already below you."
"Don't take criticism from someone you wouldn't take advice from."
After I realized that it was her problem and not mine, I actually started feeling bad for her. She probably was pretty lonely, sad, and miserable.
I was reflecting on how I do not want to do what she did to me to anyone else. As I was thinking about this, I decided I wanted a reminder.
And that is how this pillow design came to be!
DESCRIPTION
This pillow is made by using tapestry crochet. Tapestry crochet is not as complicated as you may think it is. Simple color changes and carrying the yarn not in use is how you complete this colorwork design.
Single crochet is used throughout the front and back panels, and then you seam the pillow together.
THE YARN
For this pillow, I used 24/7 Cotton yarn. It was my first time working with it, and I was pleasantly surprised how well it worked up. The cotton is soft, the stitch definition is perfect, and I was pleased with the gauge (as I need to get more stitches per row to manipulate the letters better.)
You can check out all the different colors offered by clicking the button below.
DIFFICULTY
This Be Kind Pillow is an experienced beginner pattern. Simple stitches are used throughout the design. An understanding of how to change colors when crocheting and how to carry yarn is needed.
Here is a great article that explains how to change colors and why you should yarn under when changing colors. And here is another post that teaches you how to add a color mid-row, which you can use this technique in this pillow by creating separate bobbins for two different words.
Alright, so let’s get to the pattern!
To make the Be Kind Crochet Pillow, you will need-
MATERIALS
- US G/4.00 mm crochet hook
- 530 yards – 24/7 Cotton Yarn “Jade” or similar weight 4 yarn
- 30 yards – 24/7 Cotton Yarn “White” or similar weight 4 yarn
- 12″ x 20″ Pillow Insert
- Tapestry Needle
- Scissors
GAUGE
17 sc sts = 4” by 21 rows = 4”
FINISHED SIZE
19.5″ x 11.5″
TERMINOLOGY
US Crochet Terms Used
- ch – Chain
- CC – contrasting color
- MC – main color
- rem – remain(ing)
- RS – right side
- st/sts – Stitch/Stitches
- sl st – Slip Stitch
- sc – Single Crochet
- WS – wrong side
The ch 1 does not count as a stitch.
Carry the MC along when using CC> Gently tug the non-dominant color to minimize show-through and make sure to carry your non-dominant color on the WS.
Crochet Your Be Kind Pillow Much Faster!
I have found that the best way to crochet with tapestry crochet is by using the graph rather than the written instructions. It is much easier to quickly skim the graph and follow the individual blocks for the color changes rather than reading the text. If you would like the graph, you can purchase the ad-free version, or if you would like the free version, proceed below for the written line-by-line instructions.
PATTERN
Using MC, ch 81
Row 1: sc 1 in 2nd ch from hook, sc 1 in each ch across, turn (80)
Rows 2-18: ch 1, sc 80 sts across, turn (80)
Row 19: ch 1, MC sc 3, CC sc 2, MC sc 3, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 3, MC sc 5, CC sc 2, MC sc 5, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 5, CC sc 2, MC sc 9, CC sc 5, MC sc 8, CC sc 4, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 6, turn (80)
Row 20: ch 1, MC sc 6, CC sc 2, MC, CC sc 6, MC sc 6, CC sc 8, MC sc 7, CC sc 2, MC sc 4, CC sc 3, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 5, CC sc 2, MC sc 3, CC sc 9, MC sc 3, CC sc 2, MC sc 3, turn (80)
Row 21: ch 1, MC sc 3, CC sc 2, MC sc 3, CC sc 4, MC sc 2, CC sc 3, MC sc 3, CC sc 2, MC sc 5, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 3, MC sc 4, CC sc 2, MC sc 7, CC sc 3, MC sc 3, CC sc 3, MC sc 4, CC sc 3, MC sc 2, CC sc 5, MC sc 6, turn (80)
Row 22: ch 1, MC sc 6, CC sc 3, MC sc 5, CC sc 2, MC sc 3, CC sc 3, MC sc 14, CC sc 2, MC sc 3, CC sc 3, MC sc 3, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 5, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 3, MC sc 4, CC sc 3, MC sc 3, CC sc 2, MC sc 3, turn (80)
Row 23: ch 1, MC sc 8, CC sc 2, MC sc 6, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 5, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 4, CC sc 3, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 15, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 3, MC sc 6, CC sc 2, MC sc 6, turn (80)
Row 24: ch 1, MC sc 6, CC sc 2, MC sc 7, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 15, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 5, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 5, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 6, CC sc 2, MC sc 8, turn (80)
Row 25: ch 1, MC sc 8, CC sc 2, MC sc 6, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 5, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 6, CC sc 2, MC, CC sc 2, MC sc 15, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 7, CC sc 2, MC sc 6, turn (80)
Row 26: ch 1, MC sc 6, CC sc 2, MC sc 7, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 10, MC sc 7, CC sc 5, MC sc 6, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 5, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 6, CC sc 2, MC sc 8, turn (80)
Row 27: ch 1, MC sc 8, CC sc 2, MC sc 6, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 5, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 6, CC sc 5, MC sc 7, CC sc 10, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 7, CC sc 2, MC sc 6, turn (80)
Row 28: ch 1, MC sc 6, CC sc 2, MC sc 7, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 6, CC sc 2, MC sc 7, CC sc 2, MC, CC sc 3, MC sc 5, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 5, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 6, CC sc 2, MC sc 8, turn (80)
Row 29: ch 1, MC sc 8, CC sc 2, MC sc 6, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 5, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 4, CC sc 3, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 7, CC sc 2, MC sc 6, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 3, MC sc 5, CC sc 3, MC sc 6, turn (80)
Row 30: ch 1, MC sc 6, CC sc 4, MC sc 3, CC sc 3, MC sc 4, CC sc 2, MC sc 4, CC sc 2, MC sc 8, CC sc 2, MC sc 3, CC sc 3, MC sc 3, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 3, MC sc 3, CC sc 3, MC sc 3, CC sc 2, MC sc 4, CC sc 3, MC sc 8, turn (80)
Row 31: ch 1, MC sc 8, CC sc 9, MC sc 4, CC sc 8, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 3, MC sc 4, CC sc 2, MC sc 8, CC sc 8, MC sc 5, CC sc 9, MC sc 6, turn (80)
Row 32: ch 1, MC sc 6, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 4, MC sc 7, CC sc 6, MC sc 9, CC sc 2, MC sc 4, CC sc 3, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC sc 2, CC sc 2, MC, CC sc 4, MC sc 7, CC sc 4, MC, CC sc 2, MC sc 8, turn (80)
Row 33: ch 1, MC sc 8, CC sc 2, MC sc 32, CC sc 2, MC sc 28, CC sc 2, MC sc 6, turn (80)
Row 34: ch 1, MC sc 6, CC sc 2, MC sc 28, CC sc 2, MC sc 32, CC sc 2, MC sc 8, turn (80)
Row 35: ch 1, MC sc 8, CC sc 2, MC sc 21, CC sc 2, MC sc 9, CC sc 2, MC sc 28, CC sc 2, MC sc 6, turn (80)
Row 36: ch 1, MC sc 6, CC sc 2, MC sc 28, CC sc 2, MC sc 9, CC sc 2, MC sc 21, CC sc 2, MC sc 8, turn (80)
Row 37: ch 1, MC sc 8, CC sc 2, MC sc 21, CC sc 2, MC sc 9, CC sc 2, MC sc 28, CC sc 2, MC sc 6, turn (80)
Row 38: ch 1, MC sc 6, CC sc 2, MC sc 28, CC sc 2, MC sc 32, CC sc 2, MC sc 8, turn (80)
Rows 39-57: ch 1, MC sc 80, turn (80
Row 58: ch 1, MC sc across (80)
Fasten off.
BACK
Using MC, ch 81
Row 1: sc 1 in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn (80)
Rows 2-57: ch 1, sc across, turn (80)
Row 58: ch 1, sc across (80)
Do not fasten off.
ASSEMBLY
Step 1: Hold Front and Back with RS together. You may want to pin Front and Back together to ensure they match up.
Step 2: With yarn attached to Back, sl st around edges leaving bottom of the pillow open.
Step 3: Fasten off, weave in ends.
Step 4: Flip pillow RS out.
Step 5: Insert pillow.
Step 6: Whip st rem side closed. You may want to pin Front and Back together to ensure they match up.
Fasten off. Weave in yarn ends.
If you are interested you can purchase the ad-free printable PDF pattern in my shop, Etsy, or Ravelry.
Make sure that when you post to social media or another platform, please refer back to me as the designer. If you are on Instagram, tag @CozyNooksDesigns and use #BeKindPillow for a chance to be featured!
Thank you for the free pattern. I think that ‘yarn under’ technique is going to completely change how I feel about tapestry crochet work! Funny how such a little change can make such a big difference.
It is funny how things like that changes everything. Learning how to continental knit was that for me!
I love this! Any and all ways of encouraging others, and ourselves, to be positive is fabulous. There’s enough to stress about without adding negativity to the world around us! Thanks for the pattern! I’ll definitely be purchasing it as I’m a visual crocheter.
By the way, the “subscribe” link seems to be broken. It takes you to a page saying it is “faulty.”
Thank you! And yes, I agree. Too much stress already!
And THANK YOU! Fixing that link now.