​Crochet Santa Pillow

You’ll need:

1 skein of white Bernat Softee Chunky Yarn (108 yds (6) Chunky weight yarn);

2 skeins of the same yarn, but in red color;

1 skein of black Red Heart with Love (315 yds (4) Worsted weight yarn);

1 skein of Caron One Pound (Around 75 yds (4) Worsted weight yarn) in Golden Yellow;

Crochet hooks 8 mm and 9 mm;

Scissors;

Yarn Needle.

18” square pillow form;

Optional: 2 Large (about 1”) buttons for closure.

Size: 17” square.

Stitches control: 4 Dc x 3 rows = 2” x 2”.

Instructions

Pillow Case

With 9 mm hook and Red yarn, Ch 35. Switch to 8 mm hook.

Row 1: Dc in 3rd ch and each ch across. [33]

Row 2-4: Ch 2, turn. Dc across. [33]

Switch to larger hook and Ch 35 onto your current piece. Switch back to smaller hook.

Row 5: Dc in 3rd ch and each ch across. Continue to Dc across previous row. [66]

Row 6-12: Ch 2, turn. Dc across. [66]

Join black yarn (held triple).

Row 13-16:  Ch 1, Hdc across. [66]

Join Red yarn.

Row 17-24: Ch 2, Dc across. [66]

Join White yarn.

Row 25-27: Ch 2, Dc across. [66]

Break yarn and weave in ends.

Buckle Applique

With 8 mm hook and yellow yarn, ch 30. Sl to join.

Round 1: Ch 2, *Dc 9. 3Dc in next ch. Dc 4, 3dc in next ch.* Repeat once, and sl to join. You should have a roughly rectangular shape.

Round 2: Ch 1, Sc 10. 3Sc in next st. Sc 6, 3Sc in next st. Sc 11, 3Sc in next st. Sc 6, 3Sc in next st. Sc 1, sl to join.

Break yarn, leaving a very long tail for attaching to the pillow case.

Assembly

Fold the pillow case in half, and center the applique over the black “belt.” Use the yarn tail to sew the applique in place. Weave in and snip off the excess. Fold the pillow case inside out into a square. The buckle should be facing inwards, and the extra flap should be folded into the square. Using your yarn needle and some scrap red yarn (about 3 times as long as the length you’re sewing), sew the side of the pillow case together. Use a mattress stitch, but the seam will be on the inside anyway, so no stressing over it! Stop before you get to the white so your red thread doesn’t show through! Take another small length of yarn (about a foot will do) and sew the second half of the flap down to the other side of your square. Now, take a long piece of white yarn to sew the top portion shut. If you wish, attach the buttons to the outside of your envelope flap to help keep it snugged shut. Just push them through the fabric, no need for special buttonholes with such a chunky stitch! Turn inside out, and stuff with your pillow form.