Interlocking Block Stitch I Pillow

Designed by Julie A Bolduc

This pillow, named for a stitch I found in the Harmony Guide to Crochet Stitches (Interlocking Block Stitch I, found on page 30.), is made in 2 parts that are then crocheted together around the perimeter with a round of sc. It is done in 3 colors and a purchased pillow form is tucked inside.

Materials Needed
• 2oz each of 3 colors of Worsted Weight acrylic yarn. Red Heart in Amethyst, Pale Yellow and Lavendar were used in the example.
• Size H/8 or 5mm aluminum crochet hook
• 14" pillow form
• Yarn needle for weaving in ends

Yarn Thickness: 4mm
Gauge: 4dc=1"
Finished Size: 14" x 14"
Skill Level: Intermediate

Special Stitch Used: Sdc (spike double crochet) Work dc over chain space by inserting hook into top of next row or chain below.

Instructions
Make 2 pieces: Make the front and back the same then stitch them together.
Start with amethyst, then join lavendar, then join yellow. Do not cut yarn at the end of each row but drop the current color you are working with and pick up next color and continue as instructed.

ROW 1: Ch47. Sk 3 chs. Dc in each of the next 2 chs. *Ch3. Sk3 chs. Dc in each of the next 3 chs. Rep from * to the end. Drop color and join next color & turn.

ROW 2: *Ch3. Sk 3sts. 1Sdc over each of the next 3 sts. Rep from * to last 3 sts. Ch2. Sk 2 sts. Slst in top of ch3. Drop color and join next color & turn.

ROW 3: Ch3. (counts as 1 sdc.) Sk 1 st. 1Sdc over next 2 sts. *Ch3. Sk 3 sts. 1Sdc over each of the next 3 sts. Rep from * to end. Drop color pick up color & turn.

ROW 4-36: Repeat ROW 2 & 3 over and over again dropping one color at the end of each row and picking up the previously dropped color.

ROW 37: You should now be about to pick up the color you started with, (amethyst). Ch3. Sk 1 st. Sdc over the next 2 sts. *Sc in each of the next 3 dc. 1Sdc over each of the next 3 sts. Rep from * to end. Do not fasten off amethyst but do fasten off other 2 colors and weave those ends into back of work.

Perimeter
RND 1:Work 45 sc on each of the 4 sides working 2 sc in each row but work 3sc in 5 of the rows on the left and right sides. You should end up with 45 sc on each of the 4 sides of the pillow top with a ch2 space at each corner. When you get back to the beginning, ch2, join w/slst to first sc.

RND 2: Ch3. Dc in each sc around working 5 dc in each of the 4 ch2 spaces. Join w/slst to top of ch3. Fasten off and weave all ends into back of work.

Assembly
Working through both layers, wrong sides facing each other, work a sc in each dc around but before closing up 4th side, slip pillow form into pillow case and then continue stitching the 4th side closed. Join w/slst to first sc. Fasten off and weave ends into back of work.

Design written on Saturday, March 03, 2007. Copyright ©2007 By Julie A. Bolduc p119003