Two-Tone Rose Square Pillow Free Crochet Pattern

Two-Tone Rose Square Pillow Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This Two-Tone Rose Square Pillow is the perfect project for anyone who wants a modern, handmade touch in their home without a complicated pattern. It's built from two simple single-crochet squares — an olive front and an ochre back — joined with a neat sc border and finished with a small dark red rose appliqué and two little green leaves. The smooth, dense cotton fabric feels sturdy and soft at the same time, and the flat 12-inch square looks crisp and contemporary on a sofa, chair, or bed. If you can single crochet, you can make this pillow, and the rose motif is a lovely little skill-builder that comes together in minutes.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: DK weight 100% cotton (such as Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK):
  • Color A (Olive): 200 yards
  • Color B (Ochre): 200 yards
  • Color C (Dark Red): 20 yards
  • Color D (Green): 10 yards
• Hook: 3.5 mm (E-4) crochet hook
• Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers (optional), a 12-inch (30.5 cm) square pillow form
• Finished size: 12 inches (30.5 cm) square

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• hdc — half double crochet: yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all three loops.
• dc — double crochet: yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.
• inc — increase: work 2 sc in the same stitch.
• sl st — slip stitch: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• MR — magic ring: an adjustable loop used to start working in the round.
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• WS — wrong side (the back of the fabric)

Gauge

20 stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet. To check, crochet a small swatch in sc and measure a 4-inch section; adjust your hook size if your stitch count is off.

Tips Before You Start

• Keep your single crochet tension even and relaxed — tight stitches make the panels stiff and slightly smaller than 12 inches.
• Count your stitches at the end of every few rows; the panels must stay at 60 stitches to square up properly.
• Work the two panels with the same tension so they match in size before joining.
• Leave a long tail on the rose (Color C) — you'll use it to sew the rose to the front.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Front Panel (Color A — Olive)

Row 1: Ch 61, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (60 sts).

Rows 2–60: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (60 sts).

Fasten off.

Back Panel (Color B — Ochre)

Work exactly the same as the front panel: Ch 61, then Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (60 sts); Rows 2–60: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (60 sts). Fasten off.

Rose Motif (Color C — Dark Red)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring (6 sts).

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).

Rnd 4: [Sc, inc] x6 (24 sts).

Rnd 5: [Sc, ch 2, sl st in next st] x12 to form petals.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Leaves (Color D — Green) — make 2

Row 1: Ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next, dc in next, hdc in next, sc in last (5 sts).

Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

With wrong sides facing, align the front and back panels. Join Color B (Ochre) with sc around three sides, working 3 sc in each corner. Insert the 12-inch pillow form, then continue with sc to close the fourth side. Fasten off.

Attach the rose to the center front using the long Color C tail. Sew the two leaves under the rose with Color D. Weave in all ends securely. Lightly steam-block the finished pillow to smooth the edges and even out the stitches.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the olive and ochre for any two colors you love — a cream front with a rust back looks lovely for autumn.
• Add a second rose in a contrasting shade for a fuller floral cluster.
• Work the border in a contrasting color, or add a round of slip stitch around the edge for a crisp finish.