Persistent Blossoms
Free Center-Out Interlocking Crochet Pattern
Free Pattern
Follow this written pattern of the small square found in my Persistent Blossoms blanket. You can also follow along with this center-out interlocking crochet square on YouTube.
Crochet Now Magazine
Originally, Persistent Blossoms was published in spring 2023; Issue 93 of Crochet Now magazine. It was published as an overlay mosaic crochet pattern.
Now that the rights have reverted back to me I have included the interlocking crochet version as well!
Chart
The small square uses the first few rounds of the large square. I designed it this way specifically to take up less space in the magazine.
The interlocking crochet chart is available in the paid PDF (along with the instructions for the large square).
This free small square on my website is for the written pattern only.
Persistent Blossoms
Free Center-Out Interlocking Crochet Pattern
Free Pattern
Follow this written pattern of the small square found in my Persistent Blossoms blanket. You can also follow along with this center-out interlocking crochet square on YouTube.
Crochet Now Magazine
Originally, Persistent Blossoms was published in spring 2023; Issue 93 of Crochet Now magazine. It was published as an overlay mosaic crochet pattern.
Now that the rights have reverted back to me I have included the interlocking crochet version as well!
Chart
The small square uses the first few rounds of the large square. I designed it this way specifically to take up less space in the magazine.
The interlocking crochet chart is available in the paid PDF (along with the instructions for the large square).
This free small square on my website is for the written pattern only.
Persistent Blossoms
Free Center-Out Interlocking Crochet Pattern
Free Pattern
Follow this written pattern of the small square found in my Persistent Blossoms blanket. You can also follow along with this center-out interlocking crochet square on YouTube.
Crochet Now Magazine
Originally, Persistent Blossoms was published in spring 2023; Issue 93 of Crochet Now magazine. It was published as an overlay mosaic crochet pattern.
Now that the rights have reverted back to me I have included the interlocking crochet version as well!
Chart
The small square uses the first few rounds of the large square. I designed it this way specifically to take up less space in the magazine.
The interlocking crochet chart is available in the paid PDF (along with the instructions for the large square).
This free small square on my website is for the written pattern only.
Use your preferred technique (mosaic crochet or interlocking crochet) and choose your favorite colors!
Use your preferred technique (mosaic crochet or interlocking crochet) and choose your favorite colors!
Introduction
Persistent Blossoms is a colorful throw blanket made up of 25 large squares and 64 small squares. The small squares create the border around the grid of large squares.
The magazine chose Caron Simply Soft for this blanket. This is a worsted weight yarn; size 4 – medium according to the Craft Yarn Council Standards. It is 100% acrylic. Each skein has 315 yards / 288 meters per 6 ounces / 170.1 grams.
White is used as the Main Color (MC) in every square. There are four Accent Colors (AC) used in this blanket: Strawberry 0015 (AC1), Gold 9782 (AC2), Cobalt Blue 9784 (AC3), Lavender Blue 9756 (AC4).
You can use any yarn you want to get the design to show up. Just make sure all your colors are the same weight (thickness) and your hook size is appropriate for your yarn. It will, of course, change the finished size and your yardage amounts will be different.
The “wrong side” of your interlocking crochet square will look different than the “right side”!
The “wrong side” of your interlocking crochet square will look different than the “right side”!
Yarn Required
64 Small Squares (2.75” / 7.5cm)
Per Square
MC: 5.55 y / 3 g
AC: 1.85 y / 1 g
16 each of AC1, AC2, AC3, & AC4
Important Details
- Gauge: 8 (dc, ch) x 8 rows in one color = 4”
- 5 mm hook (H-8)
Small Blossoms
This free pattern online includes the small square only. These small blossoms can be used for more than just a border though! Have you seen the multitude of granny square patterns out there? Bags, sweaters, blankets (and there so many ways to lay out the colors), slippers, pillows! There are so many great options!
Quick reminder (probably telling the people that don’t need to know): copyright status applies to free patterns as well.
© Ashlee Brotzell 2023
All rights reserved. This publication is protected under federal copyright laws. Reproduction or distribution, in whole or in part, in any medium, is strictly prohibited.
What does this mean?
This is an original pattern by Ashlee Brotzell. You may not copy, reproduce, sell, or share any part of it whether for profit or not. This includes, but is not limited to, the written pattern, the chart, and the photos. No translations or video tutorials are allowed.
Sales of your finished items are, of course, unrestricted (and I wish you all the best!). I appreciate credit given to the designer when possible but it is not a requirement. You may tag me @AshleesLint or direct people to my website www.ashleeslint.com
YouTube
The support video I created for Persistent Blossoms is available to watch on YouTube (and embedded here as well).
The time stamps will help you jump to whatever step you’re having trouble with.
I show every step of the small square. The flat braid join is my preferred method, so I go over that here as well, but you can use any technique for joining.
More Tutorials
If you’re new to the center-out interlocking crochet technique you may also want to check out some of my other videos or tutorials.
Ashlee’s Interlocking Crochet Tutorials
Center-Out Walk-Thrus on YouTube
Other Interlocking Crochet Walk-Thrus on YouTube
Heart Levels 40
This two-part video walks you through every round of this square!
CENTER-OUT INTERLOCKING CROCHET KEY (US TERMINOLOGY)
Technique tutorial: https://youtu.be/7W0OmcZwfrM
AC = accent color: Strawberry 0015 (AC1), Gold 9782 (AC2), Cobalt Blue 9784 (AC3), Lavender Blue 9756 (AC4) / even-numbered rounds
MC = main color: white / odd-numbered rounds
Back = the wrong side of your work
Front = the right side of your work (you never turn your work, so the right side is always facing you)
AC/MC to Back indicates you need to place the AC/MCyarn towards the BACK of your project
AC/MC to Front indicates you need to bring the AC/MC yarn towards the FRONT of your project
CROCHET STITCHES USED (US TERMINOLOGY)
BLO = use the back loop only
ch = chain: pull a loop of yarn through the loop on your hook
dc = double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up loop, *yarn over, pull through two loops* twice
hdc = half double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all three loops
MR = magic ring: lay yarn across front of index and middle fingers, loose end hanging down; wrap yarn over and behind fingers then back up the front of your hand; cross yarn over yarn towards your wrist and hold working end of yarn with pinkie finger; insert hook under yarn closest to fingertips, grab the other loop of yarn and pull a loop up (with a slight clockwise twist); chain 1 to hold it together. You will crochet over the side that has 2 strings and when you are done you can tighten the loose end. See my video tutorial or my photo tutorial at ashleeslint.com/magicring
SS = slip stitch: insert hook, pull a loop through everything on your hook
MAGIC RING
Creating a magic ring: hook inserted under first string to pull up a loop using the second string.
This technique is used in amigurumi a lot but can also be used for center-out granny squares! Both my interlocking crochet and overlay mosaic crochet patterns start with a magic ring when done from the center-out.
SPECIAL TERMS USED
Ch3 in Back/Front counts as your first dc and chain
C = Corner: chain 2 (when added to previous stitch that makes 3 chains between the double crochets in each corner)
B = double crochet (dc) behind the previous row, and chain 1
F = double crochet (dc) in front of the previous row, and chain 1
Join = SS to finish the round. This stitch goes into the 2nd chain of the first ch3 of the round, or it can be made into the first window space
Begin Crocheting Here
Setting up Foundation Rounds
AC foundation round (counts as round 0); make a circle:
Chain 8, slip stitch in first chain (making a loop). Chain 3 to prepare for next round. Place stitch marker to hold live loop.
MC foundation round (counts as inner dot and then round 1); create a 4-corner square:
Create a magic ring. Chain 5, *double crochet in magic ring, ch3* 3 times, slip stitch to 2nd chain from the beginning. Tighten magic ring. Chain 3 to prepare for next round. Place stitch marker to hold live loop.
The MC square in white next to the AC circle in blue.
The MC square in white next to the AC circle in blue.
Bringing the foundations together:
For this pattern, the MC square goes BEHIND the AC circle & round 2 begins with a ch3 in FRONT so we just lay the MC square under the AC circle.
However!
Round 2 doesn’t have any stitches that join these two pieces together but at round 3, when we are using the MC again, we will make sure to hold the MC square behind the AC foundation circle and round 2.
Starting round 3.
Starting round 3.
About the use of brackets: https://ashleeslint.com/2020/08/29/brackets-in-crochet-patterns/
Continue with Round 2 (using AC). All even-numbered rounds use AC; odd-numbered rounds use MC.
Repeat between asterisks (*) 3 times.
2 AC – MC to Back, Ch3 in Front, F1, *C, F2*, C, Join
3 MC – Ch3 in Back, F1, *C, F1, B1, F1*, C, F1, AC to Back (not applicable in the small square), Join
To finish a small square, you MUST add the # at this point.
YouTube
If the border sounds confusing, try watching it in action in the support video!
I wish I could come to everyone’s house and show you individually, but this video will have to do.
Time stamps
13:19 Required Border Round
14:33 Optional Locked Stitches
SINGLE CROCHET BORDER
This step is REQUIRED for both the small and large squares. Including the corner chains, the small squares need to end with 11 stitches per side and the large squares need 33 stitches per side.
For the small squares you will be using the MC (white) and for the large squares you’ll be using the AC (whatever color that square is using) for the border.
After joining your final round, place one single crochet in each chain gap and one single crochet in each double crochet stitch. You will increase in each corner, and you will end with an invisible join to the first single crochet you made in the first chain gap.
In the corners, where you have 3 chains, you will do one single crochet for the first and last chain and you will do two single crochets with a chain between them for the middle chain. Thus, the corner windows where you had 3 chains will now have 2 single crochets, a chain, and 2 more single crochets.
OPTIONAL LOCKING STITCHES
On the small squares, I like to lock the corner stitches to the previous AC layer while making my border. This keeps the corners from being ‘flappy’. On the large squares, I lock in the corners and a few stitches on each side to keep the layers stuck together tightly. Locking the layers together is optional.
When crocheting the border, after inserting your hook into the chain gap or the double crochet but BEFORE grabbing your yarn to pull up a loop for the single crochet, simply insert into the back loop of the other layer’s stitch as well. Then continue with your single crochet .
Congratulations!
You did it!
If you’re having trouble still, come get community support in my Facebook Group: Ashlee Brotzell Designs.
Blog Entry About the Magazine
Months ago, I posted about my excitement to be in Crochet Now magazine again!
Self-Publishing Persistent Blossoms
After the rights to Persistent Blossoms returned to me I self-published the pattern.