Bobble and Fringe Crochet Pillow in Bernat - Downloadable PDF

Bobble and Fringe Crochet Pillow – Free Pattern by the Bernat Design Team

This free downloadable PDF pattern from the Bernat Design Team guides crocheters through making a cozy, textured 20-inch square crochet pillow featuring eye-catching bobble stitch detailing on the front and playful twisted fringe strips as decorative accents. The finished cushion is a satisfying beginner-friendly project that introduces several classic crochet construction techniques, making it an ideal next step for anyone who has mastered basic stitches and wants to explore surface texture and decorative finishing.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a 20" [51 cm] square pillow designed to fit a standard 20-inch square pillow form. The pillow is constructed in separate pieces: a textured front panel, two ribbed back panels that overlap to create an envelope-style closure, and two fringe strips that are added as decorative elements. The result is a chunky, modern cushion with rich dimensional texture suitable for sofas, armchairs, or beds.

Techniques Used

• Bobble construction using treble crochet (tr): The pillow front alternates single crochet and treble crochet stitches. Because the treble stitches are worked on the wrong side of the fabric, they push forward toward the right side, creating raised bobble-like bumps across the surface without requiring a traditional multi-loop bobble stitch cluster.
• Ribbing worked in back loops only: The two back panels each begin with a short ribbing section crocheted in back loops only, producing a stretchy, ridged texture that mimics knitted ribbing. This ribbing is then turned sideways and stitches are worked along its edge to begin the main back panel.
• Twisted fringe loops: The fringe strips are made separately. Each strip uses slip stitches to draw up a long 10-inch loop, which is then twisted 25 times and allowed to coil back on itself, creating a rope-like twisted fringe effect. These strips add a playful, tactile border detail.
• Envelope back construction: Two identical back pieces are made and overlapped to close the pillow, allowing the pillow form to be inserted and removed easily without buttons or zippers.
• Foundation chain and turning: Standard crochet foundation chains are used throughout, with turning chains at the start of each row.

Stitches Used

• Single crochet (sc) – the primary stitch used throughout all panels and fringe strips
• Treble crochet (tr) – worked on wrong-side rows of the front panel to push forward and form the bobble texture on the right side
• Slip stitch (sl st) – used in the fringe strip rows to anchor the twisted loops
• Back loop only single crochet – used in the ribbing rows of the back panels to create a ridged, elastic texture
• Chain stitch (ch) – used for foundation chains and turning chains throughout

Materials

The pattern calls for Bernat® Blanket™ yarn, a super chunky (size 6) weight yarn available in three suggested colorways: Malachite (10802), Lapis (10800), or Scarlet (10810). You will need 2 balls (approximately 440 yds/402 m; 21 oz/600 g total) in your chosen color. Bernat Blanket yarn is known for its exceptionally soft, velvety texture and generous yardage per ball, making it well suited to home décor projects like pillows.

The recommended hook is a U.S. size L/11 (8 mm) crochet hook, or whatever size is needed to achieve the stated gauge of 8½ stitches and 12 rows = 4 inches [10 cm] in pattern. You will also need a stitch marker and a 20-inch square pillow form to complete the project.

Difficulty and Suitability

Rated Easy by the Bernat Design Team, this pattern