Crochet Axolotl Pillow with Book Pocket Free Pattern
If you’re a fan of quirky creatures and cozy handmade decor, you’re going to love this Crochet Axolotl Pillow crochet pattern! Inspired by the irresistibly cute amphibian with feathery gills and a permanent smile, this pillow adds the perfect splash of whimsy to any room.
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Whether you’re decorating a kid’s bedroom, making a gift for a fellow axolotl enthusiast, or just want a unique conversation piece for your couch, this squishy little friend is sure to steal hearts.
The pattern is beginner-friendly with lots of personality, making it a fun and relaxing project for crocheters of all levels. With its adorable design, plush texture, and functional features, the crochet axolotl pillow with book pocket is sure to bring a smile to any recipient!
Crochet Axolotl Pillow: Appearance
The crochet axolotl pillow is crafted to resemble the wildly adorable amphibian, known for its cute smile and frilly gills. It features a soft, plush body made from squishy chenille yarn, giving it a velvety texture that’s perfect for snuggling. The body is predominantly in a light pink color, mimicking the natural hue of axolotls, with darker pink accents highlighting its distinctive external gills.
The pillow’s face is embellished to capture the axolotl’s endearing expression. It has large, round, safety eyes, adding a touch of realism, while a sweet smile is formed with a carefully placed crochet chain.
Crochet Axolotl Pillow: Functionality
One of the unique features of this pillow is the addition of a book pocket! Located on the front of the pillow, the pocket is spacious enough to hold books (or tablets if you prefer digital reading), making it ideal for cozy reading sessions.
Crochet Axolotl Pillow: Dimensions
The axolotl pillow measures approximately 14 inches wide by 18 inches inches tall, making it the perfect size for cuddling. Although the finished measurements can vary slightly depending on your crochet tension, it still provides ample space for lounging comfortably.
Crochet Axolotl Pillow: Craftsmanship
Made with the single crochet stitch only, this pattern is even easy enough for the confident beginner! Crocheting with chenille yarn adds an extra layer of luxury, enhancing the overall appeal of the pillow, but no worries if you hate working with chenille yarns, as you could also make this pillow with traditional super bulky yarns!
Crochet Axolotl Pillow: Versatility
Beyond its role as a cuddly companion, the axolotl pillow serves as a whimsical decor accent for any living space. Whether placed on a bed, sofa, or reading nook, it adds a touch of charm and personality to the room. Additionally, the book pocket enhances its practicality, making it a favorite among book lovers of all ages.
Crochet Axolotl Pillow for Kids
Looking to instill a love for reading in your child? This crochet axolotl pillow can be an excellent tool, since children are more likely to develop positive reading habits from an early age by associating bedtime with the joy of reading.
The excitement of snuggling up with this Axolotl Pillow with a story inside of it’s belly can turn reading into a fun nighttime ritual. And you can make the axolotl in any colors, which means you can make it in your child’s favorite (or chosen) colors!
Plus, having a pillow with a book pocket means no more searching around for your reading materials each night. With the crochet Axolotl Pillow, your book is always within arm’s reach, making bedtime reading stress free.
How to get the Crochet Axolotl Pillow Pattern
Crochet Axolotl Pillow Pattern
Option 1: Continue scrolling for free pattern instructions on this site
Option 2: Purchase the ad-free PDF that includes tutorial photos from one of my shops
About the Yarn
The Crochet Axolotl Pillow was made with 100% Polyester (Chenille) Yarn, specifically Sweet Snuggles Lite Variegated in Perfect Pink, with Sweet Snuggles Rose and White. This yarn is comparable to Bernat Blanket and Premier Yarns Parfait. Black worsted weight yarn was used for the mouth.
The Pattern
Keep reading for a list of what you need to make the Crochet Axolotl Pillow with Book Pocket, including the stitch pattern instructions!
Materials
Chenille Super Bulky Weight Yarn (#6)
- Light Pink [12.5oz/310yds]
- White [2oz/50yds]
- Dark Pink [2.5oz/ 62yds]
Worsted Weight Yarn (#4)
- Black [Scraps]
Gauge
8 sc x 8 rows = 4”
Gauge is not critical for this project
Finished Measurements
14″W x 18″H
Stitch Guide
arnd = around
ch = chain
dec = single crochet decrease
sc = single crochet
sl st(s) = slip stitch(es)
st(s) = stitch(es)
Skill Level
Easy
Written in U.S. Terms
Notes
- Beginning chains do not count as stitches.
- Where asterisks appear, repeat the instructions between them.
- Where parenthesis appear, work those stitches all into the same space.
- Chenille yarn = 100% Polyester and is also known as “blanket yarn”.
- All pieces are worked with Chenille Super Bulky + K hook, except for the mouth. The mouth is worked with Worsted Weight Yarn + F Hook.
Instructions
LARGE PANEL (Make 2)
With Light Pink,
R1. Ch 31, sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn (30)
R2. Ch 1, sc across, turn (30)
R3-20. Repeat R2
R21. Ch 1, dec, sc x 26, dec, turn (28)
R22. Ch 1, sc across, turn (28)
R23. Ch 1, dec, sc x 24, dec, turn (26)
R24. Ch 1, sc across, turn (26)
R25. Ch 1, dec, sc x 22, dec, turn (24)
R26. Ch 1, sc across, turn (24)
R27. Ch 1, dec, sc x 20, dec, turn (22)
R28. Ch 1, sc across, turn (22)
R29. Ch 1, dec, sc x 18, dec, turn (20)
R30. Ch 1, sc across, turn (20)
R31. Ch 1, dec, sc x 16, dec, turn (18)
R32. Ch 1, sc across, turn (18)
R33. Ch 1, dec, sc x 14, dec, turn (16)
R34. Ch 1, sc across, turn (16)
R35. Ch 1, dec, sc x 12, dec; do not turn (14)
R36. Ch 1, sc in the end of each row and in each st arnd outside; Fasten.
POCKET PANEL
With Light Pink,
R1. Ch 31, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, turn (30)
R2-13. With L Pink: Ch 1, sc x 5, With White: sc x 20, With L Pink: sc x 5, turn (30)
R14. With L Pink: Ch 1, sc x 6, With White: sc x 18, With L Pink: sc x 6, turn (30)
R15. With L Pink: Ch 1, sc x 7, With White: sc x 16, With L Pink: sc x 7, turn (30)
R16. With L Pink: Ch 1, sc x 8, With White: sc x 14, With L Pink: sc x 8, turn (30)
With Light Pink,
R17-19. Ch 1, sc across, turn // do not turn at the end of R19
R20. Ch 1, sc in the end of each row and in each st arnd outside, sl st in each st across the top; Fasten.
ARMS (Make 2)
With Light Pink,
R1. Make a Magic Ring, ch 1, 6 sc in ring (6)
R2. 2 sc arnd (12)
R3. *2 sc, sc* arnd (18)
R4-15. sc arnd (18)
R16. *dec, sc* arnd (12)
R17-18. sc arnd; Fasten at the end of R18. (12)
EXTERNAL GILLS (Make 6)
With Dark Pink,
R1. Make a magic ring, ch 1, 5 sc in ring (5)
R2. 2 sc arnd (10)
R3-12. sc arnd; Fasten at the end of R12; Sew or stitch across R12 to close.
MOUTH
With Black Worsted Weight + F/5/3.75mm Hook,
Ch 25; Fasten.
Finishing
- On one large panel (deemed the front panel): insert safety eyes between R25-26, 8 sts in from each side.
- Lay back panel flat, lay front panel over the top, then lay pocket panel over the front panel, lining up the bottom edges.
- Insert hook in bottom right corner, through all 3 crochet layers, and with Light Pink yarn single crochet in the same space and in the end of each row up the side, in each stitch across the top, in the end of each row down the left edge; Stuff generously, but don’t overfill or it will stretch the stitches and stuffing will poke through; single crochet in each stitch across the bottom; Fasten. Make sure you’re working through all the crochet layers around. Do not crochet across the top of the pocket.
- Attach arms to the sides of the pillow, attaching R16-18 of the arms over approximately R15-20 of the body (one on each side)
- Attach external gills to the sides of the pillow, attaching R12 of one gill over: R23-26 / R27-30 / R31-34 (on each side)
- Tack down corners of the pocket, approximately 1.5” on each side to stabilize.
- Attach black chain to the front of the pillow in a loose “W” shape, over R22-24 under the eyes).
- Hide all strings.
(Photos above are from the Shark Pillow pattern, but the assembly is the same)
And that’s how you make a Crochet Axolotl Pillow with Book Pocket!
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Written pattern and photographs © 2024 Sonya Blackstone of Blackstone Designs. Do not sell, share, or modify this pattern, but instead share the link to where the pattern can be found. You may sell items you make with this pattern. This pattern, as with all Blackstone Designs/Sonya Blackstone patterns, are not for educational use without written permission from the designer. All rights reserved.
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