If you love the look of classic granny squares, give this crochet pillow cover a try today, complete with step-by-step instructions, stitch chart, and video tutorial!
Yes. Granny squares typically just make blankets, but these basic stitch motifs can be so much more… Like crochet pillow covers!
The best thing about this pattern is that you can create your very own crochet pillow using any yarn, and in any size you choose.
Decorating with crochet is something I have a lot of fun doing; I have dream catchers on my walls, baskets for plants and yarn scraps, and table coverings!
And when I want to redecorate, covering throw pillows is a quick and easy way I can repurpose what I have, use up yarn scraps, and bring crochet into my everyday life.
This crochet pillow cover is just a few small granny squares, and one big one – that’s it!
Each square joins to the last square with crochet using the JAYGO (join-as-you-go) method.
The JAYGO method is a really gorgeous and seamless looking technique that you will love!
If you’ve never joined granny squares with the JAYGO technique, we can help.
Just watch our video tutorial to see how you can quickly learn this technique in a few short minutes.
An interesting feature in this pattern is that it is tailor made to any square size you choose.
Make your granny squares larger or smaller to crochet a cover that fit any size pillow you have!
This Crochet Pillow Cover is a great design to crochet because:
- You can use yarn you already have on hand!
- Learn how to make a granny square, and try the JAYGO method!
- Repurpose throw pillows you already have on hand!
- You’ll will practice so many crochet skills: Motifs, joined rounds, joining motifs, complex stitch and round repeats, shaping, color placement and changing, finishing techniques & more!
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Estimated reading time: 13 minutes
Table of contents
Granny Square Crochet Pillow: Introduction
What is a Granny Square
Granny squares are an iconic pattern in crochet.
This crochet motif can be a simple afghan or create the building blocks for projects like this crochet pillow cover.
Granny Squares are classic, and characterized mostly by their square shape and clusters of double crochet stitches with evenly spaced chain spaces.
To learn how to crochet a granny square, follow our simple instructions, chart, and video tutorial to help you learn today: Granny Square Pattern
How Can A Granny Square Turn Into A Pillow
Did you think granny squares can only be flat projects, like blankets?
Think again!
A Granny square has so much more potential than just a flat blanket, and this crochet pillow cover pattern proves it!
In fact, you can use as many, or as few, granny squares as you need to make this crochet pillow.
That’s right – the number of granny squares is up to you!
Because I like to decorate with leftover crochet yarn scraps, I wanted to design a pillow cover that could be measured as you go, to fit the yarn you have and any square pillow size you want to cover.
You’ll start by joining small granny squares together to create one singular crochet square, until it is the same size (or smaller) than the square pillow you want to cover.
Next, you can crochet a border around those squares until your total square is the same size as your pillow.
That creates one side of your crochet pillow.
The back can be the same pattern, or you can crochet one large granny square to complete the project.
Can you picture the crochet pillow cover now?
This is truly a modern and super fun way to decorate with yarn!
Selecting The Perfect Yarn
How To Choose Yarn
A crochet pillow is something you’ll use to decorate a space, so the look and feel of the yarn you choose can simply match the aesthetic of your home.
You can choose yarn that is thick, thin, soft, squishy, cozy, bulky, or fluffy!
The best yarn for your crochet pillow cover will be something you love the look and feel of, and brings joy to the space you put it in.
However, if this crochet pillow will be getting a lot of actual use, I suggest using a yarn that will wear nicely over time – something that will not fade, pill, shed, or stretch out too much.
Over the years, my crochet pillows are sat on, tossed around, squished, and even thrown in the washer and dryer – by choosing durable yarns, these little projects have really held up!
Yarn Suggestions
This granny square crochet pillow cover was made with a yarn that is discontinued, from my scrap pile: Sprightly Yarns Acrylic Super Bulky.
Because you can follow this pattern to create any size crochet pillow you want, with any yarn you have, you don’t have to worry about size and gauge!
However, if you would like to have the same bulky look that my crochet pillow cover has, I am happy to share some yarn suggestions.
If you want a multicolor yarn, try Lion Brand Yarn Mandala Impressions – this is a bulky yarn with great texture!
If you want a variety of solid and multicolor yarns, try Bernat Softee Chunky – this super bulky yarn is soft and really durable!
Sizing Options
The Granny Square Crochet Pillow is worked in a few parts that you can measure as you go for the best results.
To work up a size of your choosing you’ll need two things:
- A square pillow of any size (I used a 16″ square pillow to make the in the example)
- A yarn of your choosing (the yardage really depends on the pillow size, and will vary)
Once you have a square pillow you want to cover, start by crocheting the back, measuring as you go, until your square measures the length of your pillow.
Count the total number of rounds in your granny square, because that will help you to crochet the same size for the front.
For example, I needed 12 rounds in the yarn I chose to crochet a 16″ square.
Then, the front of pillow begins by making nine granny squares, each having just two rounds each.
Every granny square made is joined to the previous with a JAYGO (join as you go) method.
If you’ve never worked this method before, just watch our tutorial!
Once your nine granny squares are joined, you’ll crochet a border around them all, then continue to work rounds in the granny square pattern until your front has the same number of rounds as your back.
Granny Square Resources
Finished Granny Square Crochet Pillows
Want to see how other crocheters worked up this pattern?
Click on over to Ravelry to view all projects completed and posted so far, including the yarns and pillow sizes used: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/granny-square-pillow-cover-2
More Granny Square Patterns
Do you love all things granny square, and want to find even more patterns that use these little motifs?
I have so many more crochet patterns that use the classic granny square in ways that are new and fun, like these:
Granny Square Vest
Want to wear some classic granny squares?
Give this easy vest a try!
Video tutorial, crochet chart and pattern diagram included: Granny Square Vest: Easy Crochet Pattern With Chart
Granny Square Table Runner
Love the classic granny square stitch?
Give this table runner a try!
Complete with written pattern, video and diagram: Granny Square Table Runner: Quick & Easy Crochet Pattern
Granny Square Market Bag
Want to turn your granny squares into a crochet bag?
Give this market tote a try!
This crochet market tote is worked with a classic granny square motif, creating a modern looking and sturdy design: Granny Square Bag: Easy Crochet Tote Pattern
Policy For Individual Use
This crochet pattern is designed by Salena Baca Crochet for the American Crochet Association.
Pattern instructions are protected by copyright laws.
Users must acknowledge and respect the intellectual property rights of pattern creators and designers as follows:
- This pattern is for personal use only. Pattern instructions may be accessed and used by individuals for personal, non-commercial purposes only. Users may create finished products based on the pattern instructions for personal use or gifting.
- Users may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works of pattern instructions without explicit permission from the copyright holder.
- Selling or commercially exploiting products made from pattern instructions will require additional permissions or licensing from the copyright holder.
- It is unlawful to share or distribute pattern instructions in any way, including but not limited to: print, digital, video.
- It is unlawful to create derivative works based on pattern instructions, including but not limited to translations, adaptations, or variations.
- Users should provide proper attribution when sharing or displaying finished products made using these pattern instructions, giving credit to the original pattern creator and source.
- Users are expected to conduct themselves in an ethical and respectful manner when using pattern instructions. Users should not engage in plagiarism, claim others’ work as their own, or misrepresent the origin of pattern instructions.
By accessing and using pattern instructions, individuals agree to abide by the usage policy herein.
Users may be held responsible for any damages or legal liabilities resulting from their non-compliance with this policy.
Purchase a PDF File On Ravelry
Want to own a copy of this pattern that you can save, print, download, and use anytime?
Get the PDF file, without all these extra tips, resources, and pattern details when you purchase a downloadable PDF version of this pattern on Ravelry.
How To Crochet A Pillow Cover
Granny Square Tips
The granny square is not really a beginner friendly design, so these tips may help as you work to crochet your very first one:
- Watch our entire Granny Square video tutorial first, before you follow along with yarn and hook.
- Read the written instructions as you watch the video tutorial (they are the same)
- Follow the stitch chart as you watch the video, or as you read the written instructions (yes, they all match)
- Follow the instructions to the comma, working just one step at a time, then double check that your work matches the pattern before moving on to the very next step.
Granny Square Video Tutorial
If you’ve never worked a granny square pattern before, and would like to use a video as you read the written instructions and stitch chart, watch our How To Crochet A Granny Square Tutorial.
Yarn
Any yarn of choice (Sample made with 4 colors Bulky Weight #5, appx 500 yds).
Materials
- Hook that best fits yarn choice
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- Square pillow form (16” square pillow form shown)
Size and Gauge
Measure your project as you go for the best fit.
Stitch Key
The classic granny square pattern is worked with basic crochet stitches in their most basic form.
To see any of these stitches worked by following a video tutorial, just click on the underlined text:
- Ch(s) = chain(s)
- Sc = single crochet
- Dc = double crochet
- St(s) = stitch(es)
- Sl St = slip stitch
Specialty Stitch and Technique Key
If you’re unfamiliar with the adjustable loop, watch our quick video tutorial today to get started:
- Video: Adjustable Loop
Joining Granny Squares JAYGO Video Tutorial
If you need help learning how to work the JAYGO method (slip stitch joining), watch this video tutorial to see it in action today.
- Video: Join As You Go (JAYGO): is worked by replacing a chain space with a slip stitch into the connecting square.
Notes
- This Granny square crochet pillow is created in 2 parts: Back (solid), Front (9 squares + border).
- You can change color as desired.
Crochet Pillow Instructions
Back Granny Square
- Round 1 (Right Side): Form adjustable loop, Ch 3 (first Dc, here and throughout), work 2 Dc into loop, [Ch 3, 3 Dc] 3 times, Ch 3, Sl St into top of beginning Ch-3 to join – 24 Sts; 12 Dc + 4 Ch-3 spaces
- Round 2: Sl St into each of next 2 Dc, Sl St into Ch-3 space, Ch 3, (2 Dc, Ch 3, 3 Dc) into same Ch-3 space, Ch 1, [(3 Dc, Ch 3, 3 Dc) into next Ch-3 space, Ch 1] 3 times, Sl St into top of beginning Ch-3 to join – 40 Sts; 24 Dc + 4 Ch-3 spaces + 4 Ch-1 spaces
- Round 3: Sl St into each of next 2 Dc, Sl St into Ch-3 space, Ch 3, (2 Dc, Ch 3, 3 Dc) into same Ch-3 space, Ch 1, (3 Dc, Ch 1) into Ch-1 space, [(3 Dc, Ch 3, 3 Dc) into next Ch-3 space, Ch 1, (3 Dc, Ch 1) into Ch-1 space] 3 times, Sl St into top of beginning Ch-3 to join – 56 Sts; 36 Dc + 4 Ch-3 spaces + 8 Ch-1 spaces
Repeat round 3 until your square measures the length of your pillow (adding 12 Dc and 4 Ch-1 spaces per additional round).
Note number of rounds completed to obtain desired measurement, fasten off.
Front Granny Square (9 square center)
Follow round 1-2 of Back Square, creating 9 squares total.
Beginning with square 2, attach each square with Right Side facing to the last.
Join one one side with JAYGO method for: 2nd Ch of Ch-3 corner, Ch-1 space, 2nd Ch of Ch 3 corner.
Sew in all ends from Front Squares, trim excess.
Front Granny Square Chart and Diagram
Front Square (border)
Assure Right Side of Front Squares are facing, attach yarn into any unworked ch-3 corner.
- Round 1: Ch 3 (first Dc), (2 Dc, Ch 3, 3 Dc) into same Ch-3 space, Ch 1. Work around: (3 Dc, Ch 1) into each Ch-1 space and Sl St join, (3 Dc, Ch 3, 3 Dc, Ch 1) into each Ch-3 space. Sl St into top of beginning Ch-3 to join.
- Round 2: Sl St into each of next 2 Dc, Sl St into Ch-3 space, Ch 3, (2 Dc, Ch 3, 3 Dc) into same Ch-3 space, Ch 1. Work around: (3 Dc, Ch 1) into each Ch-1 space, (3 Dc, Ch 3, 3 Dc, Ch 1) into each Ch-3 space. Sl St into top of beginning Ch-3 to join.
Repeat round 2 until you have one less than the number of rounds completed from your Back Square.
With Wrong sides of Squares held together, repeat round 2 replacing each Ch-1 space, and 2nd Ch from Ch-3 space, with JAYGO method into the equal space from Back Square until 1 side left unworked, insert pillow, complete last side.
Fasten off.
Finishing
Sew in all ends, trim excess.
Video Chat
To hear more about this Granny Square Pillow Cover Crochet Pattern from Salena Baca (the pattern writer), listen to this video chat today:
Click Here to share your finished project in our community!
Peace + Love + Crochet
Salena
