Nebraska Shape

This pattern began because I was discussing crocheting various state-shapes with my mother.  She opined that the state of Nebraska, for example, would be an easy shape to crochet because it's mostly square but that the eastern border might be more difficult because of the Missouri River.   I couldn't find a shape pattern to test this opinion, so I made one.   Then I made two more and turned them into a throw pillow.  If for some reason you would also like to make the shape of Nebraska in crochet, read on. 

Yarn:  Doesn't really matter - thicker yarn makes a bigger shape, thinner yarn makes a smaller shape.  I used Lily Sugar and Cream for the test shape and Lion Brand Hometown USA's super chunky yarn for the pillow.

Hook:  Same as above.  I used an H to make the test shape and an M for the pillow.

Pattern Abbreviations:
Chain: ch
Half-double crochet: hdc
Slip stitch: slst

Pattern:
Foundation Chain: ch 29
Row 1: hdc 28, turn
Rows 2-6: ch 1, hdc 27, turn
Row 7:  ch  9, turn, hdc 35, turn
Rows 8-9:  ch 1, hdc 34, turn
Row 10-11:  ch 1, hdc 33, turn
Rows 12-13: ch 1 hdc 32, turn
Row 14: ch 1, hdc 26, slst, hdc 5, turn
Row 15, ch 1, hdc 5, slst into row below, skip next stitch in Row 15, hdc 25
Bind off and weave in ends

To turn it into a pillow, make two identical shapes.  At the end of the second shape, don't bind off.  Instead, sc the two pieces together.  The pattern ends at the northwest corner of the state and I found it easiest to go south and then east from there, but do what makes you happy.  When you're about halfway done with the last open side, stuff the pillow with fiberfill, then sc to the starting point and weave in the ends.