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Looking for a fun crochet project that doubles as a little reminder you can display in your home? This free crochet pillow pattern is the perfect way to add a handmade touch to your space while practicing intarsia crochet colorwork. The Be Kind Pillow is worked flat in rows and seamed, making it a great next step if you are ready to try something a little more detailed. Grab your hook and let's make something that spreads good vibes!

This free crochet pillow pattern is one of those projects that is as fun to make as it is to display.

The Be Kind Pillow features a bold intarsia colorwork design that stitches a simple but powerful message right into your home décor.

Worked flat in rows and seamed, this pattern is a wonderful next step for crocheters who are comfortable with the basics and ready to explore colorwork for the first time.

Whether you are making it for yourself or gifting it to someone who could use a little extra encouragement, this pillow is sure to become a favorite in your home.

DESCRIPTION

The Be Kind Pillow is a fun intarsia colorwork crochet pattern that stitches a simple message right into your home decor.

This pattern includes a printable chart and an interactive digital chart to make following your colorwork a breeze.

Helpful video aids walk you through colorwork tips and show you how to use the digital chart, so you will feel confident every step of the way.

Once the front and back panels are individually made, the WS face out, and the pillow gets seamed around 3 out of the 4 sides.

The panels are flipped right side out, and a 12″ x 20″ pillow insert is inserted. The final side is then seamed.

YARN

The yarn used for the Be Kind Pillow is Lion Brand Yarn 24/7 Cotton yarn.

Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton is a smooth, mercerized cotton yarn made from 100% cotton.

It has a polished finish and subtle sheen that gives your stitches incredible definition.

Each skein comes in at 3.5 oz (100g) with 186 yards (170m), giving you a solid amount of yarn to work with. It is available in 37 colors, ranging from soft neutrals to bold, saturated shades, so finding the perfect combination for your project is part of the fun.

If you want to stay up to date on yarn sales and when to get a good price, join my newsletter where I’ll clue you in on when there is a good sale. I love a good sale, so I want gate keep. But I also won’t spam you.

DIFFICULTY

The Be Kind Pillow is considered a Level 3 – Intermediate pattern.

The pillow is worked flat in rows and single crochet stitches.

It isn’t hard, but you do need to know how to do colorwork. This is a good project to learn how to do it because it only uses two colors and simple shapes.

View this blog post HERE for some additional tips when working intarsia crochet.

When working intarsia crochet, I find following the chart much easier.

Each block in the chart represents a single crochet.

In my premium PDF pattern on etsy, you can get the printable PDF of the chart.

As always, I’m happy to answer any questions!

FAQ

Can I use a different yarn?

Yes, but the gauge of the tee may be affected, so do a gauge swatch so you can meet gauge.

My favorite website to use to find good yarn substations is https://yarnsub.com/

What if my gauge is off?

Too many stitches in a 4″x4″ swatch?

→ The fabric is too tight, so you need to go up a hook size.

Too few stitches in a 4″ x 4″ swatch?

→ The fabric is too loose, so you need to go down a hook size.

Can I sell items from this crochet pattern?

Yes.

MATERIALS

- Lion Brand Yarn 24/7 Cotton yarn, weight 4, 100% cotton, 185 yds/170 m, 3.5 oz/100 g
  - 530 yds in the color “Jade” (761-178C)
  - 30 yds in the color “White” (761-100)
- US G/4.0 mm crochet hook
- 12”x20” pillow insert
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle

GAUGE

17 sc sts x 21 rows = 4”/10 cm

SIZES

19.5” x 11.5”

SPEACIAL STITCHES

Be sure to know how to yarn under when changing colors. See blog post HERE for further details.

TERMINOLOGY

US Crochet Terms Used

ch(s) – chain(s)

CC – contrasting color

MC – main color

rem – remaining

RS – right side

sc – single crochet

sl st – slip stitch

st(s) – stitch(es)

WS – wrong side

NOTES

There is a digital chart to mark your individual progress digitally here to mark your individual progress.
The chart does not include the beginning chs. You will be making this from bottom up.
Each row of the chart alternates between right to left/left to right. The right-hand side of the chart has odd numbers (RS) and the left side has even numbers (WS).
Every block of the chart represents 1 sc.
The ch 1 does not count as a st.
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. Watch video HERE to minimize show-through.

SKILL LEVEL

Level 3 – Intermediate

AD-FREE PREMIUM PDF

Check out my shops if you want to get the concise, ad-free, printable pattern that also includes the printable PDF of the chart.

Be Kind Pillow

FREE CROCHET PILLOW PATTERN

Front

Using MC, ch 81,

Row 1: sc 1 in 2^nd 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 2^nd 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 match panels up.

Step 2: Using the MC, *sc around first edge, ch 1 at corner*, rep for 3 sides leaving one side of the pillow open.

Step 3: Flip pillow RS out.

Step 4: Insert pillow.

Step 5: Whip st rem side closed. You may want to pin Front and Back together.

Fasten off. Weave in yarn ends.

And that’s how you make the Be Kind Pillow!

Such a fun, quick design.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Cozy Nooks Designs

Rachel Alford from Cozy Nooks Designs was on the PBS TV show Knit and Crochet Now! season 13. She also designs for Lion Brand Yarn, has been in several crochet/knit magazines, and freelances by filming videos for Annie’s online episodes. Be sure to check out her YouTube Channel for tips, tricks, & tutorials!