Free Patterns
Published on April 15, 2023

Free Crochet Pattern: Gumdrop Garden Blanket (US Terms)

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Hello, lovely crafter! Today I have a special release for you – The Gumdrop Garden Blanket! A sweet mix of four different motifs with a continuous join and simple border, this project is perfect for a quick in-between projects stash buster.

You can hide all sorts of odd colored remnants in this blanket and it will look wonderful.

PDF Format

The condensed PDF version of this pattern is available for convenient printing on Etsy and Ravelry, and both US and UK Terms PDFs are included in the purchase.

This pattern is in US Terms – Click here for UK Terms

Project Details

  • Skill Level Beginner
  • Measurements Approximately 40x40in before blocking (Gauge is not necessary for this project)
  • Materials Scheepjes Softfun Yarn (details below), Size 4mm Crochet Hook
  • Social Media Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Etsy, Ravelry: CypressTextiles
  • Hashtags #GumdropGardenBlanket #CypressTextiles

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Shopping through these links will gain me a small commission to support CypressTextiles, at no additional cost to you!

Note: This pattern is written for stash busting so there are no yarn amounts listed. Simply put together at least 10 colors of yarn from your stash and create as many squares as your heart desires! This pattern will show off any colors wonderfully and is a great way to use up those odd remnants that you feel don’t work in any project. For your convenience, the join and border are written for any size blanket.

Yarn Used in Pattern (Light Worsted):

  • Scheepjes Softfun Yarn – Head to WoolWarehouse to shop Softfun 
  • Scheepjes Softfun Denim Yarn – Head to WoolWarehouse to shop Softfun Denim 
  • Scheepjes Softfun Aquarel Yarn – Head to WoolWarehouse to shop Softfun Aquarel

Alternate Yarn Suggestions:

Repeat and Bracket Guide

Square brackets [ ] are used for small repeats: 4dc, [2dc, 3tr, 2dc] 2 times

Asterisks *are used for repeats that include small repeats: *5dc, [1ch, 1dc] 3 times in next ch, rep from * 3 times

Round brackets ( ) are used when a string of stitches are worked into the same spot: (3tr, 3ch, 3tr) in next st

Stitch Counts are given at the end of rows where necessary, in the following format: [12 dc, 3 sp]

Tips and Notes

  • Weave your ends after each time you cut the yarn to avoid having to do them all at the end.
  • Please read the stitch guide for any abbreviations.
  • To get a neater result, I do not “chain up” for the first sc of the round/row. Jump straight into the first sc.

Stitch Descriptions (US Terms)

  • 2dccl 2dc cluster: (yoh, insert hook in st/sp, yoh, pull up lp, yoh, draw yarn through 2 lps) 2 times, yoh, draw yarn through all 3 lps
  • 3trcl 3tr cluster: * yoh twice, insert hook in st/sp, yoh, pull up lp, (yoh, draw yarn through 2 lps) twice, rep from * 2 times, yoh, draw yarn through all 4 lps
  • 4dccl 4dc cluster: (yoh, insert hook in st/sp, yoh, pull up lp, yoh, draw yarn through 2 lps) 4 times, yoh, draw yarn through all 5 lps
  • beg beginning
  • beg 2dccl (beg dc, dc) in st/sp indicated – when joining rnd, ss into full dc st
  • beg 3trcl beg tr, * yoh twice, insert hook in same st/sp, yoh, pull up lp, (yoh, draw yarn through 2 lps) twice, rep from * 1 time, yoh, draw yarn through all 3 lps– Counts as 1 3trcl
  • beg dc beginning double crochet: (1sc, ch1) – counts as 1 dc
  • beg dc5tog beg dc, (yoh insert hook into next st/sp, yoh, pull up lp, yoh, draw yarn through 2 lps) 4 times, yoh, draw yarn through all 5 lps on hook – join in full decrease to finish round
  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • dc5tog (yoh insert hook into next st/sp, yoh, pull up lp, yoh, draw yarn through 2 lps) 5 times, yoh, draw yarn through all 6 lps on hook
  • FPsc Front Post single crochet
  • lp loop
  • MR make ring: slip knot, ch3, ss in third ch from hook
  • rep repeat
  • sc single crochet
  • sp space or chain space
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • tr treble crochet
  • yoh yarn over hook

Instructions

All motifs are worked complete and joined with a continuous granny stitch join as-you-go, and then a simple border is added to complete the piece. The given motif amounts will make the 49-motif layout in the Gumdrop Garden Schematic. If you want to resize your blanket, follow the Motif Quantity Guide at the end of the pattern. Motifs measure 4”

The condensed PDF version of this pattern is available for convenient printing on Etsy and Ravelry, and both US and UK Terms PDFs are included in the purchase.

Make Motifs

Motif 1 – “Clematis” (Make 24)

Rnd 1 MR, beg 2dccl [ch2, 2dccl] 7 times, ch2, 2dccl, ss in beg 2dccl, cut yarn. [8 2dccl, 8 sp]

Rnd 2 Join new color with ss in any ch-sp, beg dc in same sp, [4dc in same sp, ch1, 1dc in next sp] 8 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc. [40 dc, 8 sp]

Rnd 3 Beg dc5tog over first 5 sts, [ch5, dc5tog] 7 times, ch5, ss in beg dc5tog, cut yarn. [8 dc5tog, 8 sp] 

Rnd 4 Join new color with ss in any dc5tog, [FPsc in dc5tog, ch2, 1dc in both ch-5 sp and ch-1 sp from Row 2 treating them as one, ch2] 8 times, ss in first FPsc, cut yarn. [8 FPsc, 8 dc, 16 sp] 

Rnd 5 Join new color with ss in ch-2 sp after a FPsc, 3sc in same ch-sp, [3sc in next 3 ch-sps, ch2, 3sc in next ch-sp] 4 times omitting final 3sc, ss in first sc, cut yarn. [48 sc, 4 sp]

Rnd 6 Join new color with ss in any ch-sp, beg dc in same ch-sp, [ch2, 2dc in same ch-sp, 12dc, 2dc in next ch-sp] 4 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc, cut yarn and weave all ends. [64 dc, 4 sp]

Motif 2 – “Granny” (Make 10)

Note: The instructions are to make each of Rounds 1-4 in a different color, but depending on my remnant lengths, I occasionally made 2 consecutive rounds in the same color as shown in the photo.

Rnd 1 MR,beg dc, [ch1, 3dc] 4 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc, cut yarn. [12 dc, 4 sp]

Rnd 2 Join new color with ss in any ch-sp, beg dc in same sp, [ch1, 3dc in same sp, 3dc in next sp] 4 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc, cut yarn. [24 dc, 4 sp]

Rnds 3-4 Join new color with ss in any ch-sp, beg dc in same sp, [ch1, 3dc in same sp, 3dc between 3-dc “groups” across to corner sp, 3dc in corner sp] 4 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc, cut yarn. [60 dc, 4 sp]

Rnd 5 Join new color with ss in any ch-sp, beg dc in same sp, [ch2, 2dc in same sp, 12dc, 2dc in next sp] 4 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc, cut yarn and weave all ends. [64 dc, 4 sp]

Motif 3 – “Circle Granny” (Make 9)

Rnd 1 MR, beg dc, [1dc, ch1, 1dc] 6 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc, cut yarn. [12 dc, 6 sp]

Rnd 2 Join new color with ss in any ch-sp, beg dc in same sp, [1dc in same sp, ch1, 2dc in same sp, ch1, 1dc in next sp] 6 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc, cut yarn. [24 dc, 12 sp]  

Rnd 3 Join new color with ss in any ch-sp, beg dc in same sp, [2dc in same sp, ch1, 1dc in next sp] 12 times omitting final dc. [36 dc, 12 sp]

Rnd 4 Join new color with ss in any ch-sp, beg dc in same sp, [ch1, 3dc in same sp, 3dc between next 2 3-dc groups, 3dc in next ch-sp] 4 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc. [48 dc, 4 sp] 

Rnd 5 Join new color with ss in any ch-sp, beg dc in same sp, [ch2, 2dc in same sp, 12dc, 2dc in next sp] 4 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc, cut yarn and weave all ends. [64 dc, 4 sp]

Motif 4 – “Primrose” (Make 6)

Rnd 1 MR, beg dc, 11dc, ss in beg dc. [12 dc]

Rnd 2 Beg 3trcl in next st, [ch3, (3trcl in next st, ch2) 2 times, 3trcl] 4 times omitting final 3trcl, ss in beg 3trcl. [12 3trcl, 12 sp]

Rnd 3 Beg dc in ch-3 sp, [4dc in same sp, ch2, 4dccl in next sp, ch1, 4dccl in next sp, ch2, 1dc in ch-3 sp] 4 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc, cut yarn. [8 3dccl, 20 dc, 12 sp]

Rnd 4 Join new yarn with ss in corner dc, beg dc in same st, [ch2, 2dc in same st, 2dc, 3dc in next ch-sp, 2dc in next sp, 3dc in next sp, 2dc, 2dc in next st] 4 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc, cut yarn and weave all ends. [64 dc, 4 sp]

Example motifs are laid out below, but this is not exactly as the schematic shows them, because I got carried away and made about 100 of these motifs! So I pulled them randomly for this photo.

Join Motifs to Make Blanket Body

Lay motifs out according to schematic below.

Joining Method: Continuous Join As-You-Go Granny Stitch

Refer to the Schematic below to see the path of this join. The motifs in the schematic are numbered in the order that they are joined onto the blanket. In case you are not familiar with granny stitch continuous join as you go, I have included many photos to show the method. It can be tricky at first, but once it “clicks” it will be smooth sailing. You can also choose any alternate method of joining that you prefer.

Joining path schematic

Joining Instruction

Note: The demo photos are from a different project with slightly larger squares and a higher final stitch count. The squares in the demo have 7 groups of 3-dc on each edge as you can see below, but for this project, your squares will have 6 groups of 3-dc on each edge. Follow the written instruction, but use the photos as a guide to the method.

Motif 1

With joining yarn, ss in the corner sp, beg dc, * ch3, 3dc in same sp, sk3, (3dc in next st, sk2) 4 times until the corner is reached, 3dc in corner sp, rep from * 2 times, ch3.

Motif 2

Bring Motif 2 under first square, ready to join along the top side.

3dc in the corner sp of Motif 2,

Hold both motifs with wrong sides together, and insert the hook between the next 2 3-dc groups on Motif 1,

Ss between the 2 3-dc groups,

Sk3, (3dc in next st, ss between next 2 3-dc groups on previous motif, sk2) 4 times until next corner is reached, (3dc, ch3, 3dc) in corner sp,

Sk3, (3dc in next st, sk2) 4 times until next corner is reached, (3dc, ch3, 3dc) in corner sp, sk3, (3dc in next st, sk2) 4 times until next corner is reached, 3dc in corner sp, ch3,

Here’s a close-up.

Motifs 3-7

Join all of the rest of the squares in the column in this same manner, except on Motif 7, only work 2 sides, instead of 3, ch3.

Here is a closer look at Motif 7.

Motifs 8-14

Note: Now you will join on just the right side of each square, moving up the row from bottom edge to top edge of the blanket.

Join 1 side of the square as before, and when you get to the corner, 3dc in the corner sp, and ch1,

Holding motifs with wrong sides together, ss in the corner ch-sp that is diagonally located from the square in progress, (refer to photo)

–

Ch1, pick up next motif, 3dc in corner st, ss in ch-1 sp, sk2, 3dc in next st, and so on, joining the side as before,

Here is what you will be looking at when you join 1 side of all squares, working your way up the column.

When the top of the column is reached, 3dc in corner sp, ch1,

Ss in ch-3 corner sp, ch1,

–

Continue around 3 sides of the without joining, until you approach the corner as shown,

3dc in bottom right corner sp, release lp from hook, insert hook front to back through adjacent ch-3 corner sp,

Also, insert hook from front to back through diagonally located ch-3 corner sp,

–

Grab loop, Pull Loop Through the corner sps,

–

Ch1 – this chain encases the corner sps, then ch1 again to complete the ch-3 corner sp,

3dc in corner sp on next square below in the column (in photo below it is the orange square), and continue to join the top side of the square as shown below.

Work 2 more sides of the square without joining, and repeat the join for the corner as before.

Here is a step back to see how the join looks in progress.

When the bottom square of the column is reached, again work only 2 sides of the square, and ch3, as shown.

Looking good!

Continue joining columns in this manner, until all columns are joined. When you work the final column of squares, be sure to join all corners immediately, as there will not be another column of squares to link those corners up.

Finishing the Join

The yellow square is the bottom right square in the blanket, and the last square in the final column of squares. Instead of working only 2 sides of this square, finish the corner as shown below.

Work across the top of the square as normal, make 3dc in the corner, ch1, ss in the ch-3 sp that is between the 2 squares, ch1, and continue working across the next square.

Once you have worked across all of the squares, turn the next corner, and continue down the next side in the same manner.

And that’s it! Once you have worked across those 2 “raw edges” of the blanket, you are all done! 2dc in the very first corner sp to complete that first corner, ss in the beg dc, cut your yarn, and weave ends.

I hope you like this fun and engaging twist on a simple and traditional join! I find continuous joins to be much faster going, because you aren’t just joining 1 square at a time, you’re effectively joining 1 whole column of squares at a time! It’s much neater and faster, and best of all, only 2 ends to weave in.

Blanket Border

Rnd 1 Join background yarn with ss in any corner sp, [5sc in corner sp, 1sc in all sts across until 2 corners meet, 1sc in first corner sp, sc2tog over this and next corner sp as follows: insert hook in first corner sp, yoh, pull up lp, insert hook in next corner sp, yoh, pull up lp, draw yarn through all 3 lps on hook – sc2tog made, 1sc in same sp, 1sc across all sts of next square and continue across side in this manner until next corner sp is reached] 4 times, ss in first sc. 

Rnd 2 Beg dc in corner st, [ch2, 2dc in same st, dc in all sts across to next corner st, 2dc in corner st] 4 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc.

Rnd 3 [3sc in corner sp, 1sc in all sts across to next corner] 4 times, ss in first sc, cut yarn and weave all ends.

Finishing

Weave all remaining ends, and block blanket if desired.

Yay! All done! Give yourself a fist bump!

Motif Quantity Guide (To resize blanket)

For this blanket, you have a lot of options. You can create any layout that you desire, for example, you could make the same amount of each motif and lay them out randomly, or any other configuration. However, to achieve a certain look, I have made the blanket using a specific layout formula, which I will talk about in this short guide. Here is how to build your motif quantity and layout to make your blanket look like mine.

Step 1: Make a layout with an odd number of motifs along the length and width. For example, 5 x 7 motifs, 9 x 9 motifs, or 11 x 15 motifs will all work. Mine is 7 x 7 motifs.

Step 2: Calculate your total motifs, subtract 1 and divide by 2. That is how many of Motif 1 you will make. For my blanket, I have 7 x 7 = 49 motifs. Subtract 1 = 48, and divide by 2 = 24, and now I know I will make 24 of Motif 1.

Let’s say your blanket is 11 x 15 = 165 motifs. Subtract 1 = 164, and divide by 2 = 82, so you would make 82 of Motif 1.

Note: You can stop here if you want to use a random layout for Motifs 2-4. My rule of thumb is to make a few of Motif 4 and then about half of the remaining motifs in Motif 2 and the rest in Motif 3. Place Motif 1 in the checkerboard layout, and fill in the rest of the motifs randomly.

The important part of the “look” is that Motif 1 is in a checkerboard layout. The rest isn’t as important, but if you want to use my exact calculations and you aren’t afraid of a little more math, continue on to Step 3.

Step 3: Here’s how to do the math for the Motif 2-4 quantity:

7 x 7 motifs blanket:

49 total motifs: 24 are Motif 1, 25 will be a 40/35/25 percent split between Motifs 2, 3, and 4 respectively.

  • 40% of 25 = .40 x 25 = 10 of Motif 2
  • 35% of 25 = .35 x 25 = 8.75, round to 9 of Motif 3
  • 25% of 25 = .25 x 25 = 6.25, round to 6 of Motif 4

Double check that all of your motifs add up to your original total:

24 of Motif 1, 10 of Motif 2, 9 of Motif 3, 6 of Motif 4 = 49 total motifs 

Let’s do the math with an 11 x 15 motifs blanket.

11 x 15 motifs blanket:

165 total motifs: 82 are Motif 1, 83 will be a 40/35/25 percent split between Motifs 2, 3, and 4 respectively.

  • 40% of 83 = .40 x 83 = 33.20, round to 33 of Motif 2
  • 35% of 83 = .35 x 83 = 29.05, round to 29 of Motif 3
  • 25% of 83 = .25 x 83 = 20.75, round to 21 of Motif 4

Double check that all of your motifs add up to your original total:

82 of Motif 1, 33 of Motif 2, 29 of Motif 3, 21 of Motif 4 = 165 total motifs 

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 including social media. Paid patterns are for personal use only. You may sell your finished crocheted items, but do not use my photos to sell your items.

RACHELE CARMONA

Crochet Designer & Fiber Artist

I hope you enjoyed this free pattern, and I know the diagram and videos will help! They will start going up on this post starting Monday.

The condensed PDF version of this pattern is available for convenient printing on Etsy and Ravelry, and both US and UK Terms PDFs are included in the purchase.

Happy crafting,

Rachele C.

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