Practical, cute, and versatile – the perfect companion for travel: this strawberry-shaped crochet travel neck pillow is not only a real eye-catcher, but also helps you arrive feeling relaxed, whether you’re traveling by car, train, or plane. Measuring approximately 30 × 30 × 10 cm, it’s ideal for children and teens, providing comfortable neck support without feeling too large or bulky. You’ll find the free pattern just below.
You can find the free pattern for the Donut Neck Pillow from the pictures here.
The pattern is easy to follow and guides you step by step through creating your own strawberry pillow – making it a great choice for beginners. Even better: with just a few simple adjustments, you can easily customize the size. This way, the pillow can also be adapted for adults, with helpful tips included at the end of the pattern.
Whether as a reliable travel companion, a thoughtful gift, or a fun DIY project, this neck pillow adds comfort and a touch of joy to every journey. 🍓
Size
30 x 30 x 10 cm / approx. 11.8 × 11.8 × 3.9 inches (Length x Width x Depth)
What do you need
- Super Bulky chenille yarn in red (appr. 200 m), green (appr. 60 m), white (appr. 20 m)
- Yarn used for the original sample: Baby Snuggle Solid (by Hobbii) in the colors Maroon (26) and Grass (35) (gauge: 4 × 4 inches = 9 sts × 18 rows)
- For better visibility, thinner cotton yarn was used in the photos
- Crochet hook
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Polyfill stuffing (approx. 9 oz)
- Red snap buttons
Abbreviations
sc = single crochet | hdc = half double crochet | dc = double crochet | tr = treble crochet |sl st = slip stitch(es) | ch = chain(s) | st(s) = stitch(es) | rnd = round | row = rowsc2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together (decrease stitch count by 1)How to read the pattern
The pattern is written in US crochet terminology.
- 1 sc x k – 1 single crochet in the next k stitches (k)
- 2 sc – 2 single crochet in the next st (2)
- 2 sc x k – 2 single crochet in the next k stitches (2*k)
- sc2tog x k – crochet next k stitch-pairs in a single crochet together (k)
Crochet Pattern for Strawberry Travel Neck Pillow
Photos for each step are provided at the end of the corresponding section of the pattern.
Please note: for better visibility, fine cotton yarn was used in the photos instead of the chenille yarn shown in the cover image.
Body
Use red color.
Chain 48 + 1 turning ch (resp. a multiple of 6 sts + 1 turning ch).
1. R: (1 sc x 7, 2 sc) x 6, ch 1 + turn (54)
2. R: (1 sc x 8, 2 sc) x 6, ch 1 + turn (60)
3. R: (1 sc x 9, 2 sc) x 6, ch 1 + turn (66)
4. R: 1 sc x 5, 2 sc, (1 sc x 10, 2 sc) x 5, 1 sc x 5, ch 1 + turn (72)
5. R: (1 sc x 11, 2 sc) x 6, ch 1 + turn (78)
6. R: (1 sc x 12, 2 sc) x 6, ch 1 + turn (84)
7. R: (1 sc x 13, 2 sc) x 6, ch 1 + turn (90)
8. R: 1 sc x 7, 2 sc, (1 sc x 14, 2 sc) x 5, 1 sc x 7, ch 1 + turn (96)
9. R: (1 sc x 15, 2 sc) x 6, ch 1 + turn (102)
10. R: (1 sc x 16, 2 sc) x 6, ch 1 + turn (108)
11. R: (1 sc x 17, 2 sc) x 6, ch 1 + turn (114)
12. R: 1 sc x 9, 2 sc, (1 sc x 18, 2 sc) x 5, 1 sc x 9, ch 1 + turn (120)
13. – 16. R: 1 sc x 120 (4 rows) – after the first two rows, half of the body is complete. From there, you will work back across the piece.
17. R: (1 sc x 18, sc2tog) x 6, ch 1 + turn (114)
18. R: (1 sc x 17, sc2tog) x 6, ch 1 + turn (108)
19. R: 1 sc x 8, sc2tog, (1 sc x 16, sc2tog) x 5, 1 sc x 8, ch 1 + turn (102)
20. R: (1 sc x 15, sc2tog) x 6, ch 1 + turn (96)
21. R: (1 sc x 14, sc2tog) x 6, ch 1 + turn (90)
22. R: (1 sc x 13, sc2tog) x 6, ch 1 + turn (84)
23. R: 1 sc x 6, sc2tog, (1 sc x 12, sc2tog) x 5, 1 sc x 6, ch 1 + turn (78)
24. R: (1 sc x 11, sc2tog) x 6, ch 1 + turn (72)
25. R: (1 sc x 10, sc2tog) x 6, ch 1 + turn (66)
26. R: (1 sc x 9, sc2tog) x 6, ch 1 + turn (60)
27. R: 1 sc x 4, sc2tog, (1 sc x 8, sc2tog) x 5, 1 sc x 4, ch 1 + turn (54)
28. R: (1 sc x 7, sc2tog) x 6, ch 1 + turn (48)
Using single crochet, join the last and first row together (48 sts).
Do NOT fasten off.
Turn the piece inside out so the joining seam is hidden on the inside, then stuff firmly with fiberfill.
Now resume the working yarn: we will close both openings next. First, close the opening where your working yarn is attached. To do this, continue crocheting around the edge in continuous rounds, decreasing in each round:
1. Rd: ch 1, (1 sc x 8, sc2tog) x 2, 1 sc x 9 across the side (the last stitch is worked into the joining (closure) round) (27)
2. Rd: (1 sc x 7, sc2tog) x 3 (24)
3. Rd: (1 sc x 6, sc2tog) x 3 (21)
4. Rd: (1 sc, sc2tog) x 7 (14)
Stuff the interior firmly with fiberfill.
Work 2 more single crochets (1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches), then fold the rows flat and join the sides as follows:
1. R: 1 sc in 1. + 13. st, 1 sc in 2. + 12. st, 1 sc in 3. + 11. st, 1 sc in 4. + 10. st, 1 sc in 3. + 9. st, 1 sc in 4. + 8. st, 1 sc in 5. + 7. st, skip the 8. st (6)
2. R: 1 sc, sc2tog x 2, 1 sc (4)
3. R: sc2tog x 2 (2)
Fasten off and weave in the yarn end.
Repeat the same process for the other opening. Thereby start on the inside at the connection row.
The increase rounds form the top of the pillow, while the decrease rounds form the bottom.
Strawberry Top
Use green yarn. The strawberry top (calyx) is worked in continuous rounds.
Ch 2.
1. Rd: 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook (8)
2. Rd: 2 sc x 8 (16)
3. Rd: (1 sc, 2 sc) x 8 (24)
4. – 7. Rd: 1 sc x 24 (4 rounds)
8. Rd: (1 sc, 2 sc) x 12 (36)
9. Rd: (1 sc x 2, 2 sc) x 12 (48)
10. Rd: 1 sc x 48 (1 round)
11. Rd: (1 sc x 3, 2 sc) x 12 (60)
12. Rd: 1 sc x 60 (1 round)
13. Rd: (1 sc x 4, 2 sc) x 12 (72)
14. Rd: 1 sc x 72 (1 round)
15. Rd: (1 sc x 5, 2 sc) x 12 (84)
16. Rd: 1 sc x 84 (1 round)
Now we will work a final round in a wave pattern.
A wave pattern consists of the following stitch sequence:
[1 sc in next st, 1 hdc in next st, 1 dc in next st, 2 tr in next st, 1 tr in next st, 1 dc in next st, 1 hdc in next st, 1 sc in next st, 1 sl st in next st].
Sl st into the first stitch, then repeat the wave pattern 9 times around the round. Work 1 sl st each into the last 2 stitches to finish the round. Fasten off, leaving a long yarn end for sewing.
Sew the calyx to the center of the body so the stem points to the side, lightly stuffing the tip with fiberfill as you go.
Finally, use white yarn to embroider small “seeds” onto the red body.
Your Strawberry Travel Neck Pillow is finished! You can also add snap buttons to keep the pillow securely closed.
Tip for an Adult-Sized Travel Pillow
Size: appr. 33 x 35 x 10 cm
Start with 55 ch (54 ch + 1 turning ch), which adds about 2 in / 5 cm to the size. Begin the increases in every 9th stitch (i.e., (1 sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st) repeat 6 times) and increase 6 times per round until Round 12 ((1 sc in next 19 sts, 2 sc in next st) repeat 6 times).
Crochet 6 rows of 1 sc each instead of 4, then begin decreasing in the same way: decrease initially every 20th stitch, working down to every 9th stitch.
