Winter Blossom Lapghan/Baby Blanket to Crochet

I get obsessive about June, starting to consider Christmas presents. It's almost neurotic and I'll admit it but the bonus is that I can work on some really nice crochet projects with the big holiday in mind. At any rate, I designed this pattern during the beginning of my Christmas obsession. A unique, original crochet afghan pattern sized perfectly for a lapghan or baby blanket. Worked in one piece, the final afghan is soft with lacy curling edges and features beaded flowers. The best part? It works up very quickly (I finished it in a weekend) and is easy enough for a beginner.

Winter Blossom Pattern

Materials: Size I Hook, 30 oz. any color 4-ply worsted weight yarn (Example uses Caron Simply Soft No Dye Lot Yarn in White), 7 silver beads, sewing needle, thread to match yarn.

Gauge: 5 sc = 1"

Directions:

Main Body

Chain 150

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, and in each sc across.

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across.

Row 3: Ch 4, sk 1 sc, 1 dc *ch 1, sk 1 sc, 1 dc in next sc* Repeat * across.

Row 4: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in each ch sp across.

Row 5: Ch 1, sc in each sc across.

Row 6: Ch 2, dc in each sc across.

Rows 7-8: Ch 1, sc in each sc across.

Rows 9-12: Repeat rows 3-6.

Row 13: Ch 3, turn. Tc in each dc across.

Row 14: Ch 2, turn. Dc in each tc across.

Row 15: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each dc across.

Rows 16 - 136: Repeat rows 2-15, ending with the two sc rows. End off.

Edging

The edging is worked in the round.

Join yarn with sl st in corner.

Round 1: Work 3 sc in corner. Sc in each st around, placing 3 sc in each corner. Join to first sc with sl st.

Round 2: (dc, dc, tc) in same st as sl st. Ch 3, sk st, work (tc, dc, dc) in same st, sc in next st. Repeat around, joining to first dc with sl st.

Blossoms

Size H Hook.

Blossoms are worked in the round. Make 7.

Ch 2, leaving 3-5" tail

Round 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.

Round 2: (Sl st, ch 3, dc, ch 3, sl st) in first sc and each sc around. Join to first st with sl st. End off, leaving a second 3-5" tail.

Fasten a bead to center of blossom using sewing needle and thread. Knot tightly.

To attach, lay afghan out flat and mark placement of flowers. Draw both tails through sc spaces to opposite side of afghan. Knot tightly. Weave in/trim off ends.