Day of the Dead crochet pillow is a beautiful tribute to the traditional Mexican celebration, featuring a delicately crafted skull adorned with colorful flowers. This pillow brings warmth and a festive spirit to any room, making it a perfect decorative piece for those who appreciate cultural and artistic expression.
I can’t even begin to tell you how much I loved making this Day of the Dead Crochet Pillow! As someone who finds inspiration in culture, color, and meaningful symbolism, this project felt like the perfect blend of art and tradition brought to life through yarn.
How to Crochet Day of the Dead Crochet Pillow
Creating this Day of the Dead pillow involves making a skull motif with detailed embroidery and floral appliqués. Using various colors and crochet techniques, you can craft a unique pillow that adds a lively and cultural touch to your home decor.
Day of the Dead Crochet Pillow. The moment I saw the design, I knew I had to give it a try. The sugar skull motif — so iconic and rich in meaning — is not only a tribute to Día de los Muertos but also a gorgeous piece of decor that adds personality to any room. And crocheting it? Oh, it’s pure joy! The colors, the little floral accents, the expressive eye sockets — every stitch felt like a small celebration of life and remembrance.
I used worsted weight yarn in bright, festive shades — think hot pink, turquoise, gold, purple — just like the papel picado banners and face paints you’d see during the celebration. Day of the Dead Crochet Pillow The contrast between the vibrant embellishments and the classic skull shape gives it that perfect touch of whimsy and reverence.
Crochet Pattern: Day of the Dead Crochet Pillow
What I love most is that this pattern allows for so much customization. I added little flowers on the forehead, embroidered hearts on the cheeks, and even used tiny beads for extra sparkle in the eyes. You can make it fun and cute or go more elegant and gothic — it really depends on your yarn choices and mood.
The construction is straightforward: two panels (front and back), sewn together with stuffing inside to give it that plush, pillow-y goodness. You could also turn it into a wall hanging if you flatten it a bit more or skip the stuffing. Either way, it’s a statement piece.
I have mine on my couch right now, and every guest who walks in comments on it. It sparks conversation — not only about crochet (yay!) but about the significance of the Day of the Dead and honoring those who came before us. There’s something really beautiful about that. To me, this pillow isn’t just decor — it’s a handcrafted homage to memory, love, and celebration.
Day of the Dead Crochet Pillow. Materials:
- Worsted weight yarn in cream, black, gray, pink, turquoise, yellow, green, and purple
- Crochet hook size H/8 (5.0 mm)
- Tapestry needle
- Polyester stuffing
- Stitch markers
Day of the Dead Crochet Pillow. Abbreviations:
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- tr: treble crochet
- sl st: slip stitch
- rnd: round
- st(s): stitch(es)
- dec: decrease (single crochet two stitches together)
Day of the Dead Crochet Pillow. Pillow Base:
- Front Panel (Cream Background):
- Ch 45.
- Row 1: Sc in the second ch from hook and in each ch across (44 sts).
- Row 2-42: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across (44 sts).
- Fasten off and weave in ends.
- Back Panel:
- Repeat the same steps as the front panel.
Skull Appliqué:
- Skull Base (Gray Yarn):
- Magic ring, ch 1, 8 sc in ring, join with sl st to first sc.
- Rnd 1: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around (16 sts).
- Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * to * around (24 sts).
- Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * to * around (32 sts).
- Rnd 4-6: Ch 1, sc in each st around (32 sts).
- Shape the bottom of the skull by crocheting the following: Ch 1, sc in next 10 sts, turn.
- Row 2: Ch 1, sc dec in first 2 sts, sc in next 6 sts, sc dec in last 2 sts (8 sts).
- Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across (8 sts).
- Fasten off and weave in ends.
- Eyes (Black Yarn):
- Make 2.
- Magic ring, ch 1, 6 sc in ring, join with sl st to first sc.
- Rnd 1: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around (12 sts).
- Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * to * around (18 sts).
- Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in each st around (18 sts).
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
- Nose (Black Yarn):
- Ch 5.
- Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and next 3 sts (4 sts).
- Row 2: Ch 1, sc dec in first 2 sts, sc dec in last 2 sts (2 sts).
- Row 3: Ch 1, sc dec (1 st).
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
- Mouth (Black Yarn):
- Use black yarn to embroider the mouth onto the skull base with a tapestry needle.
- Floral Accents:
- Large Rose (Pink Yarn):
- Ch 43.
- Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across (42 sts).
- Row 2: Ch 1, sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc in each 5 sts across, repeat till the end.
- Roll the strip to form a rose shape and sew the base to secure.
- Small Roses (Various Colors):
- Repeat the same steps as the large rose with shorter chains (e.g., Ch 31).
- Leaves (Green Yarn):
- Ch 9.
- Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, hdc in next, dc in next 4, hdc in next, sc in last. Fasten off.
- Large Rose (Pink Yarn):
- Assembly:
- Sew the skull appliqué onto the center of the front panel.
- Sew the eyes and nose in place on the skull.
- Arrange and sew the roses and leaves above the skull.
- Place the front and back panels together, right sides facing out.
- Join the panels by sc around the edges, leaving one side open.
- Stuff the pillow with polyester filling.
- Close the remaining side with sc.
- Fasten off and weave in all ends.
Your Day of the Dead crochet pillow is now ready to add a charming and festive touch to your space!
Whether you’re making it for yourself, gifting it to a loved one, or preparing for a Día de los Muertos altar, this crochet pillow brings so much heart into your space. It’s one of those projects that’s fun to make, meaningful to display, and impossible not to adore.
So grab your hook, your most cheerful yarns, and let this pillow bring a little extra soul to your crochet time.
Note: Here is a pattern suggestion for you to create your own pattern. The end result may vary.