The Autumn Rhapsody Stitch Sampler Pillow is a free crochet pattern at Nana’s Crafty Home!

I designed this pillow as a matching companion piece to the Autumn Rhapsody Blanket which is another free crochet pattern on the blog!

This project is great for those that really love the blanket but are worried the stitches may be beyond them or they don’t want to work on that large of a project. A great way to bring a piece of Fall themed decor to your home!

Since I only had 16″ to work with, I had to pick out the stitches I wanted to bring from the blanket to the pillow. So, the pillow really needed to highlight my favorite stitches. This ended up being a little more difficult than I had anticipated – it was hard picking my favorites! ?

However, I think there a good representation of the blanket in the pillow and I am very happy with how it turned out!

I had originally purchased 3 sets of the Paintbox Cotton Aran yarn in the Fallen Leaves color pack. * I made the original lap size blanket and the pillow with just small amounts left over. So it ended up being the perfect amount of yarn.

I have several stitch tutorials that you may find helpful for the pillow.

Lemon Peel Stitch
Sunflower Stitch
Falling Leaves Stitch
Extreme Drop Leaf Stitch
Single Crochet Spike Stitch
Popcorn Stitch (with tips on changing colors)
Mum Flower Stitch
Sedge Stitch
Bobble Shell Stitch Border
How to Wet Block your project

Looking at that list – there really is a lot of stitch variety in this pillow! You will not get bored making this – I promise!

Since the blanket and pillow were both intended as scrap busting projects, I continued that theme to the back of the pillow. I matched up the colors to the front as closely as possible. I did run out of some of the colors but just used others from the pack. You could certainly just make a solid color back panel if you would like to – no hard and fast rules here!

This pattern is also available as an ad-free, printable PDF! You can purchase the individual pattern, or if you love PDFs, you might want to check out my Lifetime Membership. It’s an awesome deal! Never pay for one of my PDFs again!! (Or, scroll down for the free version!)

Purchase the ad-free pdf of this pattern for a small fee at HERE.  Thank you so much for supporting my work!

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You may also like the following free crochet patterns at Nana’s Crafty Home:

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1. So Long Summer Scarf
2. Vintage Red Truck C2C Harvest Pillow
3. Autumn Rhapsody Blanket

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Autumn Rhapsody Pillow free crochet pattern

Pattern written in US crochet terminology

*This post contains affiliate links.  You can click on any yarn or material highlighted to purchase.  I will receive a small commission if you purchase but it won’t cost you any extra!  

Supplies:

I used less than 93 yds of each of the following:

Paintbox Cotton Aran Stormy Grey (Color A)
Paintbox Cotton Aran Melon Sorbet (Color B)
Paintbox Cotton Aran Red Wine (Color C)
Paintbox Cotton Aran Pistachio Green (Color D)
Paintbox Cotton Aran Coffee Bean (Color E)
Paintbox Cotton Aran Mustard Yellow (Color F)
Paintbox Cotton Aran Peach Orange (Color G)
Paintbox Cotton Aran Soft Fudge (Color H)
Paintbox Cotton Aran Seville Orange (Color I)
Paintbox Cotton Aran Blood Orange (Color J)

Size H (5.0 mm) crochet hook

(1) 16” x 16” pillow insert or fiber fill
Stitch Markers
Tapestry Needle

Approximate finished size:  16” x 16”+ 1/2” border

Gauge:   8 rows dc st = 4” / 14 dc st = 4”

Abbreviations:

ch = chain
RS = right side
WS = wrong side
st = stitch
dc = double crochet
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
yo = yarn over
sk = skip
sp = space
flo = front loop only
blo = back loop only
Bobble = Bobble Stitch (see special stitches section below)

Notes about pattern:

• Ch 3 at beginning of each row counts as stitch
• At the beginning of every row, I am giving right side (RS) or (WS) to help indicate which side of your pillow that row or section should begin on.  

Special stitches:

Sunflower center:   working in front and back loops separately, Round 1: 4 sc in back loop of next st, rotate work slightly and place 4 sc in front loop of same st, sl st to 1st st, Round 2: ch 1, 2 sc in each st of the sunflower center just worked, sl st to 1st st, sl st in next 7 st of the sunflower center

Sunflower picot:  sl st in st indicated, ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, ch 3, sl st in same st.

Leaf stitch:  (yo, insert hook in indicated st, pull up a loop) twice, yo, pull through 4 loops on hook, yo and pull through last 2 loops on hook.

Extreme Drop Stitch: 

1. (working in ch sp 1 row below) yo, insert hook, pull up a loop, yo, insert hook in same ch sp, pull up a loop (5 loops on hook), 
2. (working in next ch sp 2 rows below) yo, insert hook, pull up a loop, yo, insert hook in same ch sp, pull up a loop (9 loops on hook), 
3. (working in next ch sp 3 rows below) yo, insert hook, pull up a loop, yo, insert hook in same ch sp, pull up a loop (13 loops on hook), 
4. (working in next ch sp 2 rows below) yo, insert hook, pull up a loop, yo, insert hook in same ch sp, pull up a loop (17 loops on hook), 
5. (working in next ch sp 1 row below) yo, insert hook, pull up a loop, yo, insert hook in same ch sp, pull up a loop (21 loops on hook).
6. Yo, pull through all loops, ch 1.

Spike Stitch:

• SP-2: Insert hook below sc from 2 rows below your hook (current row counts as row 1), yo, draw up a loop even with the loop on your hook (2 loops on hook), yo, pull through all 2 loops on hook.
• SP-3:  Insert hook below sc from 3 rows below (current row counts as row 1), yo, draw up a loop even with the loop on your hook (2 loops on hook), yo, pull through all 2 loops on hook.
• SP-4: Insert hook below sc from 4 rows below (current row counts as row 1), yo, draw up a loop even with the loop on your hook (2 loops on hook), yo, pull through all 2 loops on hook.

Popcorn (pc):  4 dc st in same st, drop loop from hook, insert hook into top of 1st dc made, place dropped loop on hook and pull loop through st.  When changing colors at the end of the pc, pull new color yarn through loop to finish st.

Mum center:   working in front and back loops separately, Round 1: 4 sc in back loop of next st, rotate work slightly and place 4 sc in front loop of same st, sl st to 1st st, Round 2: (working in blo), ch 1, 2 sc in each st of the center just worked, sl st to 1st st, sl st in blo of next 7 st of the mum center. 

Bobble:  yo, insert hook into indicated st, yo, pull up a loop, (3 loops on hook), yo, pull through 2 loops on hook (2 loops left on hook), yo, insert hook into same st, yo, pull up a loop, (4 loops on hook), yo and pull through all 4 loops.

Front Panel (make 1)

Row 1:  With Color A, (RS) ch 54, dc in 4th ch from hook (skipped chs count as first st), and 1 dc in each ch to end.  Turn (52)

Fasten off Color A.

Row 2:  (WS) With Color B, ch 1, sc in same st, dc in next st, *sc in next st, dc in next st,* repeat between * * to end. Turn.

Fasten off Color B.

Row 3:  (RS) With Color C, repeat row 2.

Fasten off Color C.

Row 4:  (WS) With Color D, ch 3 (counts as 1st st), dc in each st to end.  Turn.

Row 5:  (RS) Repeat row 4.

Fasten off Color D.

Row 6:  (WS) With Color E, ch 1, sc in same st and in each st to end.  Turn

Row 7:  (RS) ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 7 st, sunflower center in next st, [sunflower center:  working in front and back loops separately, Round 1: 4 sc in back loop of next st, rotate work slightly and place 4 sc in front loop of same st, sl st to 1st st, Round 2: ch 1, 2 sc in each st of the sunflower center just worked, sl st to 1st st, sl st in next 7 st of the sunflower center] *sc in next 11 st, sunflower center in next,* repeat between * * to last 7 st, sc in remaining st. Turn.

Fasten off Color E.

Row 7a: Round 3 of Sunflower: with Color F, working on RS of first sunflower center, attach yarn to any stitch of sunflower center with sl st, sunflower picot in same st, (sunflower picot:  sl st in st indicated, ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, ch 3, sl st in same st), work sunflower picot in each st of sunflower center, sl st to first st.  Fasten off.  Repeat for each sunflower center alternating Sunflower Colors F & C for petals.  (16 sunflower petals per flower)

Row 8:  (WS) With Color D, ch 3, dc in each st of row.  Note: In order to maintain stitch count of 52, pick up a stitch behind sunflowers or work 2 dc in last st before each sunflower or work 2 dc in 1st st after the sunflower center.  (see photo tutorial pdf) Turn (52)

Row 9:  (RS) ch 3,  dc in each st to end.  Turn

Fasten off Color D

Row 10:  (WS) With Color H, ch 1, sc in same st and in each st to end.  Turn.

Row 11 – 12:  (RS) Repeat row 10.

Fasten off color H.

Row 13:  (RS) With Color I, ch 3, dc in next 2 st, *1 leaf st (see special stitches section) around the sc post st from 2 rows below, dc in next 3 st,* repeat between * * to last 4 st, dc in last 4 st.  Turn.

Row 14:  (WS) repeat row 10.

Fasten off Color I

Row 15:  (RS) With Color A, ch 3, *1 leaf st around the dc post st from 2 rows below, *dc in next 3 st, leaf st in next st,* repeat between * * to last 2 st, dc in last 2 st.  Turn.

Fasten off Color A.

Row 16 – 17:  (WS) With Color H, repeat row 10.

Fasten off Color H.

Extreme Drop Stitch Section Rows 19 – 21: 

Note:  

• In this section you will NOT skip a stitch after the ch 1 — work your next dc in the very next st.  
• You will always skip the ch 1 sp from the previous row — working your dc in the next st after the ch 1 sp from the previous row. 

Row 18:  (WS) With Color G, ch 3, dc in next 7 st, *ch 1, dc next 7 st,* repeat between * * to last 9 st, ch 1, dc in last 9 st.  Turn.

Row 19:  (RS) ch 3, dc next 7 st, ch 1, dc next 2 st, *ch 1, dc next 5 st, ch 1, dc next 2 st,* repeat between * * to last 7 st, ch 1, dc in last 7 st.  Turn.

Row 20:  (WS) ch 3, dc next 5 st, *ch 1, dc next 4 st, ch 1, dc next 3 st,* repeat between * * to last 7 st, ch 1, dc in last 7 st.  Turn.  

Fasten off Color G.

Row 21:  (RS) With Color C, ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 6 st, *extreme drop st over next 5 st, ch 2, (sk 5 st in current row) sc next 3 st,* repeat between * * to last 6 st, sc last 6 st.  Turn.

Row 22:  (WS) ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 5 st, 2 sc in ch 2 sp, sc in ch 1 sp, *sc in next 4 st, 2 sc in ch 2 sp, sc in ch 1 sp,* repeat between * * to last 7 st, sc in last 8 st.  (52)

Fasten off Color C.

Row 23:  (RS) With Color B, ch 1, sc in same st and in each st to end. Turn.

Row 24 – 26:  (WS) repeat row 23.

Fasten off Color B.

Row 27:  (RS) With Color H, ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next st, (spike stitch) SP-2 in next st, SP-3 in next st, SP-4 in next st, SP-3 in next st, SP-2 in next st, *sc in next 2 st, SP-2 in next st, SP-3 in next st, SP-4 in next st, SP-3 in next st, SP-2 in next st* repeat between * * to last 3 st, sc in last  3 st.  Turn.

Row 28 – 30:  (WS) Repeat row 23.

Fasten off Color H.

Row 31:  (RS) With Color A, ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 5 st, *SP-2 in next st, SP-3 in next st, SP-4 in next st, SP-3 in next st, SP-2 in next st, sc in next 2 st,* repeat between * * to last 4 st, sc in last 4 st.  Turn.

Row 32 – 34:  (WS) repeat row 23.

Fasten off Color A.

Row 35:  (RS) With Color I, ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 2 st, *SP-2 in next st, SP-3 in next st, SP-4 in next st, SP-3 in next st, SP-2 in next st, sc in next 2 st,* repeat between * * to end.  Turn.

Row 36 – 38:  (WS) Repeat row 23.

Fasten off Color I

Row 39:  (RS) Carry color C, working with Color H, ch 3, dc in next 2 st, *with color C, pc in the next st, with color H, dc in next 4 st,* repeat between * * to last 3 st, with color H, dc in last 3 st.  Turn.

Fasten off Color C & H

Row 40:  (WS) With Color A, ch 3 (counts as 1st st), dc in each st to end.  Turn.

Row 41:  (RS) Repeat row 40.

Fasten off Color A

Row 42:  (WS) With Color E, ch 1, sc in same st and in each st to end. Turn.

Row 43: (RS) ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 7 st, mum center in next st, [mum center: (Mum center:   working in front and back loops separately, Round 1: 4 sc in back loop of next st, rotate work slightly and place 4 sc in front loop of same st, sl st to 1st st, Round 2: (working in blo), ch 1, 2 sc in each st of the center just worked, sl st to 1st st, sl st in blo of next 7 st of the mum center, *sc in next 11 st, mum center in next,* repeat between * * to last 7 st, sc in remaining st.  Turn.

Fasten off Color E

Row 43a:  Round 3 of Mum Flower:  With Color I, attach to unused front loop of any stitch of round 1 with sl st, *ch 3, sl st in flo of next st,* repeat between * * to end, sl st to 1st st.  Fasten off Color I.  Round 4:  With Color C, attach to a front loop of any stitch of round 2 with sl st, *ch 3, sl st in flo of next st,* repeat between * * to end, sl st to blo of 1st st, DO NOT fasten off.  Round 5:  *ch 3, sl st in blo of next st,* repeat between * * to end, sl st to 1st st.  Fasten off Color C.  Repeat instructions for each mum center alternating colors for each mum:  Color I/Color C & Color F/Color J

Row 44:  (WS) With Color A, ch 3, dc in each st of row.  In order to maintain stitch count of 52, pick up a stitch behind sunflowers or work 2 dc in last st before each sunflower or work 2 dc in first stitch after each sunflower.  Turn (52)

Row 45:  (RS) Repeat row 40.

Fasten off Color A

Row 46:  (WS) With Color H, ch 1, (1 sc, 2 dc) in same st, *sk 2 st, (1 sc, 2 dc) in next st,* repeat between * * to last 3 st, sk 2 st, sc in last st.  Turn.

Fasten off Color H

Row 47:  (RS) With Color D, repeat row 46.

Fasten off Color D

Row 48:  (WS) With Color I, ch 3, dc in each st to last st. (52)

Fasten off.

Weave in ends.

Attach Color B to RS of outside edge of front panel

Ch 1, sc evenly around outside edge of panel, work (sc, ch 1, sc) in each corner sp, sl st to first st.

Fasten off.  Weave in ends.  Wet blocking panel is recommended but optional.

Back Panel (make 1)

Row 1:  With Color J, (RS) ch 54, dc in 4th ch from hook (skipped chs count as first st), and 1 dc in each ch to end.  Turn (52)

Fasten off Color J

Row 2:  With Color B, ch 3 (counts as 1st st), dc in each st to end.  Turn.

Row 3 – 28 repeat row 2 with following colors for each row:

Row 3:  Color C
Row 4:  Color D
Row 5:  Color E
Row 6:  Color D
Row 7 – 8:  Color H
Row 9 – 10:  Color I
Row 11:  Color J
Row 12 – 14:  Color G
Row 15:  Color C
Row 16:  Color B
Row 17 – 18:  Color H
Row 19 – 20:  Color J
Row 21:  Color I
Row 22:  Color H
Row 23 – 24:  Color J
Row 25:  Color B
Row 26 – 27:  Color J
Row 28:  Color D

Fasten off.  Weave in ends.

Attach Color B to RS of outside edge of back panel 

Ch 1, sc evenly around outside edge of panel, work (sc, ch 1, sc) in each corner sp, sl st to first st.  Fasten off.  

With WS of front and back panels facing each other and RS of front panel facing, attach Color G through both panels.

Round 1:  ch 1, working through both panels, sc in each st around, work (sc, ch 1, sc) in each corner sp, once you have worked through 3 sides of panels,

insert pillow insert, continue working through last side of panels, sl st to first st. 

Fasten off Color G

Round 2:  With Color J, TURN, (now working on the WS of your pillow), ch 3, dc in same st, [*sl st in next st, bobble in next st,* repeat between * * to corner, (bobble, sl st, bobble) in corner,] change to Color I, repeat between [ ] through next corner, change to Color J, repeat between [ ] through next corner, change to Color I, repeat between [ ] through next corner, sl st to 1st st.

Fasten off.  Weave in ends.