Crochet Pillow Patterns

Rainbow Jelly Donut Squish Pillow Free Crochet Pattern

AppPairing: Palette Harmonies & Texture Combinations • October 28, 2026

Introduction

This Rainbow Jelly Donut Squish Pillow is a beginner-friendly crochet project that turns a simple single crochet sphere into a bright, huggable accent for any room. It is made for anyone who has just learned the basics and wants a finished piece that looks impressive without complicated stitches. The white velvet body feels soft and plush, while the rainbow jam appliqué and tiny sugar dots give it a playful bakery-shop look. Worked in one smooth, squishy round, it is a joy to stitch and even more fun to squeeze.

Materials Needed

Yarn: Worsted weight (category 4) velvet yarn, 100% polyester. White (A) 150 yd; red (B), orange (C), yellow (D), green (E), blue (F), and purple (G) 20 yd each.
Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook.
Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, polyester fiberfill stuffing.
Finished size: Approximately 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter.

Abbreviations

MR: Magic ring — an adjustable loop you crochet into to start a round.
ch: Chain — a loop made by pulling yarn through a loop on the hook.
sc: Single crochet — the basic short stitch used throughout.
inc: Increase — work 2 single crochet into the same stitch to add one stitch.
dec: Decrease — work 2 single crochet together to reduce by one stitch.
sts: Stitches — the total number of stitches in that round.
rnd(s): Round(s) — a full circle of stitches worked in continuous spirals.

Gauge

12 single crochet x 12 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm). Crochet a small swatch in single crochet and measure it flat to check your gauge before starting.

Tips Before You Start

Velvet yarn sheds and shows stitch marks easily, so keep your tension relaxed and even.
Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round; the spiral has no visible join.
Stuff the pillow firmly and evenly as you close the last rounds so it holds a round shape.
Keep the jam appliqué flat by pinning it in place before sewing.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Pillow Base (A)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6 sts).

Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sts).

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts).

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts).

Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36 sts).

Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] x6 (42 sts).

Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] x6 (48 sts).

Rnd 9: [7 sc, inc] x6 (54 sts).

Rnd 10: [8 sc, inc] x6 (60 sts).

Rnd 11: [9 sc, inc] x6 (66 sts).

Rnd 12: [10 sc, inc] x6 (72 sts).

Rnd 13: [11 sc, inc] x6 (78 sts).

Rnd 14: [12 sc, inc] x6 (84 sts).

Rnd 15: [13 sc, inc] x6 (90 sts).

Rnd 16: [14 sc, inc] x6 (96 sts).

Rnd 17: [15 sc, inc] x6 (102 sts).

Rnd 18: [16 sc, inc] x6 (108 sts).

Rnd 19: [17 sc, inc] x6 (114 sts).

Rnd 20: [18 sc, inc] x6 (120 sts).

Rnds 21-30: sc in each st around (120 sts).

Rnd 31: [18 sc, dec] x6 (114 sts).

Rnd 32: [17 sc, dec] x6 (108 sts).

Rnd 33: [16 sc, dec] x6 (102 sts).

Rnd 34: [15 sc, dec] x6 (96 sts).

Rnd 35: [14 sc, dec] x6 (90 sts).

Rnd 36: [13 sc, dec] x6 (84 sts).

Rnd 37: [12 sc, dec] x6 (78 sts).

Rnd 38: [11 sc, dec] x6 (72 sts).

Rnd 39: [10 sc, dec] x6 (66 sts).

Rnd 40: [9 sc, dec] x6 (60 sts).

Rnd 41: [8 sc, dec] x6 (54 sts).

Rnd 42: [7 sc, dec] x6 (48 sts).

Rnd 43: [6 sc, dec] x6 (42 sts).

Rnd 44: [5 sc, dec] x6 (36 sts).

Rnd 45: [4 sc, dec] x6 (30 sts).

Rnd 46: [3 sc, dec] x6 (24 sts).

Rnd 47: [2 sc, dec] x6 (18 sts).

Rnd 48: [sc, dec] x6 (12 sts).

Rnd 49: dec x6 (6 sts). Fasten off. Stuff firmly before closing, then sew closed.

Jam Appliqué (rainbow stripes)

Rnd 1 (B): ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (6 sts).

Rnd 2 (B): inc x6 (12 sts).

Rnd 3 (B): [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).

Rnd 4 (B): [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts).

Rnd 5 (B): [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts). Change to C.

Rnd 6 (C): [4 sc, inc] x6 (36 sts). Change to D.

Rnd 7 (D): [5 sc, inc] x6 (42 sts). Change to E.

Rnd 8 (E): [6 sc, inc] x6 (48 sts). Change to F.

Rnd 9 (F): [7 sc, inc] x6 (54 sts). Change to G.

Rnd 10 (G): [8 sc, inc] x6 (60 sts). Fasten off. Sew the appliqué to the front of the pillow, using the photo as a guide.

Sugar Dots (embroidered)

Using A, embroider small French knots randomly across the pillow surface, avoiding the appliqué area. Make about 20-30 dots.

Edging

Rnd 1: With A, join yarn at the seam between the pillow halves, then sc evenly around the seam (approx 120 sts).

Rnd 2: sc in each sc around (approx 120 sts). Fasten off and weave in ends.

Assembly and Finishing

Sew the jam appliqué flat to the front of the pillow with small, even stitches, then add the French knot sugar dots. Weave in all ends on the wrong side. Lightly steam or hand-shape the pillow to smooth the velvet and even out the round shape, then let it dry fully before displaying.