Mosaic crochet is an amazing technique for intricate patterns, and the Veracruz cushion is a perfect beginner friendly pattern if you are just learning mosaic crochet.
Inspired by the shape of the amazing pyramids found in the modern day Mexican state of Veracruz, this pattern uses mosaic crochet to create a modern ethnic style cushion combining two colours. I used Paintbox DK cotton yarn and a 4.00 mm hook, see more details below.
The cushion measures 18×18 inches and it is made using a back panel with buttonholes so you can easily wash it or replace it if needed!
Crochet stitches used in this pattern:
Mosaic crochet is a really fun technique and it only uses two basic stitches: the single crochet stitch and the double crochet stitch. You combine these two stitches to create a design. You do this by utilising the front and back loops of the crochet stitches. You start your piece by forming a base of 2 rows of single crochets worked the back loop. By placing single crochets in the back loop, you can overlay double crochet stitches in the front loop on the previous row, as indicated below. Switching between single and double crochets is what creates the shapes in your piece.
The mosaic crochet technique starts of by making one row of single crochets. You chain 1 and fasten off your yarn. As you will only be working on the front of your piece.
Depending on the pattern, you change colour on the next row. You attach the new colour by chaining 1 and then make a single crochet in the first stitch. You make single crochets in the back loop only until you reach the last stitch. On the last stitch, you make a single crochet. You chain 1 and fasten off your yarn. The photo below highlights which are the front and back loops.
You then pick up the first colour and again start by making a normal single crochet. You then continue by making single crochets in the back loop. As the pattern requires, you place double crochets in the front loop of the corresponding stitch of the previous same coloured row.
This is the basic technique for mosaic crochet. You can add more colours and make very intricate and beautiful designs.
If you want a step by step tutorial for the single and double crochet stitches check out the video tutorials below:
The back panel also uses slip stitches, you can find a tutorial for this here:
What you will need to make the Veracruz crochet cushion:
- 4.0mm crochet hook
- Colour A – Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK Light Caramel (409)
- Colour B – Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK Pistachio Green (425)
- Pair of scissors
- Darning needle
- 3 buttons
How to crochet the Veracruz crochet cushion:
This is a Mosaic crochet pattern, suitable for beginners. As such, it is worked in the front of your piece, from right to left and yarn is attached at the beginning of the row and fastened off at the end.
For the front panel:
The techniques are the same across the pattern so it is easier to read the chart below. Here are instructions for the first few rows to get you started:
- To start off, use Colour A yarn to chain (CH) 82.
- Row 1: single crochet (SC) into the second CH from hook and continue making SCs across the chain. CH 1 and snip off the yarn.
- Row 2: attach Colour B by placing a CH 1 in the first stitch and then SC into the first stitch. Continue placing SCs in the back loop (BL) of the stitches only. Place a normal SC into the last stitch. In this pattern, unless stated otherwise, the first and last stitches will be normal SCs, going through both loops of the stitch.
- Row 3: this is where the mosaic crochet pattern starts.
- Using Colour A, make 1 SC in the first stitch.
- Then place a double crochet (DC) in the next 14 stitches. You will place the DCs in the front loop of the previous Colour A row. This is why we worked in the back loop of the SCs and any time you are asked to do a DC in the front loop it will be in the previous row of the same colour yarn. Unless otherwise specified, DCs in the front loop are made in the previous row of the same colour yarn.
- Make 9 SCs in the back loop only.
- Make 15 DCs in the front loop of the previous Colour A row.
- Make 3 SCs in the back loop only.
- Make 15 DCs in the front loop of the previous Colour A row.
- Make 9 SCs in the back loop only.
- Make 15 DCs in the front loop of the previous Colour A row.
- Make 1 SC, CH 1 and fasten off.
- Row 4: using Colour B SC in the first stitch and then:
- SC in the back loop in the next 14 stitches.
- Place 9 DCs in the front loop only.
- Make 15 SCs in the back loop only.
- Place 3 DCs in the front loop only.
- Make 15 SCs in the back loop only.
- Place 9 DCs in the front loop only.
- SC in the back loop in the next 14 stitches.
- Make one SC in the last stitch. CH 1 and fasten off.
- Row 5: using Colour A, SC in the first stitch and then:
- Make 1 SC in the back loop, and then 13 DCs in the front loop and 9 SCs in the back loop.
- Make 13 DCs in the front loop.
- Make 7 SCs in the back loop.
- Make 13 DCs in the front loop.
- Make 9 SCs in the back loop
- Make 13 DCs in the front loop.
- Make 1 SC in the last stitch, CH 1 and fasten off.
- Row 6: using Colour B, SC in the first stitch and then:
- Make 1 DC in the front loop.
- Make 15 SCs in the back loop.
- Make 5 DCs in the front loop.
- Make 15 SCs in the back loop.
- Make 3 DCs in the front loop, 1 SC in the back loop and 3 DCs in the front loop.
- Make 15 SCs in the back loop.
- Make 5 DCs in the front loop.
- Make 15 SCs in the back loop.
- Make 1 DC in the front loop.
- Make 1 SC in the last stitch, CH 1 and fasten off.
- …
For the back panel:
On the last row of the front panel, CH 1 but do not fasten off your Colour A yarn. We will use this yarn to make the first part of the back panel. This will be made up in the following way:
- Make 3 rows of SCs, make sure to CH 1 at the end of each row. Then make 3 rows of DCs, again making sure to CH 1 at the end of each row.
- Repeat this one more time. Make 4 rows of SCs.
- Then, make one row of slip stitches. CH 1 and fasten off.
For the second longer piece of the back panel, either pick up the stitches of the first row of the front panel or CH 82 to create a separate panel. By picking up the stitches, you will not need to weave in the front and back panel together.
To make the second piece, you will use Colour A yarn to:
- Make 3 rows of SCs, make sure to CH 1 at the end of each row. Then make 3 rows of DCs, again making sure to CH 1 at the end of each row.
- Repeat this for a total of 7 times.
- Make 1 row of SCs. CH1 and turn.
- Make 21 SCs, skip 3 stitches and CH 3. This is how we start creating the buttonholes. Make another 15 SCs, skip 3 stitches and CH 3. Make another 15 SCs, skip 3 stitches and CH 3 and then SC 21, CH 1 and turn.
- Make another row of SC, placing 3 SCs in the CH3 spaces. You should have 81 stitches in total.
- Then make another 2 rows of SCs but finish by making one row of slip stitches. CH 1 and fasten off.
Veracruz crochet cushion pattern diagram:
Here is the pattern diagram. The x’s represent DCs worked in the front loop, the cells in green are normal SCs and empty cells represent SCs worked in the back loop.
The cells marked in blue are there to give you an impression of the design, not to mark colour changes. The columns in orange indicate if the row should be worked in Colour A or B.
Assembling the cushion:
Place the wrong sides together, ensuring that the longer back piece with the buttonholes is on the bottom. Using your darning needle and some colour A yarn, weave in the sides and remaining back panel piece if you made this separately. You don’t need to weave in the ends of the front panel as those will be on the inside of your cushion cover.
Check where the buttonholes are and secure the buttons using some yarn or thread. Place the cushion insert inside and your Veracruz Mosaic Crochet Cushion is ready!
Don’t forget to check out other crochet cushion patterns, like my Anthropologie inspired crochet cushion, the Pomegranate Love Cushion.
Happy Crochet