Free Patterns
Published on April 9, 2018

Free Crochet Blanket Pattern: Self Love

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Relaxghan #2 “SELF LOVE” is published! Enjoy! 

Self Love Info

Relaxghans Info

Yarny Info

Take a peek at the lacy join and the simple border. Also PINK. Yes, pink is the new neutral. Don’t forget to read about the behind-the-scenes craziness of this blanket on the FO post… I think you’ll be surprised!


Well y’all, I’ve been on a huge kick of using all my remnants and scraps and leftovers to create. Though you don’t always get those predictable, pretty, go-to palettes, you do allow yourself to free up space and freshen your yarn stash. So for this project, the second pattern in my free pattern series “Relaxghans”, I’ll be using a little stash of Scheepjes | Merino Soft left over from a project I made for my upcoming book, releasing in May. (Yay!)

Merino Soft is super enjoyable to work with as it is just buttery and always looks saturated. It won’t fade, and is very durable. Plus, check out this yummy color range! (A screenshot from Scheepjes.com)

Yarn info:

  • Content: 50% Wool Superwash Merino, 25% Microfiber, 25% Acrylic
  • Hook size: 4-5mm
  • Weight/length: 50g/105m
  • Yarn weight: DK

Shop this yarn:

Favorite Merino Soft Projects:

Here is a quick snapshot of the small amount of Merino Soft in my stash.. I have so much of that pale peachy salmon color. Sooooo… it’s peachy background time! Yessss!

The rest of the colors seem like unlikely pairings, but I know it’ll be a whimsical blanket anyway with the color background. Also, remember, I threw the idea of the cohesive, “pretty” color palette to the wayside with these Relaxghan patterns. The idea is to use what you have and not to rush it and buy new yarn. So this palette will have to do! ❤️

Here’s what I came up with for the design. This blanket is called “Self Love.” The little flower in the center just makes me so happy. You could definitely make this in multiple colors for each round, but since this is a Relaxghan, I thought minimal ends to weave would be a highlight 🙂

As this piece grows, I’ll post more pics! Free Pattern will be available March 31.

Enjoying this series concept? Check out the first Relaxghan, “Unbothered” – released Feb 28 ❤️

* Affiliate links are the bee’s knees – shopping through them supports CypressTextiles and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Woohoo!!

Remember the yarn remnant box I pulled from for this month’s Relaxghan? Well I took it off the shelf this week to help it grow into the Self Love blanket!


Related links

Here is the first motif again, in case you forgot what it looks like. It’s a big circle with a hexagon plot twist. One of the easiest ways to get big circles to fit together is by “hexagonizing” them at the last minute with some big loopy lace.

And that’s just what I’ve done here – the little bit where three motifs meet is usually my favorite part, and Self Love is no exception. To take Self Love from concept to crochet hook, I felt like every element had to be something I’m fully in love with.

Starting with a flower seemed like a no-brainer. Originally, I had those 12 petals forming a square, but I backed out of that, deciding that the four groups of three petals was not serving me. Best to keep it a circle and let the petals live evenly spaced.

Then, an urge to create a large round motif took over. With simple granny groups, and some chaining in between, I came up with a circle. Can’t wait to make them in all these funky colors! The peachy pink background is just crazy enough to pull it all together. ❤️

Check out the yellow motif – I’m just dazzled by that center flower with what looks like a cobblestone path surrounding it. Honestly it makes me want to put my blog down and pick up the hook this very moment!

By the way, here’s what using up leftovers means to me. It means I can give extra life to this yarn that would have been cooped up it its bin, just waiting to be turned into something beautiful. I dislike having a large stash for this reason, but isn’t it funny how one way or another we end up with all this yarn and not enough time to work it all up?

Every project made with remnants is a breath of fresh air though, and it feels good to put the materials to good use, rather than just going out and buying new, as lovely as it is to go on a yarny shopping spree every so often.

One last thing! I couldn’t resist making a bunch of little flowers. Sometimes starting a few motifs like this actually helps improve my speed, since I’m not as likely to get distracted.

Anyhow, this project is calling me! Blogging all these flowery circles has put me in the mood to create!

Have a lovely week, and stay tuned for this pattern. Happy crafting!

Rachele C.

Better late than never has never felt so good. This FO* is coming after the completion of a long, long list of Super Huge Important Things I had to do, so the delay was definitely worth it, trust me. 2018 is my year of Self Love.

[Related: find this pattern free on Ravelry starting April 9th! This is blanket 2 of my Relaxghan series.]

Made With Love

Self Love is a piece I created using only my favorite elements of crochet. It checks nearly all my boxes. (Side note: Dutch Rose Blanket checks, like, all my boxes, for real.)

  • Floral center, treble cluster petals
  • Circle flower, not stretched into a square
  • Huge circle motif
  • Lacy join
  • Circle-to-hexagon ❤️
  • Crazy colors, because remnants
  • Simple border

Yes. This is some serious Self Love and I enjoyed every minute of crocheting it.

Related Links

My Secret!

* I’m calling this a “finished” object, because it isn’t finished. Nope. Here’s how this project looks, right at this very moment. I’ve just folded it in a certain way, or angled the camera perfectly, to crop out the unfinished parts in the photos above.

Why? Because creating patterns for you all to enjoy motivates and energizes me. I don’t necessarily need the entire finished blanket in order to do this. Sure, if I want to sell it, I would have to finish it, but that isn’t so much a motivating factor for me.

Lately, I’ve been working really hard to evolve in my business, my personal life, and family life. I’ve realized along the way that I need to “work smarter, not harder.” This concept is something I’ve struggled with since I was a kid – all growing up, and even now, I struggle with it. As a thirty-something, it’s suddenly clicking in a big way.

For starters, I need to do more of what I love, (and less of what I don’t).

2018 Self Love Checklist

  • Stop weaving ends. Yep.
  • Only finish pieces if necessary.
  • Make frivolous (even reckless) color choices.

Check, check, and check. ❤️

Happy crafting, y’all.

– Rachele C.

* This post contains affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, shopping through these links will help support CypressTextiles and all the content I love to create. Affiliate links are better than guac – they don’t cost any extra!
I’ll leave you with one more close-up shot. Now go download the free PDF pattern! See free pattern below! Or better yet – download the whole ebook!

Introduction

It is only in my thirties that I realize that life is all about the happiness you achieve by spending time with people who you love and who love you back. But, you have to fill your cup first, honey, before you can fill someone else’s, and this blanket celebrates that fact. Love yourself to pieces! Enjoy!

I follow hashtags: #SelfLoveBlanket #CypressTextiles

Notions & Sizing

  • US 4.5mm hook, 4mm hook for border, tapestry needle for weaving ends
  • Gauge Motif measures about 10in at widest point
  • Measurements Finished piece measures about 48x56in and is easily resized by using larger gauge yarn and hook, or by making more motifs.

Key Stitch Descriptions (US)

  • cl: cluster (all in same st/sp) [yoh 2 times, insert hook in st/sp, yoh, pull up lp, (yoh, draw through 2 lps) twice] 4 times, yoh, draw through 5 lps
  • ch chain
  • beg beginning
  • beg cl (all in same st/sp) beg tr, [yoh 2 times, insert hook in st/sp, yoh, pull up lp, (yoh, draw through 2 lps) twice] 3 times, yoh, draw through 4 lps
  • beg dc (sc, ch 1) – counts as 1 dc
  • beg tr (sc, ch 2) – counts as 1 tr
  • dc double crochet
  • lp(s) loop(s)
  • picot ch 3, ss in previous st
  • rep repeat
  • RS/WS right side/wrong side of work
  • sc single crochet
  • sk skip
  • sp space
  • ss slip stitch
  • st(s) stitch(es)
  • tr treble crochet
  • yoh yarn over hook

Schematic

Self Love Schematic.png

Instructions

Note: This pattern includes circular full and half motifs which are bordered with lace and joined as you go. The zig-zag sides of the blanket are filled in and a simple border is added to complete the piece.

Full Motif (Make 27)

Rnd 1 Sl knot, ch 3, ss in third ch from hook to make ring. All in ring: beg dc, 11 dc, ss in beg dc. [12 dc]

Rnd 2 Beg cl in next st, (ch 3, cl) 11 times, ch 3, ss in beg cl. [12 cl, 12 ch-sp]

Rnd 3 Ss in first ch, (beg dc, ch 1, 2 dc) all in same ch-sp, (ch 1, 2 dc) 2 times in each ch-sp around, ch 1, dc in first ch-sp, ss in beg dc. [48 dc, 24 ch-sp]

Rnd 4 Ss in first ch, beg dc in same ch-sp, (ch 1, 3 dc) in each ch-sp around, ch 1, 2 dc in first ch-sp, ss in beg dc. [72 dc, 24 ch-sp]

Rnd 5 (sc in ch-sp, ch 3) 24 times, ss in first sc. [24 dc, 24 ch-sp]

Rnd 6 (Beg dc, 2 dc) in ch-sp, (ch 1, 3 dc) in each ch-sp around, ch 1, ss in beg dc, cut yarn. [72 dc, 24 ch-sp]

Half Motif (Make 6)

Row 1 (WS) Slip knot, ch 3, ss in third ch from hook to make ring. All in ring: beg dc, 7 dc, turn. [8 dc]

Row 2 Beg tr, ch 1, (cl, ch 3) 6 times omitting final 2 ch, tr, turn. [6 cl, 2 tr, 5 ch-3 sp, 2 ch-1 sp]

Row 3 (Beg dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in first ch-sp, (ch 1, dc) 2 times in each ch-sp across omitting final dc, turn. [26 dc, 13 ch-sp]

Row 4 (Beg dc, dc) in first ch-sp, (ch 1, 3dc) in each ch-sp across omitting final dc, turn. [37 dc, 12 ch-sp]

Row 5 Sc in first st, ch 1, (sc in ch-sp, ch 3) 12 times omitting final 2 ch, sc in final st, turn. [14 sc, 11 ch-3 sp, 2 ch-1 sp]

Row 6 (Beg dc, dc) in first ch-sp, (ch 1, 3 dc) in each ch-sp across omitting final dc, cut yarn. [37 dc, 12 ch-sp]

IMG_5461.jpg

Join Motifs

Note: 3 rnds/rows are added to each motif. On rnd/row 3, motifs are joined as you go. Refer to Schematic for guidance.

Join Full Motifs

Rnd 1 Using background color, ss in any ch-sp of Rnd 6, (sc, ch 3) in all ch-sps around, ss in first sc. [24 sc, 24 ch-sp]

Rnd 2 Ss in first ch, (beg dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same ch-sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in each ch-sp around, dc in first ch-sp, ss in beg dc. [96 dc, 24 sc]

Rnd 3, first motif * (Sc in ch-sp, ch 5) 3 times, sc in ch-sp, ch 7, rep from * 5 times, ss in first sc, cut yarn. [24 sc, 6 ch-7 sp, 18 ch-5 sp]

Rnd 3, subsequent motifs Note: Round will be worked exactly as for “Rnd 3, first motif” but center ch of each ch-sp will be replaced with a ss in the adjacent ch-sp of the completed motif. (Sc in ch-sp, ch 5) 3 times, sc in next ch-sp, ch 3, ss in adjacent ch-sp on previous completed motif, ch 3, * sc in next ch-sp, ch 2, ss in adjacent ch-sp on previous completed motif, ch 2, ** rep from * to ** 2 times, sc in next ch-sp, ch 3,

If joining only 1 side: ss in adjacent ch-sp on previous completed motif, ch 3, *** (sc in next ch-sp, ch 5) 3 times, sc in ch-sp, ch 7, rep from *** around until first ch-sp is reached, ss in first sc, cut yarn.

OR if another joining side is required, make Special Corner 1 as follows: insert hook back to front through first ch-7 sp, pull up lp, insert hook back to front through second ch-7 sp, pull up lp and draw lp through 2 lps on hook, ch 3, rep from * to ** 3 times, sc in ch-sp, ch 3, ss in adjacent ch-sp on previous completed motif, ch 3, *** (sc in next ch-sp, ch 5) 3 times, sc in ch-sp, ch 7, rep from *** around until first ch-sp is reached, ss in first sc, cut yarn. [24 sc, 6 ch-7 sp, 18 ch-5 sp – Note: 1 or 2 sides will be joined, so remember those ch-sps are replaced by ss]

Repeat in order as shown on schematic until all 27 full motifs are joined together.

IMG_5459.jpg

Add in Half Motifs

Row 1 (WS) Holding half motif with WS facing, and using background color, ss in first st – where red circle is located on Schematic, sc in same st, ch 1, (sc in ch-sp, ch 3) 12 times omitting final 2 chs, sc in final st, turn. [14 sc, 11 ch-3 sp, 2 ch-1 sp]

Row 2 (Beg dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in first ch-sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in 11 ch-sps, dc in final ch-sp, turn. [48 dc, 11 ch-2 sp, 1 ch-1 sp]

Row 3 Note: You will be joining as you go from the WS on the half motifs. (Sc, ch 7, sc) in first ch-sp (ch 5, sc in next ch-sp) 3 times. Join 2 sides as with full motifs. Cut yarn.

When making Special Corner 2: (Sc, ch 3, ss in adjacent ch-sp on completed motif, ch 3, sc) all in first ch-sp, then continue motif as normal, joining necessary sides. Cut yarn when row is complete.

Repeat until all half motifs are attached.

IMG_5705.jpg

Fill triangle gaps to straighten both zig-zag sides of blanket

Note: Using background color, fill each triangle gap independently as follows.

Row 1 With RS facing, ss in ch-7 sp on right hand side of triangle gap, sc in same ch-sp, (ch 5, sc in next ch-sp) 4 times, sc in ch-7 sp of next motif, (ch 5, sc in next ch-sp) 4 times, ending in ch-7 sp on left hand side of triangle gap, turn.

Row 2 Ss in 2 chs, sc in same ch-sp, (ch 5, sc in next ch-sp) 7 times, turn.

Row 3 Ss in 2 chs, sc in same ch-sp, (ch 5, sc in next ch-sp) 2 times, sk 1 ch-sp, (sc in next ch-sp, ch 5) 2 times, sc in next ch-sp, turn.

Row 4 Ss in 2 chs, sc in same ch-sp, ch 5, sc in next ch-sp, sk 1 ch-sp, sc in next ch-sp, ch 5, sc in next ch-sp, turn.

Row 5 Ss in 2 chs, sc in same ch-sp, ch 5, sk 1 ch-sp, sc in next ch-sp, cut yarn.

Repeat for remaining 11 triangle gaps.

Blanket border

Rnd 1 Using background color and smaller hook, ss in top right corner of blanket. (3 sc in corner, sc evenly across to next corner being sure to make -multiple of 3- sc) 4 times, ss in first sc. I place my sts as follows: 3 sc per ch-3 sp, 6 sc per ch-5 sp, 3 sc per dc (on the half-motifs). Follow this rule of thumb and as I mentioned before, make sure between 3sc corners the number of sc is divisible evenly by 3.

Rnd 2 * (Sc, ch 3, sc) in corner st, (ch 3, sk 2, sc) across to next corner st, ch 3, rep from * 3 times, ss in first sc.

Rnd 3 (Beg dc, dc, picot, dc) in corner ch-sp, (2 dc, picot, dc) in all ch-sps around, ss in beg dc, cut yarn.

Yay! All done! Weave ends, block vigorously, and give yourself a fist bump!

IMG_5714.jpg

Copyright Information

No pattern or other material may be reproduced — mechanically, electronically, or by any other means, including photocopying — without written permission of Rachele Carmona. This applies to all content on CypressTextiles.net, BabyLoveBrand.net, and all other sites used by Rachele Carmona. Paid patterns are for personal use only. You may sell your finished crocheted items, but do not use my photos to sell your items. Take your own photos.