Bobble Sunburst Seat Belt Pad Free Crochet Pattern

Bobble Sunburst Seat Belt Pad Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This plush chenille seat belt pad is the perfect quick project for anyone who wants to add a little sunshine to their daily commute. Worked flat in simple single crochet and then folded in half, it slips over your seat belt strap to cushion your shoulder and chest on every drive. The raised bobble sunburst in neon pink and orange pops against a bright neon yellow background, so it looks just as cheerful as it feels. Soft, squishy, and finished in an afternoon, it makes a wonderful gift for a new driver, a car-loving friend, or yourself.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Super bulky (weight 6) chenille yarn, 100% polyester, 120 yd (110 m) per 100 g skein.
  • Color A (Neon Yellow): 1 skein (approx. 80 yd used)
  • Color B (Neon Pink): 1 skein (approx. 40 yd used)
  • Color C (Neon Orange): 1 skein (approx. 20 yd used)
• Hook: 6.0 mm (J-10) crochet hook
• Notions: Tapestry needle, 2 neon pink buttons (approx. 1 inch / 2.5 cm), scissors, stitch marker (optional)
• Finished size: Approx. 4.5 inches (11.5 cm) wide x 10 inches (25.5 cm) long when folded

Abbreviations

• ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• sc – single crochet: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• sl st – slip stitch: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• bobble – bobble stitch: [yarn over, insert hook in next st, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops] 4 times in the same stitch, yarn over, pull through all 5 loops on hook. Push the bobble to the back (wrong side) of your work so it pops out on the front.

Gauge

10 sts and 10 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet. Work a small swatch in Color A and measure a 4-inch section; if you have more stitches, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down a hook size.

Tips Before You Start

• Chenille yarn sheds and can be tricky to frog, so count your stitches at the end of every row before moving on.
• Bobbles are worked in Color B and Color C: change colors on the last yarn-over of the stitch before the bobble so the bobble itself is the new color.
• Keep your tension relaxed and even; tight single crochet makes chenille stiff and harder to fold over the strap.
• Push each bobble to the back of the work as you finish it so all bobbles face the same way on the front of the pad.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Pad (worked flat in rows)

With Color A, ch 13.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (12 sc).

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across (12 sc).

Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 4 sts, [bobble in next st, sc in next st] 4 times, sc in last 4 sts (12 sts, 4 bobbles).

Rows 4-5: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across (12 sc).

Row 6: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 3 sts, [bobble in next st, sc in next st] 6 times, sc in last 3 sts (12 sts, 6 bobbles).

Rows 7-8: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across (12 sc).

Row 9: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts, [bobble in next st, sc in next st] 8 times, sc in last 2 sts (12 sts, 8 bobbles).

Rows 10-11: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across (12 sc).

Row 12: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first st, [bobble in next st, sc in next st] 10 times, sc in last st (12 sts, 10 bobbles).

Rows 13-14: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across (12 sc).

Row 15: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts, [bobble in next st, sc in next st] 8 times, sc in last 2 sts (12 sts, 8 bobbles).

Rows 16-17: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across (12 sc).

Row 18: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 3 sts, [bobble in next st, sc in next st] 6 times, sc in last 3 sts (12 sts, 6 bobbles).

Rows 19-20: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across (12 sc).

Row 21: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 4 sts, [bobble in next st, sc in next st] 4 times, sc in last 4 sts (12 sts, 4 bobbles).

Rows 22-23: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across (12 sc).

Change to Color B.

Rows 24-25: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across (12 sc).

Change to Color A.

Rows 26-27: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across (12 sc).

Fasten off.

Button Loops (make 2, using Color B)

Rnd 1: Ch 8, join with sl st to first ch to form a ring. Sc in each ch around (8 sc). Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail.

Edging (optional, using Color B)

Fold the Pad in half widthwise so the short ends meet, with the sunburst centered on the front. With Color B, work a slip stitch border around the entire perimeter of the folded pad, working through both layers to close the sides and leaving the top open for the strap. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Fold the Pad in half widthwise so the short ends meet, with the sunburst centered on the front. Sew the button loops to the back layer at the folded edge, positioning them about 1 inch from each side. Sew the buttons to the front layer directly opposite the loops, using Color B. Weave in all ends, threading them through the inside of the pad so they stay hidden. Gently steam-block the pad to relax the chenille and even out the bobbles; do not press with a hot iron, as polyester chenille can melt.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the neon colorway for a single solid color with a contrasting bobble shade for a more subtle, everyday look.
• Add a second set of button loops and buttons if you want the pad to sit more securely on a wider strap.
• Make a matching pair by working the pad in a different color combination for the passenger side.