Cactus Crochet Pillow Pattern
If you’ve been following me for a while then you know that I like to crochet with colors. Tapestry crochet is one of my favorite crochet techniques when it comes to designing. However, for this fun cactus crochet pillow, I wanted to combine textures instead of colors. I love the result! This pillow has a nice, simple background while the faux fur yarn makes the cactus pop.
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“But I don’t know how to do tapestry crochet!”
I got you 🙂 I’ve included several photo tutorials to help you learn how to do the color changes. It truly isn’t a hard thing to do. Honestly, it’s probably a lot easier than you think!
Free Cactus Crochet Pillow Pattern
Materials:
- Approx. 1, 7 oz skein of I Love This Yarn (or your favorite worsted weight acrylic yarn) and 1 skein of Yarn Bee Fur The Moment
- H8 (5.00mm) crochet hook
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
- 16″x16″ pillow insert
Skill level:
Advanced beginner.
Pattern notes:
- This pattern is written using standard US crochet terms.
- This is worked in rows, using the color graph on page 6. Instructions for reading the graph are given.
- Chain 1 at the beginning of each row does not count as a stitch.
- There is some colorwork involved. Photo tutorials are provided on page 5.
Stitches used and abbreviations:
- yo = yarn over
- sp = space
- ch = chain
- st/sts = stitch/stitches
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- MC = main color. This is used for the majority of the pillow.
- CC = contrasting color. This is the cactus color.
Gauge:
4″ square = 14 hdc and 10 rows
What colors to use for the cactus pillow?
You do not have to use the same colors as me! Just pick ONE main color and one cactus color. In my case, I chose a mustard-colored yarn as my main color and a cream faux fur yarn to be my cactus color.
Don’t want to use the yarn suggested? Or do you have yarn at home to use up? No worries. You can use any worsted-weight yarn for the main portion of the pillow and any faux fur yarn as long as it’s not super bulky.
That’s it for now my friends! Now, go pick your favorite colors and let’s make this fun crochet cactus pillow.
Do you love crochet cactus patterns?
Here are some other crochet cactus designs you will love:
How to change colors in crochet:
Start your hdc as normal. Before your last pull-through, drop the working yarn. Pick up the other color and complete the stitch by pulling through the remaining loops on hook. Tip: when changing colors, always yarn UNDER with the new color. This creates a nice, clean look between different colored stitches.
Drop working yarn and pick up CC
Pull CC through remaining loops on hook
Helpful tips for changing colors in crochet:
- The only yarn I carry is the MC. The CC is too thick to carry so I simply hold it behind my work when switching back and forth. However, depending on which side you are working on – right side or wrong side – you will hold the yarn either across the front or the back. If you are working on the right side, then hold the CC across the back. If you are working on the wrong side, then hold the CC in the front.
- Always change color the same way. What I mean is, when switching back and forth between colors, drop your MC and CC in the same direction every time. This prevents your yarn from getting tangled. For example: I always drop my MC to the front and my CC to the back. See photos below.
- Right before switching to the MC or CC, always give your current working yarn a little tug to make sure there are no bumps popping through.
Where to drop your yarn when changing colors for the Cactus Crochet Pillow Pattern
However, because this particular row is on the right side, I only drop my CC to the front while I change colors and then I move the CC to the back of my work after I’ve pulled through with the new color.
I always drop the MC to the back of my work.
Written Instructions for the Cactus Crochet Pillow:
Front panel of the crochet pillow
Row 1: ch 48, turn, make a hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. ch 1, turn (47 hdc)
Row 2: hdc in first st and in each st across, ch 1, turn. (47 hdc)
Rows 3-6: repeat Row 2. (47 hdc)
Rows 7-36: you will start using the CC on this row. From here, you will use the graph to complete this panel.
Back panel of the crochet pillow
Row 1: ch 48, turn, make a hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. ch 1, turn (47 hdc)
Row 2: hdc in first st and in each st across, ch 1, turn. (47 hdc)
Rows 3-36: repeat Row 2. (47 hdc)
Assembling your pillow:
Line both panels up, wrong sides together. You will now stitch the two panels together, going counterclockwise. With the front panel facing you, start from the bottom right corner. Attach your yarn and work 1 sc (going through both panels) in each st all the way to the top. Make 3 sc in the very top st, and continue working 1 sc across the top. In the very last stitch at the top, make 3 sc. Work down the left side, make 3 sc in the very last st.
Get your pillow and insert it into the panels. Work 1 sc in each st across the bottom. Make 3 sc in the last st. Join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off and weave in ends.
How to read the color graph for the crochet cactus pillow:
- Each square represents one stitch.
- All odd rows are read/worked from right to left. For example, for row 1, start reading from square 1, row 1.
- All even rows are read/worked from left to right. For example, for row 2, start reading from square 47, row 2.
- There is a number at the beginning of each row indicating how many stitches you need to make in that color (to help make counting a little easier 🙂 ). For example, row 7 has “19” in the first grey square which means you will make 19 sts in the MC. And then there is a “9” in the first white square indicating you will make 9 sts with the CC and lastly a “19” in the next grey square indicating you will make 19 sts in the MC again.
That’s it! You’ve finished your crochet cactus pillow! So what did you think? Color changes aren’t so bad, are they?
If you love this pattern, please take a photo and tag me @spottedhorsedesignco on social media. I’d love to see what colors you used and what you thought of this pattern. Plus, I absolutely love seeing your makes 🙂
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These photos are the property of Spotted Horse Design Co. This tutorial is for your personal use only. Please do not copy/paste, distribute, or alter and claim as your own.
