One of my favorite things to crochet for the holidays are Christmas trees! This is actually the third Christmas tree pillow I have made. I wanted to try to add some lights to the Christmas tree this time! This means that the pattern incorporates some colorwork, so I filmed a video tutorial for YouTube where I make a swatch. The swatch is basically a miniature version of the pillow. Even if you are new to colorwork, if you are able to follow along with the video and make the swatch, I definitely think you could make the pillow! I have written out the pattern for the swatch below. You can use it for a coaster, decoration, or make multiple and join them for a project. The full pillow pattern is available as a print-friendly pdf on Ravelry. I will put the link below. I hope you enjoy the pattern, and please let me what you decide to use your swatches for!
Decorated Christmas Tree Pillow
Getting Started
Materials
- 3.00 mm crochet hook
- Scissors and a tapestry needle- for weaving in ends
- Dk weight yarn
Yarn I Used
Cascade Ultra Pima Yarn (100% Pima Cotton; 220 yd / 100 g skeins)
- 1 veiled rose (light pink)
- 1 sunshine (yellow)
- 1 natural (cream)
- 1 purple ice (lavender)
- 1 pink sapphire (hot pink)
- 1 bright olive (olive green)
- 1 chartreuse (bright green)
- 1 cool mint (blue)
Gauge
22 sts and 10 rows = 4 in (10 cm)
The gauge provided is measured with double crochet sts worked in rows.
Abbreviations: In U.S. Terms (Translated to UK in parentheses)
st= stitch
sp= space
ch= chain (chain)
ss= slip stitch (slip stitch)
sc= single crochet (double crochet)
dc= double crochet (treble)
dc2tog= decrease 2 double crochet sts together (decrease 2 treble sts together)
cc = change color
[ ] indicate that the sts are worked into the same space
{ } indicate that the the sts are repeated later in the pattern
Starting Stitches
For the rows of double crochet stitches, a ch 3 at the beginning of the row counts as the first dc st.
For the rows of single crochet stitches, the ch 1 at the beginning of the row does not count as a stitch, so a single crochet stitch will always be worked into the first stitch of the row.
Color Changes
Tapestry crochet is used to change color within the rows. If you are new to this technique, I recommend following along with the video.
There will be a detailed photo tutorial of this process included in the pillow pattern!
- During the st before the pattern reads “cc” (change color), use the new color to complete the final yarn over, pull through of the st.
- When working the Christmas tree section, hold all other colors that are currently attached to the work against the work. For odd numbered rows, hold them against the back of the work. For even numbered rows, hold them against the front of the work. This means the side of the work with the odd numbered rows facing up will become the front side of the work.
- When working the background section, drop the color of the Christmas tree where it is (do not carry it). When working a row with Christmas lights, can drop the color of the lights as well and fasten it off at the end of the row.
Pattern
B = background color, T = tree color, L = lights color
With B, ch 27.
Row 1: Skip the first 3 ch-sps (count as first dc), dc into the fourth ch from the hook. Then, dc into each of the following ch-sps. FLIP. (25).
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc throughout), dc into each of the following sts of the previous row. FLIP. (25).
Row 3: Ch 3, 9 dc, dc2tog, cc to T, [3 dc], cc to B, dc2tog, 10 dc. FLIP. (25).
Row 4: Ch 3, 8 dc, dc2tog, cc to T, [2 dc], dc, [2 dc], cc to B, dc2tog, 9 dc. FLIP. (25).
For row 5, L = blue.
Row 5: [Ch 1 (does not count as a st throughout), sc], 9 sc, cc to L, sc. {Cc to T, sc. Cc to L, sc}. Repeat {} 1 more time. Cc to B. 10 sc. FLIP. (25).
Row 6: Ch 3, 7 dc, dc2tog, cc to T, [2 dc], 3 dc, [2 dc], cc to B, dc2tog, 8 dc. FLIP. (25).
For row 7, L = bright green.
Row 7: [Ch 1, sc], 8 sc, cc to L, sc. {Cc to T, sc. Cc to L, sc}. Repeat {} 2 more times. Cc to B. 9 sc. FLIP. (25).
Row 8: Ch 3, 6 dc, dc2tog, cc to T, [2 dc], 5 dc, [2 dc], cc to B, dc2tog, 7 dc. FLIP. (25).
For row 9, L = hot pink.
Row 9: [Ch 1, sc], 7 sc, cc to L, sc. {Cc to T, sc. Cc to L, sc}. Repeat {} 3 more times. Cc to B. 8 sc. FLIP. (25).
Row 10: Ch 3, 5 dc, dc2tog, cc to T, [2 dc], 7 dc, [2 dc], cc to B, dc2tog, 6 dc. FLIP. (25).
For row 11, L = lavender.
Row 11: [Ch 1, sc], 6 sc, cc to L, sc. {Cc to T, sc. Cc to L, sc}. Repeat {} 4 more times. Cc to B. 7 sc. FLIP. (25).
Row 12: Ch 3, 4 dc, dc2tog, cc to T, [2 dc], 9 dc, [2 dc], cc to B, dc2tog, 5 dc. FLIP. (25).
For row 13, L = olive.
Row 13: [Ch 1, sc], 5 sc, cc to L, sc. {Cc to T, sc. Cc to L, sc}. Repeat {} 5 more times. Cc to B. 6 sc. FLIP. (25).
At the end of row 13, fasten off the color of the lights and the tree.
Row 14: Ch 3, 10 dc, cc to cream (the color of the stump), 3 dc, cc to B, 11 dc. FLIP. (25).
Fasten off the color of the stump.
Row 15: Ch 3, dc into each of the following sts. (25).
Fasten off and weave in the ends. To ensure that the swatch lays nicely, you can block it (I usually iron mine).
And that’s the pattern for the swatch! When the full pillow pattern is ready, I will add the link below. If you make the swatch and share a picture of it on Instagram, make sure you tag me, so I can see it!
The pillow pattern is ready!
*If you would like to make the pillow and sell the pillow, please give me (Maggie Trunkhill) credit as the pattern designer. Do not reproduce this pattern in any form without my permission.