The striped pillow, set on its
corner at the front, is a good
choice for beginners.

Striped Pillow

1 ball worsted-weight yarn (197 yards per ball) in each of three colors, noted in instructions as A, B, C

Size 10 J (6mm) aluminum crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge

12-inch square pillow form

Yarn needle

In Body Pattern, 13 sts and 16 rows = 4 inches/10 cm. PLEASE TAKE TIME TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE.

Ssc1 (spike single crochet): Insert hook below next st and 1 row down, draw up to lp to height of current row and complete the sc. Ssc2: Insert hook below next st and 2 rows down, draw up a lp to height of current row and complete the sc. Ssc3: Insert hook below next st and 3 rows down, draw up to lp to height of current row and complete the sc. Ssc4: Insert hook below next st and 4 rows down, draw up to lp to height of current row and complete the sc. Ssc5: Insert hook below next st and 5 rows down, draw up a lp to height of current row and complete the sc.

Note: To change color at the end of a sc row, draw up a lp in last st with present color then complete the sc with the next color. Cut and join colors as necessary

With color A, ch 40. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across, changing to color B in last st -- 39 sts; turn. Make identical pieces for front and back of pillow.

Row 1 (RS): With color A, ch 1, sc in each sc across; turn. Row 2: Rep Row 1, changing to color B in last st. Rows 3 - 4: With C, rep rows 1 - 2, changing to color A in last st of Row 4. Rows 5 - 6: With B, rep rows 1 - 2, changing to A in last st of Row 6. Row 7: With B, ch 1, sc in first 2 sc; *Ssc1, Ssc2, Ssc3, Ssc4, Ssc5, sc in next sc; rep from * across ending sc in last sc; turn. Row 8 - 10: With A, ch 1, sc in each sc across; turn. (In last sc on Row 10, change to color B.)

Rep rows 1 - 10 for 3 times more; then rep rows 1 - 7 again. Fasten off.

FINISHING Holding RS tog, sew through back lps of 3 sides. Turn pillow top RS out. Insert pillow form and sew rem side.