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This crochet star pillow was by request of my almost 16-year-old, so you know I dropped everything to make it for her.
I had some of this orange ombre blanket yarn and was going to make a baby blanket, but she declared the colors looked like a star so I quickly pivoted to making a “huggable star friend” instead.
She decided it looks more like a starfish, or you might also consider it a flower. Whatever you want to call it, it’s definitely snuggly and fun to make.
Materials
This crochet star pillow took about 300 yards of Bernat Blanket Yarn in color Orange Crunch Ombre. That’s a little more (about 80 yards) than one skein. I will definitely use the extra (maybe to make a smaller version, or a little basket, I haven’t decided yet).
If you want yours to be a single skein project, you can make it a little smaller and just make your arms the size that works with the number of stitches you end up with.
I used a size K/10.5/6.5 mm crochet hook. You can use it to do your sewing or if you have a large-eyed yarn needle you can use that instead. You’ll also need scissors and quite a lot of stuffing. A locking stitch marker is helpful for marking the end of the round.
Gauge
Gauge is not critical but I got about 8.5 stitches per 4 inches/10 cm. You want your stitches firm enough that the stuffing won’t show through.
Size
The finished crochet star pillow is about 23 inches/58.4 cm across from one tip to another. The circle part in the middle is 12.5 inches/31.75 cm across.
Making the Crochet Star Pillow
The pillow is worked in two pieces from the center out. Follow my numbers or just make a circle to your desired size, count how many stitches you have and divide by 5. That will tell you how many stitches should be in each arm.
To start, chain 5. Use a slip stitch to join the beginning of the chain to the end. You could probably use a magic circle instead if you want; I just don’t trust this yarn to stay together.
Work a single crochet stitch into each stitch of the chain. 5 stitches total.
Work 2 single crochets in each stitch. 10 stitches total. Here is where I usually add in my stitch marker to mark the first stitch.
*Work 1 single crochet, then 2 single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat from * around. 15 stitches.
*Work 1 single crochet in each of the next 2 stitches, then 2 single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat from * around. 20 stitches.
*Work 1 single crochet in each of the next 3 stitches, then 2 single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat from * around. 15 stitches.
Continue in this manner, working one more stitch between the increases on each round, to your desired size. Mine is about 12.5 inches/31.75 cm across. How many rounds this will take depends on your gauge.
When you get to the size you like, count the number of stitches you have. I had 90. Divide that number by 5 to determine how big each of your crochet star’s legs should be. That was 18 for me.
Whatever size you’re doing, starting from the right/front side of the pillow, single crochet across your x number of stitches. Turn and work these stitches again.
Decrease at the beginning of each row by working single crochet 2 together until you have 3 stitches left. Fasten off.
Rejoin yarn at the base of the arm you just made and repeat until you have 5 arms.
Make a second piece the same.
Finishing the Star
To finish your crochet star pillow you need to sew the pieces together. I used the crochet hook as a needle and sewed the pieces together with right/front sides together because I thought it looked a little neater working from the back. But you can use whatever method you like to join them together.
Leave part of the last arm unsewn to stuff. I was working from both ends of a long strand of yarn so I was able to stitch from the base up and leave the top of the arm open, but you can also do it through the side of the arm if you need to. Weave in ends before you start stuffing.
Turn the star right side out and make sure all the points of the star are fully turned before you start stuffing.
Begin by stuffing each arm as desired, then stuff the center. Stuff the last arm in sections as you sew up the rest.
Bury any remaining yarn ends inside the pillow.
This cute star crochet pillow is great to make for a kid’s room or dorm room. It’s very huggable!
