A Blossoming Beginning
The journey of the Lottie Retro Flower Blanket began when I Like Crochet Magazine, approached me with an intriguing idea. They wanted me to craft a crochet pattern that paid homage to the vintage vibes of retro flowers. As soon as those words hit my ears, I was hooked!
A Blast from the Past: The Retro Flower Design
Now, let’s talk about what makes the Lottie Retro Flower Blanket so incredibly special—its captivating retro flower design. A vibrant burst of color, reminiscent of the groovy flower power era. This design is all about spreading joy and nostalgia, perfect for adding a touch of whimsy to your space.
At its core, this pattern is a celebration of the crochet form I love the most – colorwork. It’s a delightful journey through the world of single crochet stitches, combined with the simple technique of intarsia colorwork. If you’re new to colorwork, don’t worry; this pattern is designed to be your friendly guide into the world of colorful creations.
Softness, Style, and Stitch Definition: Why Comfy Worsted Rocks
Now, let’s talk yarn. For the Lottie Retro Flower Blanket, I turned to the fantastic Comfy Worsted yarn by We Crochet.
Comfy Worsted boasts a luxurious blend of 75% Pima Cotton and 25% Acrylic, giving you the best of both worlds. It’s incredibly soft, machine washable (a true blessing), and lightweight. The natural Pima cotton provides breathability, while the touch of acrylic microfiber adds just the right amount of elasticity.
With 34 colors at your disposal, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect shades to bring your retro flowers to life. Whether you prefer pastels, bold and bright hues, or something in between, Comfy Worsted has got you covered.
Pattern Details: A World of Customization
Let’s dive into the heart of this crochet adventure—the Lottie Retro Flower Blanket itself. Imagine a cozy, vibrant embrace measuring 50 inches by 60 inches. It’s the ideal size to snuggle up with on chilly evenings or drape elegantly over your favorite reading chair.
But here’s where it gets exciting—you’re the artist here, and you can customize your blanket’s size. Want it wider? Simply repeat Rows 16-61 a few more times (the original pattern calls for three repeats). Need a longer masterpiece? Add more panels—seven were used in the original design.
Now, let’s talk crochet experience. While this pattern isn’t what you’d call a beginner’s stroll in the park, it’s not a steep mountain either. It’s perfect for those looking to dip their toes into the waters of colorwork. If you’ve been itching to explore colorwork and elevate your crochet game, this is your chance.
Top Tip: Chart Your Course
Embarking on a colorwork project like the Lottie Retro Flower Blanket requires a little extra organization. Keeping track of color changes and maintaining your stitch count is essential to ensure your retro flowers bloom in all their glory.
That’s where a trusty chart keeper comes into play, and I have just the recommendation for you—the Basic Chart Keeper from We Crochet. It’s a nifty tool that will become your best friend during this crochet journey.
With it, you can easily follow your colorwork chart, ensuring every stitch aligns perfectly. No more unraveling rows or guessing where you left off. Read more about it here: A Game-Changing Gadget For Your Crochet Toolkit: Chart Keeper Review
Ready to embark on this colorful adventure? Grab your chart keeper, and your Comfy Worsted yarn, and let’s get started on the Lottie Retro Flower Blanket!
Lottie Retro Blanket Pattern
A full ad-free PDF version of this pattern is available here: Lottie Retro Flower Blanket Crochet Pattern
Materials
We Crochet, Comfy Worsted (75% Pima Cotton, 25% Acrylic, 109 yards / 100 meters, 50 grams):
MC – White 7 balls
CC1 – Marina 5 balls
CC2 – Honey 5 balls
CC3 – Conch 5 balls
CC4 – Seafoam 3 balls
4.5mm (US 7) crochet hook or size to obtain gauge
Scissors
Yarn needle
Gauge
4” x 4” (10 cm x 10 cm) = 16 sts x 18 rows in Single Crochet.
Size
50” / 127 cm wide
60” / 152 cm long
Pattern Notes
Ch 1 does not count as a stitch.
The charts are worked flat. Read RS rows (odd numbers) from right to left, and WS rows (even numbers) from left to right.
To change colors, work to the last 2 loops on the hook of the previous color, yarn over with the new color, and draw through to complete the stitch.
When working 2 colors in the same row, do not carry the color not in use, instead, start a new bobbin at each color change.
Color change video tutorial: How To Change Colors On A Graphgan | Step-By-Step Crochet Tutorial
Pattern
Blanket Panels
Make 7 panels using the following contrast colors: CC1 2 panels, CC2 2 panels, CC3 2 panels, and CC4 1 panel.
With contrast yarn, ch 31.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch and all remaining chs, ch 1, turn. (30)
Rows 2-15: Sc across, ch 1, turn.
Rows 16-46: Following the color changes on the chart, sc across, ch 1, turn.
Row 47-61: Sc across, ch 1, turn.
Repeat Rows 16-61 three more times (a total of 199 rows). Fasten off.
Seaming
Holding a CC1 and CC2 panel together with WS facing out, use MC to sc together the panels, placing one sc into the end of each row. Continue adding panels in this way in the following order: CC3, CC4, CC1, CC2, CC3.
Video Tutorial: How To Seam Crochet Pieces With Single Crochet
Fringe
The blanket is finished by adding fringe to the shorter edges of the blanket. Starting in the corner, fringe should be added to every other row. Alternate between the 4 contrasting colors for each piece of fringe.
To make fringe:
Cut 3 strands of yarn roughly 8 inches in length.
Insert your hook into the stitch and fold all three strands in half over your hook.
Pull up a large loop.
Pull all of the loose strands through the loop and pull tight.
Video Tutorial: How To Add Fringe To A Crochet Project
Finally, block and weave in ends.
