ARGYLE CROCHET CHRISTMAS PILLOW
βGrandpaβs Sweaterβ
While I was thinking of how I wanted to decorate our guest room for Christmas this year, I knew I wanted something new.Β The dΓ©cor in the room is pretty minimal, with the bed being the star, so a new Christmas pillow was in order.Β Iβve always gravitated towards argyle for some reason.Β I think because it reminds me of the quintessential grandpa in holiday movies, in his cute argyle Christmas sweater, playing with his grandchildren.Β That vision in my head is why I named it the βGrandpaβs Sweaterβ Argyle Crochet Christmas Pillow.Β
I absolutely LOVE decorating for Christmas, honestly any holiday, but Christmas most of all.Β My holiday decorating style has evolved over the years.Β When I was younger, everything was very obviously Christmas.Β As Iβve gotten older, I find that I prefer dΓ©cor that gives more of a nod to Christmas without blatantly streaming CHRISTMAS!Β Donβt get me wrong, I love a good Santa or reindeer but sometimes it can be a bit too much for me so this pillow is a perfect balance.
COLOR COMBONATIONS
In recent years, Christmas dΓ©cor has started to stay away from the tradition reds and greens.Β Anything goes nowβ¦.pink trees, lots of black and white, you name it.Β While I have made my pillow in βtraditionalβ Christmas colors, the pattern can be customized to fit any color scheme.Β The argyle pattern isnβt for just Christmas either.Β I can see the pattern looking great on a chair in a home library or a dark more βmasculineβ feeling office.Β How about in pinks and reds for Valentineβs day?Β Really the pattern lends itself to so many things and is only limited by your imagination.
THE BOBBLE STITCH
Oh bobble stitch, how I love thee, let me count the ways.Β If you have been here for a while then you know my love for the bobble stitch.Β The stitch has a fabulous nubby texture and while it can be a yarn eater, you canβt argue with the wonderful texture it gives.Β The stitch is super simple to make, as it is made with double and single crochets.Β If you have never worked with the bobble stitch before, I have a bobble stitch tutorial to teach you how.Β The back cover and inner button placard are made with simple half-double and single crochets.
I have chatted at you enough, now letβs get to the good part, the patternβ¦
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The pattern includes:
- Full materials list
- Full list of crochet stitch abbreviations
- Two gauge swatches to ensure proper sizing
- Bobble chart (full color with numbered rows)
- Measurements of each completed pattern piece
- Photos of each completed pattern piece and pictures to show any tricky bits
- Also included with your purchase in a copy of my Bobble Stitch Tutorial to teach you how to make the stitch and follow a bobble chart
ARGYLE CROCHET CHRISTMAS PILLOW
"Grandpa's Sweater"
MATERIALS NEEDED:
- 850 Yards of Worsted Weight Yarn in Cream
- 50 Yards of Worsted Weight Yarn in Red
- 50 Yards of Worsted Weight Yarn in Medium Green
- 67 Yards of Worsted Weight Yarn in Dark Green
- Size G Hook [4.0 mm] or Hook Needed to Meet GaugeΒ
- (7) 7/8β³ to 3/4β³ Buttons
- 18β³ x 18β³ Pillow Form
- Yarn Needle
- Scissors
- Stitch Markers [optional]
- Sewing Needle & Thread to Match Buttons [optional]
- Yarn BobbinsΒ [optional]
THE YARN I USED:
Cream = Big Twist Value in Cream
Red = Big Twist Value in Deep Red
Medium Green = Big Twist Value in Forest Green
Dark Green = Red Heart Super Saver in Hunter Green
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ABBREVIATIONS:
Stitches
- BO = Bobble
- CH = Chain
- HDC = Half Double Crochet
- SC = Single Crochet
- SK = Skip Stitch
- SSCF = Seamless Single Crochet [see page 8]
- SL st = Slip Stitch
- YO = Yarn Over
Color Key
- [C] = Cream
- [DG] = Dark Green
- [MG] = Medium Green
- [R] = Red
GAUGE:
- 11 Bobble Stitches x 11 Rows = 6β³ x 6β³
- 11 Half Double Crochet xΒ 9 Rows = 5β³ x 5β³
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:
- Approximately 17β³ x 17β³
NOTES BEFORE YOU BEGIN
- The front cover is made using the bobble stitch. If you have never worked with the bobble stitch before or need a refresher, please read my Bobble Stitch Tutorial.
- Please read each section carefully. There are notes and suggestions to help you along the way.
- Make sure to complete both gauge swatches before you begin. Not everybodyβs tension is the same and not all worsted weight yarn is created equal, both can impact the overall size of your finished project.Β I have a tendency to crochet with a tighter tension so keep that in mind as you are making your swatches.Β For the most accurate measurement, measure the bobble swatch from the backside.Β If for some reason you are having an issue achieving the gauge stated, feel free to contact me and I can let you know approximately what size your finished cover would be with the gauge swatch that you have.
- If you have any questions about this pattern, please donβt hesitate to e-mail me at chain8designs@gmail.com. Put the pattern name as the subject line and I will get back to you as soon as I can. You can also send me a message on Facebook through the Chain 8 Designs page. I want everyone to enjoy making this pattern, so donβt hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or problems along the way. Iβm always here to help!
PATTERN PIECES
FRONT COVER
For the front cover we will be following a bobble chart.Β If you have never worked with a bobble chart before, please read myΒ Bobble Stitch TutorialΒ for instructions on how to follow the chart.Β
*At this time there is not a set of full written directions for the front cover.*
Download a copy of the chart below.
NOTES:
- We will be using a five (5) double crochet bobble.
- Each square on the chart represents one (1) completed bobble.
- The chart is worked from bottom to top and right to left. Start at 1/1 in the bottom right-hand corner.
- Yarn Carries: Carry the background color throughout. For the argyle pattern, have separate bobbins for each color, and where the argyle splits in two directions, have one bobbin for each direction.
- After you have finished approximately four bobble rows, compare the width of your cover to the finished measurement to make sure that your tension has not changed from when you completed your gauge swatch.
For those that are not used to working from a bobble chart, I will walk you through a few rows to help get you started.
Each square of the chart is one completed bobble stitch, so each row will have a part one (single crochet row) and a part two (bobble stitch row) i.e., Row 1/1 and Row 1/2. Once you have Row 1/1 and Row 1/2 done, you will have completed Row 1 of the chart and so on.
CH 63 (with Cream)
Row 1/1: SC in 2nd CH from hook; SC next 61 stitches; CH 1; turn (62]
Row 1/2: [*BO]; repeat [*] till end; CH 1; turn (62)
Row 2/1: SC all; CH 1; turn (62)
Row 2/2: [*BO]; repeat [*] till end; CH 1; turn (62)
Repeat Rows 2/1 and 2/2 until you have have six complete rows of cream bobbles.
Row 7/1: (C) SC x12; (R) SC x2; (C) SC x16; (MG) SC x2; (C) SC x16; (R) SC x2; (C) SC X12; CH 1; turn (62)
Row 7/2: (C) BO x6; (R) BO x1; (C) BO x8; (MG) BO x1; (C) BO x8; (R) BO x1; (C) BO x6; CH 1; turn (62)
Row 8/1: (C) SC x10; (R) SC x2; (C) SC x2; (R) SC x2; (C) SC x12; (MG) SC x2; (C) SC x14; (MG) SC x2; (C) SC x16; (R) SC x2; (C) SC x12; CH 1; turn (62)
Row 8/2: (C) BO x6; (R) BO x1; (C) BO x8; (MG) BO x1; (C) BO x8; (R) BO x1; (C) BO x6; CH 1; turn (62)
Continue to follow the chart until complete. Fasten off after the last stitch and weave in ends
The finished measurement should be approximately 17β³ x 17β³.
LARGE BACK PIECE
The large back piece is the main back cover and will have buttonholes at the bottom.
CH 63 (with Cream)
Row 1: HDC in 2nd CH from hook; HDC next 61; CH 1; turn (62)
Row 2: HDC all; CH 1; turn (62)
Repeat Row 2 until your LARGE BACK PIECE is 3/4β³ shorter than the FRONT COVER.
Buttonhole Row: SC next 6; [*CH 2; SK 2; SC next 6]; repeat [*] six more times; CH 1; turn (62)
Finishing Row 1: SC all; CH 1; turn (62)
Finishing Row 2: SC all; fasten off; weave in ends (62)
The finished measurement should be approximately 17β³ x 17β³.
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SMALL BACK PIECE
The small back piece is what we will be attaching the buttons to.
CH 63 (with Cream)
Row 1: SC in 2nd CH from hook; SC next 61; CH 1; turn (62)
Row 2-8: SC all; CH 1; turn (62)
Row 9: SC all; fasten off; weave in ends (62)
The finished measurement should be approximately 17β³ x 2 1/4β³.
ASSEMBLY
NOTES:
- To assemble the pillow, we will be running a row of SC around the outside edge of the pillow. We will be using the cream yarn but for an added touch you might want to use one of the other colors in the pillow instead.
- We will be putting three (3) SC in each corner. As there is no real corner stitch, the corner stitches will be the first and last stitches of the top and bottom edges.
ATTACHING THE SMALL BACK PIECE
- Begin by laying the front cover facedown and aligning the small back piece along the bottom edge. You can place a few stitch markers to hold it in place.
- Flip the cover back over so the front of the front cover is facing you.
- Insert your hook in the first stitch of the right-hand corner (going through both the front cover and small back piece) and pull up a loop, YO, and pull through the loop; SC into the same stitch space [1st corner stitch].
- Continue to SC along the bottom edge until you have 62 SC [1 starting corner stitches + 60 edge stitches + corner stitch on the other end = 62].
- Leave the yarn attached and move to the Attaching the Large Back Piece section.
ATTACHING THE LARGE BACK PIECE
- Flip the cover back over so the front cover is face down.
- Lay the large back piece over the front cover (making sure the buttonholes are at the bottom.)
- Place either stitch markers or scrap pieces of yarn around the edge to keep the piece in place.
- Flip the cover back over so the front cover is facing up.
- SC into the same stitch space as the last SC from attaching the small back piece, going through the front cover, small back piece, and large back piece. Now place one more SC in the same stitch space. This will complete the three (3) SC for this corner.
- Next, SC 61 stitches up the side. [Make sure for the part where the side of the small back piece is, that you are crocheting through only the front cover and large back piece. Not crocheting the small back piece at the sides will aid in attaching the buttons.]
- Place 3 SC in the first stitch of the top edge, then continue to SC 60 stitches across the top until you reach the last stitch, where you will place the 3 SC for that corner.
- SC 60 stitches down the other side.
- Place the last SC in the same space as the very first SC stitch. This will create the second stitch for that corner. You should now have 252 SC.
10.SSCF to the first SC and weave in ends.
ATTACHING THE BUTTONS
- Lay the cover face down and smooth it out.
- Pull the large back piece down so that the bottom edge aligns with the bottom edge of the front cover/small back piece.
- Insert the non-hook end of your hook or your yarn needle into the center of the middle buttonhole.
- Without removing the hook, lift the large back piece. This will show you where you will place the first button.
- Attach the button
- Repeat Steps 3-5 until you have attached all seven buttons.
Once your cover is complete, the last step is to insert your pillow form and close the buttons. Now you can stand back and admire the beautiful work you did.
Β
GO YOU!
If you make this pattern, I would love to see your finished pillows.Β Post on Instagram and tag @chain8designs so I can ooh and ahh at your great work!Β I love nothing more than seeing people use my patterns, especially when you use different colors than I did.Β Iβve seen color combos that I never thought of and like more than the original. LOL
Till next time friendsβ¦HAPPY HOOKING!
**Feel free to make and sell items that are made from this pattern. Please link back to the pattern on any online sales or include my web address on tags for any in-person sales. Please do not republish or distribute any of the pictures or patterns, in any form, from this site without permission from me.Β PleaseΒ e-mailΒ me for any inquiries.**
Would you like a downloadable or printable copy of the pattern with pictures to help you along the way? No ads or comments
PURCHASE A COPY ON RAVELRY TODAY!
The pattern includes:
- Full materials list
- Full list of crochet stitch abbreviations
- Two gauge swatches to ensure proper sizing
- Bobble chart (full color with numbered rows)
- Measurements of each completed pattern piece
- Photos of each completed pattern piece and pictures to show any tricky bits
- Also included with your purchase in a copy of my Bobble Stitch Tutorial to teach you how to make the stitch and follow a bobble chart
[β¦] ARGYLE CROCHET CHRISTMAS PILLOW [β¦]