Looking to add a handmade touch to your home this season? The Autumn Granny Square Pillow is the perfect cozy addition! This free crochet granny square pillow pattern is easy to make and comes together quickly.
It’s a fun, simple crochet project that’s made using the Sunburst Granny Square. Check out the free pillow pattern + guided video tutorial down below or purchase a printable PDF pattern here.
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If you’re looking for a vintage-inspired pillow that uses granny squares and would look cute in any space, this pattern is for you! The Autumn pillow pattern is made up of sunburst granny squares that use basic crochet stitches.
If you have a good handle on the basics or love a little challenge as a beginner, you can make this fun pillow pattern. You will start by making twenty-five squares, and then you will seam those squares together to form your pillow.
It’s essentially like making one big envelope out of paper (like we did as kids or even now as adults), except instead of using paper, you’re using yarn.
So let’s go into a little bit more detail before we start this pattern.
How to Make this Easy Granny Square Pillow
You’ll start this pillow pattern by first making twenty-five sunburst granny squares. Now if you need a little refresher on how to make this granny square, I do have a step-by-step blog post and video tutorial linked in the notes section of this pattern.
Once you’ve made twenty-five squares, you’ll then put those squares together in a row going horizontally and vertically. So you’ll place five granny squares going across and five granny squares going down. Creating a five by five square.
Then once you have the granny squares laid out in the right order, you’ll seam together using the slip stitch method. Then you’ll make a single crochet border around the square, and then you’ll fold it together like an envelope.
All that’s left to do at this point is to insert your pillow and seam the rest of the granny squares together. And that’s it! Pretty easy right?
It makes for a really fun and simple project that can be enjoyed for years to come!
So here’s a bit of information on the yarn that I used because I used two different kinds for this project.
The Yarn You’ll Use For This Crochet Pattern
For this crochet pillow pattern, you can use any worsted-weight yarn. I made the pillow pattern twice using different yarns. So the first version I made uses Hobbi’s Tea Time XL yarn in the color Hibiscus, and the second pillow I made uses Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool yarn in the color Natural.
I loved working with both of these yarns and highly recommend them, but you can use any number four-weight yarn for this project. If you have some left over yarn of this weight, that would work great too!
So let’s get started!
Description
Learn how to crochet a beautiful granny square pillow using this free tutorial! The Autumn Granny Square Pillow is cozy, cute, and would look good in any space. This tutorial will show you step-by-step how to make this crochet pillow using the sunburst granny square.
Down below you’ll find all the information you need to make this free crochet pillow pattern. This pattern includes photos and a guided video tutorial.
Materials
- Yarn – pattern is made using a number 4 worsted-weight yarn. Down below, you’ll find the yarn that I used for this pattern. I made one pillow using Hobbi’s Tea Time XL yarn, and I made the other one with Lion Brand Fisherman’s wool yarn. Either yarn can be used or you can use another number 4 worsted-weight yarn.
2 skeins of Hobbi’s Tea Time XL yarn in the color Hibiscus (Weight 4/ 7.1 oz, 437 yds).
2 skeins of Lion Brand Fisherman Wool yarn in the color Natural (Weight 4/ 8 oz, 465 yds).
- 5.0 mm (H) Crochet Hook.
- 20″ x 20″ inch Pillow.
- Darning Needle.
- Scissors.
- Stitch Markers
Gauge
1 Sunburst Granny Square measures approximately 5 1/2″ inches x 5 1/2″ inches.
Abbreviations
- ch – chain: Yarn over, pull through loop on hook.
- sl st – slip stitch: Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch and loop on hook.
- sc – single crochet: Insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull through last two loops on hook.
- hdc – half double crochet: Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through stitch. Yarn over one more time and pull through last three loops on hook.
- dc – double crochet: Yarn over, insert hook into stitch and pull through, yarn over and pull through first two loops on hook, yarn over and pull through last two loops on hook.
- puff stitch: Yarn over, insert hook into stitch and pull up a loop. Then yarn over again and insert hook into the same stitch and pull up another loop ( 5 loops on hook). Yarn over again, insert hook into the same space and pull up another loop. (7 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 7 loops. Yarn over once more to close the puff stitch.
- bobble stitch: Yarn over, insert hook into stitch and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). Make 3 more incomplete double crochet stitches. There are now 5 loops on the hook. Now yarn over and pull through all 5 loops on your hook. Yarn over once more to close the bobble stitch.
Size
20″ x 20″ inches.
Pattern Notes
- Pattern written in U.S Terms.
- Pattern is explained in 3 parts. The first part explains how to make the sunburst granny square. The second part explains how to seam your granny squares together, and the third part explains how to fold and finish the pillow. An optional tassel explanation is given at the end of the pattern if you would like to attach them to your pillow.
- This pillow pattern is made using the sunburst granny square. A full step-by-step blog post + video tutorial can be found here.
- Total stitches for row are indicated between ( ).
- Link to guided video tutorial can be found here.
Part 1: Granny Squares
Make 25 Sunburst Granny Squares
Start with a magic circle (alternatively, you can also chain 5, and join with a slipstitch to the first chain to form a loop).
Round 1: ch 3 (counts as first dc), and make 15 dc into your magic circle. Sl st to top of the 3rd chain (16 sts).
Round 2: ch 2, yarn over, insert hook into same stitch as joining and pull up a loop. Then yarn over again and insert hook into the same stitch and pull up another loop (5 loops on hook). Yarn over again, insert hook into the same space and pull up another loop. (7 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 7 loops. Yarn over once more to close the puff stitch.
Now continue to work 15 more puff stitch in each of the next stitches from the previous row. Work the puff stitches as follows: Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch as joining and pull up a loop. Then yarn over again and insert hook into the same stitch and pull up another loop (5 loops on hook). Yarn over again, insert hook into the same space and pull up another loop. (7 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 7 loops. Yarn over once more to close the puff stitch. (16 puff stitches total).
Then make a sl st within the first space after your first puff stitch.
Round 3: ch 2, * yarn over, insert hook into space between 2 puff stitches and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). Make 3 more incomplete double crochet stitches. There are now 5 loops on the hook. Now yarn over and pull through all 5 loops on your hook. Yarn over once more to close the bobble stitch, and ch 1.
Now repeat starting from * 15 more times (16 bobble stitches total). Then make a sl st within the first space after your first bobble stitch.
Now its time to turn the round sunburst into a square. Continue to follow the next set of directions for the final round.
Round 4: ch 3 (counts as first treble), make 2 tr, then ch 2, and another 3 tr all within the same space (first corner made). Continue by working 3 dc in the next space, 3 hdc in the following space, then another 3 dc in the next space, and finally make 3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr in the next space.
Now you’ve completed one side and have two corners made. Now you’re going to repeat that sequence until your circle turns into a square.
Continue by working 3 dc in the next space, 3 hdc in the following space, 3 dc in the next space, and finally 3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr in the last space for every one of your sides. You should have 4 corners when the sequence has been completed.
Finally, sl st to the 3rd ch to complete your square.
Finish off and continue to make 24 more granny squares (total of 25).
Part 2: Seaming the Granny Squares Together
Once you have made 25 granny squares, it’s time to seam them together. Follow the next set of steps:
Step 1: Grab all your granny squares and lay them out in a 5 by 5 grid. Place 5 going across and 5 going down, then fill up your square.
Note: make sure each granny square is facing right side up.
Step 2: Once all squares have been laid out, grab your crochet hook and reattach it to one of the squares in the middle on the outer edge.
Now you will seam the granny squares together using the slip stitch method.
Step 3: Insert the hook through the back loop of the first square and into the back loop of the second square. Then yarn over and pull through both loops and the loop on your hook to complete your slip stitch.
Step 4: Continue to repeat step 3 till the last stitch of each granny square. Once you have reached the end of the squares, chain 1, insert your hook into the corner space of the next two granny squares, and make a slip stitch.
Step 5: Continue to repeat row 3 and row 4 until you have 5 squares connected in a row. Then repeat the process row by row till all 25 squares are connected.
Once you have connected them going across (horizontally), it’s time to connect them going down (vertically). Repeat the process again by using the slip stitch method.
Once all granny squares have been connected together, you should have one big square. Reattach your yarn once more to the top right corner of your square and work a single crochet border around your square.
Work one single crochet in each stitch and two single crochets in each corner. Finish your work when you have made your border and work in any remaining ends.
Note: you can find a detailed tutorial on how to make a single crochet border here.
Part 3: Folding Your Granny Square
The last part of the pattern is to fold your granny square like an envelope and seam it together. Follow the next set of steps:
Step 1: Fold each of the four corners to each other. Then use some stitch markers to connect and keep your corners in place while you seam it together.
Step 2: Using the slip stitch method again, reattach your hook to one of the corners and slip stitch from one corner to the other corner (from right to left). Finish off your work when have reached the end of one corner and cut your yarn.
Step 3: Insert your pillow and continue on to step 4.
Step 4: Reattach your yarn once more to the other corner and continue to work the slip stitch method until you have reached the other corner. Finish off your work when you’re finished and cut your yarn.
You’re finished with the Autumn Pillow Pattern! If you would like to add tassels to your pillow, please follow the next set of directions. If not, you’re totally finished at this point.
I hope you enjoyed making this pillow pattern with me.
Optional: How to Make and Add Tassels
If you would like to add tassels to your pillow, here are some of the materials you will need:
- Yarn used in the pattern.
- Small book.
- Pair of scissors.
- Darning needle.
Now continue to follow the next set of steps to make your tassels. You will need a total of 4.
Step 1: Wrap your yarn around the book 40 times.
Step 2: Gently remove the wrapped yarn of the book. Cut an additional piece of yarn and put it under the yarn that you just removed from the book ( approx. 1/2″ from the top). Once you have the yarn underneath the bunched up yarn, you want to tie a knot to secure it. This will create a loop on top (hole).
Step 3: Cut all the bottom loops and trim the yarn so it’s perfectly even. Finally, cut an additional piece of string and loop it through the top of the tassel. This string is used to attach the tassel to the corners of the pillow.
Step 4: Grab a darning needle and insert the string you attached in step 3 into one of the stitches in the corner of your pillow. Pull it through and tie a knot. Your tassels should now be connected to the pillow. Repeat this step 3 more times for each of the corners.
You’re finished!