Donut Pillow
I know most people like donuts, but I have a friend who loves them. We became friends through my sister, and even before I knew her, I knew she loved donuts. So, when I saw pictures of crocheted donuts and decided to make one, I knew just the girl to make it for. Most patterns I found weren’t exactly what I was looking for, so below is my pattern for a donut pillow. I wanted to make it look as much like a real donut as possible, so the donut side and frosting side are not the exact same.
For this project, I used a 4.5mm (US 7) hook, Red Heart Super Saver Yarn, and Poly-fil Ultra Plush Super Soft Polyester Fiber Fill for the inside.
For this project, you will need to know the following stitches: sl knot and ch, sc, hdc, dc, tr, sl st
The final pillow will measure about 16″ across and about 6″ high. I chose to make a chocolate donut with pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles, and below are the colors I used.
For the donut base, Coffee, Color 0365, about 3/4 skein
For the frosting, Light Raspberry, Color 0774, about 3/4 skein
For the sprinkles, scraps of the following colors:
Light blue, Color 0381
Bright Yellow, Color 0324
White, Color 0311
Spring Green, Color 0672
Carrot, Color 0256
Baby Pink, Color 0724
Medium Purple, Color 0528
For Donut Base
In brown, sl knot, Ch 65, join to first stitch with sl st (use stitch marker). After this first sl st, you will be working in a spiral. Continue to move the stitch marker at the end of each round to keep track of your stitches, but do not sl st and join at the end of each round. This will prevent visible seams.
Round 1-6: 1 hdc in each stitch (65 total)
At this point, you should turn the ring inside out, as this is the inner ring of the donut, and the pretty/good side of the stitches needs to be on the inside of the ring.
Round 7: *1 hdc in first stitch, 2 hdc in next stitch* repeat until end of round (97)
Round 8: 1 hdc in each stitch (97)
Round 9: *1 hdc in first 5 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch* repeat until end of round (113)
Round 10: *1 hdc in 6 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch* repeat until end of round (129)
Round 11: *1 hdc in 8 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch* repeat until end of round (143)
Round 12: *1 hdc in 12 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch* repeat until end of round (154)
Round 13: *1 hdc in 15 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch* repeat until end of round (163)
Round 14-22: 1 hdc in each stitch (163)
For Donut Frosting
In pink, leave very long tail (about 20″), then sl knot, Ch 65, join to first stitch with sl st (use stitch marker). This long tail will be used to sew the inner rings of the donut together. As with the donut base, after this first sl st, you will be working in a spiral. Continue to move the stitch marker at the end of each round to keep track of your stitches, but do not sl st and join at the end of each round. This will prevent visible seams.
Round 1-9: 1 hdc in each stitch (65 total)
At this point, you should turn the ring inside out, as this is the inner ring of the donut, and the pretty/good side of the stitches needs to be on the inside of the ring.
Round 10: *1 hdc in first stitch, 2 hdc in next stitch* repeat until end of round (97)
Round 11: 1 hdc in each stitch (97)
Round 12: *1 hdc in first 5 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch* repeat until end of round (113)
Round 13: *1 hdc in 6 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch* repeat until end of round (129)
Round 14: *1 hdc in 8 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch* repeat until end of round (143)
Round 15: *1 hdc in 12 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch* repeat until end of round (154)
Round 16: *1 hdc in 15 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch* repeat until end of round (163)
Round 17-21: 1 hdc in each stitch (163)
Round 22: 1 stitch in each stitch around, randomly varying the height of the stitch from sc to hdc to dc to tr and back down, or other variations of these stitches to form drippy edges (163)
Round 23: sl st in each stitch around. Cut tail long, close to twice the length of the outer ring of the donut (about 80″), to sew the outer edges of the donut together.
For Sprinkles
With a yarn needle, thread short pieces of assorted colors through the top of the frosting section, starting at the back and coming back through, showing short lengths on the front and tying with a knot in the back. Because I had large amounts of these colors, I kept the length attached to the skein as I threaded them, and then cut it off after knotting on the inside, but it could easily be done with shorter scraps of leftover yarn.
To attach
Attach first the inner ring of the donut, then the outside, using the long tails left on the frosting side. For both inside and outside, when stitching, do not stitch the brown and pink even, but allow the frosting to overlap on top of the donut, stitching in and out with a yarn needle in frosting color. For the outer ring, since the last round of the frosting is an uneven/wavy edge, sew in the row above to allow the wavy edge to look like drippy frosting. When stitching the outside, pause continually to stuff the pillow. When done, tie off and hide the tail inside.
If you make this donut, I’d love to see it, so please visit my Facebook, and show me what you’ve made!
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: This pattern was designed by me and is intended for your personal use. I have provided it for free on my blog, and the selling of this pattern is strictly prohibited. If you are interested in selling completed items based off this pattern, please notify me and credit me as the designer.
Good day! This is sUPER cute, and i’m immediately in love.
I was wondering, do you have any advice if you wanted to make the pillow considerably larger? I have it in mind as a sort of oversized throw/bed pillow, maybe twice the height/diameter posted here… doubling some stitches / the initial chain would work for increasing the diameter, but if i wanted it considerably thicker, what rows do you think i should stress on repeating/building up more?
Thank you for your time!
Thank you, I’m glad you like the pillow! For the pattern, I was making it up as I went, so I can’t say for certain, but if I were to try to make it larger, I would do as you said and start by increasing the number in the initial chain. To increase the height, you would want to add several more rows before you start increasing. For the donut base, the inner circle is rows 1-6, and for the frosting it is rows 1-9, so I would keep that ratio of the base being roughly 2/3 the number of rows before you begin the increase. You will then also have to add rows at the end so that the outer edges reach back down to each other, adding as many rows on the outside as you did on the inside. Increasing the diameter will be a bit trickier, and you may have to test it out a bit first, but after the round of *1 hdc in 15 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch* repeat until end of round (163), I would continue to increase at similar rates, moving maybe up to *1 hdc in 18 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch* and so on until it is about the size you want. As you can tell from my numbers, there is not any particular rhyme or reason, but simply what looked right to me as I was making it. If you have any other questions as you are making it, just ask! I’d love to see pictures when you’re done!
you know i actually am figuring it out– hah. I will defeat this donut.
Hi, this is a beautiful pattern I would like to try out.
I was just curious how much poly-fil did you use? I don’t want to over buy if I don’t have to.
Thank you!
Thank you, Jessica! I do not have an exact amount for the poly-fil, but I bought the 40 oz bag and have made two donuts out of it with some still to spare. Hope that helps!
I’m about half done making the bottom. It’s a pretty simple pattern so far. I think my granddaughter is going to love it!! I’m changing done of the colors but still. I’ll try to post a picture when I’m done! Thanks for the pattern!
Thank you!! Been searching for a donut pattern!!!! Looks really simple!! Thanks a lot!???
Working this up pretty fast, great pattern thanks – making it for my niece’s birthday – she’s a big donut fan!
Right – back to crochet x
What. Ply wool Do I use for this pattern (donut)?
I used Red Heart Super Saver yarn, which is Aran weight. I’m sure you could substitute for a similar weight wool and it would work out great.
Hey Christine
I love this pillow and would love to be able to sell these to a few family and friends not publicly and would love your permission and I will definitely give you all the credit I would never make it out to be mine you do beautiful work and I will only use the pattern as personal use and will not sell it or give it to anyone as mine !
Thank you,
Chrystal Turlington
Thank you for the message Chrystal, and for the kind compliments. I would be happy for you to sell to your friends and family, with credit and reference back to this site. Thanks!
I absolutely love this pattern! I’ve made two in two days (for my kiddos). Thank you so much for sharing ❤
I love this pattern! My kids love these soooo much!!!! Thank you for sharing your pattern! With your permission I would love to make a five to sell at our school PAC craft fair. Thanks so much!
Thank you! I’m glad the pillow has been such a hit! And yes, that will be fine. Please include reference to my name and site with the items you will be selling.
How would you suggest making this using sc instead of hdc?
There is not a quick translation of hdc to sc for this pattern, but it would have to be worked out with some trial and error. You would need to add in extra rounds, potentially by repeating a round every few rounds. Without working it out myself, I’m sorry I’m not able to give a better answer. Why are you looking to switch stitches?