Color Block Pillow Cover

This Color Block Pillow Cover is a simple and fairly quick project that can be worked up in several evenings. You can choose your favorite colors to create a beautiful and simple pillow cover to change things up a bit.

Materials

• Yarn – Red Heart Super Saver, #4, worsted weight, 364 yds/skein
  • Lavender (CA)
  • Pale Plum (CB)

• Hook – I/5.5mm hook
•  Notions:
  • 16” Pillow form
  • 12” zipper
  • Needle and thread for sewing zipper to pillow
  • Stitch markers
  • Needle for weaving in ends

Size
16 ½” x 17”

Gauge
12 dc sts = 4”; 8 dc rows = 4”

Stitch Abbreviation
Ch – chain; st(s) – stitch(es); ea – each; RS – right side; sc – single crochet; dc – double crochet; sl st – slip stitch; Fdc – foundation double crochet; CA – color A; CB – color B

Special Stitches
Foundation double crochet (Fdc) – ch2, yo, insert hook into 2nd ch from hook, pull yarn through, (3 loops on hook), yo, pull through 1 loop (you will have 3 loops on hook), yo, pull through 2 loops (2 remaining loops on hook), yo, and pull through the remaining 2 loops on hook. You have created your first Fdc. Tutorial here from Cre8tion Crochet.

Experience Level
Easy to Intermediate – The crocheting is simple but you should know how to sew a zipper onto a crocheted piece.

Pattern Notes

• Ch2 does not count as a stitch.
• When switching from CA to CB, or CB to CA, change colors before completing the last stitch in a row.
• Your Fdc row is your right side. Use a stitch marker to help you recognize the RS.
• Instructions on border and attaching sides included in pattern instructions.

Pattern Instructions

Front Panel of the pillow

Row 1: In CA Fdc 45

Rows 2 -10: ch2, 1 dc in the same st, 1 dc in ea st across, turn. <45 dc>

Rows 11 – 20: In CB, ch2, 1 dc in the same st, 1 dc in ea st across, turn. <45 dc>

Rows 21 – 30: In CA, ch2, 1 dc in the same st, 1 dc in ea st across, turn. <45 dc>

Finishing of Front Panel

• The border will now be worked around the entire piece in 3 (three) continuous rounds, and instructions will be referred to as rounds. Also, use a stitch marker to mark the first st of each round to keep your place.
• For the first two rounds of the border, match up the color of the yarn when working on the sides. For examples, use CA with a CA color block; and, CB with a CB color block.
• For the last round, switch to CB and work an entire round in CB. This is to help keep the seam clean when you join the front and back panels together.
• The st count will be indicated in < > at the end of each side instructions so that you can keep count and have the same amount on each side thus making it easier to join panels.

Round 1: ch1, turn, 3 sc in the same st, 1 sc in the next 43 sts, 3 sc in the last st, <49 sc>; place 2 sc in ea side sts (2 sc per dc, going down), <60 sc>; place 3 sc in the bottom corner st, 1 sc in the next 43 sts, 3 sc in the other bottom corner st, <49 sc>; place 2 sc in ea side sts (2 sc per dc, going up) of the other side, <60 sc>, totaling 218 sc.

Round 2: Working in continuous rounds now, 1 sc in ea st around. <218 sc>

Round 3: Repeat round 2, <218 sc>, join to the first st of the last round and fasten off.

Weave in ends before joining panels together.

Back Panel of the pillow – this panel is worked in one entire color.

Row 1: In CB, Fdc 45

Rows 2 – 30: ch2, 1 dc in the same st, 1 dc in ea st across, turn. <45 dc>

Finishing of Back Panel

• The border will now be worked around the entire piece in 3 (three) continuous rounds.

Round 1: Ch1, turn, 3 sc in the same st, 1 sc in the next 43 sts, 3 sc in the last st, <49 sc>; place 2 sc in ea side sts (2 sc per dc, going down) <60 sc>; place 3 sc in the bottom corner st, 1 sc in the next 43 sts, 3 sc in the other bottom corner st <49 sc>; place 2 sc in each side sts of other side (2sc per dc, going up) <60 sc>, totaling 218 sc.

Round 2: Working in continuous rounds now, 1 sc in ea st around. <218 sc>

Round 3: Repeat round 2, <218 sc>, join to the first st of the last round and fasten off.

Weave in ends before joining panels together.

Attaching Zipper and Both Panels Together

Before joining the panels together, you will sew on the zipper first. To do this, take both panels, place them RS down and bring the top parts together. The top part of the panels is considered where you finished your border (think row 30). See picture.

Pin the zipper the panels (see pic), and sew using a sturdy stitch you’re comfortable with to both panels.

Bring RS together of both panels and use a stitch marker to pin the panels together so that when you join the sides together, your stitches are even ensuring a great seam/join. The wrong sides will be facing out

With the wrong side of the front panel facing you, attach the yarn to any stitch at the top left corner, and evenly place a sl st around the entire piece to join both panels together. When you reach the top right corner, fasten off yarn and weave in ends.

Turn piece with the RS facing out, and insert the pillow. You’ll have to unzip the panels first though. And that’s it. You’ve completed your pillow cover.