Persistent Blossoms
Free Center-Out Overlay Mosaic 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 overlay mosaic crochet square on YouTube.
Crochet Now Magazine
Originally, Persistent Blossoms was published in spring 2023, Issue 93 of Crochet Now magazine.
Please note: the magazine uses UK terminology but I use US terminology (on my blog here and on the pattern PDFs).
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 chart is available in the magazine – following their prescribed template or in my paid PDF (along with the instructions for the large square).
This free small square on my blog is the written pattern only.
Persistent Blossoms
Free Center-Out Overlay Mosaic 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 overlay mosaic crochet square on YouTube.
Crochet Now Magazine
Originally, Persistent Blossoms was published in spring 2023, Issue 93 of Crochet Now magazine.
Please note: the magazine uses UK terminology but I use US terminology (on my blog here and on the pattern PDFs).
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 chart is available in the magazine – following their prescribed template or in my paid PDF (along with the instructions for the large square).
This free small square on my blog is the written pattern only.
Persistent Blossoms draped on my husband’s motorcyle in the snow right before I mailed it to the UK for the magazine.
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 Contrasting Colors (CC) used in this blanket: Strawberry 0015 (CC1), Gold 9782 (CC2), Cobalt Blue 9784 (CC3), Lavender Blue 9756 (CC4).
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.
I apologize for all the ends you’ll have to weave in!
Yarn Required
64 Small Squares (2.4” / 6cm)
Per Square
MC: 5.55 y / 3 g
CC: 1.85 y / 1 g
16 each of CC1, CC2, CC3, & CC4
Important Details
- Gauge: 17 stitches x 17 rows = 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 overlay mosaic crochet technique you may also want to check out some of my other videos or tutorials.
Left-Handed Tutorial
Left-handed crocheters, have no fear! You can watch the magic ring and invisible join technique here.
CENTER-OUT OVERLAY MOSAIC KEY (US TERMINOLOGY)
Technique tutorials: https://ashleeslint.com/overlay-mosaic-crochet-tutorial-center-out/
MC = Main Color: White 9701 (number refers to Caron Simply Soft specifically)
CC = Contrasting Color: Strawberry 0015 (CC1), Gold 9782 (CC2), Cobalt Blue 9784 (CC3), Lavender Blue 9756 (CC4)
ch = chain: pull a loop through
SC = single crochet: insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook
DC = double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, *yarn over, pull through two loops* twice
MR = magic ring: place yarn across the front of your fingers with the tail hanging down, wrap yarn over and behind your fingers, cross yarn at the top of your hand towards your wrist, insert hook under first loop on the back of your hand and grab the second loop, pull the loop up and chain to keep it in place. View my video tutorial or photo tutorial online: AshleesLint.com/magicring
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 STITCHES (TAKE NOTE OF THE LOWER CASE VERSUS UPPER CASE WAY OF USING THESE):
sc = SC into Back Loop only
dc = dropped double crochet: DC into Front Loop of stitch in the round below, skip the sc stitch that gets hidden behind this dropped stitch
scC = single crochet corner: SC into Back Loop Only of previous round’s corner chain, chain 1, SC into the same Back Loop again
MOSAIC TECHNIQUE WHEN WORKING FROM THE CENTER-OUT
Technique tutorials: https://ashleeslint.com/overlay-mosaic-crochet-tutorial-center-out/
- The front of your work is always facing you (this is the right side, the side showing the design)
- Yarn colors can be anything you like
- They need to contrast well (try a black and white photo to see if they are too similar)
- They need to be the same weight (size/thickness)
- Foundation round counts as round 1 in this pattern – it is a magic ring with 8 single crochets in it
- Do not cut your yarn at the end of each round, carry it up through the corner stitch
Our kitten, Popcorn, is not a good helper.
Begin Crocheting Here
Foundation Round (Round 1): use Main Color (MC)
Crochet 8 single crochets in a magic ring, use an invisible join to close the circle.
Alternatively, chain 2, then do 8 single crochets into the 2nd chain from your hook, use an invisible join to close the circle.
{Odd-numbered rounds use MC / white; even-numbered rounds use CC / colors 1-4}
Repeat between the asterisks (*) for each side.
CC 2 – *scC, sc1*
MC 3 – *scC, sc3*
CC 4 – *scC, (sc1, dc1) x2, sc1*
MC 5 – *scC, sc1, dc1, sc3, dc1, sc1*
Small square finished.
A finished small, pink Persistent Blossoms square.
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.