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Bulky Leaf Motif Autumn Pillow Cover

A textured, one-day pillow cover with dimensional crocheted leaf appliqués in warm fall tones.

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Difficulty
🟢 Beginner
Time
⏱️ 6-8 hours
Hook
🪡 J / 6mm
Yardage
🧶 approximately 280 yards
Est. Cost
💰 $16–$24
Finished Size
📏 16 inches (41 cm) wide × 12 inches (30 cm) tall — fits standard 16-inch (41 cm) pillow form when folded or paired with a back panel
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Always make a gauge swatch before starting!
Gauge: 12 sc = 4 inches (10 cm) in width; 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in height
Adjust hook size as needed to match gauge.
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At a Glance

The Bulky Leaf Motif Autumn Pillow Cover is a free Beginner-level home decor pattern using Bulky weight yarn with a J / 6mm hook . Estimated time: 6-8 hours. Finished size: 16 inches (41 cm) wide × 12 inches (30 cm) tall — fits standard 16-inch (41 cm) pillow form when folded or paired with a back panel. You'll need approximately approximately 280 yards of yarn.

9 steps across 3 sections  ·  Free under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — you can sell finished items

🧶 Pattern Instructions

💡 Tip: Count stitches at the end of the first few rows to ensure you have exactly 48 sts. Consistent tension makes blocking easier later. Note: Single crochet rows are typically taller than they are wide per stitch; this panel will be a rectangle rather than a perfect square.
  1. Row 1
    With main color, ch 49. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (48 sts).
  2. Rows 2–48
    Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (48 sts). Repeat rows 2–48 for a total of 48 rows. Fasten off and weave in ends. Finished panel should measure 16 inches (41 cm) wide × approximately 12 inches (30 cm) tall.
Row counter:
💡 Tip: Make leaves in batches by color to speed up production. The simple oval shape mimics fall leaves and works up in about 5 minutes per leaf. Making all 8 leaves ensures 2 of each accent color are used.
  1. Leaf Round 1
    With accent color, ch 2. 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (6 sts).
  2. Leaf Round 2
    Inc in each st around (12 sts).
  3. Leaf Round 3
    Sc in each st around (12 sts).
  4. Leaf Round 4
    Dec over next 2 sts, sc 4, dec over next 2 sts, sc 4 (10 sts). Fasten off, leaving a 4-inch (10 cm) tail for sewing.
Row counter:
💡 Tip: If you prefer a reversible pillow, crochet a second 48-st, 48-row square panel in main color and sew it to the back of the appliquéd front panel with whip stitch before inserting the form. To use whip stitch: thread yarn needle, insert needle through both fabric layers from back to front, then loop around the seam edge and insert back through both layers, working along the edge in small, even stitches.
  1. Arrange and sew leaves
    Lay the pillow front flat. Arrange all 8 leaves randomly across the surface, grouping by color in clusters of 2. Use yarn needle and matching yarn to sew each leaf securely to the front panel with 3–4 stitches around the base, using whip stitch for a secure attachment.
  2. Block the pillow front (optional but recommended)
    Spray lightly with water and pin to a flat surface to dry, which helps even out the texture from bulky yarn.
  3. Close the pillow
    With yarn needle and main color, sew the top, bottom, and side edges of the pillow front using whip stitch, forming a U-shape and leaving one side open 3 inches (8 cm). To sew: fold the panel in half or pair it with a back panel (crocheted in the same dimensions), align the edges, and use whip stitch to join the seams securely. Insert the 16-inch (41 cm) pillow form through the opening. Sew the opening shut using whip stitch, working from the inside if possible for a neater finish.
Row counter:

✂️ Finishing

Weave in all ends on the back of the pillow front after sewing leaves. Gently steam or block the finished pillow on a flat surface if desired to even the bulky-yarn texture. If leaves shift slightly during use, reinforce them by adding a small whip stitch to the underside of each leaf or tacking with a needle and thread after the pillow is complete.

🛒 Materials

Bulky weight acrylic yarn, main color (cream, tan, or ivory)
200 yards, bulky weight acrylic yarn. Acrylic chosen for durability, easy care, and vibrant fall colorfast options.
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Bulky weight acrylic yarn, accent colors (burnt orange, rust, gold, deep red)
80 yards total (20 yards each of 4 colors), bulky weight acrylic yarn for leaf appliqués.
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J / 6mm crochet hook
One J / 6mm hook for main pattern and appliqués.
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Yarn needle
For weaving in ends and sewing appliqués.
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Pillow form
One 16-inch (41 cm) square pillow form (sold separately).
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📖 Abbreviations

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sc — single crochet → dc — double crochet → ch — chain → sl st — slip stitch → st(s) — stitch(es) → rnd(s) — round(s) → inc — increase (2 sc in same st) → dec — single crochet decrease →

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 makes a front panel only; you will close it around a pillow form or add a back panel of your choice.

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Work tightly to ensure the finished fabric is dense and holds its shape.

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Leaf appliqués are crocheted separately and sewn on after the main square is complete.

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Bulky yarn works up quickly; the entire project can be completed in one day.

🎁 Ways to Use This

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Layer on a neutral sofa to add instant autumn warmth without redoing your whole décor.

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A quick handmade hostess gift for fall gatherings or a cozy housewarming present.

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Perfect for a front porch chair or window seat to celebrate the season as the weather cools.

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Pairs beautifully with a chunky knit throw or striped blanket for a cohesive autumn vignette.

🧺 Care Instructions

Surface wash by hand with cool water and mild soap if needed. Blot gently and lay flat to dry. Bulky acrylic yarn is durable; avoid high heat and direct sunlight to prevent fading of fall colors. Do not machine wash.

🤖 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 (Bulky). You'll need about approximately 280 yards, so make sure your substitute has enough meterage. Bulky yarns work up fast and have more visible stitch texture — try wool or wool-blend for best results.
Yes! This is one of the friendlier patterns to start with. You only need to know: sc, dc, ch, sl st. Work slowly, count your stitches at the end of each row, and don't be afraid to frog (rip back) and redo a section — that's how everyone learns. Budget about 6-8 hours; beginners often take a bit longer, and that's totally fine.
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 "12 sc = 4 inches (10 cm) in width; 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in height". 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.
Surface wash by hand with cool water and mild soap if needed. Blot gently and lay flat to dry. Bulky acrylic yarn is durable; avoid high heat and direct sunlight to prevent fading of fall colors. Do not machine wash. 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.