Wheel Throw Pillow

Wheel Throw Pillow by Nicole Riley

Project Overview

The Wheel Throw Pillow is a beginner-friendly crochet cushion project designed by Nicole Riley. This 12x12 inch decorative pillow features a striking wheel pattern created through the combination of contrasting yarn colors and textured stitching techniques. The finished pillow is suitable for adding visual interest to sofas, chairs, beds, or any living space that benefits from handmade home décor.

What Is Being Made

This project creates a square throw pillow cover measuring 12x12 inches, designed to fit a standard 12x12 inch thin pillow insert. The pillow showcases a geometric wheel design that emerges from the interplay of neutral and colored yarn sections, making it an eye-catching accent piece for home décor.

Crochet Techniques and Construction

The Wheel Throw Pillow employs fundamental crochet techniques appropriate for beginners. The construction relies on basic stitch work combined with strategic color changes to create the wheel pattern. The pillow is worked flat in sections, with the design emerging from the deliberate placement of contrasting yarn colors throughout the piece.

Stitches Used

• Single Crochet (sc): A fundamental stitch that creates a tight, dense fabric and forms the base structure of the pillow
• Herringbone Double Crochet (hbdc): A textured variation of the double crochet stitch that adds visual depth and dimension to the wheel pattern
• Chain (ch): Used for foundation rows and turning chains to establish the structure and height between rows
• Alternative Turning Chain (atc): A refined turning technique that creates cleaner edges and a more polished appearance
• Mattress Stitch: A sewing technique used to seam the finished crochet pieces together and attach the pillow insert

Materials Required

Yarn: The pattern calls for three separate yarn components. Begin with two colors of worsted weight yarn, requiring 1-2 skeins total. Select one neutral-colored skein (the pattern example uses grey) and one colored skein (the pattern example uses purple). Additionally, choose one complementary colored yarn in any weight to complete the design; the pattern example uses Dishie Yarn by WeCrochet in a complementary shade.

Tools: A 5.0mm crochet hook is required; the pattern example specifies a Furls Crochet Odyssey Hook. You will also need scissors for cutting yarn and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming the pillow pieces together.

Notions: A 12x12 inch thin pillow insert is necessary to fill and complete the finished pillow cover.

Gauge and Finished Measurements

The pattern specifies a gauge of 3 stitches by 2 rows equaling 1 square inch. The finished pillow measures 12x12 inches, making it a standard throw pillow size suitable for most home décor applications.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as beginner-level, making it accessible to crocheters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to explore simple color work and pattern construction. The combination of single crochet and herringbone double crochet stitches provides an introduction to textured stitch variations without overwhelming complexity.