Punch Pillow, a Crochet Throw Pillow Cover Pattern

Crochet pillow case with surface crochet. Pattern by April Garwood of Banana Moon Studio.

Crochet Throw Pillow Cover Pattern

Punch Pillow is a crochet throw pillow pattern that you put over a pillow form. It was originally published in a special issue by Annie’s called, From Scraps to Sensational. I used Berroco Weekend DK to make this one and that would make an excellent yarn for the base. The colorful design on the front is made using a technique called surface crochet. This is the part that can be done using scraps from your stash. You can do every stripe in a different yarn or do a repeating pattern as I did here. To make one exactly like this you’ll need:

3 hanks in #2902 Vanilla
1 hank in #2904 Pebble
1 hank in #2966 Turquoise
1 hank in #2981 Seedling
1 hank in #2982 Coast
Size G/6/4 mm crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge
Tapestry needle
Locking stitch markers
14″ pillow form

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Get the pattern as part of the digital magazine download, Click here!

How are the colorful stripes made?

This beautiful technique is called surface crochet, or surface slip stitching. You work slip stitches across the surface of crochet fabric, much like embroidery. Not sure how to do this? Click here to see my video tutorial!

I had fun considering submissions for this issue. The thought of surface crochet came to me pretty quickly because you can use just a little yarn for a big impact. I just had to decide where to apply it. I settled on a pillow, and started swatching.

Here was my submitted swatch:

My sketch suggested 2 different ways of arranging the stripes:

You see, you could arrange stripes of surface slip stitching any way you want to make interesting shapes and patterns on the surface of your pillow cover. Editor Jackie Daugherty selected the bottom sketch.

I really enjoyed working on this pillow cover. I like surface crochet. It’s fun to do. Here are some pictures of mine taken in-process:

My last photo is how I envisioned it, so I was surprised by the magazine photo…it seemed sideways. It’s grown on me though, and I like it both ways.

I am excited at the possibilities with this project, and can imagine some really awesome, colorful crochet throw pillow projects! I look forward to seeing finished pillow shams on Ravelry and on my Facebook page!

Happy crocheting!