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# Cherry Blossom Square Motif Blanket

A beautiful granny square blanket featuring delicate cherry blossom motifs in the center of each square. This beginner-friendly pattern combines simple colorwork with traditional granny square construction to create a stunning floral design.

## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Worsted weight (#4) acrylic or acrylic blend
- **Color A (Pink)**: 50 yards per square for petals
- **Color B (White or Cream)**: 30 yards per square for petal highlights
- **Color C (Green)**: 30 yards per square for leaves
- **Color D (Background - your choice of neutral)**: 80 yards per square for outer rounds

*For a lap blanket (5×6 squares = 30 squares total):*
- Color A: 1,500 yards (approximately 3 skeins)
- Color B: 900 yards (approximately 2 skeins)
- Color C: 900 yards (approximately 2 skeins)
- Color D: 2,400 yards (approximately 5 skeins)

**Hook**: US H/8 (5.0 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

**Notions**: 
- Yarn needle for weaving in ends
- Scissors
- Stitch markers (optional, helpful for marking corners)

## GAUGE

Each completed square: 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) square after blocking

Gauge swatch: Work one complete square motif and measure after blocking. Each side of the square should measure 6.5 inches from corner to corner.

*Gauge is important for this project to ensure all squares are uniform size for joining.*

## ABBREVIATIONS

- ch = chain
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- dc = double crochet
- sp = space
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- RS = right side
- MC = main color
- CC = contrast color
- [ ] = work instructions within brackets as a group
- ( ) = total stitch count at end of round

## SPECIAL TECHNIQUES

**Magic Ring**: Wrap yarn around fingers to form a loop, insert hook through loop, yarn over and pull up a loop, chain 1, work stitches into the ring. Pull tail to tighten ring after first round is complete. (Alternative: ch 4, sl st to first ch to form ring)

**Color Change**: Work last stitch of old color until 2 loops remain on hook, yarn over with new color and draw through both loops to complete stitch. Cut old color leaving 6-inch tail, or carry yarn along if continuing that color in next round.

**Fastening Off**: Cut yarn leaving 6-inch tail, draw tail through last loop and pull tight.

## PATTERN NOTES

- Each square is worked in the round from the center outward
- Right side is always facing
- Rounds 1-4 create the cherry blossom motif with color changes
- Rounds 5-7 transition to traditional granny square corners
- Join each round with sl st to first stitch unless otherwise noted
- Ch-3 at beginning of round counts as first dc throughout

## CHERRY BLOSSOM SQUARE MOTIF

**Round 1** (Color A - Pink): 
Make magic ring, ch 3 (counts as first dc), work 11 dc in ring, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join. Pull tail to tighten ring. (12 dc)

*Math check: 12 sts total = 1 beginning ch-3 + 11 dc ✓*

**Round 2** (Continue with Color A):
Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in same st, [2 dc in next st] 11 times, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join. (24 dc)

*Math check: 12 sts × 2 dc each = 24 sts ✓*

**Round 3** (Color B - White for petal highlights):
Change to Color B in last sl st of Round 2. Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in same st, dc in next st, [2 dc in next st, dc in next st] 11 times, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join. Fasten off Color B. (36 dc)

*Math check: 12 groups of (2 dc + 1 dc) = 36 sts ✓*

**Round 4** (Color C - Green for leaves):
Join Color C with sl st to any st, ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in same st, dc in next 2 sts, [2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts] 11 times, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join. Fasten off Color C. (48 dc)

*Math check: 12 groups of (2 dc + 2 dc) = 48 sts ✓*

**Round 5** (Color D - Background, begin square shaping):
Join Color D with sl st to any st, ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in same st (first corner made), *dc in next 10 sts, [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next st (corner made), dc in next 11 sts**, [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next st (corner made); repeat from * 2 more times, then repeat from * to ** once, 2 dc in same st as beginning ch-3, ch 2, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join. (4 corner ch-2 sps, 15 dc per side between corners)

*Math check: 48 sts from R4 ÷ 4 sides = 12 sts per side. Corner placement: 11 dc + corner st + 11 dc = 23 dc per side, with 4 dc added at each corner = total 68 dc + 4 corner ch-sps ✓*

**Round 6** (Continue with Color D):
Sl st to first corner ch-2 sp, ch 3 (counts as first dc), [dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in same corner sp, *dc in each dc to next corner ch-2 sp, [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in corner sp; repeat from * 2 more times, dc in each dc to beginning corner, dc in same corner sp as beginning ch-3, ch 2, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join. (4 corner ch-2 sps, 19 dc per side between corners)

*Math check: Each side gains 4 dc (2 on each end from corner groups). Previous 15 dc + 4 dc = 19 dc per side ✓*

**Round 7** (Continue with Color D):
Sl st to first corner ch-2 sp, ch 3 (counts as first dc), [dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in same corner sp, *dc in each dc to next corner ch-2 sp, [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in corner sp; repeat from * 2 more times, dc in each dc to beginning corner, dc in same corner sp as beginning ch-3, ch 2, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join. Fasten off Color D, leaving 12-inch tail for joining if using whip stitch method. (4 corner ch-2 sps, 23 dc per side between corners)

*Math check: Each side gains 4 dc. Previous 19 dc + 4 dc = 23 dc per side ✓*

**Weave in ends** from color changes, leaving joining tails.

## BLOCKING

Block each square to 6.5 inches square before joining. 

1. Wet squares in lukewarm water with gentle wool wash
2. Roll in towel to remove excess water
3. Pin each square to blocking board, ensuring corners are square (90-degree angles) and cherry blossom motif is centered
4. Allow to dry completely (24-48 hours)

*Blocking is especially important for colorwork to ensure the cherry blossom design lies flat and all squares are uniform size.*

## ASSEMBLY

**Determine Layout**: Arrange blocked squares in desired configuration (suggested: 5 squares wide × 6 squares long for lap blanket = 30 squares, finished size approximately 32.5" × 39")

**Joining Method 1 - Whip Stitch (Recommended for Beginners)**:

1. Place two squares with wrong sides together
2. Thread yarn needle with Color D
3. Working through both layers, insert needle through corner ch-2 sps from back to front
4. Insert needle through same spaces from back to front again, moving over about 1/8 inch each time
5. Continue whip stitching through each corresponding stitch across the side, keeping stitches evenly spaced
6. When reaching the next corner, ensure corner ch-2 sps align
7. Fasten off and weave in ends
8. Join all squares in rows, then join rows together

**Joining Method 2 - Join-As-You-Go**:

Work Rounds 1-6 as written. On Round 7, join to adjacent squares as follows:

*For first square*: Work Round 7 as written.

*For subsequent squares in first row*: Work Round 7 until first corner is complete. At second corner (joining corner), work: 2 dc in corner sp, ch 1, sl st to corresponding corner ch-2 sp of adjacent square, ch 1, 2 dc in same corner sp of working square. Continue dc along side, and when working dc stitches that align with dc stitches of adjacent square, work: dc in st of working square, remove hook, insert hook from back to front through corresponding dc of adjacent square, pick up dropped loop and pull through (join made). Continue joining along side until next corner. Work joining corner as before. Complete round on working square as written.

*For squares joining on two sides*: Join on both appropriate sides using same method.

## OPTIONAL BORDER

After all squares are joined, work border around entire blanket:

**Border Round 1** (Color D):
Join Color D with sl st to any corner ch-2 sp, ch 3 (counts as first dc), [dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in same corner sp, *dc in each st and each joining seam to next corner, [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in corner sp; repeat from * around, dc in each st to beginning, dc in beginning corner, ch 2, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join.

**Border Round 2** (Color A - Pink):
Change to Color A, sl st to corner ch-2 sp, ch 3 (counts as first dc), [dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in same corner sp, *dc in each dc to next corner, [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in corner sp; repeat from * around, dc in each dc to beginning corner, dc in beginning corner, ch 2, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join.

**Border Round 3** (Color D):
Change to Color D, sl st to corner ch-2 sp, ch 1, *[sc, ch 2, sc] in corner sp, sc in each dc to next corner; repeat from * around, sl st to first sc to join. Fasten off.

Weave in all remaining ends.

## FINISHING

1. Weave in any remaining ends securely
2. Block entire blanket if desired for a polished finish
3. Steam lightly if using acrylic yarn (test on swatch first - do not touch iron directly to acrylic)

## CARE INSTRUCTIONS

- Machine wash gentle cycle in cold water or hand wash
- Lay flat to dry or tumble dry low
- Do not bleach
- Cool iron if needed (acrylic yarn can melt - use pressing cloth)

## CUSTOMIZATION IDEAS

- **Size variations**: Add or remove squares to create different sizes
  - Baby blanket: 4×5 squares (26" × 32.5")
  - Lap blanket: 5×6 squares (32.5" × 39")
  - Twin throw: 7×9 squares (45.5" × 58.5")
  
- **Color variations**: 
  - Traditional pink/white cherry blossoms with green leaves
  - White cherry blossoms on pastel background
  - Autumn version: coral/burgundy flowers with brown leaves
  - Rainbow: different flower color for each square

- **Alternative center motifs**: Use the same construction with different Round 1-4 color combinations to create different flowers (roses, daisies, sunflowers)

## PATTERN NOTES FOR SUCCESS

1. **Consistent tension**: Try to maintain the same tension throughout all squares for uniform sizing
2. **Color changes**: Always change colors in the last yarn over of the previous color for clean transitions
3. **Tail management**: Leave 6-inch tails for weaving in, but 12-inch tails for joining
4. **Count your stitches**: Verify stitch count at the end of each round to catch errors early
5. **Block before joining**: This crucial step ensures all squares are the same size and the cherry blossom designs are crisp
6. **Corner alignment**: When joining, make sure all corner ch-2 spaces line up perfectly for a professional finish

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*Pattern tested with Red Heart Super Saver worsted weight yarn. Finished lap blanket (5×6 squares) used approximately 5,700 yards total and measured 32.5" × 39" after blocking.*

**Designed for beginner crocheters comfortable with basic stitches and ready to explore simple colorwork techniques.**