
Free Christmas pattern
Gingerbread tapestry crochet pillow
64 × 74 stitches, 6 yarns, single crochet. Fits a 16 in (40 cm) pillow insert when your gauge is 4 stitches per inch.
About 7 pages to print
Save to PinterestA smiling gingerbread cookie stands on a sky blue background, with a red bow tie, three red buttons, rosy cheeks and a line of cream icing all the way around it. Zigzags of icing cross its wrists and ankles, and dark brown shading down one side gives the cookie some depth. The icing outline is only a stitch or two wide, so on most rows you change to cream briefly at each edge of the cookie, and the zigzag rows are among the busiest in this Christmas set, with up to 21 color changes. Take those rows slowly, and the rest goes quickly in wide blocks of brown and blue.
The chart
- Sky Blue 2645 stitches
- Brown 1556 stitches
- Cream 334 stitches
- Dark brown 115 stitches
- Red 64 stitches
- Graphite 22 stitches
Other sizes
| Your gauge | Front 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
- Row 1 (RS): 64 Sky Blue
- Row 2 (WS): 64 Sky Blue
- Row 3 (RS): 17 Sky Blue, 7 Cream, 16 Sky Blue, 7 Cream, 17 Sky Blue
- Row 4 (WS): 16 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 7 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 14 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 7 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 16 Sky Blue
- Row 5 (RS): 15 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 3 Dark brown, 6 Brown, 1 Cream, 12 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 3 Dark brown, 6 Brown, 1 Cream, 15 Sky Blue
- Row 6 (WS): 15 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 7 Brown, 2 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 12 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 7 Brown, 2 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 15 Sky Blue
- Row 7 (RS): 14 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 2 Dark brown, 9 Brown, 1 Cream, 10 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 2 Dark brown, 9 Brown, 1 Cream, 14 Sky Blue
- Row 8 (WS): 14 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 9 Brown, 2 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 10 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 9 Brown, 2 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 14 Sky Blue
- Row 9 (RS): 14 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 1 Dark brown, 10 Brown, 1 Cream, 10 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 1 Dark brown, 10 Brown, 1 Cream, 14 Sky Blue
- Row 10 (WS): 14 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 2 Brown, 1 Cream, 3 Brown, 1 Cream, 3 Brown, 1 Cream, 1 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 8 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 4 Brown, 1 Cream, 3 Brown, 1 Cream, 2 Brown, 1 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 14 Sky Blue
- Row 11 (RS): 14 Sky Blue, 2 Cream, 1 Brown, 3 Cream, 1 Brown, 3 Cream, 3 Brown, 1 Cream, 8 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 1 Dark brown, 2 Cream, 1 Brown, 3 Cream, 1 Brown, 3 Cream, 1 Brown, 1 Cream, 14 Sky Blue
- Row 12 (WS): 14 Sky Blue, 3 Cream, 1 Brown, 3 Cream, 1 Brown, 3 Cream, 1 Brown, 1 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 7 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 3 Brown, 2 Cream, 1 Brown, 3 Cream, 1 Brown, 4 Cream, 14 Sky Blue
- Row 13 (RS): 15 Sky Blue, 2 Cream, 3 Brown, 1 Cream, 3 Brown, 1 Cream, 3 Brown, 1 Cream, 6 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 2 Dark brown, 2 Brown, 1 Cream, 3 Brown, 1 Cream, 3 Brown, 1 Cream, 15 Sky Blue
- Row 14 (WS): 15 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 10 Brown, 2 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 6 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 12 Brown, 1 Cream, 15 Sky Blue
- Row 15 (RS): 16 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 12 Brown, 6 Cream, 2 Dark brown, 11 Brown, 1 Cream, 15 Sky Blue
- Row 16 (WS): 16 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 10 Brown, 6 Dark brown, 14 Brown, 1 Cream, 16 Sky Blue
- Row 17 (RS): 16 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 30 Brown, 1 Cream, 16 Sky Blue
- Row 18 (WS): 17 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 28 Brown, 1 Cream, 17 Sky Blue
- Row 19 (RS): 17 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 28 Brown, 1 Cream, 17 Sky Blue
- Row 20 (WS): 17 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 13 Brown, 2 Red, 13 Brown, 1 Cream, 17 Sky Blue
- Row 21 (RS): 18 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 11 Brown, 4 Red, 11 Brown, 1 Cream, 18 Sky Blue
- Row 22 (WS): 18 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 11 Brown, 4 Red, 11 Brown, 1 Cream, 18 Sky Blue
- Row 23 (RS): 18 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 12 Brown, 2 Red, 12 Brown, 1 Cream, 18 Sky Blue
- Row 24 (WS): 19 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 24 Brown, 1 Cream, 19 Sky Blue
- Row 25 (RS): 19 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 24 Brown, 1 Cream, 19 Sky Blue
- Row 26 (WS): 7 Sky Blue, 3 Cream, 9 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 23 Brown, 1 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 9 Sky Blue, 3 Cream, 7 Sky Blue
- Row 27 (RS): 5 Sky Blue, 2 Cream, 3 Dark brown, 2 Cream, 7 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 1 Dark brown, 10 Brown, 2 Red, 11 Brown, 1 Cream, 7 Sky Blue, 2 Cream, 3 Dark brown, 2 Cream, 5 Sky Blue
- Row 28 (WS): 4 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 3 Brown, 4 Dark brown, 3 Cream, 4 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 10 Brown, 4 Red, 9 Brown, 1 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 4 Sky Blue, 3 Cream, 3 Brown, 4 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 4 Sky Blue
- Row 29 (RS): 4 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 2 Dark brown, 4 Brown, 2 Cream, 2 Brown, 2 Cream, 2 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 1 Dark brown, 9 Brown, 4 Red, 10 Brown, 1 Cream, 2 Sky Blue, 2 Cream, 2 Dark brown, 2 Cream, 1 Dark brown, 5 Brown, 1 Cream, 4 Sky Blue
- Row 30 (WS): 3 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 6 Brown, 3 Cream, 4 Dark brown, 2 Cream, 12 Brown, 2 Red, 10 Brown, 2 Dark brown, 2 Cream, 5 Brown, 2 Cream, 4 Brown, 2 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 3 Sky Blue
- Row 31 (RS): 3 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 2 Dark brown, 5 Brown, 2 Cream, 6 Brown, 2 Dark brown, 26 Brown, 2 Dark brown, 2 Brown, 2 Cream, 7 Brown, 1 Cream, 3 Sky Blue
- Row 32 (WS): 3 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 8 Brown, 2 Cream, 36 Brown, 2 Cream, 7 Brown, 1 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 3 Sky Blue
- Row 33 (RS): 3 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 1 Dark brown, 6 Brown, 2 Cream, 38 Brown, 2 Cream, 7 Brown, 1 Cream, 3 Sky Blue
- Row 34 (WS): 3 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 6 Brown, 2 Cream, 19 Brown, 2 Red, 19 Brown, 2 Cream, 5 Brown, 1 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 3 Sky Blue
- Row 35 (RS): 3 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 1 Dark brown, 6 Brown, 2 Cream, 17 Brown, 4 Red, 17 Brown, 2 Cream, 7 Brown, 1 Cream, 3 Sky Blue
- Row 36 (WS): 4 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 7 Brown, 2 Cream, 16 Brown, 4 Red, 16 Brown, 2 Cream, 7 Brown, 1 Cream, 4 Sky Blue
- Row 37 (RS): 4 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 6 Brown, 2 Cream, 18 Brown, 2 Red, 18 Brown, 2 Cream, 6 Brown, 1 Cream, 4 Sky Blue
- Row 38 (WS): 5 Sky Blue, 2 Cream, 3 Brown, 2 Cream, 40 Brown, 2 Cream, 3 Brown, 2 Cream, 5 Sky Blue
- Row 39 (RS): 7 Sky Blue, 3 Cream, 44 Brown, 3 Cream, 7 Sky Blue
- Row 40 (WS): 10 Sky Blue, 2 Cream, 40 Brown, 2 Cream, 10 Sky Blue
- Row 41 (RS): 12 Sky Blue, 3 Cream, 34 Brown, 3 Cream, 12 Sky Blue
- Row 42 (WS): 15 Sky Blue, 3 Cream, 10 Brown, 3 Red, 2 Brown, 3 Red, 10 Brown, 3 Cream, 15 Sky Blue
- Row 43 (RS): 18 Sky Blue, 2 Cream, 8 Brown, 8 Red, 8 Brown, 2 Cream, 18 Sky Blue
- Row 44 (WS): 20 Sky Blue, 2 Cream, 6 Brown, 3 Red, 2 Brown, 3 Red, 6 Brown, 2 Cream, 20 Sky Blue
- Row 45 (RS): 22 Sky Blue, 2 Cream, 16 Brown, 2 Cream, 22 Sky Blue
- Row 46 (WS): 24 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 14 Brown, 1 Cream, 24 Sky Blue
- Row 47 (RS): 24 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 14 Brown, 1 Cream, 24 Sky Blue
- Row 48 (WS): 23 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 14 Brown, 2 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 23 Sky Blue
- Row 49 (RS): 22 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 3 Dark brown, 15 Brown, 1 Cream, 22 Sky Blue
- Row 50 (WS): 21 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 17 Brown, 2 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 22 Sky Blue
- Row 51 (RS): 21 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 2 Dark brown, 18 Brown, 1 Cream, 21 Sky Blue
- Row 52 (WS): 21 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 18 Brown, 2 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 21 Sky Blue
- Row 53 (RS): 20 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 2 Dark brown, 7 Brown, 4 Cream, 9 Brown, 1 Cream, 20 Sky Blue
- Row 54 (WS): 20 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 8 Brown, 1 Cream, 4 Brown, 1 Cream, 6 Brown, 2 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 20 Sky Blue
- Row 55 (RS): 20 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 1 Dark brown, 2 Red, 4 Brown, 1 Cream, 6 Brown, 1 Cream, 4 Brown, 2 Red, 1 Brown, 1 Cream, 20 Sky Blue
- Row 56 (WS): 20 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 1 Brown, 2 Red, 16 Brown, 2 Red, 1 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 20 Sky Blue
- Row 57 (RS): 20 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 1 Dark brown, 22 Brown, 1 Cream, 19 Sky Blue
- Row 58 (WS): 19 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 6 Brown, 2 Graphite, 8 Brown, 2 Graphite, 4 Brown, 1 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 20 Sky Blue
- Row 59 (RS): 20 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 1 Dark brown, 3 Brown, 4 Graphite, 6 Brown, 4 Graphite, 4 Brown, 1 Cream, 20 Sky Blue
- Row 60 (WS): 20 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 4 Brown, 1 Graphite, 1 Cream, 2 Graphite, 6 Brown, 1 Graphite, 1 Cream, 2 Graphite, 3 Brown, 1 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 20 Sky Blue
- Row 61 (RS): 20 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 1 Dark brown, 4 Brown, 2 Graphite, 8 Brown, 2 Graphite, 5 Brown, 1 Cream, 20 Sky Blue
- Row 62 (WS): 20 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 21 Brown, 1 Dark brown, 1 Cream, 20 Sky Blue
- Row 63 (RS): 20 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 1 Dark brown, 21 Brown, 1 Cream, 20 Sky Blue
- Row 64 (WS): 21 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 20 Brown, 1 Cream, 21 Sky Blue
- Row 65 (RS): 21 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 20 Brown, 1 Cream, 21 Sky Blue
- Row 66 (WS): 22 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 18 Brown, 1 Cream, 22 Sky Blue
- Row 67 (RS): 22 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 18 Brown, 1 Cream, 22 Sky Blue
- Row 68 (WS): 23 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 16 Brown, 1 Cream, 23 Sky Blue
- Row 69 (RS): 24 Sky Blue, 1 Cream, 14 Brown, 1 Cream, 24 Sky Blue
- Row 70 (WS): 25 Sky Blue, 2 Cream, 10 Brown, 2 Cream, 25 Sky Blue
- Row 71 (RS): 27 Sky Blue, 3 Cream, 4 Brown, 3 Cream, 27 Sky Blue
- Row 72 (WS): 30 Sky Blue, 4 Cream, 30 Sky Blue
- Row 73 (RS): 64 Sky Blue
- Row 74 (WS): 64 Sky Blue
You are welcome to sell pillows you make from this pattern. Please share a link to the pattern's web page instead of the pattern itself.

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