Phases of the Moon Pillow

Phases of the Moon Pillow by Maggie Trunkhill

Project Overview

The Phases of the Moon Pillow is a book cover-inspired crochet cushion designed by Maggie Trunkhill of Daisy Girl Crochet. This intermediate-level project draws inspiration from Sarah Addison Allen's novel The Girl Who Chased the Moon and combines artistic design with functional home décor. The pillow features a striking visual representation of lunar phases through strategic color changes within a structured crochet pattern.

Construction and Design

This pillow cover is constructed using a two-sided design approach. The front features nine individual squares that are joined together using single crochet stitches. Each square follows an identical pattern structure, but the color changes worked within the rows of each square create the visual effect of different moon phases across the pillow face. This technique allows crafters to represent the progression of the lunar cycle in a cohesive, organized layout.

The back of the pillow is worked as a large traditional granny square in yellow, providing a complementary solid background. The front and back pieces are then joined together using single crochet stitches to create the finished pillow cover.

Functional Features

The pillow cover is designed as a removable cushion cover for practical use and easy care. Five buttons are attached along the bottom edge of the pillow, allowing the cover to be fastened securely to a pillow form and removed when needed for cleaning or changing.

Crochet Techniques and Stitches

• Single Crochet Stitch: Used for joining the nine front squares together and for seaming the front and back pieces of the pillow cover
• Granny Square: The traditional granny square pattern forms the back of the pillow
• Color Changes: Strategic color changes worked within the rows of each square create the moon phase designs
• Square Assembly: Nine squares are assembled into a grid formation on the front face

Materials and Yarn

This pattern is designed to use DK weight yarn. The designer used Cascade Ultra Pima yarn, which is a high-quality cotton yarn, for the original pillow. However, any DK weight yarn will work for this project, giving crafters flexibility in fiber choice and color selection. Cotton yarn is particularly suitable for pillows as it provides durability and breathability, though alternative DK weight options in acrylic or wool blends are also viable.

Skill Level

This project is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for crocheters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to work with multi-piece construction, color changes, and assembly techniques. The repetitive nature of the nine squares makes the pattern manageable while the overall design creates a visually impressive finished piece.