With Back to School among us, we could all use a way to say THANK YOU to our wonderful teachers, right? This past year has been a tough one with many teachers experiencing conditions unprecedented. Teachers could definitely use a “pick me up” and what better way than this loose leaf paper pillow?
Want the matching Pencil Pillow FREE crochet pattern? Make sure you visit the post HERE.
DESCRIPTION
I had the idea to design this pillow a year ago, but I was 8 months pregnant, moving across the country, and my husband had already moved to our new city. Let’s just say I was a little busy.
I really wanted to make it a priority this year to make this back to school pillow set. Though it is late in the season, I was able to make each of these pillows in just over one day. They whip up SO fast!
THE YARN
For this pillow, I used #4 worsted weight yarn. I chose I Love this Yarn from Hobby Lobby in the colors “white”, “medium blue”, “fire red”, and “grey beard”. Hobby Lobby has so many colors to chose from, and I had trouble deciding which ones I wanted.
I also happened to go on a week where all of their yarn was 30 percent off! Score! Big win since you cannot use 40% off coupons at Hobby Lobby anymore.
DIFFICULTY
This pillow is made by using a combination of tapestry and intarsia crochet techniques, so it is an experienced beginner pattern. For the most part, there aren’t too many complicated color changes.
I did intarsia crochet for all the complementary colors, but I did carry the white throughout the entire pillow. It was easier for me to do that and meant less ends to weave in.
If you want an explanation of how to change colors in tapestry crochet, view this post here!
To make the Paper Pillow, you will need-
MATERIALS
- US G/4.00 mm crochet hook
- 485 yards – “I Love this Yarn” or similar weight 4 yarn in “White”
- 12 yards – “I Love this Yarn” or similar weight 4 yarn in “Fire Red”
- 60 yards – “I Love this Yarn” or similar weight 4 yarn “Medium Blue”
- 6 yards – “I Love this Yarn” or similar weight 4 yarn “Graphite”
- 16″x16″ pillow insert
- Tapestry Needle
- Scissors
- Chart
- Line-by-line written instructions
GAUGE
14 sc sts = 4″
18 rows = 4″
FINISHED SIZE
15.5 x 15.5 inches
TERMINOLOGY
US Crochet Terms Used
- ch(s) – chain(s)
- CC1 – contrasting color 1
- CC2 – contrasting color 2
- CC3 – contrasting color 3
- MC – main color
- rem – remaining
- RS – right side
- sc – single crochet
- st/sts – stitch/Stitches
- WS – wrong side
Crochet Your Pillow Much Faster!
I have found that the best way to follow an intarsia pattern is by using the chart with individual color squares for each single crochet. It is much easier to quickly skim to see when color changes will happen by looking at the chart. If you would like the chart, you can purchase the ad-free version, or you if you want the written instruction version that is free, you can view it here.
I can’t wait to see what you Paper Pillows!
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 #PaperPillow for a chance to be featured!
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