Tidal Bloom Pillow | Free Crochet Pattern

The Tidal Bloom Pillow was inspired by a tender moment in The Sea Glass Journal between Tess and her son, Miles — a marine biologist whose fascination with sharks mirrors his adventurous spirit. Throughout his life, Tess reminded him to “jump at the right waves,” a lesson about courage, timing, and trusting life’s flow.

I wanted to design something that quietly honors that connection — a piece that evokes the sea without being literal. The result is this elegant, coastal-inspired pillow, worked in soft gray tones reminiscent of ocean depths, with a swirling surface-crochet flower that blooms like a tide in motion.

The Tidal Bloom Pillow captures both strength and serenity — a reminder that chasing your dreams, like the movement of the sea, can be both powerful and peaceful. Whether it rests on your couch, bed, or favorite reading chair, it brings a touch of ocean calm and heartfelt meaning to any space.

Watch the step-by-step video tutorial below to crochet along with me!

What you will need:

• 623 yds (570m) #4 worsted weight yarn in one color
  or
  360 yds (329m) #4 worsted weight yarn in color A
  and
  263 yds (240m) #4 worsted weight yarn in color B
• H/8 (5mm) crochet hook
• 14 in (35cm) pillow form
• Yarn needle
• Scissors

Shown in:

• Lion Brand Pound of Love; 16 oz (454g) per 1020 yds (932m); color A (#150U Oxford Grey, 1 ball); color B (# Sugar Cookie, 1 ball). 

Gauge:

10 sts = 4 in (10cm) in double crochet

Finished size:

Fits 14 in square pillow form.

Instructions:

Round 1: Ch5, slst to 5th ch from hook to form ring, ch1, 2sc, 2hdc, 8dc in ring. Do not join. – 12 sts

Note: Until further notice, rounds are worked in a spiral and not joined.

Round 2: *2dc-blo in ea st around. – 24 dcs

Round 3: *2dc-blo in next st, 1dc-blo in next st. Rep from * around. – 36 dcs

Round 4: *2dc-blo in next st, 1dc-blo in ea of next 2 sts. Rep from * around. – 48 dcs

Round 5: *2dc-blo in next st, 1dc-blo in ea of next 3 sts. Rep from * around. – 60 dcs

Round 6: *2dc-blo in next st, 1dc-blo in ea of next 4 sts. Rep from * around. – 72 dcs

Round 7: *2dc-blo in next st, 1dc-blo in ea of next 5 sts. Rep from * around. – 84 dcs

Round 8: *2dc-blo in next st, 1dc-blo in ea of next 6 sts. Rep from * around. – 96 dcs

Round 9: *2dc-blo in next st, 1dc-blo in ea of next 7 sts. Rep from * around. – 108 dcs

Before next round: hdc-blo in next st, sc-blo in next st, slst-blo in next st. This smooths out the edge from the spiral.

Round 10: Ch1, *1sc in ea of next 9 sts, 1hdc in ea of next 2 sts, 1dc in ea of next 2 sts, 2tr in next st, ch3, 2tr in next st, 1dc in ea of next 2 sts, 1hdc in ea of next 2 sts, 1sc in ea of next 8 sts. Rep from * three more times, slst to top of ch3 at beg of round to join. – 4 ch3 sps, 29 sts between ea of the 4 ch3 sps

Round 11: Ch3 (counts as dc), 1dc in ea of next 14 sts, (2dc, ch3, 2dc) in next ch3 sp, 1dc in ea of next 14 sts. *1dc in ea of next 15 sts, (2dc, ch3, 2dc) in next ch3 sp, 1dc in ea of next 14 sts. Rep from * around, slst to top of ch3 at beg of round to join. – 33 sts between ea of the 4 ch3 sps

Round 12: Ch3 (counts as dc), 1dc in ea of next 16 sts, (2dc, ch3, 2dc) in next ch3 sp, 1dc in ea of next 16 sts. *1dc in ea of next 17 sts, (2dc, ch3, 2dc) in next ch3 sp, 1dc in ea of next 16 sts. Rep from * around, slst to top of ch3 at beg of round to join. – 37 sts between ea of the 4 ch3 sps

Edging:

Round 1: With color B, join with slst to free loop of first st of round 1, ch4 (counts as dc, ch1), dc in same st, *skip 1 st, (dc, ch1, dc) in next st. Rep from * around entire spiral to last st of round 9, slst to closest dc from last round of spiral, turn.

Round 2: Slst into first ch1 sp, ch3 (counts as dc), (2dc, ch3 picot, 3dc) in same sp, *sc in next ch1 sp, (3dc, ch3 picot, 3dc) in next ch1 sp. Rep from * around entire spiral until you reach the center of the spiral (round 1). Fasten off.

Assembly:

Holding front and back together (wrong sides facing), and working through both thicknesses, (slst, ch1) in ea st around 3 sides of pillowcase, insert pillow form inside, then continue to crochet across 4th side to close pillowcase around pillowform. Fasten off.

Finishing:

Weave in loose ends.

Care:

Hand wash or machine wash in a lingerie bag on gentle settings. Air dry.

Kristin Omdahl patterns, books, handouts and videos are for your personal use only; additional, up to 10 items can be made to sell from one design. Commercially produced products made from my instructions are prohibited. All Kristin Omdahl patterns, books, handouts and videos are licensed for single use and remain the intellectual property of Kristin Omdahl. This pattern may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise.

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About Kristin Omdahl
Kristin Omdahl is a bestselling author, designer, and creative entrepreneur known for her “sensory storytelling” — weaving food, craft, and nature into unforgettable fiction and non-fiction. Her debut novel, The Sea Glass Journal, is a love letter to Florida’s Gulf Coast, exploring themes of healing, connection, and creative legacy.

When she’s not writing, Kristin shares crochet and knitting designs, recipes, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of her creative process with her global community on Patreon.