The Emberwood Leaf Pillow: A Felted Crochet Fall Decor Free Pattern

Bring the Cozy Warmth of Autumn Home: The Emberwood Leaf Pillow

Imagine curling up on your sofa with a cup of hot cider, surrounded by the rich, earthy colors of fall. The Emberwood Leaf Pillow brings that feeling to life. This free crochet pattern creates a stunning, oversized leaf-shaped pillow that is both a cozy accent and a sculptural work of art. Using a super bulky wool-blend yarn and a simple felting process, you'll transform your crochet stitches into a soft, textured, and beautifully blurred fabric. The heathered autumnal hues of butterscotch and fig, set against a neutral cream back, make this the perfect statement piece for any reading nook or living room. Best of all, this pattern is designed to be beginner-friendly, guiding you through each step from the first stitch to the final assembly.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. Using the exact yarn weight and hook size is crucial for achieving the correct gauge and felting results.

• Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick (super bulky weight, 80% acrylic, 20% wool) in 3 colors:
  • Color A (Butterscotch): Approx 120 yards
  • Color B (Fig): Approx 100 yards
  • Color C (Fisherman): Approx 80 yards
  Note: You can substitute any super bulky wool-blend yarn that felts well. Avoid superwash or 100% acrylic yarns as they will not felt.
• Hook: Size N/P (10 mm) crochet hook
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers (optional), pillow form (16" x 16" or 18" x 18")
• Gauge: Before felting: 8 sc x 9 rows = 4" x 4". After felting: 10 sc x 11 rows = 4" x 4". Gauge is not critical, but consistency is important for even felting.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Pattern Notes: This pattern is worked in two main pieces: the front leaf panel and the back panel. Both are crocheted flat, then felted in a washing machine, and sewn together around a pillow form. The pattern uses standard US crochet terms.

Front Leaf Panel (Make 1)

Leaf Base (Color A - Butterscotch)

1. Row 1: Ch 2, work 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Turn. (6 sts)
2. Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st across. Turn. (12 sts)
3. Row 3: Ch 1, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st* repeat from * to * across. Turn. (18 sts)
4. Row 4: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat from * to * across. Turn. (24 sts)
5. Row 5: Ch 1, *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat from * to * across. Turn. (30 sts)
6. Row 6: Ch 1, *sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat from * to * across. Turn. (36 sts)
7. Row 7: Ch 1, *sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat from * to * across. Turn. (42 sts)
8. Row 8: Ch 1, *sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat from * to * across. Turn. (48 sts)
9. Row 9: Ch 1, *sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat from * to * across. Turn. (54 sts)
10. Row 10: Ch 1, *sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat from * to * across. Turn. (60 sts)

Leaf Vein Pattern (Color B - Fig)

11. Row 11: Ch 1, sc in first 30 sts. Change to Color B in last st. With Color B, sc in next 30 sts. Turn. (60 sts)
12. Row 12: Ch 1, with Color B, sc in first 30 sts. Change to Color A in last st. With Color A, sc in next 30 sts. Turn. (60 sts)
13. Row 13: Repeat Row 11.
14. Row 14: Repeat Row 12.
15. Row 15: Repeat Row 11.

Leaf Tip (Color A)

16. Row 16: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 26 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 26 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (57 sts)
17. Row 17: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 24 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 24 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (54 sts)
18. Row 18: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 22 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 22 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (51 sts)
19. Row 19: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 20 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 20 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (48 sts)
20. Row 20: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 18 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 18 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (45 sts)
21. Row 21: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 16 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 16 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (42 sts)
22. Row 22: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 14 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 14 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (39 sts)
23. Row 23: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 12 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 12 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (36 sts)
24. Row 24: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 10 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 10 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (33 sts)
25. Row 25: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 8 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 8 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (30 sts)
26. Row 26: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 6 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 6 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (27 sts)
27. Row 27: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (24 sts)
28. Row 28: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (21 sts)
29. Row 29: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 1 st, sc2tog, sc in next 1 st, sc2tog. Turn. (18 sts)
30. Row 30: Ch 1, sc2tog across. (9 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Weave through remaining 9 sts and pull tight to close tip.

Back Panel (Make 1 - Color C - Fisherman)

1. Ch 61.
2. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (60 sts)
3. Rows 2-30: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (60 sts)

Fasten off.

Felting Instructions

Felting is the magical process that will give your pillow its soft, textured, and slightly fuzzy appearance. Follow these steps carefully.

1. Place both crocheted pieces (front leaf and back panel) in a zippered pillow protector or mesh laundry bag. This prevents fibers from clogging your machine.
2. Add the bag to your washing machine with a small amount of detergent (about 1 tablespoon).
3. Set the machine to a hot water cycle, small load size, with maximum agitation. A top-loading machine works best.
4. Check the pieces every 5 minutes. Open the machine, remove the bag, and gently squeeze out some water to inspect the fabric. You want the stitches to be slightly blurred but still visible. The fabric should feel dense and firm.
5. Once the desired level of felting is achieved (usually after 10-15 minutes), remove the pieces from the bag. Rinse them in cold water to stop the felting process.
6. Gently squeeze out excess water. Do not wring or twist, as this can distort the shape.
7. Lay flat to dry, shaping the pieces to your desired dimensions. The felted pieces should be slightly smaller than your pillow form (e.g., if using a 16" form, aim for 15.5" x 15.5").

Assembly

1. Once both pieces are fully dry, place the felted front leaf panel on top of the felted back panel, with the right sides (the sides you want to show) facing each other.
2. Using a tapestry needle and Color C yarn, sew around the edges using a whip stitch or mattress stitch, leaving a 12-inch opening along one side.
3. Turn the pillow cover right side out through the opening. Gently push out the corners and edges.
4. Insert the pillow form through the opening.
5. Sew the opening closed with invisible stitches (ladder stitch) using the same Color C yarn.

Optional: For extra stability, add a few stitches through the center of the leaf (the vein line) to attach it to the back panel. This prevents the front from sagging.