A super fun and easy crochet pillow – The Prickly Cactus is a Free Pattern here on the blog!

Read through my inspiration and design process, scroll down for the Free pattern in 2 different sizes or Purchase the Full Printable PDF with all 4 Pillow sizes Here!

The Inspiration + Design

For quite a while now, I have been wanting to design a crochet pillow that was modern, fun and uniquely Me! Well guys……. Here she is, The Prickly Cactus Pillow. 🌵

I first got the idea for this crochet pillow when I was flipping through my pattern notebook, and I came across a graph drawing I had done months before. This cactus drawing was meant for a completely different design that just never came to fruition. So here it sat, lost and forgotten amongst all the other ideas and designs in my notebook.

Immediately I knew just how I was going to bring this little cactus drawing to life….. Bobbles!!! I mean, who doesn’t love Bobbles?!

And since Bobbles are so fun and modern, a Bobble Cactus pillow will be the perfect addition to your home!

What makes this Crochet Pillow special?

Originally, I designed this Cactus crochet pillow in one size, the 20”x20” size because that is the size pillow insert I happened to have laying around. I had no intentions of adding more sizes, however after doing a quick Instagram Poll, I learned that people like options…..duh!

So this cactus crochet pillow is now available in 4 different sizes; 20”, 18”, 16” and 12”, complete with an easy to read graph for each one! Now there is a size for everyone!

Today I will be sharing the top 2 favorite sizes, the 20” and the 16”, but if you would like the complete pattern with all Four Sizes and Graphs, you can purchase the PDF Here!

Pattern

~Purchase the printable PDF complete with all 4 Sizes and graphs Here!

~Save it to your Ravelry Here

To sum it up:

The Prickly Cactus pillow is a crochet pillow cover that is not only a fun make but also super easy. It is made up of only two stitches plus the Half Double Crochet and the Bobble Stitch. This pillow is sure to add that unique boho flare to your living space!

Yarn

~Size 4 worsted weight yarn in at least 2 different colors

I highly recommend using Lion Brand Basic Stitch for an incredibly soft and squishy textured pillow!

Notions

~Size H (5.0 mm) Hook

~Yarn Needle

~Poly-Fil or pillow insert to fit your pillow cover

Gauge

12 Hdc St and 10 Hdc rows = 4”

Sizing

This crochet bobble pillow comes in 2 Different sizes

~20”x 20”

~16”x 16”

Abbreviations Used

Ch- Chain 

Yo- Yarn over 

St- Stitch 

Hdc- Half Double Crochet  

Mc- Main Color

Cc- Contrasting Color 

Pattern Notes

-Pillow is made in 2 separate panels and then seamed together around your pillow insert. 

-Ch 2 Does NOT count as a stitch throughout 

-You will be carrying your main color through while crocheting with your contrasting color

-This pattern is also easy to work following the graphs that go along with each size.

Helpful tips: When reading a crochet graph pattern, all odd numbered rows are always read from right to left, and all even numbered rows are read from left to right. 

Right before changing colors, it is helpful to check to make sure that the non dominant color yarn is not peeking through the front of your work or bunching up. If it is, simply give the non dominant yarn a gentle tug to even out the stitches. 

Special Stitches

Bobble Stitch- Yo, insert hook into stitch. Draw up a loop, Yo, pull through 2 loops. (2 loops on your hook) *Yo, insert hook back into the same stitch. Draw up a loop, Yo, pull through 2 loops.* (3 loops on your hook)  repeat from * to * 3 more times. You will now have 6 loops on your hook. Yo, pull through all 6 loops.   

The Cactus Crochet Pillow

Size 20”x 20” Pillow

Front Panel 

Row 1: With Mc, Ch 62. Hdc in the 3rd Ch and in each Ch across. Ch 2, Turn. (60)

Row 2-3: (Mc) Hdc in the first St and in each across. Ch 2, Turn. (60)

This is where we will introduce our contracting color (Cc) which is which ever color you choose for your cactus. 

Tip: When changing colors it is best to work the last stitch before the color change as usual, then Yo in your new color to complete the stitch. 

Row 4: (Mc) Hdc in the first 21 St, (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc* 9 times. Then Bobble. (10 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 20. Ch 2. Turn. 

Row 5: (Mc) Hdc 20. (Cc) Hdc 19. (Mc) Hdc 21. Ch 2, Turn. (60)

Row 6-17: Repeat rows 4-5 ending with row 17 being an Hdc row. 

This is where we will start the left arm of the cactus.

Row 18: (Mc) Hdc 13. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 13 times. Then Bobble. (14 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 20. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 19: (Mc) Hdc 20. (Cc)  Hdc 27. (Mc) Hdc 13. Ch 2, Turn. (60) 

Row 20: (Mc) Hdc 9. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*,15 times. Then Bobble. (16 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 20. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 21: (Mc) Hdc 20. (Cc) Hdc 31. (Mc) Hdc 9. Ch 2, Turn. (60)

Row 22: (Mc) Hdc 5. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 17 times. Then Bobble. (18 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 20. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 23: (Mc) Hdc 20. (Cc) Hdc 19. (Mc) Hdc 5. (Cc) Hdc 11. (Mc) Hdc 5.  Ch 2, Turn. (60)

Row 24: (Mc) Hdc 5. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 5 times. Then Bobble. (6 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 4. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*,13 times. Then Bobble. (14 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 12. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 25: (Mc) Hdc 12. (Cc) Hdc 27. (Mc) Hdc 5. (Cc) Hdc 11. (Mc) Hdc 5. Ch 2, Turn. (60)

Row 26: (Mc) Hdc 5. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 5 times. Then Bobble. (6 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 5. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 15 times. Then Bobble. (16 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 8. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 27: (Mc) Hdc 8. (Cc) Hdc 31. (Mc) Hdc 5. (Cc) Hdc 11. (Mc) Hdc 5. Ch 2, Turn. (60)

Row 28: (Mc) Hdc 5. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 5 times. Then Bobble. (6 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 5. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 17 times. Then Bobble. (18 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 4. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 29: (Mc) Hdc 4. (Cc) Hdc 35. (Mc) Hdc 5. (Cc) Hdc 11. (Mc) Hdc 5. Ch 2, Turn. (60)

Row 30: (Mc) Hdc 5. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 5 times. Then Bobble. (6 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 5. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 9 times. Then Bobble. (10 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 5. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc* 5 times. Then Bobble. (6 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 4. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 31: (Mc) Hdc 4. (Cc) Hdc 11. (Mc) Hdc 5. (Cc) Hdc 19. (Mc) Hdc 5. (Cc) Hdc 11. (Mc) Hdc 5. Ch 2, Turn. (60)

Row 32: (Mc) Hdc 9. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 1 time. Then Bobble. (2 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 9. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 9 times. Then Bobble. (10 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 5. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc* 5 times. Then Bobble. (6 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 4. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 33: (Mc) Hdc 4. (Cc) Hdc 11. (Mc) Hdc 5. (Cc) Hdc 19. (Mc) Hdc 21. Ch 2, Turn. (60)

Row 34: (Mc) Hdc 21. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 9 times. Then Bobble. (10 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 5. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc* 5 times. Then Bobble. (6 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 4. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 35: (Mc) Hdc 4.  (Cc) Hdc 11. (Mc) Hdc 5. (Cc) Hdc 19. (Mc) Hdc 21. Ch 2, Turn. (60)

Row 36: (Mc) Hdc 21. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 9 times. Then Bobble. (10 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 5. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc* 5 times. Then Bobble. (6 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 4. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 37: (Mc) Hdc 4. (Cc) Hdc 11. (Mc) Hdc 5. (Cc) Hdc 19. (Mc) Hdc 21. Ch 2, Turn. (60)

Row 38: (Mc) Hdc 21. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 9 times. Then Bobble. (10 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 9. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc* 1 time. Then Bobble. (2 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 8. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 39: (Mc) Hdc 20. (Cc) Hdc 15. (Mc) Hdc 25. Ch 2, Turn. (60)

Row 40: (Mc) Hdc 25. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 7 times. Then Bobble. (8 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 20. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 41: (Mc) Hdc 20. (Cc) Hdc 15. (Mc) Hdc 25. Ch 2, Turn. (60)

Row 42: (Mc) Hdc 25. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 7 times. Then Bobble. (8 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 20. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 43: (Mc) Hdc 24. (Cc) Hdc 7. (Mc) Hdc 29. Ch 2, Turn. (60)

Row 44: (Mc) Hdc 29. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 3 times. Then Bobble. (4 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 24. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 45-48: (Mc) Hdc across. Ch 2, Turn. (60)

Finish off. 

Back Panel 

Row 1: With Mc, Ch 62. Hdc in the 3rd Ch and in each Ch across. Ch 2, Turn. (60)

Row 2-47: Hdc in the first St and in each across. Ch 2, Turn. (60)

Finish off leaving a very long tail to seam the two panels together. 

Size 16”x 16” Pillow

Front Panel 

Row 1: With Mc, Ch 50. Hdc in the 3rd Ch and in each Ch across. Ch 2, Turn. (48)

Row 2-3: (Mc) Hdc in the first St and in each across. Ch 2, Turn. (48)

This is where we will introduce our contracting color (Cc) which is which ever color you choose for your cactus. 

Tip: When changing colors it is best to work the last stitch before the color change as usual, then Yo in your new color to complete the stitch. 

Row 4: (Mc) Hdc in the first 19 St, (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc* 5 times. Then Bobble. (6 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 18. Ch 2. Turn. 

Row 5: (Mc) Hdc 18. (Cc) Hdc 11. (Mc) Hdc 19. Ch 2, Turn. (48)

Row 6-13: Repeat rows 4-5 ending with row 13 being an Hdc row. 

Row 14: (Mc) Hdc 15. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc* 7 times. Then Bobble. (8 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 18. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 15: (Mc) Hdc 18. (Cc) Hdc 11. (Mc) Hdc 19. Ch 2, Turn. (48) 

Row 16: (Mc) Hdc 15. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc* 7 times. Then Bobble. (8 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 18. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 17: (Mc) Hdc 18. (Cc) Hdc 15. (Mc) Hdc 15. Ch 2, Turn. (48)

Row 18: (Mc) Hdc 11. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc* 9 times. Then Bobble. (10 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 18. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 19: (Mc) Hdc 18. (Cc) Hdc 19. (Mc) Hdc 11. Ch 2, Turn. (48)

Row 20: (Mc) Hdc 7. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 11 times. Then Bobble. (12 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 18. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 21: (Mc) Hdc 18. (Cc) Hdc 11. (Mc) Hdc 3. (Cc) Hdc 9. (Mc) Hdc 7. Ch 2, Turn. (48)

Row 22: (Mc) Hdc 7. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 4 times. Then Bobble. (5 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 3. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 7 times. Then Bobble. (8 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 14. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 23: (Mc) Hdc 14 (Cc) Hdc 15. (Mc) Hdc 3. (Cc) Hdc 9. (Mc) Hdc 7. Ch 2, Turn. (48)

Row 24: (Mc) Hdc 7. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 4 times. Then Bobble. (5 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 3. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 9 times. Then Bobble. (10 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 10. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 25: (Mc) Hdc 10. (Cc) Hdc 19. (Mc) Hdc 3. (Cc) Hdc 9. (Mc) Hdc 7. Ch 2, Turn. (60)

Row 26: (Mc) Hdc 7. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 4 times. Then Bobble. (5 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 3. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 11 times. Then Bobble. (12 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 6. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 27: (Mc) Hdc 6. (Cc) Hdc 9. (Mc) Hdc 3. (Cc) Hdc 11. (Mc) Hdc 6. (Cc) Hdc 3. (Mc) Hdc 10. Ch 2, Turn. (60)

Row 28: (Mc) Hdc 10. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 1 time. Then Bobble. (2 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 6. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 5 times. Then Bobble. (6 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 3. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc* 4 times. Then Bobble. (5 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 6. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 29: (Mc) Hdc 6. (Cc) Hdc 9. (Mc) Hdc 3. (Cc) Hdc 11. (Mc) Hdc 19. Ch 2, Turn. (48)

Row 30: (Mc) Hdc 19. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 5 times. Then Bobble. (6 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 3. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc* 4 times. Then Bobble. (5 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 6. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 31: (Mc) Hdc 6. (Cc) Hdc 9. (Mc) Hdc 3. (Cc) Hdc 11. (Mc) Hdc 19. Ch 2, Turn. (48)

Row 32: (Mc) Hdc 19. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 5 times. Then Bobble. (6 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 3. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc* 4 times. Then Bobble. (5 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 6. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 33: (Mc) Hdc 9. (Cc) Hdc 3. (Mc) Hdc 6. (Cc) Hdc 9. (Mc) Hdc 21. Ch 2, Turn. (48)

Row 34: (Mc) Hdc 21. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 4 times. Then Bobble. (5 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 6. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc* 1 time. Then Bobble. (2 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 9. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 35: (Mc) Hdc 18. (Cc) Hdc 9. (Mc) Hdc 21. Ch 2, Turn. (48)

Row 36: (Mc) Hdc 21. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 4 times. Then Bobble. (5 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 18. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 37: (Mc) Hdc 20. (Cc) Hdc 5. (Mc) Hdc 23. Ch 2, Turn. (48)

Row 38: (Mc) Hdc 23. (Cc) *Bobble, Hdc*, 1 time. Then Bobble. (2 Bobbles total) (Mc) Hdc 20. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 39-40: (Mc) Hdc across. Ch 2, Turn. (48)

Finish off.

Back Panel 

Row 1: With Mc, Ch 50. Hdc in the 3rd Ch and in each Ch across. Ch 2, Turn. (48)

Row 2-40: Hdc in the first St and in each across. Ch 2, Turn. (48)

Finish off leaving a very long tail to seam the two panels together. 

Construction

Lay both of your panels on top of one another with right sides facing each other. Using your long yarn tail and your yarn needle, begin to mattress stitch around the 3 sides of your crochet pillow leaving one side open. Turn your pillow cover right side out and insert your pillow form. 

Continue to mattress stitch the last side closed.

Tie off and tuck your end into the pillow cover!

Make sure to pin this pattern for later, and if you do make one tag me @Cactus.and.lace on Instagram and use the hashtag #CactusandlaceDesigns . I can’t wait to see your Prickly Cactus Pillows, and I would love to share your pics! 🌵

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