Skull Crochet Pillow. Embrace your dark, gothic side with this striking skull crochet pillow pattern. This unique and bold design is perfect for adding a dramatic touch to your home decor. With its detailed skull face and surrounding crochet roses, this pillow makes a statement piece that’s sure to impress.
If you love mixing a little edge with your cozy, then you’re going to adore this Skull Crochet Pillow pattern. I’ll be honest — the first time I made one of these, it was meant to be a Halloween decoration. But guess what? It never left the couch. Now it’s a permanent piece of my home décor, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
There’s something magical about how this pattern combines the softness of crochet with the bold, slightly rebellious vibe of a skull motif. It’s perfect for anyone who has a gothic side, loves alternative or rock-inspired decor, or just wants something totally unique on their couch or bed. Plus, it makes an unforgettable handmade gift — especially for teens, spooky-season fans, or anyone who marches to the beat of their own drum.
How to Make a Skull Crochet Pillow with Roses
This skull crochet pillow pattern is designed for intermediate crocheters who love working on intricate and eye-catching projects. The pillow features a large, soft skull with hollow eyes and a stitched mouth, accented with red roses that bring a touch of elegance to its eerie appearance. It’s the perfect accessory for a gothic-themed room or as a standout piece for Halloween.
The skull design is typically made using tapestry crochet or colorwork, so you’ll be carrying your yarn and switching colors throughout. If that sounds intimidating — don’t worry. Once you get into the rhythm, it becomes kind of meditative. I actually love working color changes like this because it keeps things interesting, and the design comes to life right in your hands, stitch by stitch.
You can totally customize the colors — classic black and white is a showstopper, but I’ve also made versions in hot pink and neon green, cream and gold, even one with a rainbow skull on a black background. It completely changes the mood depending on your palette. I once made a pair with matching skulls but flipped the colors — they looked so cool on a loveseat together.
Skull Crochet Pillow. Crochet Pattern:
Skull Crochet Pillow. The construction is simple: you crochet two panels (front and back), seam them together, and stuff it with a pillow insert or poly-fil. I like to use an envelope-style closure in the back so I can remove the pillow insert if I need to wash it — because let’s be honest, life happens. You can also stitch it closed completely if you prefer, especially if it’s going to be more decorative than functional.
Size-wise, you can easily adjust the dimensions by using different yarn weights or hook sizes. A worsted weight yarn gives you a nice, medium-sized throw pillow, but I’ve gone bulky for a floor pillow vibe — and it was such a hit in my craft room! You can also shrink it down for a travel-size or car pillow, which is so fun to bring on trips.
And can we talk texture? The tight stitches of tapestry crochet give the pillow a thick, durable feel — perfect for something that gets tossed around the living room or hugged during scary movies. If you want an even more plush finish, try using velvet or chenille yarn. I made one in black velvet yarn with a silver sparkle skull and it was so soft and luxurious, it became a Halloween and winter favorite.
The best part is that people notice this pillow. It’s a total conversation starter. I’ve had guests pick it up, ask if I made it, and then immediately request one in their favorite color. And as a crocheter, there’s no better feeling than seeing someone fall in love with something you made with your own two hands and a hook.
So whether you’re decorating for spooky season, embracing your love for the macabre year-round, or just want to try something bold and beautiful — the Skull Crochet Pillow pattern is a must. It’s fun, a little challenging in the best way, and oh-so-rewarding. Trust me, once you make one, you’ll want a whole set!
Materials:
- Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in cream (skull), black (eyes and mouth), and deep red (roses).
- Crochet Hook: 4.0 mm (G/6).
- Polyfill stuffing.
- Yarn needle.
- Stitch markers.
Stitches Used:
- Chain (ch)
- Slip Stitch (sl st)
- Single Crochet (sc)
- Increase (inc)
- Decrease (dec)
Skull Pillow:
Front and Back (Make 2):
- Round 1: Using cream yarn, make a magic ring, ch 1, 6 sc in the ring. (6 sc)
- Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sc)
- Round 3: Sc in the next st, 2 sc in the next st; repeat around. (18 sc)
- Round 4: Sc in the next 2 sts, 2 sc in the next st; repeat around. (24 sc)
- Round 5: Sc in the next 3 sts, 2 sc in the next st; repeat around. (30 sc)
- Continue increasing in this pattern until you reach 84 sc.
- Rounds 16-25: Sc in each st around. (84 sc)
- Fasten off after completing the second piece. Do not fasten off the first piece; you’ll use this for joining.
Eyes (Make 2):
- Round 1: Using black yarn, make a magic ring, ch 1, 6 sc in the ring. (6 sc)
- Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sc)
- Round 3: Sc in the next st, 2 sc in the next st; repeat around. (18 sc)
- Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
Nose:
- Round 1: Using black yarn, make a magic ring, ch 1, 6 sc in the ring. (6 sc)
- Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sc)
- Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
Mouth:
- Using black yarn, embroider a line across the face of the skull, then add vertical lines to create the teeth.
Roses (Make 5-7):
- Row 1: Using deep red yarn, ch 30.
- Row 2: Sc in the second ch from the hook, skip next ch, 5 dc in the next ch, skip next ch, sc in the next ch; repeat across.
- Roll the strip into a rose shape and sew the base to secure.
Assembly:
- Sew the eyes and nose onto the front piece of the skull.
- Embroider the mouth below the nose.
- Attach the roses around the top and sides of the skull.
- Place the two skull pieces together, wrong sides facing, and sc around the edge, leaving a small gap.
- Stuff the pillow with polyfill and then sc the gap closed.
This gothic skull crochet pillow with roses is now ready to bring a dark, stylish flair to your home!
Note: Here is a pattern suggestion for you to create your own pattern. The end result may vary.