Flower Motif Blanket Square Tutorial

To create your Flower Motif Blanket Square you will need:

• 3 colours of yarn
• Crochet hook
• Scissors
• Wool needle

I have used Debbie Bliss Rialto Double Knit and a size 5 mm hook. Size of the finished square using this yarn and hook size is 14 cm, 51/2 inches.
Choose the colour for the flower centre and start – chain 6

Slip stitch into the first chain to form a ring.

Slip stitch onto the centre of the ring.

ROUND 1

Chain 1
Work 15 double crochet into the centre of the ring.
Slip stitch into the first double crochet.
Cut yarn leaving approx. 5  cm and draw through the loop to fasten off.

Round 2

Join the flower colour.

There are many different ways to join yarn but this is how I do it.
Tie the new colour to the finishing tail of the last yarn colour.

Slide the knot down the tail and tighten so it sits snuggly against the last stitch.

Pull the yarn through the top of the first double crochet of round 1.

Chain 3 (counts as 1 treble), 1 treble crochet into the same space. You can work in the tails as you crochet by holding them to the back of your work and enclosing them as you make each stitch.

Work 2 trebles into each of the remaining 14 double crochet.

See how neatly the tails can be worked in as you go.

You now have 30 stitches.

Slip stitch into the 3rd chain of the first 3 chain of this round.

Front view.

Rear view.

You will see there is only the starting tail showing as the tails from joining the new colour have been crocheted into the round.

Now to start making the petals, we are only going to work into the front loop of each stitch. The back loop will be used for round 4.

Round 3

Chain 1 (counts as 1 double crochet).

1 double crochet into the next stitch.

1 half treble into the next stitch.

5 trebles into the next stitch

1 half treble.

1 double crochet to complete the first petal.

Continue working into the front loops only to make 4 more petals.

Each petal is worked into 5 stitches, the pattern for each petal is:

1 double crochet, 1 half treble, 5 trebles into the same stitch, 1 half treble, 1 double crochet.

For the last petal work:

1 double crochet, 1 half treble, 5 trebles into the same stitch, 1 half treble, 1 double crochet, slip stitch into the chain made at the start of the round.

Front view.

Rear view

Round 4

Now we will work into the back of the loop that you can see above on the back of the flower.

Start with the flower facing you and slip stitch into the loop immediately below.

Chain 3 (counts as 1 treble).

1 treble into the same loop.

1 treble into the next loop.

Continue the round alternately working 2 trebles then 1 treble into each loop.

You will have 45 stitches, have a quick count to check as you will not be able to complete the next round of petals without the correct number of stitches.

Slip stitch into the 3rd chain of the 3 chain worked at the start of the round.

Round 5

Again we are only going to work into the front loop of each stitch for this second round of petals. The back loop will be used for round 6.

Chain 1 (counts as 1 double crochet).

1 double crochet into the next stitch.

1 half treble into the next stitch.

5 trebles into the next stitch.

1 half treble

1 double crochet to complete the first petal.

Continue the round following the pattern set for each petal:

1 double crochet, 1 half treble, 5 trebles into the same stitch, 1 half treble, 1 double crochet.

For the last petal work:

1 double crochet, 1 half treble, 5 trebles into the same stitch, 1 half treble, slip stitch into the chain made at the start of the round. 9 petals.

Cut yarn leaving approx. 5  cm and draw through the loop to fasten off.

Front view

Rear view

With the flower facing you and slip stitch into the loop immediately below.

Round 6

Join the next colour by tying a knot around the tail threaded through the loop.

Turn the flower around to face you, hold the top petals down and draw the yarn through the loop.

Chain 3.

Treble 2 into the same loop.

Chain 3.

3 trebles into the next loop.

Chain 3.

Count along to the 5th loop from the last loop worked. Work 1 double crochet into the 5th loop.

Chain 3.

Count along to the 5th loop from the double crochet loop worked. Work 3 trebles into the 5th loop.

Chain 3.

Work 3 trebles into the next loop to form the second corner.

Continue the round as follows.

Chain 3.

Count along to the 5th loop from last three treble worked. Work 1 double crochet into the 5th loop.

Chain 3.

Count along to the 5th loop from the double crochet. Work 3 trebles into the 5th loop.

Chain 3.

3 trebles into the next loop.

3 Chain

Count along to the 5th loop from the last 3 trebles worked. Work 1 double crochet into the 5th loop.

Chain 3.

Count along to the 5th loop from the double crochet. Work 3 trebles into the 5th loop.

Chain 3.

Work 3 trebles into the next loop to form the fourth corner.

Chain 3.

Count along to the 5th loop from last three treble worked. Work 1 double crochet into the 5th loop.

Chain 3.

Slip stitch into the third chain of the first 3 chain worked at the start of round 6.

Round 7

Work 3 chain (counts as first treble).

Work 1 treble into each of the next 2 trebles.

2 trebles 2 chain 2 trebles into the corner space.

Work 1 treble into each of the next 3 trebles.

3 trebles into the next chain space.

1 treble into the double crochet.

3 trebles into the next 3 chain space.

1 treble into each of the next three trebles.

Work 2 trebles, 2 chain, 2 trebles into the corner space.

Continue working

*1 treble into each of the next three trebles.

3 trebles into the next chain space.

1 treble into the double crochet.

3 trebles into the next chain space.

1 treble into each of the next three trebles.

2 trebles, 2 chain, 2 trebles into the corner space.*

Repeat from * to * 1 more time.

3 trebles into the next three trebles.

3 trebles into the next chain space.

1 treble into the double crochet.

3 trebles into the next chain space.

Slip stitch into the 3rd chain of the first 3 chain worked at the start of this round.

Round 8

Chain 3.

*1 treble into each of the next 4 trebles.

2 trebles, 2 chain, 2 trebles into the corner space.

Continue along to the next corner working 1 treble into each treble. 17 trebles.

2 trebles, 2 chain, 2 trebles into the corner space.

Continue round 8 working *17 trebles, 1 into each treble, and 2 trebles 2 chain 2 trebles into the corner space* twice.

Work 12 trebles ending with a slip stitch into the 3rd chain of the 3 chain at the start of the round.

Round 9

Chain 1.

Continue round 9 working 1 double crochet into each of the next 6 trebles, 4 double crochet into corner space.

*Work 1 double crochet into the next 21 trebles. 4 double crochet into corner space.* three times.

double crochet into the next 14 trebles.

End with a slip stitch into the chain made at the start of the round.

Cut your yarn leaving a 3 inch tail, pull the tail through the last loop and pull to tighten the knot.

Next you need to sew in any of the ends that you have not managed to crochet into your square.

It looks a bit out of alignment for a square at the moment but I always like to pin out each square on the ironing board or other flat surface and either lightly steam and leave to dry or lightly spray with a water mist and leave to dry naturally. This sets your square so make sure you pin out the corners neatly.

Now you can make other colour combinations and make into a cushion or blanket. If you have an questions please do not hesitate to let me know and I will be happy to help if I can.

I would also love to see any photos of your squares.

Happy crocheting!

The idea for the flower pattern blanket square came from making this lovely blooming flower cushion which I have made a couple of times now for my wonderful girls. I absolutely love it and wanted to incorporate the flower pattern into their blankets that I have made.

Pattern by Attic 24  blooming flower cushion.

How To Crochet A Granny Square Tutorial

I know this is a crochet basic and there are loads of tutorials out there already but I wanted to do this for 2 friends in particular, first is our friend Michaela who we met in Corfu. On our last holiday, I took a crochet project with me which I would work on while having our morning coffee, Michaela expressed an interest in taking up crochet so this is to help get her started. The second is a very creatively talented young lady who is a whiz with a pair of knitting needles and although she has crocheted some lovely things tells me she struggles to make a Granny Square actually square. So for these two lovely people and anyone else out there who needs a helping hand to get started, here goes…….

Make a slip knot to start and chain 6.

Join with a slip stitch into the first chain to form a ring.

Chain 3, these will count as the first treble crochet for the first cluster.

Work another 2 trebles into the centre of the ring to form the first cluster.

Chain 3 to make the first corner.

Work another 3 trebles into the centre of the ring to form the second cluster.

Chain 3 to form the second corner followed by 3 more trebles to make the third cluster.

Work 3 chain to form the third corner and another 3 trebles to make the fourth cluster. To complete this first round chain 3 to form the fourth corner.

Then slip stitch into the third chain of the first 3 chain worked.

Slip stitch across the next 2 trebles.

And again into the corner three chain space created on the previous round.

Chain 3, these 3 chain count as the first treble.

Continue working into the same corner space, work another 2 trebles, chain 2, 3 trebles to form the first corner of the second round.

Working into the next corner space, *3 trebles, 2 chain, 3 trebles* to form the second corner.

Repeat * to * into the next corner space to form the third corner.

And into the last corner space to make the fourth corner.

Slip stitch into the third chain of the first 3 chain worked at the beginning of the round.

As with the previous round slip stitch across the first 2 trebles and into the first corner space of the previous round.

Chain 3, these 3 chain count as the first treble, continue working into the same corner space, work another 2 trebles, chain 2.

Work a further 3 trebles to form the first corner of the third round.

Chain 1, work 3 trebles into the next space, chain 1.

Working into the next corner space, *3 trebles, 2 chain, 3 trebles chain 1, work 3 trebles into the next space, chain 1*.

Repeat * to * twice more, then to complete the round slip stitch into the third chain of the first 3 chain worked at the beginning of the round.

Continue adding rounds until your square is the desired size noting that each round will add another space on the straight edges.

Four rounds.

Five Rounds.

To complete my square I did six rounds ending with a slip stitch into the third chain of the first 3 chain worked at the beginning of the round.

You can end your square here but I like to finish with a round of double crochet as this gives a nice firm finish and a neat joining edge if you are joining several squares together.  As we will be working into each treble and chain space of our last round there is no need slip stitch across to the corner space to start this edging round, you can continue from the slip stitch at the end of the final round.

Chain 1, this counts as the first double crochet.

Work first double crochet into the second treble of the previous round, second double crochet into the third treble. Work 3 double crochet into the corner space.

Continue to work 1 double crochet into each of the next 3 trebles of the corner.

Work 1 double crochet into the next chain space.

Continue all the way round working 1 double crochet into each treble and each chain space of the previous round and 3 double crochet into each corner space.

Slip stitch into the chain at the beginning of the round and snip your yarn leaving a 2-3 inch tail.

To fasten off pull the tail through the loop on the hook.

Pull firmly.

Now all you have left to do is sew in the loose ends at the beginning and the end of your Granny Square.

Thread the tail into a wool needle and push through the chain next to your finishing knot to the back of your square. Then sew into the back of the double crochet round.

Cut of any loose ends.

Thread the tail at the start of your work onto the wool needle and sew into the back of the trebles on the first round, this will also tighten the centre ring.

Cut off any loose ends and there you have it, your first Granny Square complete.

I hope this tutorial is useful to my good friends and anyone else out there who wants to get started. If you have any questions or would like any further information please feel to ask away and I will do my best to help.

Tutorial for Stripy Cat Upper Body

Sorry if this post appears a bit unusual but I got a message from a fellow hooker who was having some problems with the Upper Body part of the Stripy Cat pattern from Lois Daykins Baby Crochet book.

I love my Stripy Cat so much I think the world should be full of them! Obviously I had to try to  help.

Row 1

Chain 7 and follow pattern to 4dc in last chain.

Work down the loops on the back of the chain.

You will now have an arch shape with the starting tail on the right hand side.

Before commencing row 2 you need to turn the work over so the tail is on the left.

Row 2

Work back around the arch following the pattern, the increases should all be at the top, rounded end of the arch shape. Note that having worked back around the arch the tail is now on the right again.

Turn the work over so the tail switches to the left hand side ready to start the next row.

Row 3

As Row 2 work back around the arch following the pattern, the increases should all be at the top, rounded end of the arch shape. Again you will note the tail is back on the right.

Once again turn the work over so the tail switches to the left hand side ready to start the next row.

Row 4

As above following the pattern.

Again remember to turn the work so the tail is back on the left before starting Row 5.

Row 5

There are no increases in Row 5 so you will see the work start to curve for the roundness at the top of the body.

Row 6

Continue following pattern remembering to turn work at the end of the row so the tail is on the left ready to start the next row.

Rows 7 to 16

Having formed the arch at the top of the body and started the curve shaping in Row 5, these 10 rows form the length of the body.

I have only gone up to Row 16 but will happily do the rest if required. I was guessing that it might be the ‘turn’ at the end of the rows that was confusing. Anyway I hope the tutorial makes it a bit clearer, if you need any more help please let me know.

I would love to see a photo of your Stripy Cat when you have finished it. I hope you love yours as much as I love mine. Happy hooking my friend!