Gemma is a sweet and stylish geometric baby blanket made in chunky Stone Washed XL. I named her Gemma after the diamond shapes, but coincidentally, all of the colors of Stone Washed are named for gemstones. It was meant to be! If you need a fast baby blanket, one option is to use thicker yarn, but the end result can be a boxy and bulky piece. By mixing thick motifs with thinner yarn for the join and border, you can turn a good blanket into a great blanket. Try this pattern for your next gifty make! My fast and furious week-long Gemma journey has its own blog post! But now it’s done, and I’m truly proud of the result. It was an utter joy to work with the new and favorite colors of Scheepjes – Stone Washed XL, and the original Stone Washed. See my review of these yarns and where to find them near you! 

Coming tomorrow: the Gemma crochet blanket pattern! (Update! Now here!) With jewel motifs made in Scheepjes – Stone Washed XL, and continuous flat braid join plus sweet surprise border in original Stone Washed, this piece will have you zooming through your next gifty make in less than a week’s time. 

A peek at me planning my join! When I plan out a joining method, I don’t cut the yarn. So yarn noodles abound! And check out my review of these yarns including where to buy.  Coincidentally, all Stone Washed yarn colors are named after gems. In this blanket, I used Smokey Quartz, Deep Amethyst, and Tourmaline, among others. Not to mention Garnet, my birthstone!  AND, this blanket is being made for a bouncing baby named Emma. Emma – Gemma?? Eh?? I knoooowwwww lol it was all meant to be. The planets are aligned for this one. 

Coming along – this really is a fast make. The Motifs go by so fast in chunky yarn, and the dainty DK weight yarn FBJ takes it over the top.

YAY!! All the Crystal Gems are here! 😁  I can’t wait to share this pattern with you all. You can expect a Continuous Flat Braid Join, layout options, color palette suggestions, a blank coloring page, easy-to-follow instructions, and beautiful photos. I’m proud to offer it! A flurry of a design as I was asked to make this for a fresh bun out of the oven. My mom’s co-worker has a new grand-baby. 

And Kit-Kat approves lol I know I’m not alone in this struggle…  Look for this pattern tomorrow 6/9/17 on Ravelry and Craftsy! 

Yarns you’ll need for this 30x40in blanket:

• Stone Washed XL – 1 ball each:
• 842 (Smokey Quartz) 
• 858 (Lilac Quartz)
• 876 (Tourmaline)
• 851 (Deep Amethyst)
• 853 (Amazonite)
• 849 (Yellow Jasper)
• 861 (Pink Quartzite)
• 850 (Garnet)
• 841 (Moon Stone) x 2 balls
• Stone Washed 
• 801 (Moon Stone) x 2 balls

What you’ll find in the Gemma Crochet Blanket Pattern: 

• Easy-to-follow, 9-page instructions
• Continuous flat braid join
• Experienve working with bulky and DK yarn in the same piece
• Fun “Little Charms” border 
• Coloring pages with additional layout options
• Stone Washed color palette inspiration

All colors of Stone Washed are named after gemstones and minerals. Meant to be!! Check out the cute edging close up.

Where to find Gemma:

Gemma is available on Ravelry and Craftsy for a 24-hour intro price of $3.00! After 24 hours it will go up to the regular $4.00. Take advantage; you won’t be disappointed in this fast make! It looks complex and intricate, but is a simple pattern. 

Pattern Links

Find this pattern in easy to print PDF format – ad free, on Ravelry, Etsy, and LoveCrochet.

For free pattern, scroll down below.

Materials

• US Size 6.5mm (K) hook for motifs 
• US size 5mm hook for join and border
• 2 Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle for weaving ends

Yarny Info

Note: for the motifs, Scheepjes Stone Washed XL is used, and then Scheepjes Stone Washed is used for the joining and border.

Scheepjes Stone Washed XL (70% Cotton, 30% Acrylic; 75m/50g)

• Yarn A: 841 Moon Stone x 2 balls
• 1 ball each of the following:
• Yarn B: 842 Smokey Quartz
• Yarn C: 858 Lilac Quartz
• Yarn D: 876 Tourmaline
• Yarn E: 851 Deep Amethyst
• Yarn F: 853 Amazonite
• Yarn G: 849 Yellow Jasper
• Yarn H: 860 Rose Quartz
• Yarn I: 850 Garnet

Scheepjes Stone Washed (78% Cotton, 22% Acrylic; 130m/50g)

• Yarn J: 801 Moon Stone x 2 balls

Shop this yarn

• Find Sheepjes Stone Washed at Deramores*,  LoveKnitting* , WoolWarehouse* , and KnottyHouse*, and other Scheepjes retailers.
• Find Sheepjes Stone Washed XL at Deramores*,  LoveKnitting* , WoolWarehouse* , and KnottyHouse*, and other Scheepjes retailers.

Gauge: Motif 1 measures 5in across as made in pattern

Measurements: 30 x 40in

Abbreviations – US Terms

• as folls as follows
• beg beginning
• bet between
• ch(s) chain(s)
• ch-sp(s) chain space(s)
• ch-1 sp(s) chain 1 space(s): number denotes number of chains in chain space
• corner-sp corner space
• dc double crochet
• dc2tog double crochet 2 together: (yoh, insert hook in next st/sp, yoh, pull up loop, yoh, draw through 2 loops) twice, yoh, draw through all loops
• dc3tog double crochet 3 together: (yoh, insert hook in next st/sp, yoh, pull up loop, yoh, draw through 2 loops) 3 times, yoh, draw through all loops
• dec decrease
• incl including
• lp(s) loop(s)
• pm place (stitch) marker
• rep(s) repeat(s)
• RS right side
• sc single crochet
• sc2tog single crochet 2 together: (insert hook in next st/sp, yoh, pull up loop) twice, yoh, draw through all loops
• ss slip stitch(es)
• st(s) stitch(es)
• tog together
• tr treble crochet
• WS wrong side
• yoh yarn over hook

Special Stitches

• beg dc beginning double crochet: sc, ch 1 (counts as 1 dc)
• beg dc2tog sc in first st, dc in next st (sc does not count as a st in this case)
• beg dc3tog beg dc in first st, dc2tog over next 2 sts (beg dc does not count as a at in this case)
• beg inc (beg dc, dc) in first st
• inc 2 dc in st indicated
• Make ring sl knot, ch 3, ss in third st from hook to make ring
• picot ch 3, sc in top side bars of previous stitch

Instructions

Notes: For all motifs, use Yarn  indicated in schematic and larger hook. A word about chunky yarn: Accurate stitching is key, as at this gauge it is difficult to “fudge” stitches. Also, leave a longer tail than normal when cutting yarn for more security when weaving in.

Motif 1 (Make 3)

Rnd 1 (RS) Make ring. All in ring: Beg dc, (ch 1, 3 dc) 3 times, ch 1, 2 dc, ss in beg dc, turn.

Rnd 2 (Beg dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in ch-sp, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next 3 ch-sps, 2 dc in first corner to complete it, ss in beg dc, turn.

Rnd 3 (Beg dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in ch-sp, * 3 dc bet next 3-dc groups, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in corner-sp, rep from * 2 times, 3 dc bet 3-dc groups, 2 dc in first corner to complete it, ss in beg dc.

Rnd 4 With RS still facing, (3 sc in corner-sp, sc in 9 sts) 4 times, ss in first sc, cut yarn and finish off. 

Motif 2 (Make 2)

Row 1 (WS) Make ring. All in ring: Beg dc, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1) twice, dc, turn.

Row 2 Beg dc in first st, ch 1, 3 dc in ch-sp, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in corner-sp, 3 dc in final ch-sp, ch 1, dc in final st, turn.

Row 3 Beg dc, in first st, ch 1, 3 dc in ch-sp, 3 dc bet 3-dc groups, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in corner-sp, 3 dc bet 3-dc groups as before, 3 dc in final ch-sp, ch 1, dc in final st, turn.

Row 4 Sc in first st and in ch-sp, sc in 9 sts, 3 sc in ch-sp, sc in 9 sts, sc in ch-sp, sc in final st, cut yarn and finish off.

Motif 3 (Make 8)

Row 1 Make ring. All in ring: Beg dc, 3 dc, turn.

Row 2 Sc in all sts, turn.

Row 3 Beg inc, dc in all sts to final st, inc in final st, turn.

Rows 4-8 Rep Rows 2 and 3, ending on a Row 2.

Row 9 2 sc in first st, sc across to final st, 2 sc in final st, turn. Pm in first and last sts of this row.

Row 10 Beg dc3tog, dc across to final 3 sts, dc3tog, turn.

Row 11 Rep Row 2.

Rows 12 and 13 Rep Row 10 2 times.

Row 14 Make 1 sc, turn.

Border Rnd 3 sc in sc from previous row, sc 9 sts evenly to marker and remove, 3 sc in marked st, sc 11 sts evenly to ring, 3 sc in ring, sc 11 sts evenly to marker and remove, 3 sc in marked st, sc 9 sts evenly to beg st, ss in beg st, cut yarn and finish off.

Motif 4 (Make 6)

Rows 1-9 Work as for Motif 3. Pm in 2 sts on Row 9 as before.

Row 10 Sc2tog, sc across to final 2 sts, sc2tog, turn.

Row 11 Beg dc2tog, dc in all sts across to final 2 sts, dc2tog, turn.

Row 12 Sc in all sts, turn.

Rows 13-16 Rep Rows 11 and 12 2 times.

Row 17 Beg dc, dc3tog, turn.

Row 18 Make 1 sc, turn.

Border Rnd 3 sc in sc from previous row, sc 11 evenly to marker and remove, 3 sc in marked st, sc 11 evenly, 3 sc in ring, sc 11 evenly to marker and remove, 3 sc in marked st, sc 11 evenly to beg st, ss in beg st, cut yarn and finish off.

Motif 5 (Make 8)

Rows 1-9 Work as for Motif 3, but do not turn after Row 9. Ch 1, and pull ch closed to secure st.

Border Row With RS facing,2 sc in side bars of final st on previous row, sc 11 evenly down side to ring, 3 sc in ring, sc 11 sts evenly to first st of Row 9, 2 sc in side bars of that st, cut yarn and finish off.

Motif 6 (Make 4)

Row 1 Make ring. All in ring: Beg dc, 2 dc, turn.

Row 2 Sc in all sts, turn.

Row 3 Beg dc in first st, dc across to final st, inc in final st, turn.

Row 4 Rep Row 2.

Rows 5-8 Rep Rows 3 and 4 2 times.

Row 9 Sc across to final st, 2 sc in final st, turn. Mark final st in this row.

Row 10 Sc2tog, sc in all rem sts, turn.

Row 11 Beg dc in first st, dc across to final 2 sts, dc2tog, turn.

Row 12 Rep Row 2.

Rows 13-16 Rep Rows 11-12 2 times.

Row 17 Sc, dc2tog, turn.

Row 18 Make 1 sc, turn.

Border Row 2 sc in st from previous row, sc 11 evenly to marker and remove, 3 sc in marked st, sc 11 evenly to ring, 2 sc in ring, cut yarn and finish off.

Gratuitous photo of kitty wrecking my layout 🙂

Schematic – Numbers indicate joining order. Letters indicate yarn color.

Join Motifs to make blanket body

Lay Motifs out as shown in Schematic above. Motifs will be joined in their numbered order as referenced in the pattern, using smaller hook and Yarn J. Notice that the top 4 Motif 5 are joined last.

Special Stitches for joining section only

• PLT-ch “Pull Loop Through” chain: remove working lp from hook, insert hook from front to back in adjacent/corresponding ch-lp on finished edge, and replace lp on hook. Pull Loop Through to front of work and complete 1 ch st.
• FBJ Flat Braid Join: ch 1, PLT-ch to adjacent ch-3 lp, ch 1, sk 1, sc in next st.

Begin working continuous flat braid join

Pick up motif 1, (Sc, ch 3, sc) in first st of Border Row on Motif 1, * (ch 3, sk 1, sc) 7 times, ch 5, sc in same st as previous, (ch 3, sk 1, sc) 7 times * ch 3. 

Pick up motif 2, sc in first st of Border Row, rep from * to *, ch 3. 

Pick up motif 3, sc in first st of Border Row, (ch 3, sk 1, sc) 6 times, ch 5, sc in same st as previous, (ch 3, sk 1, sc) 6 times, ch 3. 

Pick up motif 4, sc in first st of Border Row, rep from * to *, ch 5.

Pick up motif 5, sc in first st of Border Row, work FBJ 7 times, ch 1, PLT-ch to ch-5 lp on motif 4, ch 1.

Pick up motif 6, sc in center st of point, FBJ 7 times, ch 2, PLT-ch around ch-3 sp, ch 2, sc in same st as previous, FBJ 6 times, ch 1, PLT-ch to ch-5 lp on motif 3, ch 1.

Pick up motif 7, sc in center st of point, FBJ 6 times, ch 2, PLT-ch around ch-3 sp, ch 2, sc in same st as previous, FBJ 7 times, ch 1, PLT-ch to ch-5 lp on motif 2, ch 1.

Pick up motif 8, sc in center st of point, FBJ 7 times, ch 2,PLT-ch around ch-3 sp, ch 2, sc in same st as previous, FBJ 7 times, ch 3, sc in same st as previous (we are now at the point shown in photo at right), (ch 3, sk 1, sc) 7 times, ch 5, sc in same st as previous, (ch 3, sk 1, sc) 7 times, ch 1, ss in ch-5 lp of motif 2, ch 1.

Pick up motif 7, sc in center st of point, (ch 3, sk 1, sc) 7 times, ch 5, sc in same st as previous, (ch 3, sk 1, sc) 6 times, ch 1, ss in ch-5 lp of motif 3, ch 1.

Pick up motif 6, sc in center st of point, (ch 3, sk 1, sc) 6 times, ch 5, sc in same st as previous, (ch 3, sk 1, sc) 7 times, ch 1, ss in ch-5 lp of motif 4, ch 1.

Pick up motif 5, sc in center st of point, (ch 3, sk 1, sc) 7 times, ch 5.

Pick up motif 9, sc in center st of point, FBJ 7 times, ch 2, PLT-ch around ch-5 lp of motif 4, ch 2, sc in same st as previous (this completes the corner), FBJ 7 times, ch 1, PLT-ch to ch-5 lp of motif 6, ch 1.

Join motifs 10 and 11 as previous motifs.

Pick up motif 12, sc in center st of point, FBJ 7 times, ch 2, plt-ch in 5-ch lp of motif 1, ch 2, sc in same st as previous, (ch 3, sk 1, sc) 7 times, ch 3, sc in same st as previous, (ch 3, sk 1, sc) 7 times, ch 5, sc in same st as previous, (ch 3, sk 1, sc) 7 times, ch 1, ss in ch-5 lp of motif 8, ch 1.

Work down the left sides of motifs 11 and 10 as before.

Pick up motif 9, sc in center st of point, FBJ 7 times, ch 5, sc in same as st as previous, FBJ 7 times, ch 2, PLT-ch around ch-5 lp bet motif 5 and motif 9, ch 2.

At this point, all of the skills needed to join motifs 13-36 have been practiced, ending at the top st of motif . When the final sc has been placed in the last st of motif 36, you can attach the top 4 Motif 5 as folls:

Pick up motif 37, sc in first st of Border Row, FBJ 7 times, ch 1, PLT-ch around ch-5 lp of motif 32, ch 1, sc in same st as previous, FBJ 7 times, ch 2, PLT-ch in ch-3 lp of motif 28, ch 2.

Pick up motif 38 and work in the same manner, repeating for motifs 39 and 40. At end of motif 40, ch 2, PLT-ch in ch-3 lp of motif 1, cut yarn and finish off.

Work blanket border

Special sts for this section only

• shell [(dc, ch 1) 3 times, dc] in next ch-sp, sc in next ch-sp
• crown [2 dc, (picot, dc) 3 times, dc] in next ch-cp, sc in next ch-sp
• meringue (4 dc, picot, 4 dc) in next ch-sp, sc in next ch-sp
• clover ch 3, sc in next ch-sp, ch 5, sc in same ch-sp, ch 3, sc in next ch-sp
• leaf (5 dc, picot, 5 dc) in corner lp

Rnd 1 Using larger hook, join Yarn A with ss in ch-3 lp of motif 1 at upper right corner of blanket, and 2 sc in same lp. Sc2tog over this lp and joined ch-5 lp of motif 40, 2 sc in ch-lp of motif 40, sc 78 sts evenly across side to next corner lp, sc 7 in ch-lp (fourth sc of ch-lp is corner st), sc 93 sts evenly down side to corner lp, sc 7 in corner lp, sc 78 sts evenly across side to corner lp, 5 sc in corner lp, sc 95 sts evenly down side to first corner lp, ss to first st, cut yarn and finish off.

Rnd 2 Using smaller hook, join Yarn J with ss in upper right corner st, * (sc, ch 3, sc) in corner st, (Ch 3, sk 1, sc) across to next corner st, ch 3, rep from * 3 times, ss in first sc.

Rnd 3 (Beg dc, 4 dc, picot, 5 dc) in corner-sp, * sc in next ch-sp, (shell, crown, meringue, clover, meringue) across side until corner lp is reached, make leaf in corner, rep from * 3 times, omitting final leaf, ss in beg dc, cut yarn and finish off.

Layout options

I put together some additional layout options for you!

Layout A is the one used in this pattern.

For Layout B the foll number of motifs must be worked: Motif 1 x 10, Motif 2 x 4, Motif 3 x 24, Motif 4 x 15, Motif 5 x 12, Motif 6 x 6.

For Layout C, work: Motif 1 x 15, Motif 2 x 18, Motif 3 x 24, Motif 4 x 10, Motif 5 x 0, Motif 6 x 4.

Finishing or Assembly

Weave remaining ends and block if necessary.

Alternate Color Combinations

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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 URLs and social media used by Rachele Carmona. Paid patterns are for personal use only. You may sell finished items.