How to Crochet a Pouf With Side Storage Pockets (The Pocket Pouf)

Welcome! Today, I'm excited to guide you through making a beautiful crochet pouf that not only adds style to your home but also provides handy storage pockets for your magazines, blankets, or toys. This pattern is super beginner-friendly, so you’ve got this!

[Descriptive image caption of the finished piece]

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS PATTERN

This Crochet Pouf is wonderful for beginners because it uses basic stitches and has a simple structure. It can take around 11 hours to complete, but each step is enjoyable and satisfying. Plus, you’ll love how functional and cozy this pouf is in any room!

IN THIS POST

• What You'll Need
• Stitches You'll Use in This Pattern
• Pattern Details
• Abbreviations
• Special Stitches
• Let’s Get Started: Full Pattern Instructions
• Assembly / Putting It All Together
• Finishing
• Full Recipe-Card-Style Summary Box
• What’s Next?

What You'll Need

• Yarn:

  • 1 skein (approx. 320 yards) of bulky weight (Category 5) 100% cotton yarn in Light Grey (Color A) — this yarn is medium-thickness, making it easy to see your stitches.
  • 1 skein (approx. 320 yards) of bulky weight (Category 5) 100% cotton yarn in Charcoal (Color B) — great for adding contrast and style.

• Stuffing: Approximately 3 pounds of polyester fiberfill or filling from an old pillow to make your pouf soft and comfy.

• Buttons: 2 large buttons (size: 1-inch diameter) in a color that coordinates with your yarn — these will be a decorative touch for your pockets.

• Safety Eyes: 2 (optional, for decorative embellishment) in size 12 mm.

Stitches You'll Use in This Pattern

• Chain (ch): This creates the little loops that start your work. To make a chain, simply yarn over (bring the yarn over the hook towards you) and pull through the loop on your hook.

• Slip Stitch (sl st): A quick way to join or move to the next stitch without adding height. Insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over, and pull the yarn through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.

• Single Crochet (sc): A basic stitch that creates a tight fabric. Insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull through (two loops on your hook), yarn over again, and pull through both loops.

• Double Crochet (dc): This stitch adds height to your work. Yarn over, insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull through (three loops on your hook), yarn over and pull through the first two loops (two loops on your hook), yarn over again and pull through the last two loops.

Pattern Details

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Finished Size: Approximately 18 inches in diameter and 14 inches in height
• Time to Complete: Total estimated time is around 11 hours
• Yarn Amounts: 1 skein of each color (320 yards)
• Terms: This pattern uses US crochet terms.

Abbreviations

• ch = chain
• dc = double crochet
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• rnd = round
• st = stitch
• sp = space

Special Stitches

Double Crochet:

1. Yarn over.
2. Insert your hook into the stitch where you want to make the dc.
3. Yarn over and pull through. You should have three loops on your hook.
4. Yarn over again and pull through the first two loops, leaving two loops on your hook.
5. Yarn over again and pull through the last two loops.

Let’s Get Started: Full Pattern Instructions

Body of the Pouf

1. Magic Ring: Create a magic ring by wrapping the yarn around your fingers to form a loop. Hold it with your fingers. Then, ch 2 (this counts as your first dc), and into the ring, make 11 dc. Pull the ring tight to close it. (12 sts)

2. Rnd 2: 2 dc in each st around. (24 sts)

3. Rnd 3: *dc in the next st, 2 dc in the next st; repeat from * around. (36 sts)

4. Rnd 4: *dc in the next 2 sts, 2 dc in the next st; repeat from * around. (48 sts)

5. Rnd 5-10: dc in each st around. (48 sts, repeat for 6 rounds)

6. Rnd 11: *dc in the next 3 sts, 2 dc in the next st; repeat from * around. (60 sts)

7. Rnds 12-17: dc in each st around. (60 sts, repeat for 6 rounds)

8. Rnd 18: *dc in the next 4 sts, 2 dc in the next st; repeat from * around. (72 sts)

9. Rnds 19-24: dc in each st around. (72 sts, repeat for 6 rounds)

10. Rnd 25: *dc in the next 5 sts, 2 dc in the next st; repeat from * around. (84 sts)

11. Rnds 26-30: dc in each st around. (84 sts, repeat for 5 rounds)

12. Rnd 31: *dc in the next 6 sts, 2 dc in the next st; repeat from * around. (96 sts)

13. Rnds 32-35: dc in each st around. (96 sts, repeat for 4 rounds)

14. Finish with a sl st in the first dc and fasten off.

Side Storage Pockets (Make 2)

1. Foundation Ch: Ch 20.

2. Row 1: sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and across the chain. You should have 19 sc (stitches).

3. Rows 2-14: Ch 1, turn your work. Now, sc in each st across. (19 sts, repeat for 13 more rows)

4. Row 15: Ch 1, turn your work, sc in the first st, ch 1, skip the next st, *sc in the next st, ch 1, skip the next st; repeat from * across. At the end of this row, you should have 10 sc.

5. Fasten Off: Cut the yarn and pull it through the last remaining loop.

Assembly of Pockets

1. Positioning: Fold each pocket so that the last row you completed is the top edge. Secure the pockets around the side of the pouf with pins, making sure they face outward.

2. Attach the Pockets: Using the matching Color A yarn, sew or slip stitch the pockets to the sides of the pouf. Make sure they are attached securely to handle the weight of items you want to store!

Assembly & Finishing

1. Filling: Fill the pouf with your polyester fiberfill or some pillow stuffing. Shape it until it feels firm, but still soft enough to sit comfortably.

2. Buttons: Sew buttons onto the front of each pocket as decorative elements. This adds a cute finishing touch!

3. Final Touches: Weave in any loose ends using your tapestry needle, making sure everything is nice and tidy.

Measurements & Dimensions

• Your finished pouf should measure approximately 18 inches in diameter and 14 inches in height.
• Each pocket will measure about 15 inches wide and 9 inches deep.

Timing Information

• Body of the pouf: approximately 8 hours
• Pockets: approximately 2 hours
• Assembly: approximately 1 hour
• Total estimated time: around 11 hours

Variations & Notes

Feel free to experiment with color changes or stripe patterns by alternating colors every few rounds for a fun twist! Ensure your pouf is filled well to keep its shape while also being soft enough to sit on.

For care, hand wash your pouf in cold water and lay it flat to dry. Avoid using a machine to wash or dry it, as this may cause shrinking or damage.

FULL RECIPE-CARD-STYLE SUMMARY BOX

• Title: Crochet Pouf With Side Storage Pockets (The Pocket Pouf)
• Yield: 1
• One-line description: A functional crochet pouf with stylish side pockets for storage.
• Full materials list:
  • 1 skein of bulky weight 100% cotton yarn in Light Grey (Color A)
  • 1 skein of bulky weight 100% cotton yarn in Charcoal (Color B)
  • Approximately 3 pounds of polyester fiberfill
  • 2 large buttons
  • 2 safety eyes (optional)
• Full tools list:
  • 8 mm crochet hook
  • Tapestry needle
  • Stitch markers
  • Scissors
  • Measuring tape
  • Pins
• Full numbered instructions:
  1. Magic ring, ch 2, 11 dc into ring. (12 sts)
  2. Rnd 2: 2 dc in each st around. (24 sts)
  3. Rnd 3: *dc in next st, 2 dc in next st; repeat from * around. (36 sts)
  4. Rnd 4: *dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st; repeat from * around. (48 sts)
  5. Rnd 5-10: dc in each st around. (48 sts, repeat for 6 rounds)
  6. Rnd 11: *dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st; repeat from * around. (60 sts)
  7. Rnds 12-17: dc in each st around. (60 sts, repeat for 6 rounds)
  8. Rnd 18: *dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st; repeat from * around. (72 sts)
  9. Rnds 19-24: dc in each st around. (72 sts, repeat for 6 rounds)
  10. Rnd 25: *dc in next 5 sts, 2 dc in next st; repeat from * around. (84 sts)
  11. Rnds 26-30: dc in each st around. (84 sts, repeat for 5 rounds)
  12. Rnd 31: *dc in next 6 sts, 2 dc in next st; repeat from * around. (96 sts)
  13. Rnds 32-35: dc in each st around. (96 sts, repeat for 4 rounds)
  14. Finish with a sl st in the first dc and fasten off.
  15. Side Pockets: Ch 20, sc in 2nd ch from hook across (19 sc). Rows 2-14: ch 1, turn, sc in each st (repeat for 13 rows). Row 15: ch 1, turn, sc in first st, ch 1, skip, sc, ch 1, skip across (10 sc). Fasten off.
  16. Assemble pockets and pouf, fill, attach buttons and weave ends.
• Notes: Hand wash and lay flat to dry.

What’s Next?

Save this for later: Be sure to save or pin this post to Pinterest so you can come back to it anytime!

Leave a comment: If you have any questions while working on your pouf, don't hesitate to ask! I’m here to help.

Share your finished project: I would love to see your beautiful Pocket Pouf! Don’t worry about perfection, just enjoy your crochet journey! Happy crocheting!

Image shown for inspiration — your finished result may vary slightly.