Building Blocks Pillow: Free Crochet Pattern

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Meet the Designer

This design is brought to you by Dora of Dora Does.

Dora has been crocheting since 2021 and set up Dora Does in 2017 to start publishing her patterns and as a place to blog about crochet and the benefits that creativity can have on well-being and personal growth.

Based from her home in Cambridge, UK, Dora designs contemporary homeware patterns and practical, modern garments and accessories that makers are proud to wear. All with an added hint of whimsy and joy, and a flash of color here and there. Her aim is to dispel the myth that only advanced crocheters can make their own wardrobe. Crochet wearables are for everyone and Dora wants to help crocheters build the confidence to start that journey.

FACEBOOK: Crafted by Dora          INSTAGRAM: DoraExplored

 

Are you ready to make your own?

Materials

• Sirdar Harrap Tweed DK (or any other DK yarn to achieve gauge:
  • 3 (50 g balls)
  • 510 yards
• 4.0 mm (US Size F/6) crochet hook
• Cushion pad 16 in x 16 in (40 cm x 40 cm)
• Scissors
• Tapestry Needle

 Stitches & Abbreviations

• CH: chain
• SC: single crochet
• HDC: half-double crochet
• SS: slip stitch
• ST(S): stitch(es)
• RS: right side
• JAYG: join as you go
• BPDC: back post double crochet
• FPDC: front post double crochet
• FPHDC: front post half double crochet
• FHDC: foundation half double crochet

Pattern Notes

• Skill Level: Adventurous Beginner: Foundation Chain, back and front post stitches, join as you go.  Modifications are given for simpler methods for those who have not learned the foundation chain or jayg joining method.
• US Terminology
• Gauge: 16 stitches x 12 rows = 4” square
• Stitch used for gauge: half double crochet with 4mm hook
• No matter your skill level, I always suggest that you read through the pattern from beginning to end before beginning your work just to be sure you don’t have any questions that might cause frustration in the midst of your project.
• This pattern uses US crochet terms
• Numbers in brackets at the end of a row indicate the number of stitches in that row. They only are given at the start and where the stitch count changes
• Turning chains do not count as stitches
• Instructions written between *asterisks* should be repeated the number of times indicated.
• Unless otherwise indicated stitches should be worked in consecutive stitches
• The pattern is worked using a foundation row in a multiple of 12 plus 1sts
• The pattern is worked in two identical pieces from the bottom up which are then joined together using the single crochet join as you go method

Techniques Used

Foundation Half Double Crochet (fhdc): Ch 3, yo, insert hook into 3rd chain from hook, yo and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).  *Yo and pull through 1 loop (this creates the base stitch of the next fhdc). Yo and pull through all 3 loops. To start the next st, yo and insert the hook into the v of the base stitch, yo and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook)*. Repeat from * for the required number of st.

Modification: This technique can be replaced with making a chain of the number of stitches plus 2, working an hdc in the 3rd chain from the hook and across to achieve the required number of stitches.

You can find tutorials and read more about foundation rows here.

Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc): Yo, insert hook behind the post of the stitch from the row below (from front to back, so the post is in front of the hook), yo pull up a loop, *yo, pull through two loops* twice The post will pull towards you as you work to create the cable effect.

Front Post Half Double Crochet (fphdc): Yo, insert hook behind the post of the stitch from the row below (from front to back, so the post is in front of the hook), yo pull up a loop, yo, pull through all three loops. The post will pull towards you as you work to create the cable effect.

Back Post Double Crochet (bpdc): Yo, working from the back of the fabric, insert hook in front of the post of the stitch from the row below (from back to front, so the post is at the back of the hook), yo pull up a loop, *yo, pull through two loops* twice.

Join As You Go (jayg): You will join the two pieces using the single crochet join as you go method. Place the two pieces together right side out and work a single crochet through the front piece, inserting the hook into the back piece before the last yarn over and pulling through all 3 loops to finish the stitch.

Modification: If you are not familiar with jayg, work a row of single crochets around each piece and stitch together using a tapestry needle.  See finishing section for more detailed instructions.

Download Your Printable PDF

While the free pattern is shared above, our readers often ask how to get a printable pattern or how they can support the work of independent designers such as Dora Does.

That is why we’ve made this pattern available as premium, ad-free, downloadable PDF. If you’d like to support Dora’s work, you can purchase the pattern, via the button, below.

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