Cozy Autumn Granny Square Seat Belt Pad - Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

If your seat belt digs into your shoulder on every drive, this cozy granny square seat belt pad is the fix you've been waiting for. It's a beginner-friendly project that turns five simple solid granny squares into a soft, chunky pad in rainbow brights, worked up quickly in t-shirt yarn. The dense double crochet squares give it a squishy, durable texture that feels gentle against your shoulder while adding a cheerful pop of color to your car. Fold it over the strap, fasten the button, and you're ready to roll.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: T-shirt yarn (approx. 5–7 mm thick), 100% cotton or cotton-blend, in rainbow brights:
  • Color A (red): 20 yd
  • Color B (orange): 20 yd
  • Color C (yellow): 20 yd
  • Color D (green): 20 yd
  • Color E (blue): 20 yd
  • Color F (purple): 20 yd
• Hook: 8 mm (US L-11)
• Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, one 1" (2.5 cm) button
• Finished size: Approx. 4" wide x 20" long (10 cm x 51 cm), folded to 4" x 10" (10 cm x 25 cm) in use

Abbreviations

• ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• sl st – slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through everything on the hook.
• dc – double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops twice.
• sc – single crochet: insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops.
• sp / sps – space / spaces: a gap in the work, usually made by chains.
• st / sts – stitch / stitches.

Gauge

1 granny square = 4" (10 cm) square. Work one square first and measure it; if it's larger, go down a hook size, and if it's smaller, go up a hook size.

Tips Before You Start

• T-shirt yarn is stretchy, so keep your tension relaxed and even — pulling tight will make the squares curl.
• Make all five squares before joining so you can check that they measure the same size.
• Leave tails of about 6" (15 cm) on each square; they make the joining and weaving-in much easier.
• Count your double crochets at the end of each round — the corner spaces are easy to miss.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Granny Square (make 5: one each in A, B, C, D, E)

Set-up: With color, ch 4, join with sl st to form ring.

R1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in ring, [ch 2, 3 dc in ring] 3 times, ch 2, join with sl st to top of ch-3 (12 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R2: Ch 3, dc in each dc to next ch-2 sp, *(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in each dc to next ch-2 sp; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of ch-3 (28 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R3: Ch 3, dc in each dc to next ch-2 sp, *(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in each dc to next ch-2 sp; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of ch-3 (44 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

Fasten off.

Assembly of the Strip

Arrange squares in a row: A, B, C, D, E. With right sides facing, whipstitch or sc squares together through back loops only, joining along vertical edges to form a strip. Fasten off.

Edging

With F, join yarn at any corner of the strip. Sc evenly around entire perimeter, working 3 sc in each corner. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Button Loop

With F, join yarn at one short end, center. Ch 10, join with sl st to same st to form loop. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Button

Sew a 1" (2.5 cm) button on opposite short end, centered, using F.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends with the tapestry needle, working them into the back of the fabric so they don't show. Gently block the finished strip by misting it lightly with water and pinning it flat to a 4" x 20" (10 x 51 cm) rectangle; let it dry completely. Fold the pad over the seat belt and secure the button through the loop.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the rainbow brights for a single color or an autumn palette to match your car's interior.
• Make a longer strip of seven squares for a pad that covers more of the strap.
• Use a snap or a tie closure instead of a button if you prefer a quicker fastening.