STITCH ROUND Textured crochet pillow cover with an envelope back closure
Five rows tick off this textured crochet pillow cover with a removable envelope back.
- Skill
- Beginner
- Rounds
- 8 rounds
- Yarn weight
- Worsted
- Hook
- 5 mm
- Time
- 6-8 hours
Beginner
What the original page called it. Nothing here is graded a second time.
8 rounds
Each one gets its own line, with a box beside it to tick as you go.
Worsted
What the sample was made in. Any weight works — the size moves with it.
About this pattern
This cover builds a square cushion front from a short five-row block that repeats to grow the panel. Each pass through the block ticks off a single crochet row, a half double row, another single crochet row, and a raised ridge row, so progress is easy to track square by square. The flat, row-by-row build keeps the project portable and easy to pick up and put down between sessions.
The shaping stays simple since every row holds the same stitch count across the panel, so the real work is in the stitch pattern rather than increases or decreases. Slow down on the raised ridge row, since working into the front loop only changes the fabric's texture and is easy to miss after a few repeats. The back panels need the same careful attention, since their overlap is what lets the finished cover open and close around the insert.
- Chain a foundation row and begin the front panel by working the first single crochet row across.
- Move through the row sequence, alternating single crochet and half double crochet rows to build the base fabric.
- Work the raised ridge row by crocheting into the front loop only to raise a horizontal texture line.
- Repeat the row sequence to grow the front panel to its full height before fastening off.
- Work two separate back panels using the same row sequence, stopping each at a different length so they overlap.
- Join the front panel to the two back panels with a border, leaving the overlap open to insert the pillow form.
What goes wrong
- Working the ridge row into both loops Check that the raised ridge row goes into the front loop only; working through both loops flattens the texture line the whole pattern is built around.
- Counting the turning chain as a stitch The turning chain does not count as a stitch in this pattern. Work the first stitch of each row into the actual first stitch, not into the chain.
- Making both back panels the same length Panel A and Panel B are meant to stop at different lengths so they overlap. Matching their lengths removes the overlap needed for the envelope closure.
- Choosing a fuzzy or heavily textured yarn A smooth medium weight acrylic, cotton blend, or soft wool blend lets the raised ridge rows stand out. A fuzzy yarn hides the texture the stitch pattern is designed to show.
Yarn, hook and the rest
Copied from the source pattern's own materials list.
- Medium weight #4 yarn in main color: approximately 450 yards (411 meters)
- 5 mm crochet hook (US H-8)
- Yarn needle for weaving ends
- Scissors
- 16 inch (41 cm) pillow insert
Accent color yarn
- approximately 100 yards (91 meters)
Progress tracker
0 of the 8 rounds on this page are ticked.
The pattern, round by round
Kept in the order and the wording the source used. Tick a round as you finish it; the ticks stay on this device.
Main Pattern
Construction Notes: The turning chain does not count as a stitch throughout this pattern. Turn after each row. The front panel and back panels are worked separately and then joined with a crochet border.
Row 1
Ch 65. Sc in second ch from hook and across. (64 sts)
Row 2
Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (64 sts)
Row 3
Ch 1, turn. Hdc in each stitch across. (64 sts)
Row 4
Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (64 sts)
Row 5
Ch 1, turn. Work raised ridge stitch across. (64 sts)
Row 6
Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (64 sts)Repeat Rows 3 through 6 eleven more times until the front panel measures approximately 16 inches (41 cm) tall. Finish with one final row of single crochet. Fasten off.Back Panel Instructions: Make two overlapping back panels.
Panel A
Ch 65. Follow Rows 1 through 4 of the front panel until the piece measures approximately 10 inches (25 cm). Fasten off.
Panel B
Ch 65. Repeat the same instructions until the piece measures approximately 9 inches (23 cm). Fasten off.
Project Details
Skill Level: Confident beginner
Finished Size: Approx. 16 x 16 inches (41 x 41 cm)
Yarn: Medium weight #4 yarn, approximately 550 yards (503 meters)
Hook: 5 mm crochet hook (US H-8)
Gauge: 16 stitches x 12 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in textured stitch pattern
Terminology: US crochet terms
Special Stitch
Raised Ridge: Work a half double crochet into the front loop only of each stitch across. This creates a horizontal raised texture line on the fabric.
Join
Step 1Place the front panel facing upward.
Step 2Position the two back panels on top with their finished edges overlapping in the center. Align all outside edges.
Step 3Join yarn through all layers at one corner. Single crochet around the entire pillow cover, placing 3 sc in each corner.
Step 4Join with a slip stitch to the first single crochet. Fasten off and weave in all ends.
Check your count
- Main Pattern · Row 2: 64 sts
- Main Pattern · Row 4: 64 sts
- Main Pattern · Row 6: 64 sts
Finish
- Lightly steam block the finished cover or wet block according to the yarn label instructions. Allow the piece to dry completely before inserting the pillow form. Blocking helps the edges relax and gives the texture a cleaner appearance.
- the best results, wash the completed crochet pillow cover according to the yarn instructions. Many acrylic and cotton blends can be gently machine washed, but always check the yarn label first.
- Store the pillow cover away from direct sunlight to help preserve the color. Regularly reshape the pillow insert to keep the handmade texture looking fresh.
Bigger or smaller
- Longer or shorter panel
- Repeat the single crochet, half double crochet, single crochet row block more or fewer times before working the raised ridge row to add or remove height from the front panel.
- Color options
- The design uses a neutral base with the option to add contrasting details through stripes, borders, or accent colors. Use multiple colors for stripes or a modern geometric effect, or add a decorative border using shell stitches or contrasting yarn.
FAQs
Asked and answered
These answers came from whoever first published the pattern, kept word for word.
Can the pillow cover be washed once it is finished?
Yes, wash it according to the yarn label since many acrylic and cotton blends can be gently machine washed. Always check the label first to avoid shrinking or distorting the raised ridge texture.
Why does the back use two overlapping panels instead of one piece?
The two back panels create an envelope closure so the pillow insert can be removed for washing. Panel A and Panel B are worked to different lengths so one panel overlaps the other without any extra closures.
What happens if the front loop only step is skipped?
Skipping the front loop only instruction on the raised ridge row removes the horizontal texture line that defines this fabric. The surface will still be crochet, but it will look flat instead of ridged.
Does the yarn choice affect how the stitch pattern looks?
Yes, a smooth medium weight yarn shows the alternating rows and raised ridge clearly. A highly textured or novelty yarn can mask the stitch definition the pattern relies on.