This entry-level intarsia crochet pillow pattern features a map of South America. Make it for the travel-lover in your life! Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here or get the free pattern below.
This intarsia crochet pillow pattern is part of a collaboration with Lion Brand Yarns. This post contains affiliate links.
Welcome back to the Make & Do Crew guest designer series where talented designers from across the internet share their free patterns with you, right here on Make & Do Crew.
Today Maria from PukaPuka is back with her free crochet South America map pillow pattern, which is a follow up to her C2C crochet Africa blanket. You can see lots of of Maria’s crochet patterns her blog, PukaPuka, and on Etsy. And be sure to check her out on social media too: Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. Maria, take it away!
Why I Chose to Make a Crochet South America Pillow
As both crochet and geography lover I often design map patterns. (It’s probably not right to say I “design,” as the designs are already there!) You can read more about my story and love for crochet geography in my C2C Africa blanket post.
Following my Vintage Africa Map Blanket in the C2C crochet technique I thought I might propose something smaller. So if you’ve already tried that afghan, you might want a nice addition that makes a set! And if a blanket is too much for you, but you like the idea of crocheting maps – start with this little South America Map Pillow.
This pattern is even simpler not only because the pattern is so much smaller, but also uses only single crochet. Yes! Just single crochet. And some color changes, but just a few.
The pattern consists of two squares. One has South America map on it and the other is plain. After finishing them, you just join them by single crocheting along the edges. And then they’re done!
Use Your Leftover Yarn
As for the yarn–more good news. To make the pillow I used the leftovers from Vintage Africa Map Blanket, which was made with Lion Brand Heartland. So if you’ve already purchased that yarn, just use what’s left.
After making both designs you don’t have to worry what to do with small amounts of yarn, as won’t be much left. And this yarn is so soft and easy care. The colors are beautiful and in this pattern you will use just two of them: Yellowstone and Acadia.
Can I Make This Pattern as a Beginner?
The South America Map Pillow is crocheted entirely with single crochet stitch, so it’s really beginner friendly. It requires changing colors – which is briefly explained in the pattern itself and it’s not difficult at all.
Make both map designs and enjoy curling up under the C2C crochet Africa blanket with the South American pillow under your head, while reading a travel book or watching adventure movies!
And remember: there are many more maps to crochet! Treat these as inspiration and make your own pillow, blanket, potholder, placemat, washcloth or anything you like with nature’s beautiful designs! The world atlas is a big book!
Related: How to Design Your Own C2C or Crochet Colorwork Graph Patterns
Follow me on Instagram and Pinterest for more inspiration and check out my Etsy store for lots of crochet map patterns.
More Crochet Patterns With Color Work
Looking for more crochet patterns made with interesting color work? You can find all our free c2c patterns and tutorials here.
Intarsia Crochet
South America Pillow
Free Pattern
Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF for the pillow here.
Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF for the blanket and pillow here.
Save this to your Ravelry here.
Pin this pattern for later here.
Explanation: This small map pillow allows you to sit comfortably while reading your favorite travel book or scrolling Instagram for travel pictures.
To crochet this pillow pattern, you just need to know how to single crochet. With a detailed written pattern and graph and the leftover yarn from making Vintage Africa Map Blanket, make it your weekend project!
Supplies:
• Lion Brand Heartland (Weight: 4/medium – 251 yds, 5 oz)
– Color A: Yellowstone (#136-158) – 1 ball (or what was left over from Vintage Africa Map Blanket)
– Color B: Acadia (#136-098) – 1 ball (or what was left over from Vintage Africa Map Blanket)
• Size H (5.00 mm) crochet hook
• Pillow insert 12”x12”
• Free South America Map Pillow graph pattern (download HERE)
Sizes/Measurements:
• 12” x 12”
Gauge:
• 7sc x 8 rows = 2” x 2”
Abbreviations and Glossary (US Terms):
ch – chain
sc – single crochet
sl st – slip stitch
RS – right side
WS – wrong side
Overall Pattern Notes:
• Pillow consists of two squares, one with map (according to graph) and one plain, both made using single crochet stitch throughout. The squares are then joined with single crochet stitches worked along the edges.
• Squares are worked in rows, each row counts 43 sc. Start a new row with ch1, that does not count as a st. Turn after each row.
• Changing colors: when next sc is marked as a different color on the graph or written pattern, make the last yo of current sc with new color and continue with new color, leaving previous color on the ws.
• Before you start, divide your supply of yarn A into two more or less equal balls. It will be easier to work with two separate balls when changing colors starts.
• When next sc is marked as a different color on the graph or written pattern, make the last yo of current sc with new color and continue with new color, leaving previous color on the ws.
• Use the intarsia technique: start a new ball of yarn for each new change of color. You can then pick up and drop the yarns as required, keeping all yarn ends on the ws. This way most of the time you will work with 3 balls: 2 color A, 1 color B.
• How to read the written pattern:
→ Row 34 [WS]: A14, B11, A10
– Arrow indicates direction of row.
– Letter indicates which color of yarn to use.
– Number indicates how many sc of each color to work. Therefore, for this example, you’ll work 14 sc in yarn A, 11 sc in yarn B and 10 sc in yarn A. Then turn your work, ch1 and proceed with Row 35.
FRONT SQUARE
Using yarn A, ch44.
← Row 1 [RS]: Insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, A43
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→ Row 2 [WS]: A43
← Row 3 [RS]: repeat Row 2
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← Row 17 [RS]: A18, B8, A17
→ Row 18 [WS]: A17, B8, A18
← Row 19 [RS]: A18, B7, A18
→ Row 20 [WS]: A18, B9, A16
← Row 21 [RS]: A16, B9, A18
→ Row 22 [WS]: A18, B10, A15
← Row 23 [RS]: A14, B11, A18
→ Row 24 [WS]: A18, B11, A14
← Row 25 [RS]: A14, B11, A18
→ Row 26 [WS]: A18, B12, A13
← Row 27 [RS]: A11, B13, A19
→ Row 28 [WS]: A19, B14, A10
← Row 29 [RS]: A10, B14, A19
→ Row 30 [WS]: A18, B15, A10
← Row 31 [RS]: A9, B18, A16
→ Row 32 [WS]: A16, B18, A9
← Row 33 [RS]: A9, B19, A15
→ Row 34 [WS]: A15, B20, A8
← Row 35 [RS]: A8, B21, A14
→ Row 36 [WS]: A14, B22, A7
← Row 37 [RS]: A9, B21, A13
→ Row 38 [WS]: A14, B19, A10
← Row 39 [RS]: A13, B16, A14
→ Row 40 [WS]: A14, B14, A15
← Row 41 [RS]: A15, B13, A15
→ Row 42 [WS]: A15, B12, A16
← Row 43 [RS]: A18, B10, A15
→ Row 44 [WS]: A15, B9, A19
← Row 45 [RS]: A21, B6, A16
→ Row 46 [WS]: A17, B, A25
← Row 47 [RS]: A43
→ Row 48-49: Repeat Row 47
Next: Fasten off. Weave in ends.
BACK SQUARE
Using yarn B, ch44.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across, turn. 43 sc.
Row 2: Ch1, sc across, turn. 43 sc.
Rows 3 – 36: As row 2.
Fasten off.
JOIN SQUARES TOGETHER
Align two squares WS together, Front square (with map) facing. Join yarn B to the top right corner, ch1 (does not count as a st), working along the top row of BOTH squares, 1sc in each sc, 3sc in the corner. Continue along side edge working sc in each row end, 3sc in the corner, continue along the foundation chain, 1sc in each ch.
Now the three sides of the pillow cover are joined together. Insert pillow and continue joining the fourth side as follows: 3sc in the corner, continue along the 2nd side edge working sc in each row end, sl st into first sc of round. Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Thanks again to Maria of PukaPuka for sharing this free crochet Africa map blanket pattern! Be sure to check out Maria’s blog for lots more free modern crochet patterns!
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