Sweet Crochet Bolster: Free Crochet Pillow Pattern
Bring the retro marshmallow feels into your home with this bolster cushion inspired by old fashioned marshmallow sweets. This corner to corner pattern works up quickly and can be made in any colour combination.
You can purchase a PDF version of this pattern from Etsy.
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Note that this pattern uses the corner to corner construction technique and not the classic corner to corner stitch pattern. You can learn about the difference in the two in this article.
Continue reading for the free crochet bolster pattern.
Pattern Notes
General Notes
- Please read through the pattern and all associated notes before starting your project
- This pattern uses US crochet terms (UK equivalents are given in brackets in the abbreviations list)
- Numbers in at the end of a row / round indicate the number of stitches in that row / round and are only given at the start of a section or where there is a change
- Turning chains do not count as stitches
- Instructions written after *asterisks should be repeated as indicated
- Unless otherwise indicated stitches should be worked in consecutive stitches
Construction
- The body of the cushion is made in one panel from corner to corner
- The ends are worked in the round separately and stitched to the body
Skills Needed
- Knowledge of basic crochet stitches, techniques and terminology is assumed
- Simple stitches with simple increases and decreases
- Working in rows and in the round
- Changing colours
Materials
Hook: 7mm crochet hook or size needed to meet gauge
Yarn: DMC Natura XL, 100% cotton, 100g/75m/82yds
Yarn A (Shade 91, Yellow): 91 x 2 balls
Yarn B (Shade 40, Pink): 40 x 3 balls
Substitution Options: Any suitable similar weight, super chunky yarn which meets gauge can be used in this pattern. Different yarn weights will work but will create a cushion cover of a different size. Different fibres and yarns will produce a different finished result.
You may find this post useful in choosing a substitute yarn.
Other: Yarn needle, scissors and a tape measure.
Bolster cushion pad, 20cm/8in diameter, 45cm/18in long.
You may wish to block this project, in which case I recommend a Blocking board and pins. Learn more about blocking here.
Stitches & Abbreviations: US terms
(UK Equivalent in Brackets)
- ch = chain
- MR = magic ring – see special stitches
- rep = repeat
- RS = right side
- sc = single crochet (UK double crochet)
- sc2tog = single crochet 2 together (UK double crochet 2 together) – see special stitches
- sk = skip (UK miss)
- ss = slip stitch
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- WS = wrong side
- yo = yarn over
- Special Stitches
Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog)
Insert hook, yo, pull up a loop, insert hook into next st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 3 loops
Magic Ring (MR)
You can find a photo and video tutorial on how to create a magic ring here. If you are not familiar with the magic ring, for this pattern you can ch4 and join to the first st with a ss and work the sts into this loop.
Gauge
12 sts and 12 rows in 10cm of single crochet (UK double crochet) using a 7mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.
Measurements & Finished Size
The pattern is suited to a bolster cushion pad measuring 20cm in diameter and 46cm in length.
The dimensions of the body of the cover is approx. 45cm long by 60cm wide, which stretches to wrap round the body of the pillow.
The ends of the pillow measure approx. 19cm in diameter
The Sweet Bolster Crochet Pattern
The Bolster Body
Using Yarn A and a 7mm hook;
Row 1 (RS): Ch2, 1sc in second ch from hook, turn.1 st
Row 2: Ch2, 1sc in second ch from hook, 2sc in next st, turn. 3 sts
Row 3: Ch2, 1sc in second ch from hook, 1sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in last st, turn. 5 sts
Row 4: Ch2, 1sc in second ch from hook, 1sc in each st across to penultimate st, 2sc in last st, turn. 7 sts
Rows 5-6: As Row 4. 11 sts
Change to Yarn B (you do not need fasten of as you can carry yarn up the side for colour changes).
Rows 7-12: As Row 4. 23 sts
Change to Yarn A.
Rows 13-18: As Row 4. 35 sts
Change to Yarn B.
Rows 19-24: As Row 4. 47 sts
Change to Yarn A.
Rows 25-30: As Row 4. 59 sts
Change to Yarn B.
Rows 31-36: As Row 4. 71 sts
Change to Yarn A.
Here you will stop increasing on bottom side, the stitch count will remain the same.
Rows 37: Ch2, 1sc in second ch from hook, 1sc in each st across to 2 sts from end, sc2tog, turn
Row 38: Ch1, sk first st, 1sc in each st across to penultimate st, 2sc in last st, turn
Rows 39-42: Continue row 37 & 38 repeat
Change to Yarn B.
Rows 43-48: Continue row 37 & 38 repeat
Change to Yarn A.
Now you will start decreasing both sides.
Row 49: Ch1, sk first st, 1sc in each st across to 2 sts from end, sc2tog, turn. 59 sts
Rows 50-54: As Row 49
Change to Yarn B.
Rows 55-60: As Row 49. 47 sts
Change to Yarn A.
Rows 61-66: As Row 49. 35 sts
Change to Yarn B.
Rows 67-72: As Row 49. 23 sts
Change to Yarn A.
Rows 73-78: As Row 49. 11 sts
Change to Yarn B.
Rows 79-82: As Row 49. 3 sts
Row 83: Ch1, sk first st, sc2tog, turn. 1 st
Row 84: Ch1, ss into first st
Fasten off and sew in ends
Bolster Ends
Make 2
In Yarn B, make a Magic Ring;
Rounds 1 (RS): Work 8sc into MR, ss to top of first st, turn. 8 sts
Rounds 2: Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), 2sc in each st round to end, ss to top of first st, turn. 16 sts
Rounds 3: Ch1, *1sc, 2sc in next st; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn. 24 sts
Rounds 4: Ch1, *1sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next st; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn. 32 sts
Rounds 5: Ch1, *1sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next st; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn. 40 sts
Rounds 6: Ch1, *1sc in next 4 sts, 2sc in next st; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn. 48 sts
Rounds 7: Ch1, *1sc in next 5 sts, 2sc in next st; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn. 56 sts
Rounds 8: Ch1, *1sc in next 6 sts, 2sc in next st; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn. 64 sts
Rounds 9: Ch1, 1sc in each st round to end, ss to top of first st
Fasten off and sew in ends
Joining & Finishing
Seam the body
Create a tube by folding the body in half along the width. With WS facing you, sew the sides together up the length of the cover, using yarn A and B as applicable for each stripe (the colours of the row ends should match to create a continual stripe around the pillow).
Turn the cover the right way around and insert the bolster pad.
Sew the ends to the body
Take one end piece and, with RS facing, pin it to the end of the bolster. Working through each stitch of the last round, sew the end to the body of the bolster working through row ends and being sure to tuck any carried yarn inside the cover. Repeat with the other end to finish.
I like to use the mattress stitch for sewing seams.
Enjoy your finished bolster!
How to find me and share your finished makes
- On Instagram, you can use the hashtag #DoraDoes to share your finished projects or just tag me @doraexplored
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If you have any questions about the pattern, please email help@doradoes.co.uk
Happy Hooking
Dx