The word equinox translates to “equal night,” meaning night and day are about the same length of time. To capture this effect, this pillow pattern mixes dark and light colors equally, alternating autumnal hues in rings to make a dynamic accent for the home.
Updated 12/29/2016
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: 16” diameter
Gauge: 5 ¾” after Rnd 6 (unblocked and wet blocked).
Gauge is not critical since the final pillow diameter is easily adjusted by either making less rnds or more to achieve desired diameter.
Materials:
Yarn:
Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride worsted (85% Wool, 15% Mohair; 190 yards [174 meters]/113 grams): M14 Sunburst Gold (A), 1 skein; M01 Sandy Heather (B), 1 skein; M178 Warm Carmel (C), 1; M102 Orchid Thistle (D), 1 skein; M159 Deep Coral (E), 1 skein.
Hook: US size 7 (4.5 mm)
Notions: Removable markers; tapestry needle; Pillow form: 16” round purchased pillow form (it is recommended that pillow be lined since a white purchased pillow form will show through if using same colors as sample or other dark color) OR make your own pillow using ½ yard 36” wide felt (sample used “Pumpkin Spice” available from Prairie Point Junction), sewing needle, thread, 16 oz polyfill.
Pattern Notes
When working odd-numbered rounds starting with Rnd 3, the beginning of each round should start immediately with 1 sc. This has a neater look than starting with a sl st join, chaining 1, and then finishing the sc in the same space. The pattern is written with this in mind but either way will work.
When changing colors within rounds, work last yo of dc in next color.
Pattern
Make 2 for front and back.
With A, ch 4, sl st in first ch to form ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc throughout), 15 dc in ring, sl st in top of first dc to join. Fasten off – 16 dc.
Rnd 2: Join E with sl st in any st, ch 3, 1 dc in st at base of ch-3, 2 dc in each dc around, sl st in first dc to join. Fasten off – 32 dc.
Rnd 3: With B, sc in any st, ch 2, (sk 1 st, sc in next st, ch 2) 15 times, sl st in first sc to join. Fasten off – 16 sc/sps.
Rnd 4: Join C with sl st in any ch-2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, (3 dc in the next ch-2 sp) 7 times, change to D, break C, (3 dc in next ch-2 sp) 8 times, sl st in first dc to join. Fasten off – 48 dc.
Rnd 5: With E, sc in sp between C and D of previous rnd (sc will be above sc of Rnd 3), ch 3, *sk 3 dc, sc in sp between next 2 dc, ch 3; rep from * to end of rnd, sl st in first sc to join. Fasten off – 16 sc/sps.
Rnd 6: Join A with sl st in ch-3 sp at midpoint of C in Rnd 4 (there will be 4 ch-3 sps to right of sl st), ch 3, 3 dc in same sp, (4 dc in next ch-3 sp) 7 times, change to B, break A, (4 dc in next ch-3 sp) 8 times, sl st in first dc to join. Fasten off – 64 dc.
Rnd 7: With E, sc in sp between A and B of previous rnd (sc will be above sc of Rnd 3), ch 2, *sk 2 dc, sc in sp between next 2 dc, ch 2; rep from * to end of rnd, sl st in first sc to join. Fasten off – 32 sc/sps.
Rnd 8: Join C with sl st in ch-2 sp at midpoint of A in rnd 6 (there will be 8 ch-2 sps to right of sl st), ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, (3 dc in next ch-2 sp) 15 times, change to D, break C, (2 dc in next ch-2 sp) 16 times, sl st in first dc to join. Fasten off – 96 dc.
Rnd 9: Repeat Rnd 5 – 32 sc/sps.
Rnd 10: Join A with sl st in ch-3 sp at midpoint of C in Rnd 8 (there will be 8 ch-3 sps to right of sl st), ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, (3 dc in next ch-3 sp) 15 times, change to B, break A, (3 dc in next ch-3 sp) 16 times, sl st in first dc to join. Fasten off – 96 dc.
Rnd 11: With E, sc in sp between A and B of previous rnd (sc will be above sc of round 3), ch 3, *sk 3 dc, sc in sp between next 2 dc, ch 3; rep from * to end of rnd, sl st in first sc to join. Fasten off – 32 sc/sps.
Rnd 12: Join C with sl st in ch-3 sp at midpoint of A in Rnd 10, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp, (4 dc in next ch-3 sp) 15 times, change to D, break C, (4 dc in next ch-3 sp) 16 times, sl st in first dc to join. Fasten off – 128 dc.
Rnd 13: With E, sc in sp between C and D of previous rnd (sc will be above sc of round 3), ch 2, *sk 2 dc, sc in sp between next 2 dc, ch 2; rep from * to end of rnd, sl st in first sc to join. Fasten off – 64 sc/sps.
Rnd 14: Join A with sl st in ch-2 sp at midpoint of C in Rnd 12, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, (2 dc in next ch-2 sp) 31 times, change to B, break A, (2 dc in next ch-2 sp) 32 times, sl st in first dc to join. Fasten off – 128 dc.
Rnd 15: Repeat Rnd 7 – 64 sc/sps.
Rnd 16: Join C with sl st in ch-2 sp at midpoint of A in Rnd 12, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, (2 dc in next ch-2 sp) 31 times, change to D, break C, (2 dc in next ch-2 sp) 32 times, sl st in first dc to join. Fasten off – 128 dc.
Rnd 17: Repeat Rnd 13 – 64 sc/sps.
Rnd 18: Join A with sl st in ch-3 sp at midpoint of C in round 16, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, (3 dc in next ch-3 sp) 31 times, change to B, break A, (3 dc in next ch-3 sp) 32 times, sl st in first dc to join. Fasten off – 192 dc.
Rnd 19: Repeat Rnd 11 – 64 sc/sps.
Rnd 20: Join C with sl st in ch-3 sp at midpoint of A in Rnd 18, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, (3 dc in next ch-3 sp) 31 times, change to D, break C, (3 dc in next ch-3 sp) 32 times, sl st in first dc to join. Fasten off – 192 dc.
Optional extra rows for larger pillow.
Rnd 21: Rep Rnd 5 – 64 sc/sps.
Rnd 22: Join A with sl st in ch-3 sp at midpoint of C in Rnd 20, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, (3 dc in next ch-3 sp) 31 times, change to B, break A, (3 dc in next ch-3 sp) 32 times, sl st in first dc to join. Fasten off. – 192 dc.
Pillow form instructions
Cut two 17” circles from felt. Sew together with 3/8” seam leaving 5-6” opening. Clip seam, turn inside out. Stuff pillow, sew closed.
Pillow form should be same size as blocked measurements of crocheted pillow sections. Finished crocheted pillow should be tight over pillow form but not so tight that design is distorted once put together.
Finishing
Weave in ends. Block to 16” diameter (do not stretch more than necessary).
With WS facing each other, pin sides together lining up same colors in last rounds. Sc in each dc a little over halfway around. Insert pillow form. Complete round of sc. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off. Weave in ends.