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A square pillow with a big cream pixel snowflake on red, between two green borders of small cream stars.

Free Christmas pattern

Nordic snowflake tapestry crochet pillow

64 × 74 stitches, 3 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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A big cream snowflake with eight arms fills a red panel between two green borders, each with a row of eight small cream stars, in the style of a classic Nordic sweater. It uses only three yarns, so there are fewer strands to manage than in the other Christmas patterns. The border rows change color 16 times each, but the small star repeats all the way across, so you find the rhythm after the first one. If you like Scandinavian style, this red and cream pillow looks cozy all winter, not only at Christmas.

The chart

The Nordic snowflake pillow chart: 64 stitches by 74 rows in 3 yarns, with row and stitch numbers
  • Red 2628 stitches
  • Cream 1420 stitches
  • Green 688 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): 64 Cream
  2. Row 2 (WS): 64 Cream
  3. Row 3 (RS): 64 Green
  4. Row 4 (WS): 3 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 4 Green
  5. Row 5 (RS): 3 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 2 Green
  6. Row 6 (WS): 1 Green, 5 Cream, 3 Green, 5 Cream, 3 Green, 5 Cream, 3 Green, 5 Cream, 3 Green, 5 Cream, 3 Green, 5 Cream, 3 Green, 5 Cream, 3 Green, 5 Cream, 2 Green
  7. Row 7 (RS): 3 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 2 Green
  8. Row 8 (WS): 3 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 4 Green
  9. Row 9 (RS): 64 Green
  10. Row 10 (WS): 64 Cream
  11. Row 11 (RS): 64 Cream
  12. Row 12 (WS): 64 Red
  13. Row 13 (RS): 64 Red
  14. Row 14 (WS): 31 Red, 2 Cream, 31 Red
  15. Row 15 (RS): 10 Red, 1 Cream, 19 Red, 4 Cream, 19 Red, 1 Cream, 10 Red
  16. Row 16 (WS): 9 Red, 3 Cream, 17 Red, 6 Cream, 17 Red, 3 Cream, 9 Red
  17. Row 17 (RS): 8 Red, 5 Cream, 16 Red, 6 Cream, 16 Red, 5 Cream, 8 Red
  18. Row 18 (WS): 9 Red, 3 Cream, 18 Red, 4 Cream, 18 Red, 3 Cream, 9 Red
  19. Row 19 (RS): 10 Red, 1 Cream, 4 Red, 1 Cream, 11 Red, 2 Cream, 2 Red, 2 Cream, 2 Red, 2 Cream, 11 Red, 1 Cream, 4 Red, 1 Cream, 10 Red
  20. Row 20 (WS): 14 Red, 3 Cream, 10 Red, 3 Cream, 1 Red, 2 Cream, 1 Red, 3 Cream, 10 Red, 3 Cream, 14 Red
  21. Row 21 (RS): 13 Red, 5 Cream, 10 Red, 8 Cream, 10 Red, 5 Cream, 13 Red
  22. Row 22 (WS): 12 Red, 7 Cream, 10 Red, 6 Cream, 10 Red, 7 Cream, 12 Red
  23. Row 23 (RS): 13 Red, 5 Cream, 13 Red, 2 Cream, 13 Red, 5 Cream, 13 Red
  24. Row 24 (WS): 14 Red, 5 Cream, 8 Red, 2 Cream, 2 Red, 2 Cream, 2 Red, 2 Cream, 8 Red, 5 Cream, 14 Red
  25. Row 25 (RS): 15 Red, 1 Cream, 1 Red, 3 Cream, 7 Red, 3 Cream, 1 Red, 2 Cream, 1 Red, 3 Cream, 7 Red, 3 Cream, 1 Red, 1 Cream, 15 Red
  26. Row 26 (WS): 18 Red, 3 Cream, 7 Red, 8 Cream, 7 Red, 3 Cream, 18 Red
  27. Row 27 (RS): 19 Red, 3 Cream, 7 Red, 6 Cream, 7 Red, 3 Cream, 19 Red
  28. Row 28 (WS): 20 Red, 3 Cream, 8 Red, 2 Cream, 8 Red, 3 Cream, 20 Red
  29. Row 29 (RS): 21 Red, 3 Cream, 7 Red, 2 Cream, 7 Red, 3 Cream, 21 Red
  30. Row 30 (WS): 22 Red, 3 Cream, 6 Red, 2 Cream, 6 Red, 3 Cream, 22 Red
  31. Row 31 (RS): 23 Red, 3 Cream, 5 Red, 2 Cream, 5 Red, 3 Cream, 23 Red
  32. Row 32 (WS): 24 Red, 3 Cream, 4 Red, 2 Cream, 4 Red, 3 Cream, 24 Red
  33. Row 33 (RS): 15 Red, 2 Cream, 3 Red, 2 Cream, 3 Red, 3 Cream, 2 Red, 4 Cream, 2 Red, 3 Cream, 3 Red, 2 Cream, 3 Red, 2 Cream, 15 Red
  34. Row 34 (WS): 15 Red, 3 Cream, 2 Red, 3 Cream, 3 Red, 12 Cream, 3 Red, 3 Cream, 2 Red, 3 Cream, 15 Red
  35. Row 35 (RS): 10 Red, 2 Cream, 4 Red, 3 Cream, 2 Red, 3 Cream, 3 Red, 4 Cream, 2 Red, 4 Cream, 3 Red, 3 Cream, 2 Red, 3 Cream, 4 Red, 2 Cream, 10 Red
  36. Row 36 (WS): 9 Red, 4 Cream, 4 Red, 2 Cream, 3 Red, 2 Cream, 3 Red, 3 Cream, 4 Red, 3 Cream, 3 Red, 2 Cream, 3 Red, 2 Cream, 4 Red, 4 Cream, 9 Red
  37. Row 37 (RS): 8 Red, 21 Cream, 2 Red, 2 Cream, 2 Red, 21 Cream, 8 Red
  38. Row 38 (WS): 8 Red, 21 Cream, 2 Red, 2 Cream, 2 Red, 21 Cream, 8 Red
  39. Row 39 (RS): 9 Red, 4 Cream, 4 Red, 2 Cream, 3 Red, 2 Cream, 3 Red, 3 Cream, 4 Red, 3 Cream, 3 Red, 2 Cream, 3 Red, 2 Cream, 4 Red, 4 Cream, 9 Red
  40. Row 40 (WS): 10 Red, 2 Cream, 4 Red, 3 Cream, 2 Red, 3 Cream, 3 Red, 4 Cream, 2 Red, 4 Cream, 3 Red, 3 Cream, 2 Red, 3 Cream, 4 Red, 2 Cream, 10 Red
  41. Row 41 (RS): 15 Red, 3 Cream, 2 Red, 3 Cream, 3 Red, 12 Cream, 3 Red, 3 Cream, 2 Red, 3 Cream, 15 Red
  42. Row 42 (WS): 15 Red, 2 Cream, 3 Red, 2 Cream, 3 Red, 3 Cream, 2 Red, 4 Cream, 2 Red, 3 Cream, 3 Red, 2 Cream, 3 Red, 2 Cream, 15 Red
  43. Row 43 (RS): 24 Red, 3 Cream, 4 Red, 2 Cream, 4 Red, 3 Cream, 24 Red
  44. Row 44 (WS): 23 Red, 3 Cream, 5 Red, 2 Cream, 5 Red, 3 Cream, 23 Red
  45. Row 45 (RS): 22 Red, 3 Cream, 6 Red, 2 Cream, 6 Red, 3 Cream, 22 Red
  46. Row 46 (WS): 21 Red, 3 Cream, 7 Red, 2 Cream, 7 Red, 3 Cream, 21 Red
  47. Row 47 (RS): 20 Red, 3 Cream, 8 Red, 2 Cream, 8 Red, 3 Cream, 20 Red
  48. Row 48 (WS): 19 Red, 3 Cream, 7 Red, 6 Cream, 7 Red, 3 Cream, 19 Red
  49. Row 49 (RS): 18 Red, 3 Cream, 7 Red, 8 Cream, 7 Red, 3 Cream, 18 Red
  50. Row 50 (WS): 15 Red, 1 Cream, 1 Red, 3 Cream, 7 Red, 3 Cream, 1 Red, 2 Cream, 1 Red, 3 Cream, 7 Red, 3 Cream, 1 Red, 1 Cream, 15 Red
  51. Row 51 (RS): 14 Red, 5 Cream, 8 Red, 2 Cream, 2 Red, 2 Cream, 2 Red, 2 Cream, 8 Red, 5 Cream, 14 Red
  52. Row 52 (WS): 13 Red, 5 Cream, 13 Red, 2 Cream, 13 Red, 5 Cream, 13 Red
  53. Row 53 (RS): 12 Red, 7 Cream, 10 Red, 6 Cream, 10 Red, 7 Cream, 12 Red
  54. Row 54 (WS): 13 Red, 5 Cream, 10 Red, 8 Cream, 10 Red, 5 Cream, 13 Red
  55. Row 55 (RS): 14 Red, 3 Cream, 10 Red, 3 Cream, 1 Red, 2 Cream, 1 Red, 3 Cream, 10 Red, 3 Cream, 14 Red
  56. Row 56 (WS): 10 Red, 1 Cream, 4 Red, 1 Cream, 11 Red, 2 Cream, 2 Red, 2 Cream, 2 Red, 2 Cream, 11 Red, 1 Cream, 4 Red, 1 Cream, 10 Red
  57. Row 57 (RS): 9 Red, 3 Cream, 18 Red, 4 Cream, 18 Red, 3 Cream, 9 Red
  58. Row 58 (WS): 8 Red, 5 Cream, 16 Red, 6 Cream, 16 Red, 5 Cream, 8 Red
  59. Row 59 (RS): 9 Red, 3 Cream, 17 Red, 6 Cream, 17 Red, 3 Cream, 9 Red
  60. Row 60 (WS): 10 Red, 1 Cream, 19 Red, 4 Cream, 19 Red, 1 Cream, 10 Red
  61. Row 61 (RS): 31 Red, 2 Cream, 31 Red
  62. Row 62 (WS): 64 Red
  63. Row 63 (RS): 64 Red
  64. Row 64 (WS): 64 Cream
  65. Row 65 (RS): 64 Cream
  66. Row 66 (WS): 64 Green
  67. Row 67 (RS): 4 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 3 Green
  68. Row 68 (WS): 2 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 3 Green
  69. Row 69 (RS): 2 Green, 5 Cream, 3 Green, 5 Cream, 3 Green, 5 Cream, 3 Green, 5 Cream, 3 Green, 5 Cream, 3 Green, 5 Cream, 3 Green, 5 Cream, 3 Green, 5 Cream, 1 Green
  70. Row 70 (WS): 2 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green, 3 Cream, 3 Green
  71. Row 71 (RS): 4 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 3 Green
  72. Row 72 (WS): 64 Green
  73. Row 73 (RS): 64 Cream
  74. Row 74 (WS): 64 Cream

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