A cozy, storybook-inspired baby blanket that blends soft Beatrix Potter woodland charm (rabbit, hedgehog, frog, mouse) with elegant Elven motifs (Lothlórien leaf, acorn, and a braided cable border). Built from 25 modular squares and appliqué pieces, this design is ideal for working in small bursts and customizing colors. Size shown: approximately 40" x 40" (101 x 101 cm).
Approximately 40" x 40" (101 x 101 cm). Make fewer or more squares to adjust the size; instructions include scale notes.
12 dc x 7 rows = 4" (10 cm) in a simple dc fabric with 5.0 mm hook. For the square pattern (see square rounds), one completed square measures approximately 8" (20 cm) blocked. Adjust hook if necessary to match size.
Worked in rounds from the center; change colors for contrast squares as desired.
Round 1: MR, ch 1, 8 sc into MR, sl st to first sc. (8 sts)
Round 2: ch 2 (counts as hdc), 2 hdc in each st around, sl st to top of ch-2. (16 hdc)
Round 3: ch 3 (counts as dc), *dc in next st, 2 dc in next st; repeat from * around, sl st to top of ch-3. (24 dc)
Round 4: ch 1, BLO sc in each st around to create a concentric ridge, sl st. (24 sc)
Round 5: ch 2, (dc, ch 1, dc) in same st, sk 2 sts, *(dc, ch 1, dc) in next st, sk 2 sts; repeat from * to end, sl st to top of ch-2. Creates a textured petal motif. Adjust spacing to keep a flat square.
Round 6: Square shaping: ch 3 (counts as dc), work corner groups: (dc, ch 2, dc) into each corner ch-1 space from previous round, dc into side stitches evenly placing approx 9 dc between corners to reach square outline. If necessary, add or skip stitches to keep edges straight. Sl st to top of ch-3. Fasten off. Block square to square measurement 8" (20 cm).
Use white or soft cream. Works up as a flat oval with small ear tab. Round 1: MR, ch 1, 6 sc in MR, sl st. (6) Round 2: ch 1, 2 sc in each st around (12) Round 3: ch 1, (sc in next st, 2 sc in next) around (18) Rounds 4-5: sc around (18) forming elongated oval; for shaping, work 5 sc, 3 sc dec (sc2tog), sc across, 3 sc dec, sc to end to create a flattened back. Fasten off leaving long tail to sew. Create ear: ch 6, turn, sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 4 chs (5 sc), sl st at ear base. Sew ear to top of head. Lightly shape and sew to square with invisible stitch. Embroider tiny nose and closed eyes with backstitch using contrast color.
Use warm brown for body and dark brown for spines. MR, ch 1, 6 sc in MR (6) Round 2: 2 sc in each st around (12) Round 3: *sc in next, 2 sc in next; repeat around (18) Round 4: sc around (18) Round 5: In FLO only, work loop stitches: pull up long loop about twice the height of the sc and secure on next round or trim to create spines.-OR- use surface loop embroidery of short chain loops across back. Add tiny black bead or french knot eye; embroider nose in black. Sew onto square offset toward a corner to give personality.
Use green MC and pale green for belly. MR, ch 1, 6 sc (6) R2: 2 sc in each st (12) R3: *sc in next, 2 sc in next; rep (18) R4: sc around (18). Make two tiny white circles for eyes (MR, 6 sc) and sew above face. Embroider smile. Fasten off.
MR, ch 1, 6 sc; R2: sc in next st, 2 sc in next around (9); R3: sc around; fasten off. Make tiny flat ears: ch 4, sc 3 and sew to head. Add embroidery for whiskers and nose.
Ch 15. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 6 chs, 3 sc in next ch (tip), continue working down opposite side of foundation chain with sc across (approx 14-15 sc total), sl st to first sc. Fasten off with long tail. Block to leaf shape; add central vein with surface slip stitch in contrasting green. Sew centered on chosen square or in sets of two to form a sprig.
Top (cap): MR, ch 1, 6 sc in MR; R2: 2 sc in each st (12) - change to brown cap color on R3 and work 2 rounds sc in FLO to create textured cap. Body: Using tan, MR, 6 sc; R2: *sc in next, 2 sc in next around (9); R3: sc around. Flatten body slightly and sew to cap, then to the square.
Ch 5, sl st to form ring, *(ch 3, sl st) repeat 5 times to make tiny picot petals. Fasten and sew as accents.
Place character squares (rabbit, hedgehog, frog, mouse) in a diagonal line for a storytelling path across the blanket. Intermix elven leaf and acorn squares and solid background squares to balance color. Leave a few plain MC squares to give rest to the eye.
Block all squares flat to the same size. Lay out in final configuration. Join with mattress stitch (preferred for flat seams) or join-as-you-go slip-stitch method.
Mattress stitch (sewing method): With tapestry needle and MC yarn held inside, whip through the sides of the stitches along the square edges so that the seam lies flat and is almost invisible. Fasten and weave in ends.
Round 1 (join round): With MC, join at any corner, ch 1, sc evenly around entire outer edge (working 3 sc in each corner), sl st to join. Round 2: ch 2, hdc around, sl st. Switch to Accent A (green) for Elven plating rounds.
Round 1 (Accent A): ch 1, sc around, sl st. Round 2 (Accent B - contrast): ch 2, *fpdc around next stitch, bpdc around next stitch; repeat from * around to create alternating ridges; sl st. Round 3: ch 1, sc around, placing 3 sc in corners. Round 4 (braid texture): ch 3 (counts as dc), *fpdc around the post of the second fpdc from previous round, dc in next st; repeat to create an over-under braid. Sl st. Round 5 (leaf points): switch to MC or lighter color; *in each repeat space work (ch 3, picot (ch 3, sl st into last ch), sc into space) to create tiny leaf points; repeat all around. Round 6 (final round): sc in BLO around to give a firm edge and neat facing. Fasten off and weave in ends. Optional: Knit one tubular garter edge with 3.75-4.5 mm needles around the final border for a stretchy finish; pick up stitches evenly and knit 6 rows garter, bind off loosely.
Machine washable on gentle / cold cycle if using washable DK (superwash merino or acrylic). Lay flat to dry. For natural fibers: hand wash and lay flat. Avoid bleach and tumble-drying to preserve colors and appliqués.
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