Lilac Lace Square Crochet Blanket with Purple Dahlias

Materials

• Worsted (weight 4) yarn in lilac about 1,850 m (2,020 yd) for the full-size blanket with border
• Worsted (weight 4) yarn in deep purple about 950 m (1,040 yd) for 63 flowers
• Extra yarn for two pillow covers about 450 m (490 yd) of lilac and 100 m (110 yd) of deep purple
• 4 mm (US G-6) crochet hook
• 6 mm (US J-10) crochet hook only for the large pillow flowers
• Large-eye tapestry needle for joining and sewing on the flowers
• 4 stitch markers
• Blocking mats and rustproof pins
• Two 45 cm (18 in) pillow inserts optional, for the pillow covers

Abbreviations

Lace Square (make 63 for the full size)

The square is worked in lilac from the center out, in joined rounds, with the right side facing you throughout. Each round starts with a sl st into the first 2 dc and the next corner sp, then ch 3 (counts as the first dc). Every corner has 6 dc. The dc count in brackets is the total for the round.

1. Rd 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in MR, ch 2, [3 dc in MR, ch 2] 3 times. Pull the MR tail to close the ring. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch 3. (4 cl, 4 ch-2 corners, 12 dc)
2. Rd 2: Sl st in each of the next 2 dc and in the corner sp. Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in the same sp (corner). *Ch 1, corner in the next corner sp.* Repeat from * to * 3 times, ending with ch 1. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch 3. (24 dc)
3. Rd 3: Sl st to the next corner sp. Corner, [ch 1, cl in the next ch-1 sp] 1 time, ch 1. Repeat for the other 3 corners. Join. (36 dc)
4. Rd 4: Sl st to the next corner sp. Corner, [ch 1, cl in the next ch-1 sp] 2 times, ch 1. Repeat for the other 3 corners. Join. (48 dc)
5. Rd 5: Sl st to the next corner sp. Corner, [ch 1, cl in the next ch-1 sp] 3 times, ch 1. Repeat for the other 3 corners. Join. (60 dc)
6. Rd 6: Sl st to the next corner sp. Corner, [ch 1, cl in the next ch-1 sp] 4 times, ch 1. Repeat for the other 3 corners. Join. (72 dc)
7. Rd 7: Sl st to the next corner sp. Corner, [ch 1, cl in the next ch-1 sp] 5 times, ch 1. Repeat for the other 3 corners. Join. (84 dc)
8. Rd 8: Sl st to the next corner sp. Corner, [ch 1, cl in the next ch-1 sp] 6 times, ch 1. Repeat for the other 3 corners. Join with a sl st, fasten off and weave in the ends. (96 dc) The square measures about 23 cm (9 in) after blocking, with 24 dc along each side.

Purple Dahlia (make 63 for the full size)

The dahlia is worked from the center out, in a spiral without joining, with the right side facing you. Use a marker to track the start of each round. The ridged rounds (3, 4 and 5) leave rings of unworked front loops, and the petal tiers are worked into those rings, from the outside in. Work every petal fan loosely so the petals ruffle. Leave a 25 cm tail at the end.

1. Rd 1: With deep purple, 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rd 2: inc in each st around. (12)
3. Rd 3 (BLO): inc in each st around. The front loops of Rd 2 are left free. (24)
4. Rd 4 (BLO): [1 sc, inc] 12 times. The front loops of Rd 3 are left free. (36)
5. Rd 5 (BLO): [2 sc, inc] 12 times. The front loops of Rd 4 are left free. (48)
6. Rd 6 (outer petals): Work in both loops of Rd 5. [Sk 1 st, 9 dc in the next st, sk 1 st, sl st in the next st] 12 times. Fasten off. (12 petals)
7. Rd 7 (middle petals): Join deep purple in any free front loop of Rd 4. [Sk 1 st, 7 dc in the next st, sl st in the next st] 12 times, working into the free front loops. Fasten off. (12 petals)
8. Rd 8 (inner petals): Join deep purple in any free front loop of Rd 3. [5 dc in the next st, sl st in the next st] 12 times, working into the free front loops. Fasten off. (12 petals)
9. Rd 9 (center ring): Join deep purple in any free front loop of Rd 2. Sc in each of the 12 free front loops. Sl st in the next st and fasten off, leaving a 25 cm tail. (12)

Assembling the Dahlia on the Square

1. Block the square before you sew anything. Pin it flat and let it dry. Do not pin the dahlia.
2. Find the center of the square (the MR) and place the dahlia over it, centered, with one petal of the outer tier pointing toward a corner.
3. Thread the tail on a tapestry needle and sew through the center of the dahlia into the square. Then work 6 to 8 small tacking stitches around the flower base (Rd 3 to Rd 5), catching the dc of Round 1 and 2 of the square.
4. Leave the petal tiers free. Gently push the petals up with your fingers so they ruffle and stand away from the lace.

Layout and Sizing

1. All squares are laid out the same way, in a straight grid, with the dahlias lined up in neat rows.
2. Sizes: throw, 5 squares across by 6 down (30 squares), about 115 x 138 cm. Twin, 6 across by 8 down (48 squares), about 138 x 184 cm. Full or double, 7 across by 9 down (63 squares), about 161 x 207 cm. The border adds about 8 cm in each direction. The yarn amounts in this pattern are for the full size.
3. Lay out all the squares on the floor and take a photo before you join anything.

Joining the Squares

1. Join the squares into rows first, then join the rows to each other. Sew the dahlias on after blocking but before joining, as written above.
2. Place two squares with right sides up and edges touching. Using lilac yarn and a tapestry needle, whip stitch through the back loops of the outer dc and the ch-1 spaces of both edges, matching corner to corner first. Each side has 24 dc and 7 ch sps, which should match one for one.
3. Where four squares meet, stitch across the join in a plus shape so there is no gap at the center.

Scalloped Border

The border shells are worked in repeats of 6 sts. Before you start Rd 2, count the sts along each side of the blanket and adjust by skipping or adding 1 or 2 sc evenly on Rd 1 so each side is a multiple of 6. This keeps the scallops evenly spaced.

1. Rd 1: Join lilac at any outer corner. Work 3 sc in the corner, then 1 sc in each dc and each ch-1 sp along the edge and 1 sc in each seam, with 3 sc in every remaining outer corner. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
2. Rd 2: Ch 1. Along each side, [sk 2 sts, 5 dc in the next st, sk 2 sts, sl st in the next st] repeated to the corner. Work 7 dc in each corner st. Join with a sl st.
3. Rd 3: Sl st to the first dc of a shell. Along each shell, [sc in the first dc, (ch 2, sc in the next dc) 4 times, sl st in the sl st between shells] repeated around. Join with a sl st, fasten off and weave in the end.

Matching Pillow Cover (make 2)

1. Make 8 lace squares for each cover: 4 for the front and 4 for the back.
2. Join the 4 front squares into a 2 x 2 panel using the lilac whip stitch seam. Join the 4 back squares into the back panel the same way. Each panel measures about 46 cm (18 in) square.
3. For the large front dahlia, make the flower with a 6 mm hook and two strands of deep purple held together. The dahlia measures about 20 cm (8 in) across. Sew it to the center of the front panel, over the seam crossing, as in the assembly steps.
4. With wrong sides together, seam the panels along three sides using lilac whip stitch.
5. Insert the 45 cm pillow and close the fourth side with whip stitch, or sew on snaps if you want to remove the insert for washing.

Finishing

Weave in every end before blocking, as each square and flower has a few and they are easiest to hide while the pieces are small. Block the finished blanket flat according to your yarn’s care label: wet-block cotton or wool, and steam acrylic by holding the iron above the fabric without pressing. Be careful not to flatten the dahlias. Wash gently and dry flat so the lace and petals keep their shape.

Tips for Success

• Make the squares and dahlias in batches of ten, block them together, and sew the flowers on in front of the television. It keeps the project from feeling endless.
• Work the petal fans loosely. Tight dc fans stand up stiffly instead of ruffling.
• Mark the first stitch of each ridged round on the dahlia with a stitch marker so you do not lose your place when you go back to the free front loops.
• Check the dc count at the end of every square round, at least on your first few squares. The totals go up by 12 each round.
• Weigh your first finished square and dahlia, then multiply by your square count to check you have enough yarn before you begin the rest.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Working Rd 3, 4 or 5 of the dahlia in both loops buries the free front loops, and the petal tiers have nowhere to go. Always work these three rounds in BLO.
• Pulling the dc fans tight makes the petals stand straight up. Work them loosely so they ruffle.
• Sewing the whole flower down flat kills the 3D effect. Tack only the base and let every petal tier stand free.
• Missing a corner on the lace square makes the square curve. Always work the full corner (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in every corner sp.
• Joining the squares before blocking leaves the grid uneven. Always block first.

Ways to Customize This Pattern

• Change the colors. Cream squares with burgundy dahlias, or sage squares with plum dahlias, give a very different mood.
• Make the outer tier of petals in a lighter purple and the inner tiers in the deep shade for a two-tone flower.
• Skip the flowers on alternate squares for a lighter, quicker blanket that shows off more lace.
• Make a throw or baby blanket using the smaller sizes in the Layout and Sizing section.
• Use bulky yarn and a 6 mm hook for larger squares. Work only 6 rounds per square and make the flower with the same pattern for a bolder, bigger bloom.