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# Kappa Alpha Theta Pansy Heirloom Blanket

An advanced motif-based throw celebrating Kappa Alpha Theta with twenty hand-crocheted pansy squares — the sorority's official flower — joined in fraternity black and accented with Theta gold. Each pansy features overlay petals, bobble centers, and a textured leaf background. Finished with a layered shell-and-picot border.

**Finished Size:** Approximately 43" wide × 52" long (109 × 132 cm)
**Skill Level:** Advanced
**Design:** Motif-based (4 × 5 grid of pansy squares with sashing join and shell border)

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## Materials

**Yarn:** Worsted weight (#4) smooth mercerized cotton or wool blend, ~1700 total yards
- **Color A — Theta Black:** 700 yds (sashing, joining, border, leaf outlines)
- **Color B — Theta Gold (deep yellow):** 250 yds (pansy face centers, accents)
- **Color C — Royal Purple:** 350 yds (upper pansy petals)
- **Color D — Soft Lavender:** 200 yds (lower pansy petals)
- **Color E — Sage/Olive Green:** 200 yds (leaves, motif background)

**Hook:** US I/9 (5.5 mm) main; US H/8 (5.0 mm) for tightening overlay petals
**Notions:**
- Tapestry/yarn needle
- 8 locking stitch markers
- Blocking mats, rust-proof pins, spray bottle
- Scissors

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## Gauge

In pansy square pattern: one completed motif = 8" × 8" (20 × 20 cm) after blocking.
In dc: 15 dc × 8 rows = 4" × 4" with I/9 hook.

**Always swatch one full motif before committing.** Adjust hook size up if your motif blocks under 8"; down if over 8".

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## Abbreviations (US Terms)

- **ch** — chain
- **sl st** — slip stitch
- **sc** — single crochet
- **hdc** — half double crochet
- **dc** — double crochet
- **tr** — treble crochet
- **MB** — Make Bobble: 5 dc in same st, drop loop, insert hook front-to-back in top of first dc, pick up dropped loop, pull through (popcorn-style bobble)
- **PC** — Popcorn: 4 dc in indicated st, remove hook, reinsert in first dc, pick up loop, pull through
- **FPdc** — front post double crochet
- **BPdc** — back post double crochet
- **sk** — skip
- **sp** — space
- **rep** — repeat
- **CC / MC** — contrast / main color
- **(...) x N** — repeat instructions in parentheses N times

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## Attached Stitch Chart

A separate **Pansy Motif Stitch Chart** is provided as an attached panel with this pattern.

- **Placement:** The attached chart appears in the "Charts & Diagrams" section, immediately following the written motif instructions (after Round 7) and before the "Joining the Squares" section.
- **How to read (crochet):** The chart is a circular/round diagram. Read each round **counter-clockwise**, starting from the center (Round 1) and working outward. Stitch symbols use standard US crochet symbols (oval = ch, plus = sc, T = hdc, T-with-cross = dc, double-cross = tr, filled circle = bobble/popcorn, post symbols for FPdc/BPdc). A legend is included on the chart panel.
- **Color changes:** Each symbol is printed in the color of the yarn used for that stitch. Always change color in the **last yarn-over** of the **previous** stitch so the new color appears cleanly at the top of the next stitch. Cut and weave when changing for more than 6 stitches; carry loosely along the back inside same-color sections.
- **Stitch-count integration:** The written pattern below lists the stitch count at the end of each round (e.g., *= 48 sts*). Use these counts to confirm your chart-reading at every round. The motif begins with 8 sc in a magic ring and ends Round 7 at **80 sts** around the square's outer edge (20 sts per side, including corner ch-2 sps).

Use the attached chart as the primary visual; the words below as the primary instruction. If they ever appear to disagree, **trust the written instructions** (chart is for reference).

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## Pansy Motif (Make 20)

Worked in the round from the center out. Do not turn unless specified.

### Round 1 — Center (Color B / Gold)
Magic ring. Ch 1, work **8 sc** into ring. Pull ring tight. Sl st to first sc. **(8 sc)**

### Round 2 — Bobble Center (continue Color B)
Ch 2 (counts as first hdc). 1 hdc in same st. **2 hdc in each st** around. Sl st to top of beg ch-2. **(16 hdc)**

### Round 3 — Petal Foundation (change to Color C / Royal Purple at last yo of joining sl st)
Ch 1. *Sc in next st, ch 3, sk next st* — rep around (8 ch-3 sps). Sl st to first sc. **(8 sc, 8 ch-3 sps)**

### Round 4 — Upper Petals (Color C)
Work **3 large petals** across the top:
- Sl st into first ch-3 sp.
- **Petal 1 (upper-left):** In same sp work (ch 3, 4 dc, ch 3, sl st). Sl st in next sc.
- **Petal 2 (upper-center, larger):** In next ch-3 sp work (ch 3, 2 dc, 3 tr, 2 dc, ch 3, sl st). Sl st in next sc.
- **Petal 3 (upper-right):** In next ch-3 sp work (ch 3, 4 dc, ch 3, sl st). Sl st in next sc.

Fasten off Color C. Join **Color D (Lavender)** with sl st in next ch-3 sp.

### Round 5 — Lower Petals (Color D)
- **Petal 4 (side-left):** (ch 3, 5 dc, ch 3, sl st) in same sp. Sl st in next sc.
- **Petal 5 (lower-front, largest):** (ch 3, 3 dc, 3 tr, 3 dc, ch 3, sl st) in next ch-3 sp. Sl st in next sc.
- **Petal 6 (side-right):** (ch 3, 5 dc, ch 3, sl st) in next ch-3 sp. Sl st in next sc.

You should now have 6 layered petals (3 purple upper, 3 lavender lower) framing a gold bobble center. Fasten off Color D.

*Optional accent:* With Color B, embroider 3 small straight stitches radiating from the bobble center onto each lower petal (traditional pansy "face" detail).

### Round 6 — Leaf Background (join Color E / Sage in any sc between petals, working **behind** petals)
Fold petals forward toward you. Working into the **back of Round 3 sc sts**:
Ch 3 (counts as dc). 2 dc in same st. *Ch 2, 3 dc in next sc behind petals* — rep around (8 dc-clusters total). Ch 2. Sl st to top of beg ch-3. **(24 dc, 8 ch-2 sps)**

### Round 7 — Square the Motif (continue Color E, change to Color A at end)
Ch 1. **Working around outer edge, squaring the circle:**

*Working into each ch-2 sp and across each 3-dc group, alternating corner and side treatments to form a square:*

- **Corner sps (4 of them — choose 4 evenly spaced ch-2 sps):** Work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in sp.
- **Side sps (remaining 4 ch-2 sps):** Work 5 dc in sp.
- Work 1 sc between groups across the top of each 3-dc cluster.

Continue around, ending with sl st to first st. **Change to Color A (Black)** in last sl st.

### Round 8 — Black Frame (Color A)
Ch 1. Sc evenly around the square, working **(sc, ch 2, sc)** into each corner ch-2 sp. Place markers in each corner ch-2.

Aim for **20 sc per side** (not counting corner ch-2). Adjust by working 1 sc per dc and 2 sc per side-cluster sp to reach 20.

**Side count check: 20 sc × 4 sides + 4 corner ch-2 sps = 80 sc + 4 corners.** ✓

Sl st to first sc. Fasten off, leaving an 18" tail for joining.

**Block each square to exactly 8" × 8" before joining.** Wet-block: spritz thoroughly, pin to a blocking mat squared to 8", let dry completely.

---

## Layout

Arrange 20 blocked squares in a **4-wide × 5-tall** grid on a flat surface. Rotate squares so the pansy "faces" all point upward (or alternate for visual interest — designer's choice). Number them 1–20 left to right, top to bottom.

```
[ 1] [ 2] [ 3] [ 4]
[ 5] [ 6] [ 7] [ 8]
[ 9] [10] [11] [12]
[13] [14] [15] [16]
[17] [18] [19] [20]
```

---

## Joining the Squares (Color A / Black, Slip-Stitch Join)

With WS together (RS facing outward on both sides), align two squares' edges, matching corner ch-2 sps and stitch-for-stitch (20 sc to 20 sc).

**Method:** Insert hook through **back loops only** of both squares' corresponding sts. Join Color A with sl st in corner ch-2 sps of both squares. Sl st across all 20 paired sts to the next corner. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

**Joining order:**
1. Join all **horizontal rows first** (squares 1–2, 2–3, 3–4; then row 2; etc.) — creates 5 long horizontal strips.
2. Then join **horizontal strips** to one another along their long edges, matching corner intersections carefully. At each 4-way intersection, work the joining sl st through all matched loops to lock the corner.

The black BLO join leaves a subtle raised "sashing" ridge between every square.

---

## Border

Join Color A with sl st in any corner ch-2 sp of the assembled blanket.

### Round 1 — Foundation (Color A)
Ch 1. Sc evenly around entire perimeter, working **(sc, ch 2, sc)** in each of the 4 outer corners. Across each square's edge: 20 sc. Across each join: sk the join ridge cleanly.

*Total along each long side:* 5 squares × 20 sc = 100 sc. *Along each short side:* 4 × 20 = 80 sc. Plus 4 corner ch-2 sps.
**Total: (100 × 2) + (80 × 2) + 4 corners = 360 sc + 4 corners.** ✓

Sl st to first sc.

### Round 2 — Gold Picot Round (change to Color B / Gold)
Ch 1. Sc in same st. *Ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook (picot made), sk 2 sts, sc in next st* — rep around, working (sc, ch 2, picot, sc) in each corner ch-2 sp. Sl st to first sc. Fasten off Color B.

### Round 3 — Black Shells (rejoin Color A in any corner ch-2 sp)
Ch 3 (counts as dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same corner sp. *Sk 2 sts, 5 dc in next picot (centered between picots), sk 2 sts, sc in next sc between picots* — rep around, working (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in each remaining corner. Sl st to top of beg ch-3.

### Round 4 — Purple Petal Edging (change to Color C / Royal Purple)
Ch 1. Sc in same st. *Sk 2 dc, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in center dc of next 5-dc shell, sk 2 dc, sc in next sc* — rep around, working (sc, ch 2, sc) in each corner ch-2 sp. Sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

### Round 5 — Final Black Frame (rejoin Color A)
Ch 1. Sc in each st around, working (sc, ch 2, sc) in each corner. Sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

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## Finishing

1. **Weave in all ends** securely using a tapestry needle. Pay particular attention to color-change tails inside petals — split the working yarn ply if needed to bury cleanly.
2. **Final blocking (essential):**
   - Soak the entire finished blanket in cool water with a wool wash for 20 minutes.
   - Gently squeeze (do not wring) and roll in a towel.
   - Pin to blocking mats / clean carpet, squaring to 43" × 52", easing petals to lie flat without flattening bobble centers.
   - Allow to dry completely (24–48 hours).
3. **Steam touch-up:** Hover a steam iron 2" above any stubborn corners; never press directly onto bobbles or popcorns.

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## Designer Notes

- The bobble pansy center is the focal point of each motif — keep its tension snug. Switch to the H/8 hook for Rounds 1–2 if your bobbles look loose.
- Color A (black) appears in every join and every border round, unifying the twenty motifs into a single Theta-themed heirloom.
- For a **larger blanket** (queen throw, ~54" × 64"), make 30 squares in a 5 × 6 layout.
- For a **graduation or initiation gift**, embroider the recipient's initials and pledge year onto one corner square using Color B chain-stitch.

**Kite high, Theta. 🖤💛**