The Fireside Blanket celebrates the cosiness of time spent indoors during the cold weather, snuggling up in a favourite chair and enjoying the warmth and comfort of home. It has something of an old fashioned, nostalgic feel with a patchwork of rich, heathered colours which work very harmoniously together.
I've written a blog post to share the journey of this blanket with lots of photos, you can find it by clicking on the following link >> FIRESIDE BLOG POST
The finished blanket measures 120cm x 120cm (4 square feet).
There are 73 squares in total; 9 large and 64 small.
Once all 73 squares have been made and joined, a wide border is worked to complete the blanket.
MATERIALS
I've selected 12 shades of Stylecraft Highland Heathers DK. This is a premium acrylic yarn with a rich depth of colour. The "heathered" look is created by heavily blending several shades together giving them a subtle tweeded effect. The yarn is fabulous to work with, and the finished blanket is warm, hard wearing and machine washable.
Twelve balls (100g of each colour) is enough to make a blanket measuring approximately 120cm square.
Colours from left to right...
♥ Tayberry ♥ Whiskey ♥ Lichen ♥ Loch ♥
♥ Thrift ♥ Marmalade ♥ Gorse ♥ Firth ♥
♥ Thistle ♥ Heather ♥ Bracken ♥ Cairn ♥
You can find the Fireside yarn pack in my shop at Wool Warehouse, click on the link below...
*the yarn pack contains a 16 page full colour A4 printed pattern
COLOURS
A little reminder that you get to know the colour names so that you can identify them correctly when reading the worksheets. The colour name is printed on the yarn ball band. Before you whip the paper labels off your yarn balls, please make sure you take a little snip of yarn and record it's name. In this colour palette, the two blues (Loch and Firth) can look very similar, so please take extra care when pulling a blue ball out of your bag to make sure it's the right one!
(wooden birch shade cards can be purchased via Simply Shade Cards on Etsy)
HOOK SIZE and TENSION
The standard hook size for Stylecraft Highland Heathers DK yarn is 4mm. However, I found that using a larger hook size gives a better tension and end result. It's a good idea to be familiar with your own personal tension and experiment with moving to a larger or smaller hook to achieve a neat result. I used a 5mm for my Fireside blanket.
SIZE
A completed four round square should measure approx. 8.5 cm square. It wants to feel relaxed without being too floppy or holey.
PATTERN NOTES
There are 73 squares in total; 9 large and 64 small.
Each small square is crocheted in four rounds; the fourth round is worked using the join-as-you-go technique. Each large square is crocheted in eight rounds; the eighth round is worked using the join-as-you-go technique.
This pattern works best if approached in a methodical way, following the number order given in the pattern, and shown above. There is a PDF Worksheet which you can download, showing the placement and three/five colours needed for each square. Click on the following link >>>
FIRESIDE PATTERN
I'm writing my pattern using UK crochet terms as follows :
sl st [slip stitch] = insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch, then through the loop on your hook.
tr [treble] = yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through two loops on hook (two loops left on hook), yarn over and pull through remaining two loops (note :: this is equivalent to the US dc stitch)
tr-cl [treble cluster] = yarn over, insert hook into ring, yarn over, hook back through stitch (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops left on hook). Then yarn over and insert hook through the ring, yarn over, hook back through stitch (4 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops (3 loops left on hook), yarn over and pull through all 3 loops. (note :: this is equivalent to a US dc-cl stitch)
NOTE : You can click on the above images to expand them (they'll pop up in a larger window). You can also download them by clicking on the link below.
MAKING THE SQUARES
Begin by downloading the Fireside Worksheet which contains all the colour info you need to make the squares - click on the following link >>
Begin by completing all four rounds to make Square 1, referring to the worksheet for the three colours needed. You can then measure this square to determine whether your hook size is producing the right gauge, as explained in the section above about tension. After you’ve completed Square 1, all small squares will be worked following the same pattern as far as round 3. You will then need to follow joining instructions for working the final round 4 which incorporates the amazing join-as-you-go method. Larger squares are worked in the same way as the small squares up to round 4. An additional four rounds are then added to increase the size (please note that for these larger rounds you turn the work to prevent twisting, advice on this is given in the pattern). The final round 8 will incorporate the join-as-you-go method.
SQUARE 1
Round 1 : use Colour A
Chain 4; slip stitch in 1st chain to form a ring.
Chain 3; 1 tr into ring (this counts as a treble-cluster); chain 1;
*Work 1 treble-cluster into the ring as follows :
yarn over, insert hook into ring, yarn over, hook back through stitch (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops left on hook). Then yarn over and insert hook through the ring, yarn over, hook back through stitch (4 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops (3 loops left on hook), yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.
Now chain 1;
Repeat from * 6 more times until you have 8 treble clusters and 8 chain-1 spaces in total.
Slip stitch into 3rd chain of beginning chain 3 to close round. Fasten off.
Round 2 : use Colour B
Work out of the chain-1 spaces for this round.
Insert hook into first chain-1 space and pull through a loop of new colour.
Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr); 2 tr into same space; chain 1 (as pictured above);
*3 tr into next chain-1 space; chain 1;
Repeat from * 6 more times;
Slip stitch into 3rd chain of beginning ch-3 to close round. Fasten off. [eight treble groups]
It's a good idea to get into the habit of darning your ends in as you go - trust me on this! Flip your circle over, thread your two tail ends onto a darning needle and weave them underneath the stitches to the left (as shown above).
Now take your needle back under the stitches in the opposite direction (as shown above). Weaving ends in two directions will make sure they stay neatly secured and don't poke out when the blanket is being snuggled.
Round 3 : use Colour C
Work out of the spaces between treble groups for this round.
Insert hook into first ch-1 space and pull through a loop of new colour.
Chain 4; 3 tr into same space (as shown above);
3 tr into next chain-1 space (as shown above);
*(3 tr; chain 2; 3 tr) into next chain-1-sp (as shown above); 3 tr into next chain-1 space;
Repeat from * twice more;
2 tr into beginning chain-1 space (as shown above);
Slip stitch into 3rd chain of beginning chain-4 to close round.
Slip stitch into corner space (as shown by my needle above) to anchor ready to start the next round. Do not fasten off.
Round 4 : continue with Colour C
Chain 4; 3 tr into same corner space; 3 tr in next space; 3 tr in next space;
* (3 tr; chain 2; 3 tr) into chain-2 corner space; 3 tr in next space; 3 tr in next space;
Repeat from * twice more
2 tr into beginning chain-space to complete the first corner;
Slip stitch into 3rd chain of beginning chain-4 to close round; Fasten off.
Now flip your square over and darn in your ends, weaving the needle first to the left and then back to the right under the corner stitches.
Once you've made your first square, you can measure and check your gauge. You should be aiming for around 8.5cm - if it's a little larger don't worry too much, just make sure you're not coming out with anything too ginormous and floppy or too itty-bitty and tight!
Once you're happy with hook size and the look and feel of your first square, you can confidently move on and begin joining the squares as you go.
Referring to the chart on your worksheet (above), you can see that you'll be crocheting and joining ten small squares to form the top edge of your blanket.
NOTE ABOUT JOINING
Once you have completed square number one, all other squares will be joined as you work Round 4 using the slip stitch method. Follow the pattern for Round 4, stopping when you have completed the first side.
At this point you will begin your slip stitch joining method, joining either on the second side, then completing the third and fourth sides as for round 4, or joining on both second and third sides and completing the fourth side as for round 4. Join squares following the numbered sequence. Once you’ve made the top strip (Squares 1-10), place a stitch marker in the centre of Square 1 – this will act as a visual reminder to show you the right side of the blanket.
If this sounds complicated, trust me it's not! I'll hold your hand right the way through the joining process with photos to help. It's actually much easier to join in real life than it is to try and write about it! OK.....ready for Square 2??
SQUARE 2
Follow the pattern and crochet rounds 1-3 (do not fasten off after round 3).
Round 4, use Colour C
Chain 4; 3 tr into same space;
3 tr into next space; 3 tr into next space; 3 tr into chain-2 corner space; chain 1;
Position Square 2 ready to join (as shown above)
NOTE
When performing a joining slip stitch, keep your working yarn to the back of the crochet. Insert your hook into the space from front to back (as shown above), then yarn over and pull a loop through the space to the front of the work, then through the loop on your hook.
I'm going to talk you through it now....
(Square 1) slip stitch into the top right chain-2 corner space; ; (Square 2) 3 tr into chain-2 corner space;
* (Square 1) slip stitch into space between 3-tr groups (shown above); (Square 2) 3 tr in next space between 3-tr groups;
Repeat from * twice more.
(Square 1) slip stitch into chain-2 corner space (as shown above); ; (Square 2) 3 tr into chain-2 corner space (shown below, where my needle is pointing);
Continue working along the third and fourth sides of Square 2 as follows:
3 tr into next space; 3 tr into next space; (3 tr; chain 2; 3tr) into chain-2 corner space;
3 tr into next space; 3 tr into next space; 2 tr into beginning chain-space to complete the first corner;
slip stitch into 3rd chain of beginning chain-4 to close round;
fasten off and darn in ends.
YAY!!! I hope that all made sense? My best advice would be to take your time and work slowly, keeping your tension as even as possible when you perform the slip stitches. I find that crocheting at a table works well for joining (at least until you get the hang of it all) - that way you can keep putting your work down and checking it to make sure you're getting it right, and it seems to help with tension if your work isn't hanging from your hook as you work (use the table for support).
SQUARES 3-10
Follow the instructions as for Square 2, joining the remaining eight squares which make up the top row of the blanket, working your way across from left to right. With each new square, you work the first side, join on the second side, then work the third and fourth sides. When you’ve joined all ten squares into a strip, use a stitch marker to mark the centre of Square 1 to avoid any confusion when adding subsequent rows.
SQUARES 11-12
Follow the instructions as for Square 2, crocheting the fist side, joining on the 2nd side, then completing the 3rd and 4th sides.
Square 11 joins to the bottom of Square 1.
Square 12 joins to the bottom of Square 11.
SQUARE 13
This is the first of nine large squares in the blanket and is crocheted in 8 rounds.
For Rounds 1-4, follow the pattern as for Square 1, using colours A, B and C. These rounds are all worked with right side facing.
Now turn the work over so that the wrong side is facing you.
NOTE
You will now be turning the work after each round, so please pay attention to which side of the work should be facing you with each round. It may help to use a stitch marker to indicate the right side of the work.
Round 5, use Colour D
Wrong side facing. Work out of the spaces between treble groups for this round.
Insert hook into chain-2 corner space and pull through a loop of new colour.
Chain 4; 3 tr into same corner space; (3 tr into next space;) three times;
*(3 tr; chain 2; 3 tr) into next ch-2 corner space; (3 tr into next space;) three times;
Repeat from * twice more;
2 tr into beginning chain-2 space;
Slip stitch into 3rd chain of beginning chain-4 to close round; slip stitch into corner space to anchor ready to start the next round. Do not fasten off.
Turn the work
Round 6, still using Colour D
Right side facing. Work out of the spaces between treble groups for this round.
Chain 4; 3 tr into same corner space; (3 tr into next space;) four times;
(3 tr; chain 2; 3 tr) into next ch-2 corner space; (3 tr into next space;) four times;
Repeat from twice more;
2 tr into beginning ch-2 space;
Slip stitch into 3rd chain of beginning chain-4 to close round. Fasten off.
Turn the work
Round 7, use Colour E
Wrong side facing. Work out of the spaces between treble groups for this round.
Insert hook into chain-2 corner space and pull through a loop of new colour.
Chain 4; 3 tr into same corner space; (3 tr into next space;) five times;
(3 tr; chain 2; 3 tr) into next ch-2 corner space; (3 tr into next space;) five times;
Repeat from twice more;
2 tr into beginning ch-2 space;
Slip stitch into 3rd chain of beginning ch-4 to close round;
Slip stitch into corner space to anchor ready to start the next round. Do not fasten off.
Turn the work
Round 8, still using Colour E
RIGHT side facing. Work out of the spaces between treble groups for this round.
Insert hook into chain-2 corner space and pull through a loop of new colour.
Chain 4; 3 tr into same corner space; (3 tr into next space;) five times;
3 tr into next ch-2 corner space; ch 1;
Now position Square 13 ready for joining.....
.....you'll be working the 2nd and 3rd sides with slip stitch joins, attaching to squares 3 & 2, then squares 11 & 12.
(Square 3) slip stitch into the bottom right chain-2 corner sp; (Square 13) 3 tr into chain-2 corner space;
*(Square 3) slip stitch into space between 3-tr groups; (Square 13) 3 tr in next space between 3-tr groups;
Repeat from * twice more.
You will now be at the point where there is a join between Squares 2 & 3. Ignore the ch-2 corner space at the bottom left of Square 3, and instead, move along to Square 2 (as shown by my needle above)
(Square 2) slip stitch into the bottom right chain-2 corner space; (Square 13) 3 tr in next space between 3-tr groups;
*(Square 2) slip stitch into next space between 3-tr groups; (Square 13) 3 tr in next space between 3-tr groups;
Repeat from * twice more.
You now need to make the corner joins as follows:
(Square 2) slip stitch into bottom left ch-2 corner space (as shown by my needle above);
(Square 11) slip stitch into top right chain-2 corner space (as shown by my needle above);
(Square 13) 3 tr into chain-2 corner space (as shown by my needle above;
Hope you're doing OK......it does get easier I promise! Right, lets join the 3rd side of Square 13 now....
*(Square 11) slip stitch into space between 3-tr groups; (Square 13) 3 tr in next space between 3-tr groups;
Repeat from * twice more.
You will now be at the point where there is a join between Squares 11 & 12. Ignore the ch-2 corner space at the bottom of Square 11, and instead, move along to Square 12 as follows:
(Square 12) slip stitch into chain-2 corner space; (Square 13) 3 tr in next space between 3-tr groups;
*(Square 12) slip stitch into next space between 3-tr groups; (Square 13) 3 tr in next space between 3-tr groups;
Repeat from * twice more.
(Square 12) slip stitch into ch-2 corner space; (Square 13) 3 tr in chain-2 corner space (completed 3rd side shown above)
You’ll now be completing the fourth side of Square 13 as follows:
*3 tr into the next space between 3 tr;
Repeat from * five more times; 2 tr into beginning chain-2 space;
Slip stitch into 3rd chain of beginning chain-4 to close round. Fasten off.
YIPPPEEEEE!!! That's one of the hardest bits to get to grips with, where you join across more than one square, and I'm hoping with the photos to help, that you've managed to find your way with it.
Onwards!!
SQUARE 14
This square is going to be joined underneath Square 4 as well as to the upper side of Square 13. Follow the pattern and crochet rounds 1-3 (do not fasten off after round 3).
Round 4, continuing to use Colour C
Chain 4; 3 tr into same space;
3 tr into next space; 3 tr into next space; 3 tr into chain-2 corner space; chain 1;
Position Square 14 underneath Square 4 ready to join (as shown above)
(Square 4) slip stitch into the bottom right chain-2 corner space; (Square 14) 3 tr into ch-2 corner space;
*(Square 4) slip stitch into space between 3-tr groups; (Square 14) 3 tr in next space between 3-tr groups;
Repeat from * twice more.
Now make the two slip stitches to turn the corner :
(Square 4) slip stitch into chain-2 corner space; (Square 13) slip stitch into chain-2- corner space;
Now crochet and join the third side of Square 14 as follows:
(Square 14) 3 tr into chain-2 corner space;
*(Square 13) slip stitch into next space between 3-tr groups; (Square 14) 3 tr in next space between 3-tr groups;
Repeat from * twice more
(Square 13) slip stitch into next space between 3-tr groups; (Square 14) 3 tr in chain-2 corner space;
Continue working along the 4th sides of Square 14 as follows:
3 tr into next space; 3 tr into next space; 2 tr into beginning chain-space to complete the first corner;
Slip stitch into 3rd chain of beginning chain-4 to close round; fasten off.
SQUARE 15
This square is going to be joined underneath Square 14 as well as to the lower side of Square 13. Follow the pattern and crochet rounds 1-3 (do not fasten off after round 3).
Round 4, continuing to use Colour C
Chain 4; 3 tr into same space;
3 tr into next space; 3 tr into next space; 3 tr into ch-2 corner space; chain 1;
Position Square 15 underneath Square 14 ready to join (as shown above)
(Square 14) slip stitch into the bottom right chain-2 corner space; (Square 15) 3 tr into chain-2 corner space;
*(Square 14) slip stitch into space between 3-tr groups; (Square 15) 3 tr in next space between 3-tr groups;
Repeat from * twice more.
(Square 14) slip stitch into chain-2 corner space; (Square 13) slip stitch into space between 3 tr where there is already a slip stitch from the previous join (as shown by my needle above);
Now join the third side of Square 15 as follows:
(Square 15) 3 tr into chain-2- corner space;
*(Square 13) slip stitch into next space between 3-tr groups; (Square 14) 3 tr in next space between 3-tr groups;
Repeat from * twice more
(Square 13) slip stitch into chain-2 corner space; (Square 15) 3 tr in ch-2 corner space;
Continue working along the fourth side of Square 15 as follows:
3 tr into next space; 3 tr into next space; 2 tr into beginning chain-space to complete the first corner;
slip stitch into 3rd chain of beginning chain-4 to close round; fasten off.
Fifteen squares now joined, I hope you're enjoying watching your blanket grow?
Here is a reminder of the joining order....
The next seven squares will follow instructions already given above :
SQUARE 16
This is a large square and is placed beneath Squares 5 & 6, and next to Squares 14 & 15. You will use the join-as-you-go-method when you crochet the final round. Follow the pattern as for Square 13.
SQUARE 17
This is a small square and will be joined to Square 7 & the upper part of Square 16. Follow the pattern as for Square 14.
SQUARE 18
This is a small square and will be joined to Square 17 & the lower part of Square 16. Follow the pattern as for Square 15.
SQUARE 19
This is a large square and is placed beneath Squares 8 & 9, and next to Squares 17 & 18. You will use the join-as-you-go-method when you crochet the final round. Follow the pattern as for Square 13.
SQUARE 20
This is a small square and will be joined to Square 10 & the upper part of Square 19. Follow the pattern as for Square 14.
SQUARE 21
This is a small square and will be joined to Square 20 & the lower part of Square 19. Follow the pattern as for Square 15.
SQUARE 22
This is a small square and will be joined to Square 12. Follow the pattern as for Square 11.
SQUARE 23
This is a small square and will be joined to the bottom left side of Square 13 and to Square 22. Follow the pattern and crochet rounds 1-3 (do not fasten off after round 3).
Round 4, continuing to use Colour C
Chain 4; 3 tr into same space;
3 tr into next space; 3 tr into next space; 3 tr into chain-2 corner space; chain 1;
Position Square 23 underneath Square 13 ready to join. Locate the space in the centre of the large Square 13 (there will be 4 spaces on either side). This is where your first joining slip stitch will be made as follows:
(Square 13) slip stitch into centre space between groups of 3 tr; (Square 23) 3 tr into chain-2 corner space;
*(Square 13) slip stitch into next space between 3-tr groups; (Square 23) 3 tr in next space between 3-tr groups;
Repeat from * twice more.
Turn the corner now....
(Square 13) slip stitch into bottom left chain-2 corner space; (Square 22) slip stitch into top right ch-2 corner space;
And on with the third side ...
(Square 23) 3 tr in chain-2 corner space;
*(Square 22) slip stitch into next space between 3-tr groups; (Square 23) 3 tr in next space between 3-tr groups;
Repeat from * twice more
(Square 22) slip stitch into bottom right chain-2 corner space; (Square 23) 3 tr in ch-2 corner space;
Continue working along the 4th side of Square 23 as follows:
3 tr into next space; 3 tr into next space; 2 tr into beginning chain-space to complete the first corner;
Slip stitch into 3rd chain of beginning ch-4 to close round; fasten off.
There you go! Boom!
SQUARE 24
This is a small square and will be joined to the bottom right side of Square 13 and to Square 23. Follow the pattern and crochet rounds 1-3 (do not fasten off after round 3).
Round 4, continuing to use Colour C
Chain 4; 3 tr into same space;
3 tr into next space; 3 tr into next space; 3 tr into chain-2 corner space; chain 1;
Position Square 24 underneath Square 13 ready to join.
(Square 13) slip stitch into bottom right chain-2 corner space (shown by my needle above); (Square 24) 3 tr in chain-2 corner space;
*(Square 13) slip stitch into next space between 3-tr groups; (Square 24) 3 tr in next space between 3-tr groups;
Repeat from * twice more
Turn the corner now...
(Square 13) slip stitch into next space between 3-tr groups where there is already a slip stitch from the previous join (as shown in the photo above);
(Square 23) slip stitch in top right chain-2 corner space; (Square 24) 3 tr in chain-2 corner space;
*(Square 23) slip stitch in next space between 3-tr groups; (Square 24) 3 tr in chain-2 corner space;
Repeat from * twice more;
Continue working along the 4th side of Square 24 as follows:
3 tr into next space; 3 tr into next space; 2 tr into beginning chain-space to complete the first corner;
sl st into 3rd ch of beginning ch-4 to close round; fasten off.
You are more than a third through the blanket now! And the good news is that all the remaining squares will follow instructions already given.
SQUARE 25
This is a small square and will be joined to Squares 15 & 24. Follow the pattern as for Square 11.
SQUARE 26
This is a small square and will be joined to the bottom left side of Square 16 and to Square 25. Follow the pattern as for Square 23.
SQUARE 27
This is a small square and will be joined to the bottom right side of Square 16 and to Square 26. Follow the pattern as for Square 24.
SQUARE 28
This is a small square and will be joined to Squares 18 & 27. Follow the pattern as for Square 25.
SQUARE 29
This is a small square and will be joined to the bottom left side of Square 19 and to Square 28. Follow the pattern as for Square 26.
SQUARE 30
This is a small square and will be joined to the bottom right side of Square 19 and to Square 29. Follow the pattern as for Square 27.
SQUARE 31
This is a small square and will be joined to Squares 21 & 30. Follow the pattern as for Square 28.
SQUARES 32-52
Follow the same making and joining instructions as given for Squares 1 – 31.
SQUARES 53-73
Follow the same making and joining instructions as given for Squares 1 – 31.
And that........................is all the squares complete!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE BORDER
The border is wide and uses all twelve colours in the order shown above, beginning with Loch and ending in Tayberry.
NOTE
You will be turning the blanket after each round, so please take note of right side and wrong side info given at the start of each round. Use a stitch marker to show you the right side of the blanket to avoid confusion!
Round 1 : use Colour Loch
Right Side Facing
Insert hook into ch-2 corner space and pull through a loop of new colour.
Chain 4; 3 tr into same corner space; (3 tr into next space;) three times (as shown above);
*2 tr into corner space; 2 tr into corner space of next square (as shown above);
(3 tr into next space) three times;
Repeat from * to the end of first side;
(3 tr; chain 2; 3 tr) into chain-2 corner space to turn the corner;
(3 tr into next space) three times;
*2 tr into corner space; 2 tr into corner space of next square;
(3 tr into next space) three times;
Repeat from * to the end of second side; (3 tr; chain 2; 3 tr) into chain-2 corner space to turn the corner;
3 tr into next space) three times;
* 2 tr into corner space; 2 tr into corner space of next square;
(3 tr into next space) three times;
Repeat from * to the end of third side; (3 tr; chain 2; 3 tr) into chain-2 corner space to turn the corner;
(3 tr into next space) three times;
2 tr into corner space; 2 tr into corner space of next square;
(3 tr into next space) three times;
Repeat from to the end of fourth side; 2 tr into beginning chain-2 space;
Slip stitch into 3rd chain of beginning chain-4 to close round; slip stitch into corner space to anchor ready to start the next round;
Chain 4. Do not fasten off.
Turn the work.
Round 2 : continuing with Colour Loch
WRONG Side Facing
3 tr into beginning corner space (as shown above);
(3 tr into next space) four times;
Skip over the space between the two groups of 2-tr; ; (3 tr into next space) four times;
Repeat from to end of first side;
NOTE : I found it helped to use stitch markers to mark those spaces that need to be skipped over (the spaces between the groups of 2 tr). I had 3 stitch markers and just kept moving them along, as shown above.
(3 tr; chain 2; 3 tr) into chain-2 corner space to turn the corner;
(3 tr into next space) four times;
* Skip over the space between the two groups of 2-tr; (3 tr into next space) four times;
Repeat from * to end of second side; (3 tr; chain 2; 3 tr) into chain-2 corner space to turn the corner;
(3 tr into next space) four times;
* Skip over the space between the two groups of 2-tr; (3 tr into next space) four times;
Repeat from * to end of third side; (3 tr; chain 2; 3 tr) into chain-2 corner space to turn the corner;
(3 tr into next space) four times;
* Skip over the space between the two groups of 2-tr; (3 tr into next space) four times;
Repeat from * to end of fourth side; 2 tr into beginning chain-2 space;
Slip stitch into 3rd chain of beginning chain-4 to close round; fasten off.
Turn the work.
That's the hard part of the border rounds done and dusted - the next 19 rounds are formed as a simple granny stripe and are very therapeutic to crochet after all the joining of the squares.
Round 3 : use Colour Bracken
Right Side Facing
Insert hook into chain-2 corner space and pull through a loop of new colour.
Chain 4; 3 tr into same corner space; 3 tr into next space;
Work groups of 3 tr into each space along the sides, turning the corners by working (3 tr; chain 2; 3 tr) into the chain-2 corner spaces.
When you get back to where you started, work 2 tr into the beginning chain-space.
Slip stitch into 3rd chain of beginning chain-4 to close round; slip stitch into corner space to anchor ready to start the next round;
Chain 4. Do not fasten off.
Turn the work.
Round 4 : continuing with Colour Bracken
WRONG Side Facing
3 tr into beginning corner space;
Work groups of 3 tr into each space along the sides, turning the corners by working (3 tr; chain 2; 3 tr) into the chain-2 corner spaces.
When you get back to where you started, work 2 tr into the beginning chain-space.
Slip stitch into 3rd chain of beginning chain-4 to close round; fasten off.
Rounds 3 and 4 form the pattern repeat for the border, as follows :
Round 5 : use colour Gorse. Right side Facing. Repeat round 3.
Round 6 : continue colour Gorse. Wrong side facing. Repeat round 4.
Round 7 : use colour Firth. Right side Facing. Repeat round 3.
Round 8 : continue colour Firth. Wrong side facing. Repeat round 4.
Round 9 : use colour Lichen. Right side Facing. Repeat round 3.
Round 10 : continue colour Lichen. Wrong side facing. Repeat round 4.
Round 11 : use colour Cairn. Right side Facing. Repeat round 3.
Round 12 : continue colour Cairn. Wrong side facing. Repeat round 4.
Round 13 : use colour Heather. Right side Facing. Repeat round 3.
Round 14 : continue colour Heather. Wrong side facing. Repeat round 4.
Round 15 : use colour Thrift. Right side Facing. Repeat round 3.
Round 16 : continue colour Thrift. Wrong side facing. Repeat round 4.
Round 17 : use colour Marmalade. Right side Facing. Repeat round 3.
Round 18 : continue colour Marmalade. Wrong side facing. Repeat round 4.
Round 19 : use colour Thistle. Right side Facing. Repeat round 3.
Round 20 : continue colour Thistle. Wrong side facing. Repeat round 4.
Round 21 : use colour Whiskey. Right side Facing. Repeat round 3 (fasten off after this round).
FINAL ROUND 22 : use colour Tayberry.
Right Side Facing.
Insert hook into chain-2 corner space and pull through a loop of new colour.
Chain 2 (counts as 1 dc); 1 dc into same corner space; chain 1;
1 tr into next space between tr stitches (shown by my needle above); 1 tr into next space between tr stitches;
*Chain 1; slip stitch in space between 3-tr groups; chain 1;
1 tr into next space between tr stitches; 1 tr into next space between tr stitches;
Repeat from * along first side;
Work (2 dc; chain 2; 2 dc) into corner space to turn the corner (as shown above); chain 1;
1 tr into next space between tr stitches; 1 tr into next space between tr stitches;
* Chain 1; slip stitch in space between 3-tr groups; chain 1;
1 tr into next space between tr stitches; 1 tr into next space between tr stitches;
Repeat from * along second side;
Continue working the pattern repeat around the outer edge until you get back to where you started.
Work 2 dc into beginning chain-2 space; chain 2; slip stitch into top of beginning chain-2 to close round; fasten off.
And that is the final edge of the Fireside blanket complete, a cute little mini scallop to give a gentle finishing touch.
BLOCKING
The blanket may well have an uneven surface texture created by the joins and will benefit from a light blocking. The best way to do this is to wash your blanket on a normal 30 degree wash, then while it’s still damp, stretch it out on a carpeted floor. Use your hands to smooth out and gently stretch the blanket onto shape, making sure the borders are nicely spread out, the edges are straight and the corners are stretched out to form right angles. Pin out the corners, and evenly around the outer edge if needed.
Leave to dry thoroughly for 24 hours before unpinning and giving the blanket a huge smooch! Blocking a blanket in this way isn’t essential so don’t worry if you don’t have the space to do it. But in my experience, blocking a whole blanket greatly improves both the shape and the drape of the finished crochet.
Here are some useful links for you :
♥ FIRESIDE YARN PACK (includes a 16 page full colour printed pattern)
PLEASE NOTE : This tutorial is free for you to use and enjoy, and will remain available for you to access for free here on my blog. If you would like a printed copy of the pattern, please consider supporting my work by purchasing a yarn pack from my shop at Wool Warehouse. A full colour A4 pattern is included with the yarn pack. Thank you as always for your enthusiasm for my designs -- HAPPY HOOKING!
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Here is the basic 4-round square pattern, you are welcome to copy/paste into a word document and print out for reference. You will need to follow the tutorial for the larger 8 round squares, and for the various joining techniques.
FIRESIDE SQUARE
ROUND 1 : Colour A
Chain 4; sl st in 1st ch to form a ring.
Ch 3; 1 tr into ring (counts as 1 tr-cl); ch 1;
1 tr-cl into ring; ch 1;
Repeat from six more times so that you have eight treble-cluster groups in total.
Sl st into 3rd ch of beginning ch 3 to close round. Fasten off.
ROUND 2 : Colour B
Work out of the ch-1 spaces for this round.
Insert hook into first ch-1 sp and pull through a loop of new colour.
Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr); 2 tr into same space; ch 1;
3 tr into next ch-1 space; ch 1;
Repeat from 6 more times;
Sl st into 3rd ch of beginning ch-3 to close round. Fasten off. [eight treble groups]
ROUND 3 : Colour C
Work out of the spaces between treble groups for this round.
Insert hook into first ch-1 sp and pull through a loop of new colour.
Ch 4; 3 tr into same sp; 3 tr into next ch-1 sp;
(3 tr; ch 2; 3 tr) into next ch-1-sp; 3 tr into next ch-1 sp;
Repeat from twice more;
2 tr into beginning ch-1 sp;
Sl st into 3rd ch of beginning ch-4 to close round; sl st into corner sp to anchor ready to start the next round. Do not fasten off.
ROUND 4 : Continue colour C
Work out of the spaces between treble groups for this round.
Ch 4; 3 tr into same corner sp; 3 tr in next sp; 3 tr in next sp;
(3 tr; ch 2; 3 tr) into ch-2 corner sp; 3 tr in next sp; 3 tr in next sp;
Repeat from twice more
2 tr into beginning ch-sp to complete the first corner; sl st into 3rd ch of beginning ch-4 to close round; Fasten off.
