The skull in this pattern comes from a photo of a skull decoration. Its face is turned slightly to one side, with deep eye sockets, a dark nose and a row of teeth above a strong jaw. Stitches in three similar shades, cream, silver and gray, give the skull its rounded shape, so follow the rows written out for the shading and count especially carefully around the teeth. The deep purple background around it gives you wide stretches of one color.

The free pattern has the full color chart (64 stitches by 74 rows, 5 colors), every row written out with its colors in the order you work them, a printable pattern, and the chart as a picture to download. It explains how to read the chart, carry the colors, make the back (crocheted or fabric) and put the pillow together.

You need: worsted weight yarn (medium, 4) in 5 colors (Deep purple, Cream, Silver, Gray, Black), a 4 mm (US G-6) or 4.5 mm (US 7) hook, and a 16 inch (40 cm) pillow insert. For the back, more yarn in one color, or fabric.

Gauge: 16 stitches and about 18.5 rows in 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet, carrying the colors. US terms.

Our chart software made this chart from a photo of a skull decoration. No image AI was used.