I have a fun new crochet pattern for you this month! Every spring I get the urge to redecorate… The only problem is that I don’t exactly have the budget to redecorate. Good thing I know how to crochet! To satisfy my desire to update our living room, I designed a new pillow cover pattern. Inspired by the geometric mosaic tiles of Morocco, the Casablanca throw pillow adds a hint of desert elegance to your space. This mosaic crochet throw pillow pattern creates a stylish accent pillow that looks amazing with most contemporary decor styles.

Before diving into the pattern, you will need to understand the mosaic crochet technique for working with two colours for this project. If you’re new to Mosaic Crochet, don’t worry because I’ve recorded a Video Tutorial on how to read and follow a Mosaic Crochet chart on the Leelee Knits YouTube Channel. I’ve also embedded the video below below on this page with the pattern.

The yarn that I chose for my pillow cover is Knit Picks Simply Alpaca Aran yarn in the colours Aldous and Alaina. I love that Simply Alpaca is made entirely of natural 100% Alpaca, and that no bleaches or dyes were used to process it. Its also super soft and has a bit of a brushed, fuzzy texture which make my pillow cover extra cozy.

Scroll down to see the free pattern for the Casablanca Throw Pillow. The ad-free instant download PDF file can be purchased for easy printing and reading through Ravelry or by clicking the button below.


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Casablanca Mosaic Crochet Throw Pillow Pattern:

Supplies/Materials:

To make one pillow (two panels), you will need the following supplies:

  • Size 7 (4.5 mm) crochet hook.
  • We Crochet/Knit Picks Simply Alpaca Aran Yarn in the following colours:
    • 2 Skeins (492 yards) Alaina – Colour A
    • 2 Skeins (492 yards) Aldous – Colour B
  • Scissors.
  • 20” X 20” Pillow Form.
  • Measuring tape.

Gauge:

15.5 stitches and 16 rows = 4”.

Finished Size:

Each square panel measures 19.5” X 19.5” unstretched, for a 20” X 20” throw pillow. 

Special Stitches & Abbreviations:

CH: Chain.

ST: Stitch.

SC: Single Crochet.

MDC: Mosaic Double Crochet: A double crochet stitch worked into the single crochet that was skipped three rows below.  The MDC stitch is always worked in front of your work.

HHDC: Herringbone Half Double Crochet: Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and draw through the stitch AND first loop on hook, yarn over, draw through remaining loops on hook.

A: Colour A.

B: Colour B.

Pattern Notes:

This pillow cover is created using the mosaic crochet technique for colour work. Some important notes to remember when following a mosaic crochet chart are:

  • The chart is read from the bottom up.
  • The odd numbered rows represent the right-side of your work, and the even numbered rows represent the back-side.
  • Right side rows are to be read right to left.
  • Back side rows are to be read left to right.
  • The colour of yarn that you are working with is changed every two rows.  To create a seamless colour transition, change colours on the last stitch of the previous row.
  • The colour of each row is indicated by the first and last squares of the row.
  • CH1 at the beginning of every row.
  • When working a right-side row (i.e., odd numbered row):
    • The squares that are the same colour as the working yarn and have an “X” represent a mosaic double crochet stitch (MDC).
    • The squares that are the same colour as the working yarn and do not have an “X” represent a single crochet stitch (SC).
    • The squares that are of the opposite colour as the working yarn represent Chain 1 (CH1), skip the next stitch.
  • When working a back-side row (i.e., even numbered row):
    • The squares that are the same colour as the working yarn represent a single crochet stitch (SC), regardless of whether or not they have an “X”.
    • The squares that are of the opposite colour as the working yarn represent Chain 1 (CH1), skip the next stitch.
  • The mosaic double crochet (MDC) stitch is worked into the single crochet (SC) that was skipped three rows beneath it. 
  • The segment inside the red lines is to be repeated. The squares outside of the red lines are only completed once per row.

Video Tutorial:

If you are new to mosaic crochet, please watch this video before starting. 

Mosaic Crochet Tutorial Video

Pattern:

With Colour A, chain 75 stitches (multiple of 12 plus 3).  From this point on, Colour A and Colour B will be referred to as A and B.

Row 1: With A, SC in second ch from hook and in each remaining ch; turn.

Row 2: With A, CH1. SC in each st across. Join B, turn.

Row 3: With B, CH1. SC in first st. *SC in next st; CH1, skip next st; SC in next 3 sts; CH1, skip next st.  Repeat from * to last st. SC in last st. Turn.

Row 4: With B, CH1. SC in first st. *CH1, skip next ch; SC in next 3 sts; CH1, skip next ch; SC in next st. Repeat from * to last st. SC in last st. Join A, turn.

For the remaining rows, follow the chart below beginning at Row 5 (repeat rows 5-28 a total of 3 times).

Finishing Instructions:

SC around the border of the panel in Colour B:  SC in each stitch along top and bottom, and in each row along the sides.  Work 3SC in each corner stitch so that the corners do not pull inwards.  Fasten off and weave in ends (if this is the second panel, then do not fasten off).  

Once you have two panels, line them up with the right sides facing outwards and seam the sides together with slip stitches.   After seaming 3 of the sides, insert pillow form and continue to seam up the last side. Fasten off, pulling the tail into the inside with your crochet hook and enjoy your new accent pillow!

I hope you enjoyed this pattern.

The Ad-Free PDF file (which will be emailed to you automatically) can be purchased for $5 USD through Ravelry, or by clicking the button below.