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A square pillow with a pixel black cat, wide yellow eyes and cream whiskers, on an orange background.

Free Halloween pattern

Black cat tapestry crochet pillow

64 × 74 stitches, 5 yarns, single crochet. Fits a 16 in (40 cm) pillow insert when your gauge is 4 stitches per inch.

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About 7 pages to print

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The cat's head and shoulders fill this Halloween pillow cover, with big yellow eyes looking straight at you and cream whiskers reaching out to the edges. Most of the design uses two yarns in wide blocks: orange for the background and dark graphite for the cat. Gray forms the inner ears, nose and smile, plus a thin highlight along one side of the head that helps the cat stand out against the orange. Take care on the whisker rows, where cream, orange and graphite trade places in short runs.

The chart

The black cat pillow chart: 64 stitches by 74 rows in 5 yarns, with row and stitch numbers
  • Orange 2324 stitches
  • Graphite 1982 stitches
  • Gray 214 stitches
  • Yellow 152 stitches
  • Cream 64 stitches

Other sizes

Your gaugeFront panel size
14 stitches in 4 in (10 cm)18.3 × 18.4 in (46.4 × 46.7 cm)
16 stitches in 4 in (10 cm) (this pattern)16 × 16.1 in (40.6 × 40.9 cm)
18 stitches in 4 in (10 cm)14.2 × 14.3 in (36.1 × 36.3 cm)
20 stitches in 4 in (10 cm)12.8 × 12.9 in (32.5 × 32.7 cm)

Working at a different gauge? Enter it in the size calculator with 64 stitches and 74 rows.

How to make it

Yarn and hook

Start with worsted weight yarn (medium, 4) and a 4 mm (US G-6) or 4.5 mm (US 7) hook. A hook one or two sizes smaller than the yarn label suggests makes a denser fabric that hides the carried strands. Swatch in two colors and measure: if you get more than 4 stitches per inch, go up a hook size; if you get fewer, go down.

Reading the chart

Each box in the chart is one single crochet stitch. The boxes are drawn a little wider than they are tall, so the chart matches the pillow's proportions. For a 16-inch (40 cm) square, aim for 16 stitches and about 18.5 rows in 4 inches (10 cm).

  • Row 1 is at the bottom.
  • Read odd rows (right side) from right to left and even rows (wrong side) from left to right.
  • Row numbers sit on the side where that row starts; stitch numbers count from the right.
  • Left-handed? Read every row the other way, on the chart and in the rows written out, and the picture still comes out as charted.

New to charts? How to read a tapestry crochet chart shows which way each row goes on a small sailboat.

Chain 65 in the first color for row 1. Starting in the second chain from the hook, work row 1 for a total of 64 stitches. Chain 1 and turn between rows. In the rows written out, each row's colors are listed in the order you work them.

Carrying the colors

Lay the unused colors along the top of the row below and crochet over them, so they ride inside the stitches. Change color on the final pull-through of the stitch before the new color begins: with two loops on the hook, pull the new color through both. Keep the carried strands relaxed so the fabric does not pucker. When you will not use a color for several rows, cut it, leave a tail, and join it again where it next appears.

The back

Crochet a second panel of 64 stitches by 74 rows in one color, and check it against the front: plain single crochet can come out a different size, so change the hook or the number of rows until the two match. Or sew on a fabric back cut to the front's size plus seam allowance; for an envelope back, use two hemmed pieces that overlap.

Assembling the pillow

Weave in the tails, then gently block the front to 16 inches (40 cm) square, following the care instructions on the yarn label. Put the panels wrong sides together and join three sides with single crochet or whip stitch through both edges. Push in a 16-inch (40 cm) pillow insert (a cushion pad in the UK) and close the fourth side the same way.

The rows written out

Show all 74 rows
  1. Row 1 (RS): 9 Orange, 44 Graphite, 1 Gray, 10 Orange
  2. Row 2 (WS): 10 Orange, 2 Gray, 43 Graphite, 9 Orange
  3. Row 3 (RS): 9 Orange, 43 Graphite, 2 Gray, 10 Orange
  4. Row 4 (WS): 10 Orange, 2 Gray, 43 Graphite, 9 Orange
  5. Row 5 (RS): 9 Orange, 43 Graphite, 1 Gray, 11 Orange
  6. Row 6 (WS): 11 Orange, 1 Gray, 42 Graphite, 10 Orange
  7. Row 7 (RS): 10 Orange, 41 Graphite, 2 Gray, 11 Orange
  8. Row 8 (WS): 12 Orange, 1 Gray, 41 Graphite, 10 Orange
  9. Row 9 (RS): 11 Orange, 40 Graphite, 1 Gray, 12 Orange
  10. Row 10 (WS): 12 Orange, 2 Gray, 39 Graphite, 11 Orange
  11. Row 11 (RS): 11 Orange, 39 Graphite, 1 Gray, 13 Orange
  12. Row 12 (WS): 13 Orange, 2 Gray, 37 Graphite, 12 Orange
  13. Row 13 (RS): 13 Orange, 36 Graphite, 1 Gray, 14 Orange
  14. Row 14 (WS): 15 Orange, 1 Gray, 35 Graphite, 13 Orange
  15. Row 15 (RS): 14 Orange, 33 Graphite, 2 Gray, 15 Orange
  16. Row 16 (WS): 16 Orange, 1 Gray, 32 Graphite, 15 Orange
  17. Row 17 (RS): 16 Orange, 30 Graphite, 1 Gray, 17 Orange
  18. Row 18 (WS): 18 Orange, 1 Gray, 29 Graphite, 16 Orange
  19. Row 19 (RS): 18 Orange, 26 Graphite, 1 Gray, 19 Orange
  20. Row 20 (WS): 20 Orange, 2 Gray, 23 Graphite, 19 Orange
  21. Row 21 (RS): 20 Orange, 21 Graphite, 1 Gray, 22 Orange
  22. Row 22 (WS): 24 Orange, 1 Gray, 17 Graphite, 22 Orange
  23. Row 23 (RS): 23 Orange, 15 Graphite, 2 Gray, 24 Orange
  24. Row 24 (WS): 22 Orange, 1 Gray, 20 Graphite, 21 Orange
  25. Row 25 (RS): 19 Orange, 24 Graphite, 1 Gray, 20 Orange
  26. Row 26 (WS): 1 Orange, 4 Cream, 14 Orange, 1 Gray, 27 Graphite, 12 Orange, 4 Cream, 1 Orange
  27. Row 27 (RS): 5 Orange, 6 Cream, 5 Orange, 13 Graphite, 2 Gray, 1 Graphite, 2 Gray, 11 Graphite, 2 Gray, 6 Orange, 6 Cream, 5 Orange
  28. Row 28 (WS): 11 Orange, 4 Cream, 1 Orange, 2 Gray, 11 Graphite, 1 Gray, 2 Graphite, 1 Gray, 2 Graphite, 1 Gray, 13 Graphite, 4 Cream, 11 Orange
  29. Row 29 (RS): 14 Orange, 33 Graphite, 1 Gray, 16 Orange
  30. Row 30 (WS): 15 Orange, 1 Gray, 15 Graphite, 2 Gray, 18 Graphite, 13 Orange
  31. Row 31 (RS): 11 Orange, 4 Cream, 16 Graphite, 2 Gray, 16 Graphite, 4 Cream, 11 Orange
  32. Row 32 (WS): 5 Orange, 6 Cream, 2 Orange, 2 Gray, 15 Graphite, 4 Gray, 18 Graphite, 1 Orange, 6 Cream, 5 Orange
  33. Row 33 (RS): 1 Orange, 4 Cream, 7 Orange, 38 Graphite, 1 Gray, 8 Orange, 4 Cream, 1 Orange
  34. Row 34 (WS): 12 Orange, 2 Gray, 39 Graphite, 11 Orange
  35. Row 35 (RS): 11 Orange, 10 Graphite, 5 Yellow, 12 Graphite, 5 Yellow, 8 Graphite, 1 Gray, 12 Orange
  36. Row 36 (WS): 12 Orange, 1 Gray, 7 Graphite, 3 Yellow, 1 Graphite, 3 Yellow, 10 Graphite, 3 Yellow, 1 Graphite, 3 Yellow, 10 Graphite, 10 Orange
  37. Row 37 (RS): 10 Orange, 9 Graphite, 3 Yellow, 3 Graphite, 3 Yellow, 8 Graphite, 3 Yellow, 3 Graphite, 3 Yellow, 6 Graphite, 2 Gray, 11 Orange
  38. Row 38 (WS): 11 Orange, 2 Gray, 6 Graphite, 3 Yellow, 3 Graphite, 3 Yellow, 8 Graphite, 3 Yellow, 3 Graphite, 3 Yellow, 9 Graphite, 10 Orange
  39. Row 39 (RS): 10 Orange, 8 Graphite, 4 Yellow, 3 Graphite, 4 Yellow, 6 Graphite, 4 Yellow, 3 Graphite, 4 Yellow, 6 Graphite, 1 Gray, 11 Orange
  40. Row 40 (WS): 11 Orange, 1 Gray, 6 Graphite, 4 Yellow, 3 Graphite, 4 Yellow, 6 Graphite, 4 Yellow, 3 Graphite, 4 Yellow, 8 Graphite, 10 Orange
  41. Row 41 (RS): 10 Orange, 8 Graphite, 4 Yellow, 3 Graphite, 4 Yellow, 6 Graphite, 4 Yellow, 3 Graphite, 4 Yellow, 6 Graphite, 1 Gray, 11 Orange
  42. Row 42 (WS): 11 Orange, 1 Gray, 6 Graphite, 4 Yellow, 3 Graphite, 4 Yellow, 6 Graphite, 4 Yellow, 3 Graphite, 4 Yellow, 8 Graphite, 10 Orange
  43. Row 43 (RS): 10 Orange, 9 Graphite, 3 Yellow, 2 Graphite, 2 Cream, 2 Yellow, 8 Graphite, 3 Yellow, 2 Graphite, 2 Cream, 2 Yellow, 7 Graphite, 1 Gray, 11 Orange
  44. Row 44 (WS): 11 Orange, 2 Gray, 6 Graphite, 2 Yellow, 2 Cream, 2 Graphite, 3 Yellow, 8 Graphite, 2 Yellow, 2 Cream, 2 Graphite, 3 Yellow, 9 Graphite, 10 Orange
  45. Row 45 (RS): 10 Orange, 10 Graphite, 3 Yellow, 1 Graphite, 3 Yellow, 10 Graphite, 3 Yellow, 1 Graphite, 3 Yellow, 7 Graphite, 2 Gray, 11 Orange
  46. Row 46 (WS): 12 Orange, 1 Gray, 8 Graphite, 5 Yellow, 12 Graphite, 5 Yellow, 11 Graphite, 10 Orange
  47. Row 47 (RS): 11 Orange, 40 Graphite, 1 Gray, 12 Orange
  48. Row 48 (WS): 12 Orange, 2 Gray, 39 Graphite, 11 Orange
  49. Row 49 (RS): 11 Orange, 39 Graphite, 1 Gray, 13 Orange
  50. Row 50 (WS): 13 Orange, 2 Gray, 2 Graphite, 1 Gray, 28 Graphite, 1 Gray, 5 Graphite, 12 Orange
  51. Row 51 (RS): 12 Orange, 5 Graphite, 2 Gray, 26 Graphite, 2 Gray, 2 Graphite, 2 Gray, 13 Orange
  52. Row 52 (WS): 13 Orange, 2 Gray, 2 Graphite, 3 Gray, 24 Graphite, 3 Gray, 5 Graphite, 12 Orange
  53. Row 53 (RS): 12 Orange, 5 Graphite, 5 Gray, 20 Graphite, 5 Gray, 2 Graphite, 2 Gray, 13 Orange
  54. Row 54 (WS): 14 Orange, 1 Gray, 2 Graphite, 6 Gray, 18 Graphite, 6 Gray, 5 Graphite, 12 Orange
  55. Row 55 (RS): 12 Orange, 5 Graphite, 7 Gray, 16 Graphite, 7 Gray, 2 Graphite, 1 Gray, 14 Orange
  56. Row 56 (WS): 14 Orange, 1 Gray, 1 Graphite, 7 Gray, 18 Graphite, 7 Gray, 4 Graphite, 12 Orange
  57. Row 57 (RS): 13 Orange, 3 Graphite, 6 Gray, 20 Graphite, 6 Gray, 1 Graphite, 1 Gray, 14 Orange
  58. Row 58 (WS): 14 Orange, 1 Gray, 1 Graphite, 4 Gray, 24 Graphite, 4 Gray, 3 Graphite, 13 Orange
  59. Row 59 (RS): 13 Orange, 3 Graphite, 3 Gray, 26 Graphite, 5 Gray, 14 Orange
  60. Row 60 (WS): 14 Orange, 4 Gray, 9 Graphite, 1 Gray, 18 Graphite, 2 Gray, 3 Graphite, 13 Orange
  61. Row 61 (RS): 13 Orange, 3 Graphite, 1 Gray, 7 Graphite, 1 Gray, 13 Orange, 9 Graphite, 3 Gray, 14 Orange
  62. Row 62 (WS): 14 Orange, 2 Gray, 9 Graphite, 15 Orange, 1 Gray, 10 Graphite, 13 Orange
  63. Row 63 (RS): 13 Orange, 9 Graphite, 1 Gray, 17 Orange, 8 Graphite, 1 Gray, 15 Orange
  64. Row 64 (WS): 15 Orange, 1 Gray, 7 Graphite, 19 Orange, 2 Gray, 7 Graphite, 13 Orange
  65. Row 65 (RS): 13 Orange, 6 Graphite, 2 Gray, 21 Orange, 6 Graphite, 1 Gray, 15 Orange
  66. Row 66 (WS): 15 Orange, 1 Gray, 5 Graphite, 23 Orange, 2 Gray, 4 Graphite, 14 Orange
  67. Row 67 (RS): 14 Orange, 3 Graphite, 2 Gray, 25 Orange, 3 Graphite, 2 Gray, 15 Orange
  68. Row 68 (WS): 64 Orange
  69. Row 69 (RS): 64 Orange
  70. Row 70 (WS): 64 Orange
  71. Row 71 (RS): 64 Orange
  72. Row 72 (WS): 64 Orange
  73. Row 73 (RS): 64 Orange
  74. Row 74 (WS): 64 Orange

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