Free Pattern – Striped Bow Crochet Pillow
There is something deeply satisfying about making your own home décor from scratch, and crochet pillows sit right at the top of that list. They are functional, beautiful, and endlessly customizable. Whether you are decorating a nursery, refreshing your living room, or making a thoughtful handmade gift, a crochet pillow checks every box. Today, I am sharing a complete free pattern for a striped bow crochet pillow — a design that combines the timeless appeal of bold stripes with the irresistible charm of a dimensional bow. The result is a pillow that looks like it came straight from a boutique shop window, but costs just a fraction of the price and carries the priceless bonus of being made by your own two hands.
This pattern is written for confident beginners and intermediate crocheters. If you can work a basic granny square or have made a dishcloth or two, you already have the skills you need. I will walk you through every step, from yarn selection and gauge to assembly and finishing, so you can sit down with your hook and get started today.
Why You Will Love This Pattern
Before we dive into the stitches, let me tell you a little bit about why this design works so well. Stripes are one of the most versatile patterns in textile crafts. They can read as bold and modern when you choose high-contrast colors, or soft and romantic when you work in a palette of dusty pastels. They are also wonderfully forgiving — minor tension inconsistencies tend to disappear when you are working across a striped field.
The bow element takes the pillow from simple to special. A crocheted bow adds a three-dimensional focal point that draws the eye and gives the finished piece a polished, intentional look. It is the kind of detail that makes people ask, “Did you make that yourself?” with genuine amazement. The bow is worked separately and attached at the end, which means you can also make extra bows and use them as embellishments on bags, headbands, or gift wrapping.
And because this is a free pattern, you can make as many of these pillows as you like — for yourself, for your Etsy shop, or as gifts for everyone on your holiday list.
Materials You Will Need
Getting your supplies together before you sit down to crochet is always a good idea. Here is everything you need for one finished pillow.
Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in two colors. I used approximately 200 yards of Color A (the main color) and 150 yards of Color B (the contrast color). You will also need a small amount of Color A or a third color for the bow. Cotton or cotton-blend yarn gives a crisp, structured result that works beautifully for pillows because it holds its shape over time and launders easily. That said, acrylic worsted weight yarn is a perfectly valid and budget-friendly option.
Hook: A 5.0 mm (H/8) crochet hook. This is the standard size for most worsted weight yarns and will give you a fabric that is firm enough to hold its shape as a pillow cover without being stiff.
Pillow Insert: A 14-inch square pillow insert. Polyester fiberfill inserts are inexpensive and widely available, but if you already have a pillow form around the house in a similar size, feel free to adjust the dimensions of this pattern slightly to accommodate it.
Notions: A yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming, scissors, and stitch markers if you like to use them for keeping track of rows.
Gauge: 14 stitches and 16 rows in single crochet = 4 inches. Always take the time to check your gauge before beginning. A gauge swatch might feel like an unnecessary step, but it takes only about ten minutes and can save you from making a pillow cover that does not fit your insert.
Abbreviations
Throughout this pattern, I use standard U.S. crochet abbreviations.
ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
hdc – half double crochet
dc – double crochet
st(s) – stitch(es)
rep – repeat
RS – right side
WS – wrong side
beg – beginning
Pattern Notes
This pillow is worked in two flat panels — a front panel and a back panel — and then seamed together on three sides. The fourth side is either seamed shut after inserting the pillow form, or left as a simple button or slip-stitch closure if you prefer to be able to remove the cover for washing.
The stripes are worked in rows of single crochet. Each color is carried loosely up the side of the work when not in use, so you do not need to cut and rejoin yarn with every color change. However, if you prefer cleaner edges, you can cut the yarn at each color change and weave in ends as you go — just be prepared for a bit more finishing work at the end.
The bow is worked separately in two pieces — the main loop section and the center knot — and then assembled and stitched to the front panel before the pillow is seamed together.
The Front Panel
Foundation: Using Color A, chain 50.
Row 1 (RS): Sc in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across. You will have 49 sc. Ch 1, turn.
Rows 2–4: Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn. (You are working 4 rows total in Color A to start.)
Color Change: At the end of Row 4, drop Color A and join Color B. Do not cut Color A — simply carry it up the side.
Rows 5–8: With Color B, sc in each st across for 4 rows. Ch 1, turn at the end of each row. At the end of Row 8, pick up Color A.
Continue alternating 4 rows of Color A and 4 rows of Color B until your panel measures approximately 14 inches from the foundation chain, ending with a completed stripe. Fasten off and weave in all ends.
The exact number of rows may vary slightly depending on your tension, which is completely fine. The goal is a panel that matches your pillow insert — 14 inches wide by 14 inches tall.
The Back Panel
The back panel is worked exactly the same as the front panel. You can make it in a solid color using Color A or Color B, or continue the striped pattern all the way through — whatever appeals to you. A solid back is a great way to stretch your yarn further while still giving the back of the pillow a clean, finished look.
Using Color A (or your preferred color for the back), chain 50 and work in sc across 49 stitches, repeating for approximately 14 inches. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Making the Bow
The bow is the star of this pillow, and while it looks impressive, it is made from just a few straightforward pieces.
The Bow Loops
Foundation: Using Color A (or your contrast color if you prefer a pop of color), chain 61.
Row 1: Sc in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across. 60 sc. Ch 1, turn.
Rows 2–8: Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn.
At the end of Row 8, fasten off, leaving a long tail for seaming. Fold the rectangle so that the two short ends meet, and seam them together using a mattress stitch or whipstitch to form a loop. Then pinch the loop at the center to create the double-loop shape of a bow. The center pinch will be secured by the knot piece in the next step.
The Bow Knot
Foundation: Using Color A, chain 21.
Row 1: Sc in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across. 20 sc. Ch 1, turn.
Rows 2–6: Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Wrap this small rectangle around the center of the bow loops, pulling it snugly so that the bow puffs out on both sides. Seam the short ends of the knot piece together at the back of the bow using your yarn needle and tail. Adjust the bow loops until they look even and full, then secure everything with a few extra stitches through the center if needed.
Attaching the Bow
Lay the front panel flat with the right side facing up. Position the bow in the center of the panel, or slightly above center if you prefer — trust your eye here, there is no wrong answer. Using a yarn needle and a length of Color A, stitch around the back of the knot piece, sewing it firmly to the front panel. Take several passes through the fabric to make sure the bow will not shift or pull loose with regular use.
Assembling the Pillow
Place the front and back panels together with wrong sides facing each other, so that the right sides of both panels are facing outward. This is the pillow’s seaming position.
Using a yarn needle and Color A (or whichever color you prefer for the seam), whipstitch or single crochet along three sides of the pillow, working through both layers simultaneously. Single crocheting the seam gives a slightly more decorative edge that peeks out around the perimeter of the pillow, which can be a lovely finishing detail. Whipstitching gives a cleaner, more invisible seam.
Once three sides are closed, insert your 14-inch pillow form through the open fourth side. Adjust the insert so the corners sit firmly in the corners of the cover, then close the fourth side using the same seaming method. Weave in any remaining ends.
Finishing Touches
Give your finished pillow a gentle hand wash or run it through the delicate cycle in your washing machine if your yarn label allows it. Block the pillow cover flat to dry if it has lost its shape during seaming. Once dry, stuff with the insert, and your pillow is ready to display.
If you want to add extra polish, you can work a single row of slip stitches around the outside edge of the pillow after seaming, using a coordinating or contrasting color. This frames the stripes beautifully and gives the whole piece a finished, intentional appearance.
Color Combination Ideas
One of the best things about this pattern is how dramatically different it can look depending on your color choices. Here are a few combinations worth considering.
A classic navy and cream palette gives the pillow a nautical, coastal feel that works in almost any room. Dusty rose and ivory create something romantic and vintage-inspired, perfect for a bedroom or reading nook. Black and white stripes with a red bow make a bold, graphic statement that would look right at home in a modern living room. For a baby’s room, try soft mint and pale yellow with a white bow — sweet, gender-neutral, and machine-washable if you choose a reliable acrylic yarn.
Seasonal color swaps are another great option. A deep burgundy paired with forest green and a gold bow becomes a holiday accent pillow. A sunny yellow and white combo with a coral bow is ready for summer. The basic structure of this pattern adapts effortlessly to any occasion or aesthetic.
Tips for Success
A few things I have learned from making this pillow multiple times that might save you some trouble along the way.
Keep your tension consistent across color changes. It is tempting to pull a little tighter when you pick up a new color, but try to maintain the same even rhythm throughout.
Carry your unused yarn loosely up the side of the work. If you pull it too tight, the edges of your panel will pucker. A slight looseness in the carried strand ensures the fabric lies flat.
Press the bow with a warm iron through a damp cloth before attaching it to give the loops extra definition and make positioning easier.
If you are gifting this pillow, consider making the cover removable by adding a row of button loops along the fourth side and sewing three or four coordinating buttons to the back panel. It takes an extra twenty minutes but makes the gift so much more practical for the recipient.
Sharing Your Finished Pillow
If you make this pillow, I would absolutely love to see it. Tag your finished project on Instagram or Pinterest so the crafting community can enjoy your color choices and any personal touches you add. Seeing how different makers interpret the same pattern is one of the most joyful parts of sharing free crochet designs. Every pillow ends up being a little different, and every one of them is beautiful.
A Note on Selling Finished Items
This is a free pattern, and you are welcome to use it to make pillows to sell. If you sell finished items made from this pattern, a credit or link back to this post is always appreciated and helps support the continued sharing of free patterns. Please do not sell or redistribute the pattern itself as a PDF or printable.
Final Thoughts
A handmade crochet pillow is one of those projects that delivers outsized satisfaction relative to the time and materials it requires. From start to finish, this striped bow crochet pillow can be completed in a long weekend — sooner if you are an enthusiastic crocheter who loses track of time once the hook is in hand. The pattern is straightforward enough to be enjoyable and engaging, with just enough detail in the bow to feel like a genuine creative accomplishment when it all comes together.
Whether this is your first crochet pillow or your hundredth, I hope you find genuine pleasure in every stitch. Happy crocheting, and enjoy your beautiful new pillow.
