Spill the Beans Easy Crochet Pillow

This easy crochet pillow pattern is so simple with only one stitch! It is a variation of a traditional granny square, but with the small change from double crochet stitches to the bean stitch. This one tiny change adds such a pretty texture!

You can purchase an ad-free, printable pdf version of the Spill the Beans Crochet Pillow Pattern on Etsy or Ravelry. Or simply scroll down for the free version!

The Origin of This Crochet Pattern

I kept the crochet pillow pattern simple and stuck with just one stitch (rather than alternating rows of half double crochet stitches like in the blanket pattern). I liked the idea of having the solid, uninterrupted texture of the bean stitches.

The Yarn For This Crochet Pattern

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That, and the colors in the Windswept Wishes really grabbed me as I was perusing the yarn aisle at Hobby Lobby. So so pretty!

The Pattern

If  you would like to purchase an inexpensive, ad-free printable pdf version of this easy crochet pillow pattern, you can find it here at my Etsy shop.

Add this easy crochet pillow pattern to your Ravelry favorites HERE.

Materials:

• Size 4 Yarn in 2 colors, 372 yards of each color (I used 2 skeins of Yarn Bee Soft & Sleek in Windswept Wishes and 2 skeins of Yarn Bee Soft & Sleek in Dark Gray)
• US I9/ 5.5 mm Crochet Hook
• 20” Pillow Form
• Yarn Needle
• Scissors

Gauge:

4” swatch = first 4 rounds of pattern as written

Sizing:

This pattern is designed to fit a 20” pillow form with a snug fit. If you prefer a more loose fit for a pillow cover, you may size down to a 18” pillow form.

The pattern can also be customized to fit any size square pillow insert by stopping at or continuing to the round that is the approximate size of the pillow insert.

Stitches Used:

(ch) chain
(sl st) slip stitch
(sc) single crochet
Special stitch: Bean Stitch
Whip stitch

Other Abbreviations:

(st) stitch
(yo) yarn over
(ch sp) chain space

How to Crochet the Bean Stitch:

Insert hook. Yo and pull through the stitch. Yo. Insert hook in the same stitch. Yo and pull up a loop. You will have 4 loops on your hook. Yo. Insert hook in the same stitch. Yo and pull up a loop. You will have 6 loops on your hook. Yo and pull through all 6 loops on your hook. Chain 1 to finish off the stitch.

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Pattern Notes:

I tend to crochet tightly. After checking your gauge, if you are crocheting more loosely you can move to a smaller hook (or larger if you crochet even more tightly). Some people find they even need to go down two hook sizes to meet my gauge.

When the pattern calls for a bean stitch, that includes the final chain 1 to finish off. Any chains after the bean stitch are in addition to that chain.

It may be helpful to use a stitch marker at the beginning of each row so you know where to join each round.

You will repeat the pillow pattern twice in order to get two panels and then whip stitch them together at the end.

Pattern:

Round 1: With your dominant color, Ch 2. In the 2nd chain from the hook, place a bean stitch. Ch 2. *In the same chain place a bean stitch. Ch 2*. Repeat from * to * 2 more times. Join with a sl st to the eye of the first bean. (4 bean stitches with 2 chains between each) (4 bean stitches, each separated by 2 chains)

Round 2: Turn. Pull the yarn loop up slightly, just to create enough flexibility to create the bean stitch. *In the chain space, place a [bean stitch, ch 2, bean stitch]. Ch 1.* Repeat from * to * 3 more times. Join with a sl st to the eye of the first bean stitch of the round. (8 bean stitches. Each pair is separated by 2 chains, these will be the corners. Each pair is separated by 1 chain).

Note: You can start the round with a chain 1 if you find that easier. I just preferred to jump right into the bean stitch.

Round 3: Turn. Pull the yarn loop up slightly. *1 bean stitch in the chain sp. Ch 1. In the next ch sp place a [bean stitch, ch 2, bean stitch]. Ch 1.* Repeat from * to * 2 more times. Join with a sl st to the eye of the first bean stitch. (12 bean stitches.)

Rounds 4 – 24: You can see a pattern forming. For each round you will start with a turn. In the next chain space you will place a bean stitch. In each chain space around you will place a bean stitch, with one chain between each. The exception is on the corners. On the corner chain space, you will place two bean stitches, separated by 2 chains. At the end of each round join with a sl st to the eye of the first bean stitch.

Repeat this pattern for 24 rounds, or until your square is approximately 20 inches across.

The final number of bean stitches across each edge after completing round 24 will be 24.

Sizing Note: if you wish to customize your pillow to fit a different size pillow insert, just stop at or continue to the round that matches the width of your pillow insert. If you would like your cover to fit snuggly, then finish your cover at the same, or slightly smaller width as the insert. If you want it to be a little loose, then continue until the pillow is approximately 2 inches wider than the insert.

Round 25: Ch 1. Turn. Place one sc in each chain space and 1 sc in the eye of each bean stitch until you reach the corner (24 stitches). In the corner, place 4 sc. *Place one sc in each chain space and 1 sc in the eye of each bean stitch along the next edge (47 stitches). Place 4 sc in the corner. * Repeat from * to * for the next 2 sides. For the remaining half of the beginning side, place one sc in each chain space and 1 sc in the eye of each bean stitch (23 stitches). Join with a sl st to the first sc. Finish off.

Using your second color of yarn, repeat the entire pattern for the second pillow panel.

Putting the 2 Panels Together

Place the two pillow panels on top of each other (there is no right or wrong side, so do not worry about this). Cut a length of yarn (either color) that is about 8 feet. Using a yarn needle, attach the yarn to one corner. Use the yarn needle and yarn to whip stitch the panels together along one edge of the pillow. You will stitch into each single crochet stitch along the edge. However, instead of going through both chains of the single crochet stitch from each panel, you will only put the needle through one loop on each panel (front loop only of the panel closest to you, back loop only of the panel furthest from you). When you eventually turn the pillow cover inside out, this will make for a neater line.

Whip stitch around the corner and along the next two sides as well, leaving one side open. Turn the pillow cover inside out and insert the pillow form into the cover.

Continue whip stitching the last edge together, however this time you will only put the yarn needle through the back loop only of the panel closest to you and the front loop only of the panel furthest from you (opposite of other edges). This will mean only the “innermost” loops of the single crochet rows are being stitched through. When you reach the beginning corner, tie the remaining yarn tail to the beginning yarn tail, finish off and weave in ends.

Add tassels or fringe if desired.

Here is a tutorial on adding fringe to a crochet project.

Here is a tutorial on creating tassels.

Note: Feel free to sell finished products made with this pattern. If finished products are posted online, please include a reference/credit to this pattern, including a link. Do not distribute or claim the pattern as your own, or alter and use my photos to market your finished products.

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