Learn mosaic crochet with this easy free mosaic crochet pattern and create a stylish squirrel square panel using just 2 colours. Includes both written instructions and a chart—perfect for confident beginners.
Make a beautiful 18” pillow panel (or more!) with this free mosaic crochet pattern—ideal for your home, gifts, or stash-busting projects.

If you’ve been itching to try mosaic crochet but weren’t quite sure where to start, you’re in exactly the right place. This free mosaic crochet pattern is designed to gently guide confident beginners into the technique while creating something truly beautiful.

The Squirrel Square is the second panel in the Among the Trees CAL, a free crochet along designed to create a gorgeous nature-themed throw pillow. It’s also one of 8 panels featured in the Among the Trees Collection ebook—a special collaboration with Simply Melanie Jane.

And honestly? It might just be one of the cutest ways to dip your toes into mosaic crochet.

The Inspiration Behind the Design

This design has been a long time coming—and one that feels extra special.

A couple of years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Simply Melanie Jane in Colorado. Somewhere between yarn chats and creative dreaming, she suggested we collaborate on a project. We both loved the idea… but we waited. (And waited.) Because let’s be honest—some ideas need the right moment.

Enter the Among the Trees Collection.

We both live close to woodland areas, surrounded by that peaceful, grounding beauty that only nature brings. The changing seasons, the textures, the wildlife—it all sparked the idea to create a collection that captures that feeling and brings it into your home.

And yes… that’s where our little squirrel comes in 🐿️

Now, why a free mosaic crochet pattern? Melanie has been exploring mosaic crochet quite a bit recently, and I’ll admit—it’s something I wanted to get more confident with myself. It can look intimidating at first glance, but once you understand the rhythm, it’s incredibly satisfying.

Plus, mosaic crochet is having a bit of a moment right now—and for good reason. So we thought, why not create something that helps you learn while making something genuinely lovely?

Woodland Mosaic Panel 1

This is the second and final panel release in the free CAL that I am hosting with Simply Melanie Jane.

Melanie has already released her beautiful Sunlit Trees panel which is also a free pattern with the chart on her blog post.

You can find that here or by clicking the button below.

Construction of the Design

This free mosaic crochet pattern is worked flat in rows using the overlay mosaic crochet technique.

• You’ll be working with two contrasting colours
• Only one colour is used per row (no yarn tangling nightmares here!)
• A border is included to finish your panel neatly

The finished square is designed to fit an 18” pillow form. However—quick word of advice from someone who has learned the hard way—wait until you’ve completed your panel before buying your pillow insert.

If your gauge is slightly different, you may find a 16” or 20” pillow form works better for your finished piece.

If you’re more experienced with mosaic crochet, feel free to play around with additional colour changes and make it your own!

The Among the Trees Collection

The Among the Trees Collection is a beautifully curated set of 8 mosaic crochet panels, all inspired by woodland themes.

Each panel can be used individually or combined to create:

• Throw pillows
• Blankets
• Wall hangings
• Home décor pieces

It’s designed to be flexible, creative, and a little bit addictive (you’ve been warned 😉).

This collection is a collaboration with Simply Melanie Jane, bringing together two styles with one shared love: crochet and nature.

Get the Paid PDF Pattern Collection

If you prefer an ad-free experience (or just want everything neatly bundled together), the full Among the Trees Collection is available as a paid PDF ebook.

Here is what you get:

👉 Includes all 8 panels, border instructions and a photo tutorial for the stitches used
👉 Easy-to-follow written instructions + charts
👉 Perfect for printing or crocheting on the go

How to Work the Main Mosaic Crochet Stitches

Before you dive into this free mosaic crochet pattern, let’s quickly cover the two key stitches used:

BLOsc (Back Loop Only Single Crochet)
Insert your hook into the back loop only, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
👉 This creates the ridged texture that mosaic crochet is known for.

FLOdc (Front Loop Only Double Crochet)
Work your double crochet into the front loop only of a stitch from the previous row, dropping down to create the mosaic design e.g. if you are working row 6 you take the FLO of the stitch from row 4, if working row 9 take it from row 7 etc. See photo below.
👉 This is what forms the actual pattern (your squirrel will magically appear here!).

Identifying the front and back loops:

Pattern Specifics

Skill Level: Confident Beginner
Technique: Overlay Mosaic Crochet

Materials:

• #4 weight (aran) yarn – 2 contrasting colours (1 skein each of around 200 yards)
• 5mm crochet hook (or size needed to meet gauge)
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Stitch markers optional to mark first and last stitch of the row.

Gauge:

16 sts and 14 rows in 4″

Finished Size:
Approx. 18” square (before/after border as applicable)

Abbreviations:

• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• dc – double crochet
• BLO – back loop only
• FLO – front loop only
• BLOsc – back loop only single crochet
• FLOdc – front loop only double crochet
• BS – border stitch
• FSC – foundation single crochet

Pattern Notes:

• Written in US terms.
• It is worked flat and always from right to left. (Unless you are left-handed of course. Then it will be right to left and your image will be a mirror image).
• There is most definitely a right side and a wrong side to mosaic crochet. You will always work right side.
• You may want to start each row with a ch1. If you prefer to do this, Ch1 sts do not count as a st.
• When working single crochet you work into the back loop only of the previous row as you would ordinarily. For example, if you are working row 5 you will work into the back loop only of row 4.
• Work dc in front loop of stitch 1 row below. So if you are working row 6 you will double crochet front loop only into row 4. Don’t worry – these are very easy to spot when working up your project!
• The overall stitch count remains the same in each row.

Free Pattern

** This is a free pattern on the Sunflower Cottage Crochet blog. If you are reading this anywhere else it is stolen content. Please do not copy and paste any part of it or print this pattern out. Please bookmark this page and use the website to work up your pattern. This helps my small business greatly. It provides a little bit of ad revenue which will allow me to continue to create free content for you!**

Row 1: With Colour A, CH 65, sc in second CH from hook and each st across OR FSC 64. FO Colour A

Row 2: (Join Color B, ch1, sc in first st), (BLOsc) x 62, (sc in last st). FO Color B.

Row 3: (Join Color A, ch1, sc in first st), (FLOdc) x 62, (sc in last st). FO Color A.

Row 4: (Join Color B, ch1, sc in first st), (BLOsc) x 62, (sc in last st). FO Color B

Row 5: (Join Color A, ch1, sc in first st), (FLOdc) x 62, (sc in last st). FO Color A.

Row 6: (Join Color B, ch1, sc in first st), (BLOsc) x 62, (sc in last st). FO Color B

Row 7: (Join Color A, ch1, sc in first st), (FLOdc) x 4, (BLOsc) x 1, (FLOdc) x 52, (BLOsc) x 1, (FLOdc) x 4, (sc in last st). FO Color A.

Row 8: (Join Color B, ch1, sc in first st), (BLOsc) x 4, (FLOdc) x 1, (BLOsc) x 52, (FLOdc) x 1, (BLOsc) x 4, (sc in last st). FO Color B

Row 9: (Join Color A, ch1, sc in first st), (FLOdc) x 3, (BLOsc) x 3, (FLOdc) x 50, (BLOsc) x 3, (FLOdc) x 3, (sc in last st). FO Color A.

Row 10: (Join Color B, ch1, sc in first st), (BLOsc) x 3, (FLOdc) x 3, (BLOsc) x 50, (FLOdc) x 3, (BLOsc) x 3, (sc in last st). FO Color B

Row 11: (Join Color A, ch1, sc in first st), (FLOdc) x 2, (BLOsc) x 5 (FLOdc) x 27, (BLOsc) x 11, (FLOdc) x 10, (BLOsc) x 5, (FLOdc) x 2, (sc in last st). FO Color A.

Row 12: (Join Color B, ch1, sc in first st), (BLOsc) x 2, (FLOdc) x 5, (BLOsc) x 27, (FLOdc) x 11, (BLOsc) x 10, (FLOdc) x5, (BLOsc) x2, (sc in last st). FO Color B

Row 13: (Join Color A, ch1, sc in first st), (FLOdc) x 2, (BLOsc) x 5 (FLOdc) x 17, (BLOsc) x 21, (FLOdc) x 10, (BLOsc) x 5, (FLOdc) x 2, (sc in last st). FO Color A.

Row 14: (Join Color B, ch1, sc in first st), (BLOsc) x 4, (FLOdc) x 1, (BLOsc) x 19, (FLOdc) x 16, (BLOsc) x 17, (FLOdc) x 1, (BLOsc) x 4, (sc in last st). FO Color B

Row 15: (Join Color A, ch1, sc in first st), (FLOdc) x 4 (BLOsc) x 1 (FLOdc) x 14, (BLOsc) x 21, (FLOdc) x 17, (BLOsc) x 1, (FLOdc) x 4, (sc in last st). FO color A.

Row 16: (Join Color B, ch1, sc in first st), (BLOsc) x 19, (FLOdc) x 21, (BLOsc) x 22, (sc in last st). FO Color B

Row 17: (Join Color A, ch1, sc in first st), (FLOdc) x 16, (BLOsc) x 25 (FLOdc) x 21, (sc in last st). FO Color A.

Row 18: (Join Color B, ch1, sc in first st), (BLOsc) x 16, (FLOdc) x 25, (BLOsc) x 21, (sc in last st). FO Color B

Row 19: (Join Color A, ch1, sc in first st), (FLOdc) x 4, (BLOsc) x 1 (FLOdc) x 9, (BLOsc) x 28, (FLOdc) x 15, (BLOsc) x 1, (FLOdc) x 4, (sc in last st). FO Color A.

Row 20: (Join Color B, ch1, sc in first st), (BLOsc) x 4, (FLOdc) x 1, (BLOsc) x 9, (FLOdc) x 28, (BLOsc) x 15, (FLOdc) x 1, (BLOsc) x 4, (sc in last st). FO Color B

Row 21: (Join Color A, ch1, sc in first st), (FLOdc) x 3, (BLOsc) x 3 (FLOdc) x 8, (BLOsc) x 28, (FLOdc) x 14, (BLOsc) x 3, (FLOdc) x 3, (sc in last st). FO Color A.

Row 22: (Join Color B, ch1, sc in first st), (BLOsc) x 3, (FLOdc) x 3, (BLOsc) x 8, (FLOdc) x 8, (BLOsc) x 1, (FLOdc) x 18, (BLOsc) x 15, (FLOdc) x 3, (BLOsc) x 3, (sc in last st). FO Color B

Row 23: (Join Color A, ch1, sc in first st), (FLOdc) x 2, (BLOsc) x 5 (FLOdc) x 6, (BLOsc) x 9, (FLOdc) x 1, (BLOsc) x 18, (FLOdc) x 14, (BLOsc) x 5, (FLOdc) x 2, (sc in last st). FO Color A.

Row 24: (Join Color B, ch1, sc in first st), (BLOsc) x 2, (FLOdc) x 5, (BLOsc) x 6, (FLOdc) x 9, (BLOsc) x 2, (FLOdc) x 15, (BLOsc) x 16, (FLOdc) x 5, (BLOsc) x 2, (sc in last st). FO Color B

Row 25: (Join Color A, ch1, sc in first st), (FLOdc) x 2, (BLOsc) x 5 (FLOdc) x 5, (BLOsc) x 11, (FLOdc) x 1, (BLOsc) x 19, (FLOdc) x 12, (BLOsc) x 5, (FLOdc) x 2, (sc in last st). FO Color A.

Row 26: (Join Color B, ch1, sc in first st), (BLOsc) x 4, (FLOdc) x 1, (BLOsc) x 7, (FLOdc) x 11, (BLOsc) x 2, (FLOdc) x 18, (BLOsc) x 14, (FLOdc) x 1, (BLOsc) x 4, (sc in last st). FO Color B

Row 27: (Join Color A, ch1, sc in first st), (FLOdc) x 4, (BLOsc) x 1 (FLOdc) x 7, (BLOsc) x 12, (FLOdc) x 1, (BLOsc) x 18, (FLOdc) x 14, (BLOsc) x 1, (FLOdc) x 4, (sc in last st). FO Color A.

Row 28: (Join Color B, ch1, sc in first st), (BLOsc) x 13, (FLOdc) x 11, (BLOsc) x 2, (FLOdc) x 14, (BLOsc) x 22, (sc in last st). FO Color B

Row 29: (Join Color A, ch1, sc in first st), (FLOdc) x 13, (BLOsc) x 12 (FLOdc) x 1, (BLOsc) x 14, (FLOdc) x 22, (sc in last st). FO Color A.

Row 30: (Join Color B, ch1, sc in first st), (BLOsc) x 13, (FLOdc) x 12, (BLOsc) x 3, (FLOdc) x 12, (BLOsc) x 22, (sc in last st). FO Color B

Row 31: (Join Color A, ch1, sc in first st), (FLOdc) x 4, (BLOsc) x 1 (FLOdc) x 8, (BLOsc) x 14, (FLOdc) x 1, (BLOsc) x 15, (FLOdc) x 14, (BLOsc) x 1, (FLOdc) x 4, (sc in last st). FO Color A.

Row 32: (Join Color B, ch1, sc in first st), (BLOsc) x 4, (FLOdc) x 1, (BLOsc) x 9, (FLOdc) x 13, (BLO sc) x3, (FLOdc) x13, (BLOsc) x 14, (FLOdc) x 1, (BLOsc) x 4, (sc in last st). FO Color B

Row 33: (Join Color A, ch1, sc in first st), (FLOdc) x 3, (BLOsc) x 3 (FLOdc) x 8, (BLOsc) x 15, (FLOdc) x 1, (BLOsc) x 16, (FLOdc) x 10, (BLOsc) x 3, (FLOdc) x 3, (sc in last st). FO Color A.

Row 34: (Join Color B, ch1, sc in first st), (BLOsc) x 3, (FLOdc) x 3, (BLOsc) x 9, (FLOdc) x 14, (BLOsc) x 2, (Row 45: (Join Color A, ch1, sc in first st), (FLOdc) x 3, (BLOsc) x 3, (FLOdc) x 10, (BLOsc) x 8, (FLOdc) x 10, (BLOsc) x 2, (FLOdc) x 1, (BLOsc) x 2, (FLOdc) x 17, (BLOsc) x 3, (FLOdc) x 3, (sc in last st). FO Color A.

Row 46: (Join Color B, ch1, sc in first st), (BLOsc) x 3, (FLOdc) x 3, (BLOsc) x 50, (FLOdc) x 3, (BLOsc) x 3, (sc in last st). FO Color B

Row 47: (Join Color A, ch1, sc in first st), (FLOdc) x 2, (BLOsc) x 5 (FLOdc) x 48, (BLOsc) x 5, (FLOdc) x 2, (sc in last st). FO Color A.

Row 48: (Join Color B, ch1, sc in first st), (BLOsc) x 2, (FLOdc) x 5, (BLOsc) x 48, (FLOdc) x 5, (BLOsc) x 2, (sc in last st). FO Color B

Row 49: (Join Color A, ch1, sc in first st), (FLOdc) x 2, (BLOsc) x 5 (FLOdc) x 48, (BLOsc) x 5, (FLOdc) x 2, (sc in last st). FO Color A.

Row 50: (Join Color B, ch1, sc in first st), (BLOsc) x 4, (FLOdc) x 1, (BLOsc) x 52, (FLOdc) x 1, (BLOsc) x 4, (sc in last st). FO Color B

Row 51: (Join Color A, ch1, sc in first st), (FLOdc) x 4, (BLOsc) x 1 (FLOdc) x 52, (BLOsc) x 1, (FLOdc) x 4, (sc in last st). FO Color A.

Row 52: (Join Color B, ch1, sc in first st), (BLOsc) x 62, (sc in last st). FO Color B

Row 53: (Join Color A, ch1, sc in first st), (FLOdc) x62, (sc in last st). FO Color A

Row 54: (Join Color B, ch1, sc in first st), (BLOsc) x 62, (sc in last st). FO Color B

Row 55: (Join Color A, ch1, sc in first st), (FLOdc) x62, (sc in last st) FO Color A

Optional Border Instructions:

These instructions are optional to use to create the border around each of your

panels before joining. 

Round 1: With right sides facing, attach your yarn to the first stitch of the row. SC in each st across, in the last stitch work [sc, ch1, sc], turn your panel so you are working down the side, sc in the end of each row down until you get to the last row. In the last stitch work [sc, ch1, sc], turn your panel so you are working along the bottom. Sc in the end of each row down until you get to the last stitch. In the last stitch work [sc, ch1, sc], turn your panel so you are working up the side. Sc in the end of each row up until you get to the last row. In the last stitch work [sc, ch1]. SS to join to first st.

Rounds 2 and 3: Ch1, BLOdc in each st around making sure to work [dc, ch1, dc] in each ch1 corner space. SS to first st to join.

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoy making this free mosaic crochet pattern as much as I enjoyed designing it. It’s such a fun way to learn a new technique while creating something you can actually use—and show off!

If you do make your squirrel square, I’d absolutely love to see it!

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Seeing your creations honestly makes my day (and sometimes my whole week, not going to lie).

Now go grab your yarn… that squirrel isn’t going to crochet itself 🐿️🧶