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Autumn Granny Square Pillow with Leaf Motifs

A 16-inch (41 cm) charity pillow featuring four-color granny squares and leaf details for fall home decor.

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Difficulty
🔴 Advanced
Time
⏱️ 20-28 hours
Hook
🪡 I / 5.5 mm
Yardage
🧶 approximately 1100 yards (1006 m)
Est. Cost
💰 $33–$57
Finished Size
📏 16 inches (41 cm) square
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Always make a gauge swatch before starting!
Gauge: 16 sc x 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet
Adjust hook size as needed to match gauge.
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At a Glance

The Autumn Granny Square Pillow with Leaf Motifs is a free Advanced-level home decor pattern using Worsted weight yarn with a I / 5.5 mm hook . Estimated time: 20-28 hours. Finished size: 16 inches (41 cm) square. You'll need approximately approximately 1100 yards (1006 m) of yarn.

11 steps across 5 sections  ·  Free under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — you can sell finished items

🧶 Pattern Instructions

💡 Tip: Keep each square flat as you work. Block lightly to 4 inches (10 cm) square if squares curl.
  1. Round 1 (Burnt Orange)
    Ch 4, st">sl st to first ch to form ring. Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in ring, ch 2, [3 dc in ring, ch 2] 3 times, st">sl st to top of ch 3 to join (12 sts, 4 ch-sps). (12 sts)
  2. Round 2 (Gold)
    Ch 3, 2 dc in same st, ch 2, [3 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2] 3 times, st">sl st to top of ch 3 to join (12 sts, 4 ch-sps). (12 sts)
  3. Round 3 (Brown)
    Ch 3, 2 dc in same st, dc in next st, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, [2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next st, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2] 3 times, st">sl st to top of ch 3 to join (28 sts, 4 ch-sps). (28 sts)
  4. Round 4 (Cream)
    Ch 3, 2 dc in same st, dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, [2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2] 3 times, st">sl st to top of ch 3 to join. Fasten off (36 sts, 4 ch-sps). (36 sts)
Row counter:
💡 Tip: Use a safety pin to mark where squares meet. Keep tension even during joining for professional-looking seams.
  1. Step 1: Arrange and Join
    Arrange 16 squares in a 4x4 grid with cream edges on the outside. Join squares using mattress stitch or sc seam along edges, working through the back loops of the cream round. To use mattress stitch: Insert tapestry needle under the horizontal bar between the first and second stitch on one square edge, then under the corresponding bar on the adjacent square, and continue alternating sides while drawing yarn snug. Join horizontally first to form 4 strips, then join strips vertically. Finished front measures 16 inches (41 cm) square (576 sts around perimeter). (576 sts)
Row counter:
💡 Tip: Count your chain carefully; 65 chains produce 64 sc. At gauge of 16 sc = 4 inches, 64 sc = 16 inches wide. At gauge of 16 rows = 4 inches, 256 rows = 16 inches tall. Back panel should match front dimensions exactly.
  1. Step 1: Create Back Panel
    With cream, ch 65. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (64 sts). Rows 2-256: sc in each st (64 sts). Back panel measures 16 inches wide by 16 inches tall (41 cm square). Fasten off. (64 sts)
Row counter:
💡 Tip: Use a tapestry needle to close the opening invisibly; smaller, closer stitches look more professional.
  1. Step 1: Seam Three Sides
    With wrong sides facing, use slip stitch and cream yarn to seam front and back together along three sides (bottom, left, and right), leaving top side open for a 16-inch (41 cm) opening. (576 sts total around seamed perimeter)
  2. Step 2: Insert Pillow Form
    Insert the 16 inches (41 cm) square fiberfill pillow form through the opening.
  3. Step 3: Slip-Stitch Closure
    Use slip stitch and cream yarn to close the opening with a neat, invisible seam. Secure the last stitch and weave end through the seam inside the pillow. (576 sts complete)
Row counter:
💡 Tip: Sketch leaf placement lightly with a fabric marker before embroidering to plan your design. Leaves should look organic and asymmetrical.
  1. Step 1: Embroider Leaves
    With burnt orange yarn and a tapestry needle, embroider simple leaf shapes on the pillow front. Work satin stitch leaves (long stitches side by side) in a scattered pattern across the center of the pillow, placing 8-12 leaves unevenly distributed. Vary leaf sizes from 1 inch (2.5 cm) to 2 inches (5 cm) long.
  2. Step 2: Add Veins
    With brown yarn, add simple vein details to each leaf using backstitch. Weave in all ends securely.
Row counter:

✂️ Finishing

Weave in all loose ends using a tapestry needle, working them through the stitches for security. Block the finished pillow gently by laying flat and steaming lightly with a warm iron on a low setting, or by misting with water and allowing to air-dry flat. Ensure the slip-stitched closure is secure and neat. If any edges curl slightly, pin and block again. The embroidered leaves should lie flat against the surface with no puckering.

🛒 Materials

Worsted weight acrylic blend yarn
300 yards (274 m) burnt orange, 300 yards (274 m) gold, 300 yards (274 m) brown, 200 yards (183 m) cream. Acrylic blend chosen for durability and washability in a charity donation item.
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Crochet hook
I / 5.5 mm
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Fiberfill pillow form
16 inches (41 cm) square pillow insert
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Tapestry needle
For weaving in ends and seaming
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📖 Abbreviations

View full dictionary →
ch — chain → sc — single crochet → dc — double crochet → sl st — slip stitch → st(s) — stitch(es) → sp — space → rnd — round → mattress stitch — A seaming technique worked between the outermost columns of stitches on two pieces, creating an invisible vertical seam. Insert needle under the horizontal bar between the first and second stitch on one piece, then under the corresponding bar on the opposite piece, and continue alternating sides while drawing yarn snug every 2-3 rows. →

Tap any abbreviation to look it up. Start a free 7-day Maker trial for full stitch details.

📌 Before You Begin

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This pattern creates 16 granny squares (each 4 inches / 10 cm), then joins them into a 4x4 grid to form the 16-inch (41 cm) pillow front.

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Color sequence for each granny square: Round 1 burnt orange, Round 2 gold, Round 3 brown, Round 4 cream. Leaf motifs are embroidered on the front after assembly.

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Advanced crocheters will find the leaf embroidery and joining technique most challenging. Ensure secure weaving of ends before stuffing.

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Worsted weight acrylic blend is ideal for charity donations as it withstands frequent washing and handling.

🎁 Ways to Use This

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A heartfelt charity donation for a shelter, nursing home, or community center that brightens any room with handmade warmth.

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A unique hostess gift for someone who loves autumn décor and appreciates handcrafted items.

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A keepsake for a friend or family member downsizing their home—the handmade pillow carries personal meaning.

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A decorative accent for a living room sofa or bedroom bed during fall months, adding texture and color without commercial sameness.

🧺 Care Instructions

Spot clean with cool water and mild detergent on a soft cloth; do not submerge the pillow if embroidery thread is not colorfast. Machine wash on gentle cycle if both yarn and embroidery threads are colorfast (test first). Lay flat to air-dry. Do not bleach. Iron on low heat if needed. Acrylic blend yarn resists fading and pilling.

🤖 This pattern was generated by AI and may contain errors. Always test your gauge before starting.

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Questions About This Pattern

Absolutely — just match the weight (Worsted). You'll need about approximately 1200 yards (1097 m), so make sure your substitute has enough meterage. Acrylic is budget-friendly and machine-washable; wool gives better stitch definition and drape.
This pattern uses techniques that require precision and experience. Expect stitches like ch, sc, dc, sl st and potentially complex shaping. If you're newer to crochet, try a few intermediate patterns first to build confidence with stitch counts and tension before tackling this one.
Usually it's the joining or finishing — where individual sections meet and need to align. Read through the entire pattern once before you start so there are no surprises. Use stitch markers generously to track your place, especially in rounds. If a section looks wrong, count your stitches before proceeding — catching an error early saves a lot of frogging later.
For this pattern, gauge is "16 sc x 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet". For decorative or non-fitted items it's less critical, but matching gauge ensures you use the right amount of yarn and get the proportions the pattern intends. If your swatch is too small (too many stitches/inch), go up a hook size. Too large — go down.
Spot clean with cool water and mild detergent on a soft cloth; do not submerge the pillow if embroidery thread is not colorfast. Machine wash on gentle cycle if both yarn and embroidery threads are colorfast (test first). Lay flat to air-dry. Do not bleach. Iron on low heat if needed. Acrylic blend yarn resists fading and pilling. A general rule: when unsure about the yarn, hand wash in cool water with a drop of gentle detergent, squeeze (don't wring), and block flat to dry. This is safe for almost every fiber.
Each section builds on the last, so yes — follow them in order. That said, some finishing sections (like embellishments or optional edging) can be skipped if you prefer a simpler look. Read through all sections before starting so you understand how the pieces fit together and can plan your yarn usage across sections.