C2C Crochet Here 4 U Pillow
Crochet this heartfelt corner-to-corner (C2C) pillow for someone special. It uses simple stitches — chain stitches, single and double crochet. The Impeccable™ Yarn by Loops & Threads® is easy to work with and easy to care for — it’s washable. Show your love on display in the home! Please enjoy this free pattern.
Inspiration —
The inspiration for this project is twofold. First, I thought of the idea to make a corner-to-corner pillow with the phrase “here 4 u” as a gift for a friend going through a difficult time. Inspired by the active prayer shawl knitting ministry at my church, I thought — what about a pillow for someone’s favorite chair or to bring with them (maybe to the hospital or treatment center) when they need a reminder that they are loved.
Side note, if you’re not familiar with prayer shawls, they are lovingly made by hand and whenever someone in my faith community is in grief or dealing with an illness or tough time, a shawl is prayed over and given as an item of wrap-around comfort. Many years ago when I had two close friends diagnosed with breast cancer in the same month, they both received prayer shawls I made and are still treasured items to them today.
Second, I went to pick out the yarn for the pillow in the month of January. The store was full of Valentine’s Day decorations, crafts and candy. Light bulb moment — this pillow would also make a great gift for your sweetheart! And it seemed so obvious that it looks a bit like the candy conversation hearts so popular for this holiday. So was born the color scheme. And just for pure fun, I chose to make the two sides in different colors so it’s reversible. If you prefer, work both sides in the same color (buy two skeins in Color A). Of course, this pillow would look great in any complementing colors.
Design –
Working corner to corner – C2C – crochet is so rewarding because once you get the hang of it, you can work quickly. C2C uses simple stitches, just chain stitches and double crochets. And it’s so fun to watch the design take shape. Anything you can put on graph paper can be turned into an amazing project. If you’re new to this technique, don’t give up. Once you get the hang of it, I believe you will be so happy you stuck with it! This pillow is a great introductory project if you’re not yet ready to take on a blanket or a bigger project.
You will make two pillow sides in C2C with a single crochet border. Then you will join the two sides together around the pillow insert with a single crochet border. The insert will not be removable, so make sure it’s washable.
You may also like the C2C Crochet Sup Bruh pillow.
Selling points —
Because you will join the two pillow sides together around the insert, the wrong side of the work will not be visible. For this reason, you may run the yarn across the back without fastening it off. This can be a bit tricky but eliminates the millions (exaggeration here, but feels like it) of ends to weave in. I find the trade-off very appealing.
Pointers —
Take care to keep the floating strands of yarn not too loose (slightly taut to work) and not too tight (no puckering). Also take care to keep yarn untangled. If you find you have a strand that is too loose or too tight—or one that’s showing through on the right side of the work, do not fret. Simply snip it in the middle and weave in those ends on the wrong side.
When working with multiple skeins and floating yarn across the back, I find it easiest to work at a table where the skeins can be laid out above and to the sides of the work. When joining a new color, move the working skein to the far right side and move the new joining color to your left, keeping the strands untangled as best you can.
Please take the time to check your gauge to ensure your pillow sides will fit around your insert. If your pillow sides come out just a bit small, you may add rounds to the single crochet border to achieve the measurements needed.
I love that this whole pillow is machine wash and dry – gentle cycle, low heat. Consider washing in a pillowcase with a zipper or using a laundry bag for delicates like this large mesh one available on Amazon. I have had mine for several years and get a lot of use out of it: sweaters, hats, bras, of course – pillows – and more.
Yarn –
The Impeccable™ Yarn by Loops & Threads® is easy to work with and easy to care for – it’s machine washable. A huge advantage of this yarn is that it comes in tons of colors, so get creative or match to your decor. I did find just a bit of splitting with this yarn, but good light and paying close attention eliminated it being a frustration. The darker color did tend to knot up when pulling from the center of the skein so just required carefully pulling out the strand a bit before use.
Pillow insert –
The 14 x 22 inch pillow insert is not the most common size out there, but I really like the size for an accent pillow that is big enough to also give support for your head for that Sunday afternoon nap. I found the pillow insert on Amazon and was happy to find it is made in the USA. It comes compressed and instructs you to grab two ends and slap it on your thighs to fluff. I did as directed, let it sit for a few days then fluffed again before joining the pillow sides around it. I was very happy with the fluffiness, it’s full. And again, it’s machine washable!
Pattern
CROCHET | SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate
SIZE
Approx 14.5 x 23 inches with border
MATERIALS
Color A: Impeccable™ Yarn by Loops & Threads®, Solid (100% acrylic, 285 yds, Weight 4: Medium) – 1 skein in color BLUE HAZE
H (5 mm) hook or size needed to obtain gauge
14 x 22 inch throw pillow insert, machine washable
Stitch markers or safety pins
ABBREVIATIONS
approx = approximately
beg = begin(ning)(s)
C2C = corner to corner
ch(s) = chain(s)
ch-sp(s) = chain space(s)
cont = continue
dc = double crochet
rep = repeat
RS = right side
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
WS = wrong side
yd(s) = yard(s)
Pattern uses U.S. crochet terms.
GAUGE
5.5 squares = 4 inches
NOTES
For this project you will create 2 pillow sides in C2C crochet with 1 round of sc border. You will join the sides around the pillow insert using sc border and add an additional row of sc around. (Since the pillow insert will not be removable, choose one that is machine washable.)
C2C crochet is made by working squares in diagonal rows, increasing or decreasing the number of squares as you work. Working in squares allows you to create any design you layout on graph paper. Begin in the bottom right corner and follow the graph row by row diagonally to the top left corner.
Each square in the graph equals [ch 3 and 3 dc] working into the side of a square made in the previous row.
Pattern is provided as a visual in graph form, as well as written out by rows. Graph is read from the bottom right corner (beg with 1) up to the top left corner (ending with 47), diagonally. You may find it helpful to print out the graph and mark off each square as you go. The first square in the corner is row 1. You will work back and forth (down a row and then back up). Or you may follow the written pattern that lists the color changes row by row.
Pattern provides basic instructions for C2C crochet, if you’re new to the method you may want to check out tutorials on the technique (search Google and YouTube, etc.) to get the idea.
In C2C crochet, each row always begins with an increase or decrease. Meaning you’re either adding a square with a chain 6 (increase) or slip stitching in the 3 double crochets of the previous square worked to keep your edge straight (decrease).
Increases:
Increases are worked at the beg of a row to add a square to the row. Sequence for working an increase is [ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in next 2 ch].
Decreases:
Decreases are also worked at the beg of a row to create a straight edge. Sequence for working a decrease is [sl st in 3 dc just worked] in previous row.
Visual of straight edge created by working a decrease
Changing colors:
Keep loose ends and float the yarn on the WS of your work. This pattern uses 4 colors of yarn referred to as Color A, Color B, Color C and Color D in the instructions. When making a pillow side, you are working with 3 colors of yarn (Color A is used on first side of pillow, then Color D is used on second side of pillow—Colors B and C are used on both sides).
To attach a new color, pull the new color yarn through as you make your sl st to join in turning ch-3 sp. Do not fasten off, float strands of yarn across WS of work (even rows) – these won’t show when pillow sides are joined together around pillow form – picking up each color as needed. Pull yarn tight at joining sl st. However, take care to keep the floating strands of yarn not too loose (slightly taut to work) and not too tight (no puckering). Also take care to keep yarn untangled. See the pointers above for more.
Visual for changing colors
POINTER: If you are working an odd-numbered row, you are working on the RS. Also, when working RS, square 1 is in lower right corner. Similarly, if you are working an even-numbered row, you are working on the WS. Weave in ends on WS.
Turn work clockwise for consistency and to keep working yarn behind your work.
Visual Graph
Pillow front rows by color:
Work increases at beg of each row.
Row 1 (RS): A1
Row 2 (WS): A2
Row 3 (RS): A3
Row 4: (WS) A4
Row 5 (RS): A5
Row 6 (WS): A6
Row 7 (RS): A7
Row 8 (WS): A8
Row 9 (RS): A9
Row 10 (WS): A10
Row 11 (RS): A11
Row 12 (WS): A3, B4, A5
Row 13 (RS): A5, B5, A3
Row 14 (WS): A4, B4, A6
Row 15 (RS): A6, B5, A4
Row 16 (WS): A5, B4, A7
Row 17 (RS): A6, C1, A2, B3, A5
Row 18 (WS): A6, B2, A2, C1, A7
Work decreases at beg of each odd-numbered row, cont increases at beg of each even-numbered row.
Row 19 (RS): A7, C1, A1, B3, A1, C1, A4
Row 20 (WS): A4, C2, A1, B2, A1, C1, A1, C1, A5
Row 21 (RS): A3, C1, A1, C2, A4, C1, A1, C1, A4
Row 22 (WS): A4, C1, A2, C1, A2, B1, A1, C1, A1, C1, A3
Row 23 (RS): A3, C2, A4, C1, A3, C1, A4
Row 24 (WS): A5, C1, A5, B2, A1, C1, A3
Row 25 (RS): A4, B2, A1, B1, A3, C1, A6
Row 26 (WS): A4, B1, A2, C1, A3, B2, A1, B1, A3
Row 27 (RS): A3, B1, A1, B1, A1, C1, A1, C1, A1, B2, A5
Row 28 (WS): A6, B1, A3, C1, A2, B2, A3
Row 29 (RS): A3, B1, A3, C1, A2, B2, A6
Row 30 (WS): A6, B1, A1, B1, A1, C1, A1, C1, A5
Work decreases at beg of each row.
Row 31 (RS): A3, C1, A1, C2, A4, B1, A5
Row 32 (WS): A5, B1, A2, C1, A1, C1, A1, C1, A3
Row 33 (RS): A3, C2, A1, C1, A2, B1, A5
Row 34 (WS): A8, C1, A1, C1, A3
Row 35 (RS): A4, C2, A1, C1, A5
Row 36 (WS): A5, C2, A1, C1, A3
Row 37 (RS): A5, C1, A5
Row 38 (WS): A5, C1, A4
Row 39 (RS): A3, C1, A5
Row 40 (WS): A8
Row 41 (RS): A7
Row 42 (WS): A6
Row 43 (RS): A5
Row 44 (WS): A4
Row 45 (RS): A3
Row 46 (WS): A2
Row 47 (RS): A1
Do not fasten off, turn and work border. Jump to row 48 below.
Beginning squares and rows
INSTRUCTIONS
Make pillow side:
With Color A, ch 6
Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in next 2 chs – first square worked – turn.
Increases are worked at beg of each row.
Row 2: ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in next 2 chs. sl st in turning ch-3 sp from previous row to join, ch 3, 3 dc in same ch-3 sp, turn.
Row 3: ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in next 2 chs. [sl st in turning ch-3 sp from previous row to join, ch 3, 3 dc in same ch-3 sp] rep across, turn. [photos]
Rows 4-18: rep row 3 making color changes according to graph or written instructions above.
Decreases are worked at beg of each odd-numbered row, cont increases at beg of each even-numbered row. This creates a straight edge along top of work.
Making color changes according to graph or written instructions above –
Row 19: sl st in 3 dc just worked, [sl st in turning ch-3 sp from previous row, ch 3, 3 dc in same ch-3 sp] rep across, turn.
Row 20: ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in next 2 chs. [sl st in turning ch-3 sp from previous row, ch 3, 3 dc in same ch-3 sp] rep across to last square from previous row (to the straight edge), sl st into turning ch-3 sp, turn.
Rows 21-30: rep rows 19-20 making color changes according to graph or written instructions above.
Decreases are worked at beg of each row. This continues to make a straight edge along top of work, and now creates a straight edge along side of work.
Making color changes according to graph or written instructions above –
Row 31: sl st in 3 dc just worked, [sl st in turning ch-3 sp from previous row, ch 3, 3 dc in same ch-3 sp] rep across, sl st in turning ch-3 sp from previous row to join, turn.
Rows 32-47: rep row 31 making color changes according to graph or written instructions above.
Do not fasten off, turn.
Work border:
Row 48: ch 1, sc around evenly working 3 sc across each square and 1 additional sc in each corner. sl st to first st to join. (292 sts)
Fasten off, weave in ends on WS.
Make second pillow side:
Repeat above sequence using Color D where pattern calls for Color A.
Pillow sides measure approx 13.75 x 22 inches.
Joining border
Make border that joins sides together around pillow insert:
Create a sc border that joins front and back sides of pillow – working through all 4 loops.
Arrange pillow sides with WS against pillow insert, and having words on both sides readable from top down. Taking care to line up sts, connect sides in the sc corners with stitch markers or safety pins. In bottom left corner st, with Color C, insert hook through both sides of pillow (all 4 loops) and join with sl st.
Row 1: ch 1, 3 sc in same st (corner worked). sc in each st around working through both sides, and working 3 sc in each corner. join with sl st to first st.
Row 2: ch 1, sc in same st and in each st around working 3 sc in each corner. join with sl st to first sc.
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
CARE
Machine washable, gentle cycle, low heat. Consider washing in a pillowcase with a zipper or laundry bag for delicates like this large mesh one available on Amazon.
Reversible — just for fun!
