Crochet Cushion Cover Patterns

Crochet cushion covers, from granny squares to tapestry panels

A cushion is the most satisfying kind of home project: it is small enough to finish over a weekend, it uses a manageable amount of yarn, and it changes the look of a whole room the moment you plump it back onto the sofa. The patterns gathered here run from classic granny square pillow covers stitched from stash oddments to bobble and popcorn textures, cabled crochet panels, mandala fronts, tapestry crochet pictures, striped colour-block designs and openwork lace covers layered over a coloured pad. There are round bolsters, long lumbar shapes and floor cushions alongside the standard square, plus seasonal designs for Christmas and autumn.

How the covers are constructed

Three approaches cover almost everything on this page. The first is two flat panels crocheted separately and seamed on three sides, with the fourth closed by buttons, a zip or an overlapping envelope back. The second is a single long rectangle folded into thirds so the back overlaps itself, which needs no buttons at all and is the fastest route to a finished cover. The third is worked in the round as a seamless tube, then closed top and bottom. Motif covers, made from sixteen or twenty-five joined squares, sit slightly apart: you can join as you go, or crochet all the squares first and enjoy an evening of assembly.

Choosing yarn, hook and tension

• Cotton and cotton blends are the sensible default. They hold their shape under a sitting adult, wash repeatedly without pilling and block into crisp corners.
• Chunky yarn on a 6mm hook gives squashy, quick texture and is lovely for bobbles, but produces a heavier cover.
• DK on a 4mm hook is the best all-rounder for stitch detail, colourwork and motif work.
• Work at a firm tension. A loose crochet fabric lets the pad show through and goes baggy within a month.
• Budget roughly 200-300g of DK for a 45cm square cover worked in two panels.

Sizing, pads and the fit that keeps a cushion plump

The standard British square pad is 45cm (18in), with 40cm and 50cm also common; lumbar pads are usually around 30 x 50cm. Deliberately crochet the cover 2-3cm smaller than the pad in both directions. Crochet stretches, and an under-sized cover stuffed with a slightly larger pad stays taut and full instead of sagging. Feather pads give the best shape but need a denser fabric so quills do not work through; polyester pads are the practical, allergy-friendly choice. If you are making a lace or openwork cover, choose a pad in a contrasting colour, or slip a plain fabric cover over the pad first so the stitch pattern reads clearly.

Tools, notions and neat finishing

Keep a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving, a set of blocking mats and rustproof pins, stitch markers for counting motif rounds, and buttons or an invisible zip if the design calls for one. Blocking is not optional with cushions: pinning each panel out square and spraying it damp is what turns a slightly wobbly granny panel into a sharp, upholstered-looking piece. Seam with a whip stitch through the back loops for an invisible join, or with a row of double crochet worked through both panels if you want a decorative ridge. A round of surface crochet or a simple crab-stitch edge tidies any edge that looks unfinished.

Styling and care

Cushions are the easiest place to try a colour you would never wear. A group of three in the same stitch pattern and different shades looks considered; the same colour in three different textures looks even better. For a seasonal refresh, keep the pads and make new covers for autumn and spring rather than storing whole cushions. Wash cotton covers at 30 degrees, reshape while damp and dry flat away from direct sun so colours stay true. For more around the house, browse the wider home crochet patterns, or work up a matching set of crochet placemats.

Common questions

Are there free crochet cushion cover patterns as PDFs? Yes, a good number here are free to download and keep, ready to print or read on a phone or tablet while you work.

What size cushion cover should I crochet? Aim for 42-43cm of finished fabric for a 45cm pad. Check your tension square first, since a half-stitch difference over 10cm adds several centimetres across a whole cover.

Can I use acrylic yarn? Certainly, and it is hard-wearing and cheap for a big floor cushion. It simply has less body than cotton, so work a size down on the hook.

How do I close the back without buttons? Use the envelope method: crochet one long rectangle, fold both ends towards the middle so they overlap by about 10cm, and seam the two sides.