A granny square cushion pattern is a crochet project that transforms individual granny square motifs into a decorative cushion cover. Typically, you will join 4 to 9 squares to create the front panel, work a plain panel for the back, and seam them together around a cushion insert. Tip: always measure your cushion insert before starting and make your cover 1 inch smaller on each side for a snug, professional fit.
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Tip: Use a zipper closure instead of seaming the entire cushion shut: this makes the cover removable and washable, extending the life of your handmade creation.
A tapestry needle for the seaming is worth having ready, especially if you are piecing together a lot of small squares.
10 Free Granny Square Cushion Cover Patterns
1. Interlocking Crochet Granny Square Cushion Cover
Veronika Cromwell’s interlocking cushion cover is part of her Winter Wishes collection and is made from one large square that folds into a cover, and she says it looks intricate and impressive but is surprisingly straightforward. A 25 round square folds and seams into a cover for a 16 inch insert (16 by 16 inches), worked in Brava Worsted (category 4) with a 6 mm hook. The post has a video, and she explains how the construction works. Open the pattern.
2. Classic Granny Square Pillow
Nicky’s classic granny square pillow is a granny square hand sewn onto a fabric zipper pillow cover, so you don’t have to crochet a second panel, and the cover is machine washable because you remove the pillow. The sample is a sea-themed sport weight cotton in blue and white, though you can use another weight if you don’t have sport weight. It uses an 18 inch square panel on an 18 inch cover, a 3.5 mm hook and needle and thread. Open the pattern.
3. Mini Granny Crochet Pillow
Carmen’s mini granny pillow uses 49 squares of about 2 inches each, seven by seven, whip stitched onto a store bought pillow to finish at 17 by 17 inches. It is a good way to use up sport weight cotton (or light DK) scraps, and she made hers in pink, yellow, orange and red shades with a deep wine red. She acknowledges that not every crocheter enjoys mini squares, since there are lots of ends, but she finds it relaxing to add a few each evening. Open the pattern.
4. Crochet Granny Circle in a Square Pillow
Carmen’s circle in a square pillow is made from 16 granny squares (each a three-round circle in a square, about 3.75 inches) joined into a 4 by 4 panel using back loops only, then attached to a 16 by 16 inch store bought pillow, with no fabric insert or zipper to fuss with. It uses a 4 mm hook and cotton yarn is preferred; she used Rico Essentials Cotton in blue, green, purple and lilac, and you can choose just four favorite colors. Open the pattern.
5. Granny’s 4 Square Pillow
Erin Toews’ 4-square pillow features 4 granny squares per panel and more granny stitches throughout, joined with mattress stitch and a granny stitch border, and the two panels are seamed together for a 12 by 12 inch insert. It was designed for the 2022 Crochet Foundry Blog Hop, using Furls Wander Acrylic yarn that Furls provided. The page includes a note about the free pattern. Open the pattern.
6. Modern Granny Square Pillow
Brittany’s modern granny square pillow uses only four large squares joined at an angle instead of in a traditional grid, so you don’t need as many squares. It is rated easy, fits a 16 by 16 inch pillow form, and uses medium weight yarn on a 5 mm hook. She likes crocheting granny squares because they are small, portable and can go in her bag. It’s a good project if you’re short on time. Open the pattern.
7. Easy Striped Granny Square Cushion Cover
Merrian Holland’s striped cushion cover comes with a set of three video tutorials on YouTube: the motif, the construction and the seaming. She created it as an easy next project for her students, to build on newly acquired skills. It is made from two oversized striped solid granny square panels, seamed into a removable cover. Open the pattern.
8. Love Your Granny Square Pillow
Wilma’s Love Your Granny Square Pillow repeats a single 9-row pattern until the square is big enough, and it is a beginner-friendly pattern with a video tutorial. To save time, yarn and work, the square is sewn onto a pillow in a matching color, with no back panel to make. She used a gradient yarn cake that changes color gradually, but you can use any yarn. The PDF is also available to support her. Open the pattern.
9. Nostalgic Granny Square Pillow Cover
Rachel’s nostalgic pillow cover joins 9 squares in a 3 by 3 layout and attaches it to a premade pillow cover with an optional half double crochet edge. She used a 5 mm hook and Caron and Love This Cotton yarns in warm neutrals (Sand Cliff Brown, Parchment, Creme), and upholstery thread and large hand sewing needles for attaching. The post also touches on the history of the granny square, which she says first appeared in a printed pattern in the early 1900s. Open the pattern.
10. Bernat Pretty Granny Square Pillow
Bernat’s Pretty Granny Square Pillow is a free easy pattern from Yarnspirations: simple granny squares are crocheted in colorful rounds, for a kaleidoscope effect, in Bernat Velvet shades. It uses basic granny squares with easy color changes, and the page says it suits contemporary and classic decor. The kit lists Terracotta Rose (a discontinued shade) and requires at least 2 balls, so check availability. Open the pattern.
