Caramel Whirl Blanket -- Free Crochet Pattern

Today I'm really excited to be sharing my newest free crochet pattern with you! You might remember hearing me talk about the new Scheepjes Whirl yarn* here, or maybe you saw my progress on my latest project with it here, or even saw the final reveal here.

I know many of you have already got your hooks poised and Whirl in hand to get started. If not, you can choose from many lovely colors of Whirl available at Wool Warehouse here* or Deramore's here* (both UK with international shipping) or Knotty House here* (Canada). You can also find it in these local shops where Scheepjes is sold.

So let's get hooking...

I rated this project as Easy--which is not exactly beginner--but I think appropriate for anyone--even an ambitious beginner. For the sample blanket, I used ALL of a single cake of my Caramel Core Blimey. Remember, it's a fingering weight yarn with 60% Cotton and 40% Acrylic--washable and durable but lightweight. I chose a 4mm hook for mine because I wanted really good drape. But since I used ALL of a cake, you'll want to check your gauge!

Gauge: 5.5 rows X 10 dc = 2 in (5.5 cm)

The sample blanket at 31in (79cm) square used the entire cake of yarn from the center to the outside. If you want a larger blanket, you can purchase an additional cake and complete additional repeat rounds using the second cake from the outside to the center.

A couple things to note...

• The blanket is worked in joined rounds with the right side facing throughout. Don't turn at the end of each round.

• Joining is completed at the end of each round with a sl st.

Stitch abbreviations:

ch = chain

dc = double crochet

rep = repeat

Rnd(s) = Round(s)

RS = Right Side

sc = single crochet

sk = skip

sl st = slip stitch

sp(s) = space(s)

st(s) = stitch(es)

yo = yarn over

There are a couple of Special Stitches (US Terms):

• beginning puff—ch 3, (yo, insert hook in designated st or sp, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through two loops on hook) 2 times, yo, draw through all 3 loops on hook

• puff—(yarn over, insert hook in designated st or sp, yo and draw up a loop, yoand draw through two loops on hook) 3 times, yo, draw through all 4 loops on hook 

Take note: To simplify the pattern instructions, each round was written as beginning with a puff stitch—however, Rnds 1-36 should be worked with the first puff of the round as a beginning puff and the rest of the repeats as puffs. Take a look at the Special Stitches above to see the difference in how a regular puff and a beginning puff are worked.

Blanket Pattern:

Make magic ring (or ch 3 and join with sl st to first ch to form ring)

Rnd 1 (RS): (puff, ch 2, puff, ch 1) 4 times, join to first ch-2 sp, pull tail to close ring (8 puffs; 8 ch-sps)

Rnd 2: [(puff, ch 3, puff) in ch-2 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1] rep 3 more times, join to first ch-sp (3 dc each side)

Rnd 3: [(puff, ch 3, puff) in ch-3 sp, ch 1, 2 dc in ch-1 sp, dc in each dc, 2 dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1] rep 3 more times, join to first ch-sp (7 dc each side)

Rnds 4-9: rep Rnd 3 (31 dc each side after Rnd 9)

Rnd 10: [(puff, ch 3, puff) in ch-3 sp, ch 1, 2 dc in ch-1 sp, dc in next 15, ch 1, sk 1, dc in next 15, 2 dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1] rep 3 more times, join to first ch-sp (two groups of 15 dc each side)

Rnd 11: [(puff, ch 3, puff) in ch-3 sp, ch 1, 2 dc in ch-1 sp, dc in next 15, ch 1, sk 1, dc in next, dc in ch-1 sp, dc in next, ch 1, sk 1, dc in next 15, 2 dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1] rep 3 more times, join to first ch-sp (17 dc, 3 dc, 17 dc)

Rnd 12: [(puff, ch 3, puff) in ch-3 sp, ch 1, 2 dc in ch-1 sp, dc in each of next  15 dc, ch 1, sk 1, dc in next, dc in ch-1 sp, dc in each of next dc, dc in ch-1 sp, dc in next, ch 1, sk 1, dc in next 15, 2 dc in  ch-1 sp, ch 1] rep 3 more times, join to first ch-sp (17 dc, 7 dc, 17 dc)

Rnds 13-33: rep Rnd 12 (17 dc, 91 dc, 17 dc at the end of Rnd 33)

Rnd 34: [(puff, ch 3, puff) in ch-3 sp, ch 1, puff in ch-1 sp, *(ch 1, sk 1, puff in next st) rep from * to corner, ch 1, puff in ch-1 sp, ch 1] rep 3 more times, join to first ch-sp (67 puffs each side)

Rnds 35-36: [(puff, ch 3, puff, ch 1) in ch-3 sp, *puff in ch-1 sp, ch 1, rep from * to corner] rep 3 more times, join to first ch-sp (69 puffs each side on Rnd 36)

Rnd 37: ch 1 (does not count as st), *(sc, ch 3, sc) in ch-3 sp, ch 3, (sc in next ch-1 sp) rep to corner, ch 3; rep from * 3 more times, join to first ch-sp (69 ch-3 sps between corners)

Rnds 38-40: ch 1 (does not count as st), *(sc, ch 3, sc, ch 3) in ch-3 sp, (sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3) rep to corner; rep from * 3 more times, join to first ch-sp (72 ch-3 sps between corners)

Rnd 41: ch 1 (does not count as st), *(sc, ch 2, sc, ch 1) in ch-3 sp, (sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1) rep to corner; rep from * 3 more times, join to first ch-sp (73 ch-sps between corners)

Rnd 42: ch 1 (does not count as st), *5 sc in ch-2 sp, 2 sc in each ch-1 sp to corner; rep from * 3 more times, join to first sc (150 sc between corners)

Rnd 43: ch 1 (does not count as st), sc in each sc around placing 3 sc in sc at center st of each corner, join to first sc, fasten off (152 sc between corners)

Weave in ends. 

I didn't find that my blanket needed any blocking. In fact I couldn't believe how crisp and smooth it looked without it. Did I mention I love this yarn? But if you feel like yours needs it--go for it. You can find a blog post about how I block here. Since this blanket is small--the method should work pretty nicely in just a couple of sections.

To make the tassels, cut nine approximately 8in/20cm lengths of yarn. Fold in half and insert the folded loop through the corner st with the RS facing. Insert ends of yarn through loop and pull down to tighten the tassel. Repeat for the other corners. Trim evenly to the desired length.

I hope you like the pattern! If you prefer a neat and tidy easier to print PDF without the distractions, you can purchase a PDF on Etsy for a small fee here where it will stay in your library, too. The best ways to contact me about questions or technical details are via pm on my Facebook page or through Etsy convo. And if you make something wonderful--I would love to see what you've made so feel free to share on Faceook or upload a Ravelry project!

| On the Board | -- Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow and forever.  ~~Jeffrey R. Holland 

*This post conains affiliate links marked with an asterisk. If you purchase through those links it doesn't cost you any more but helps me continue providing free patterns such as these.