
Two things I’m loving this spring: the Bean Stitch, and accent pillows!
So, to make this free pattern I combined the Bean Stitch with a classic ribbing to create this beautiful pillow. Vanna’s Choice in “Linen” and “Graphite” come together to give it that rustic-modern look that is always a winner to me.
Once you get the hang of the Bean Stitch, this pillow works up quick. I made it in two days while watching Nashville reruns during my son’s naps… and he’s a catnapper (UGH), so I think that’s pretty impressive! (Any of you other mamas who’ve had catnappers, I know you’re feeling my pain right now. Seriously, my laundry piles are sky high and we’ve had pizza for dinner one too many times this month. Good thing he’s cute!)
Scroll down for the free pattern, or Klik hier voor de Nederlandse vertaling (Dutch translation). (Nederlandse vertaling gemaakt door Rita van Someren voor Haken voor Iedereen en Summerday’s Creations. Dit patroon mag niet in andere groepen, websites, blogs etc. gedeeld worden.)
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BEAN STITCH ACCENT PILLOW
Level: Easyish
Size: 11.5″ x 11.5″ (stretches to fit a 12″ square pillow insert)
Hooks: I (5.5mm) and H (5.0mm)
Yarn: I used about 275 yards of Vanna’s Choice (from Lion Brand), a #4 aran weight yarn. The breakdown is as follows:
COLOR A (ribbing): Vanna’s Choice “Linen” (about 75 yards)
COLOR B (main section): Vanna’s Choice “Graphite” (about 200 yards)
You’ll also need: Yarn needle for weaving in ends, 12″ pillow insert
Gauge: Your 15 rows of ribbing (as instructed in the “first ribbing” section of the pattern) should measure about 4″ unstretched.
Abbreviations Used:
ST/STS (stitch/stitches)
SL ST (slip stitch)
SK (skip)
CH (chain)
SC (single crochet)
BLO (back loops only)
Special Stitch:
Bean Stitch – Insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through (2 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull through (4 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull through (6 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops. Chain 1 to close the stitch.
Notes:
(1) This pattern is written in American Standard Terms.
(2) Starting CHs do not count as stitches.
(3) Make 2.
(4) Each side of the pillow is worked in one piece (with color changes). In other words, the second ribbing section is not created and sewn on separately. Once both sides of the pillow are complete, you will follow the instructions to sew them together with your pillow insert inside.
(5) A Dutch translation is available here. Nederlandse vertaling gemaakt door Rita van Someren voor Haken voor Iedereen en Summerday’s Creations. Dit patroon mag niet in andere groepen, websites, blogs etc. gedeeld worden.
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SECTION 1: FIRST RIBBING
To begin: With larger hook and COLOR A, CH9.
Row 1: SC in 2nd CH from hook and in each remaining CH. (8)
Rows 2-40: CH1, turn. SC in 1st ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 6 STS. SC in last ST. (8)
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SECTION 2: BODY OF PILLOW
Body, Row 1: CH1, do not turn. SC evenly down the long edge of the ribbing, putting 1SC in each ribbing row (each peak and each valley). (40)
Switch to COLOR B, fasten off previous color.
Row 2: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (40)
Note: At this point we will begin using the Bean Stitch. The bulkiness of this stitch might cause you to unintentionally loosen your tension significantly. To rectify this, you can switch to a smaller hook size. The ribbing will stretch around the pillow so it is not imperative that your bean stitch rows be exactly the same length as your strip of ribbing, but you will want to measure a bean stitch row every so often to make sure you aren’t crocheting the beans so loosely that the length is more than 11.5″. If it is, you’ll want to lower your hook size even more.
Rows 3-22: CH1, turn. SK 1st ST, BEAN STITCH in next ST. (SK next ST, BEAN STITCH in next ST) across. (40, or 20 bean stitches)
Note: If you switched to a lower hook size for rows 3-22, you can switch back to your first hook size now.
Row 23: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (40)
Switch to COLOR A, fasten off previous color.
Row 24: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (40)
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SECTION 3: LAST RIBBING
In this section, we will be creating the second ribbing by making vertical ribs and attaching them with slip stitches to the last row of the body as we go. We’ll be referring to “Row 24” quite a bit; that’s the last row of the body of the pillow we completed, and that’s what the ribbing will be attaching to.
With hook still in your last stitch from Row 24, CH9.
Last Ribbing, Row 1: Turn work and SC in 2nd CH from hook and in each remaining CH (Fig. A). SL ST in the first SC of Row 24, then SL ST in the next SC of Row 24 as well (Fig. B). (8, plus the 2 SL STS along Row 24)
Row 2: CH1, turn. Skipping over the 2 SL STS you put in Row 24 (Fig. C), SC in BLO of each of the first 7 STS of the ribbing. SC in final ST (Fig. D). (8)
Row 3: CH1, turn. SC in first ST of ribbing. SC in BLO of each of the next 7 STS of ribbing. SL ST in each of the next 2 STS of Row 24 (Fig. E). (8, plus the 2 SL STS along Row 24)
Row 4: CH1, turn. Skipping over the 2 SL STS you put in Row 24, SC in BLO of each of the first 7 STS of the ribbing. SC in final ST. (8)
Repeat Rows 3-4 all the way along Row 24 (See Fig. F for a progress photo). You should end up with 40 rows of ribbing, which is the number of stitches in Row 24.
Do not fasten off, but do take a moment to weave in your other ends, then proceed to Edging.
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EDGING
We need to put 40 STS along each edge of our square, and to keep it looking really nice, we’re going to edge each section in its own color. Continuing with COLOR A, CH1. SC evenly down the long edge of the ribbing, putting 1SC in each ribbing row (each peak and each valley) for 40 SC. CH1 to round the corner, then proceed to next edge. SC in each of the first 9 STS (8 ribbing stitches + Row 1 of the body). Attach COLOR B (Fig. G). (Note: You can decide if you want to carry the color you aren’t using behind the current color, or fasten it off and reattach it at the next appropriate section. I carried mine.) SC along the BEAN STITCH section of the pillow, putting 1SC in each BEAN STITCH row for a total of 20 SC. SC in the final row of COLOR B (Row 23, the row of single crochet). Switch to COLOR A. Complete 9 more SC to finish the edge, then CH1 to round the corner. Repeat the process for edges 3 & 4, then join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC.
Here’s a visual:
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
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SEWING THEM TOGETHER
Keeping your pillow insert handy, hold the two piece together exactly how you want them to be arranged on the pillow. Pick a spot on the edging that is the beginning of a COLOR A section, and attach COLOR A through the same stitch on both pieces (Fig. H). CH1, then SL ST evenly through both layers around the entire COLOR A section (Fig. I), putting (SC, CH1, SC) in each corner. When you come to the COLOR B section, attach COLOR B and fasten off COLOR A (or carry it along if you prefer) and continue. Once you’ve completed about 3/4 of the perimeter of the pillow, stuff your pillow insert inside (Fig. J). Continue to SC the rest of the way around. Join with a SL ST to the first SC. Fasten off and weave in ends.
It seems like my last ribbing is slanting upward the rows are not sraight? I don’t know why keep ripping it out and I’m following your stitches.
This is an absolutely WONDEFUL pattern! I loved every single minute of this adventure, and have felt sad now I’ve completed my project.
I really appreciate the gauge given! I wasn’t making gauge with that size hook, so adjusted for my tension, and had to adjust when my 2 colors of yarn weren’t exactly the same thickness (as sometimes happens).
In making the 2nd size, my tension was different yet, so fortunately this is an easy pattern to adjust your hook size without any other issues creeping in!
I ended up using a 14″ x 14″ inch pillow form (which was fine, because I had one that size on hand too). While this was a gift for a friend of mine, my grandson expressed his absolute LOVE for this pattern and colors I’d chosen, so voila!
I’ll be making another one right away, to stash away for Christmas!!
Thank you SO MUCH for this absolutely wonderful pattern!!!
–Frances Lightner
Hey! I’m loving this pillow but I want to make sure I’m doing it right. In the bean stitch section, are we putting the bean stitches between the bean stitches of the previous row? Like in the chain space, sort of? Or are they going into the last row’s bean stitches directly? Maybe something else? I’m not quite sure which way is right.
Love your designs. Haven’t seen so many really useful and fun things to add to my decor and the Charlotte Square worked up beautifully. I made throw for my bedroom which also works in my livingroom. Colors work. It was fun to watch it grow. Keep it coming. ~ Lisa
congratulations on the birth of the new baby, wonderful pattern like this, thank you for sharing.
Oh my! How pretty is this pillow!!! Thank you so much for the pattern! I’ll be making 2 of these for my den! Very striking looking! Color combos are floating through my head! Turquoise and off white tweed from Hobby Lobby! Congratulations for your new baby!!! Thanks again and God bless!
Love the rustic look of this pillow …thanks for sharing. Congratulations of the birth of your baby boy. Three little monkeys is a lot to handle AND keep up with your blog. Enjoy.
Hi Rebecca, your patterns are always welcome, but enjoy your baby boy when he is a little tyke. Upon viewing the last episode of “Call the Midwife” on PBS, I thought of you when I spotted another blanket shown with a baby. I was wondering if you saw it and if you were going to use the inspiration for a new baby blanket, the stitch was very intriguing and I have no idea of how it would be done.
I’m not quite caught up on Call the Midwife but I will keep an eye out for it!
Great! It is the episode where the mother is giving her baby to her brother and sister-in-law since she feels she cannot care for the baby with the 2 children she already has.
I love your bean cushion pattern and will look forward to making it. Congratulation on the birth of you new baby boy. Keep up your lovely patterns when you are able much appreciated. Thanks again.
Thank you for this lovely design! It’s very classy in the colours you have chosen ? once I finish making the last baby items I am going to make this.