Lake Life Pillow

Lake Life Pillow by Sincerely Pam

Project Overview

The Lake Life Pillow is an intermediate-level crochet cushion project designed by Sincerely Pam. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished pillow measuring 20 inches by 20 inches, making it a substantial home décor piece suitable for sofas, beds, or decorative seating areas.

What Is Being Made

This project produces a square crochet pillow cover with a finished size of 20" x 20". The pattern is designed to be worked in the round using single crochet stitches, creating a dense, structured fabric. The pillow can be finished with an optional 20-inch closed zipper for easy insertion and removal of a pillow form.

Crochet Techniques Used

The Lake Life Pillow employs several fundamental crochet techniques appropriate for intermediate crafters:

• Back Loop Only (BLO) Construction: The entire pattern is worked exclusively in the back loop only, which creates a distinctive textured appearance and adds structural integrity to the finished piece.
• Foundation Chain: The pattern begins with a foundation chain of 77 stitches, which is then worked in single crochet to establish the base.
• Circular Working: After the initial row, the piece is joined and worked continuously in rounds, allowing the pillow to be constructed seamlessly.
• Color Blocking: The pattern incorporates color changes between Sage and White yarns, with instructions referencing colors as (S) and (W) to indicate where each color should be worked.
• Joining and Finishing: The pattern uses slip stitches to join rounds and requires weaving in ends with a tapestry needle for a polished final appearance.

Stitches Used

The Lake Life Pillow utilizes a limited but effective stitch palette, making it accessible for intermediate crocheters:

• Chain (ch): Used for the foundation and turning chains throughout the pattern.
• Single Crochet (sc): The primary stitch used throughout the entire pillow, worked consistently in the back loop only to create texture and structure.
• Slip Stitch (slst): Used to join rounds and connect the work when transitioning between color sections.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Lake Life Pillow requires worsted weight yarn (also known as Aran weight #4), which provides a medium thickness ideal for creating a sturdy, durable pillow cover. The sample shown in the pattern was created using Vanna's Choice yarn in two colors: 4 skeins of Sage for the primary color and 1 skein of White for accent work, totaling 5 skeins for the complete project.

An H hook (5.5mm) is used throughout the pattern to work with the worsted weight yarn. Additional materials required include a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends after completion and a measuring tape for gauging and sizing. An optional 20-inch closed zipper can be added for a professional, functional finish that allows the pillow cover to be opened for cleaning or pillow form replacement.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 14 single crochet stitches by 15 rows worked in the back loop only, measuring 4 inches by 4 inches. This gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions of 20" x 20". The pattern maintains 152 single crochet stitches throughout the circular construction, with the work progressing over rows 2 through 20 to reach the full size.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate, making it suitable for crocheters who have mastered basic stitches and are comfortable with techniques such as working in the back loop only, joining rounds, and managing color changes. The straightforward stitch pattern and clear instructions make it an excellent project for developing consistency and precision in crochet work.