Garden Granny Pillow

What You Will Need

Yarn:

• Cream (for the square borders, joins, and edging), about 250 to 300 g
• Navy (for backgrounds and centers)
• Rust red (for flowers and backgrounds)
• Burnt orange (for centers)
• Peach (for flowers)
• Dusty pink (for flowers and backgrounds)
• Sage gray-blue (for flowers and centers)
• Tip: Use a DK or light worsted weight cotton yarn. Cotton gives crisp stitches that make the flowers stand out. The colored yarns only need small amounts of each, so scraps are perfect.

Tools:

• 3.5 mm (E/4) crochet hook
• 12 inch (30 cm) pillow form
• Yarn needle with a large eye for joining and weaving in ends
• Stitch markers
• Sharp scissors
• Blocking mats and pins (optional but very helpful)

The Basics (US Terms)

• MR = magic ring
• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• dc = double crochet
• sl st = slip stitch
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• sp = space
• Each round is joined with a slip stitch. Fasten off at the end of every round when you change colors.

Let Us Get Started

You will make 18 flower squares, 9 for the front and 9 for the back. Each square uses four colors:

• Color A = flower center
• Color B = flower petals
• Color C = square background
• Cream = border

The Flower Square (Make 18)

1. Round 1 (Color A): Work 12 sc into a magic ring. Join with a sl st to the first sc and fasten off. (12 stitches)
2. Round 2 (Color B): Join in any stitch. Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in the same stitch. Work 2 dc in each of the next 11 stitches. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3 and fasten off. (24 dc) This round makes the full, ruffled flower around the center.
3. Round 3 (Color C): Join in any stitch. Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in each of the next 2 stitches. (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the next stitch for the corner, dc in each of the next 5 stitches. Repeat from * 2 more times. Work (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the next stitch for the last corner, dc in each of the last 2 stitches. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3 and fasten off. (4 corners, 9 dc on each side)
4. Round 4 (Cream): Join in any corner ch-2 sp. Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in the same space, ch 2, 2 dc in the same space for the first corner. Dc in each of the next 9 stitches, then (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the next corner space. Repeat from * 2 more times. Dc in each of the last 9 stitches. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3 and fasten off. (4 corners, 13 dc on each side)
5. Weave in all ends. Each square should measure about 3.75 inches.

Color Combinations

Use these six combinations, or mix your own. Make 3 of each.

| Combo | Color A (Center) | Color B (Petals) | Color C (Background) | |---|---|---|---| | 1 | Cream | Rust red | Navy | | 2 | Sage gray-blue | Dusty pink | Rust red | | 3 | Burnt orange | Peach | Navy | | 4 | Rust red | Sage gray-blue | Dusty pink | | 5 | Burnt orange | Sage gray-blue | Cream | | 6 | Navy | Peach | Cream |

Assembly and Finishing

This is where your garden comes together. Take your time laying everything out before you join.

Laying Out the Squares:

1. Block your squares if you like, so they are all the same size and the corners are crisp.
2. Lay out 9 squares in a 3 by 3 grid. Spread the colors out so no two matching backgrounds touch, either side by side or diagonally.
3. Repeat to make a second layout for the back.

Joining the Squares:

1. Using cream yarn and a yarn needle, hold two squares with right sides facing up. Whip stitch them together through the back loops only, from corner to corner.
2. Join the squares into three strips of three, then join the three strips together. Make sure the corners meet neatly in the middle.
3. Repeat for the second panel.

Making the Raised Seams (optional):

1. To get the pretty raised cream grid shown in the photo, work a line of slip stitches in cream over each seam on the right side of the panel.
2. Follow the seam line, keeping your stitches loose and even so the fabric does not pucker.

Closing the Pillow:

1. Place the two panels with wrong sides together, lining up the edges.
2. With cream yarn, join in a corner. Work 1 sc through both layers in every stitch along three sides, working 3 sc into each corner so the corners stay square.
3. Insert the pillow form, pushing it well into the corners.
4. Continue working sc through both layers along the last side to close the pillow. Fasten off and weave in the end.

A Few Friendly Tips

• Keep your gauge: Squares that are all the same size make joining much easier. If a square comes out smaller, block it gently to match the others.
• Weave as you go: With this many color changes, weave in ends right after finishing each square. It saves a lot of work later.
• Color planning: Lay out all your squares before joining, and take a photo. Seeing the whole layout helps you spot spots where colors clump together.
• Make it your own: Try a soft pastel palette, warm autumn colors, or a single color for the flowers and a different color for every background.
• Size it up: Make 4 by 4 squares per side for a larger lounge pillow or a small throw.

I hope you enjoy making this blooming little pillow. It is such a satisfying project, and every square feels like a tiny gift to yourself.

If you run into any trouble or just want to share how your pillow turned out, please reach out. I love seeing what you create.

Happy crocheting!