Rainbow Arch Cushion Buddy Crochet Free Pattern

Introduction

The Rainbow Arch Cushion Buddy is a squishy little half-circle pillow that looks like a rainbow rising out of the clouds, and it is a wonderful first "big" project for anyone who has just learned single crochet. It is worked flat in simple stripes of cobalt blue and orange, then joined around the edge with a crocheted border, so there is no fiddly seaming to worry about. The finished cushion is about 10 inches wide and 5 inches tall, soft and smooth in sport weight cotton, with a sleepy little face that makes it feel like a friendly buddy on a shelf or bed. Because every row is plain single crochet, you can chat, watch TV, or listen to a podcast while you make it.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Sport weight (Fine #2) cotton, approx. 150 yd (137 m) total — 100 yd (91 m) cobalt blue and 50 yd (46 m) orange.
• Hook: 3.5 mm (US E/4), or the size needed to match gauge.
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, polyester fiberfill for stuffing.
• Finished size: Approx. 10 in (25.5 cm) wide at the base, 5 in (12.7 cm) tall at the center, 1.5 in (3.8 cm) thick.

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• sl st — slip stitch: insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook at once.
• st(s) — stitch(es).
• Rnd — round: a row worked in a circle.
• inc — increase: work 2 sc in the same stitch (written out in full in this pattern).

Gauge

20 sc x 22 rows = 4 x 4 in (10 x 10 cm) in single crochet. Work a small swatch in sc, measure a 4-inch square in the middle, and change hook size if you have more or fewer stitches than 20 across.

Tips Before You Start

• Both pieces are identical in shape, so make the first one completely, then use it as your visual guide for the second.
• Count your stitches at the end of every row — the count grows by 2 each row, so it is easy to catch a mistake early.
• Carry the unused color loosely up the side edge rather than cutting it each time; the border will hide the carried strands.
• Stuff firmly but not rock-hard, adding small handfuls as you close the border so the cushion keeps its arch shape.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Front and Back (make 2, one in each color arrangement)

Work the Front in the stripe order below. Work the Back the same way, but begin with orange instead of cobalt and alternate the colors in the same 3-row bands; the shape and stitch counts are identical.

Row 1: With cobalt, ch 2, 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook (3 sts).

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first st, sc in next st, 2 sc in last st (5 sts).

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first st, sc in each st across to last st, 2 sc in last st (7 sts).

Rows 4–6: Repeat Row 3 three times (13 sts after Row 6). Change to orange.

Rows 7–9: Repeat Row 3 three times (19 sts after Row 9). Change to cobalt.

Rows 10–12: Repeat Row 3 three times (25 sts after Row 12). Change to orange.

Rows 13–15: Repeat Row 3 three times (31 sts after Row 15). Change to cobalt.

Rows 16–18: Repeat Row 3 three times (37 sts after Row 18). Change to orange.

Rows 19–21: Repeat Row 3 three times (43 sts after Row 21). Change to cobalt.

Rows 22–24: Repeat Row 3 three times (49 sts after Row 24). Change to orange.

Rows 25–27: Repeat Row 3 three times (55 sts after Row 27). Change to cobalt.

Rows 28–30: Repeat Row 3 three times (61 sts after Row 30). Fasten off.

Work the second piece the same as the first, but do not fasten off after Row 30; leave a long tail for seaming.

Face (on Front piece)

Eyes (make 2, with orange):

Rnd 1: Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, join with sl st to first sc (6 sts). Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Smile (with orange):

Row 1: Ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (5 sl sts). Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Assembly Border

Place Front and Back pieces with wrong sides together, aligning edges. Starting at the bottom right corner, join with cobalt and sc evenly around the entire perimeter, working 1 sc in each row end along the sides and 1 sc in each st along the top and bottom edges, inserting the hook through both layers. At corners, work 3 sc in the same space. After completing approximately 3/4 of the perimeter, stuff firmly with fiberfill. Continue sc to close, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Sew the eyes to the Front piece, positioning them about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) apart and 1 in (2.5 cm) above the bottom edge, using the photo as a guide. Sew the smile centered below the eyes, curving it upward. Weave in all ends on the wrong side. Lightly steam or mist block the cushion and pat it into shape, then let it dry fully before displaying.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the stripes for a pastel palette, or work each band in a different scrap color for a scrappy rainbow.
• Add a small hanging loop of ch 10 at the top center of the arc so the cushion can hang on a wall hook.
• For a firmer, more sculptural buddy, use a slightly smaller hook for the border round only, and stuff a little extra near the base corners.