Inspired by vintage quilt patterns, this Grandmother's Flower Garden crochet blanket pattern is perfect to make from deconstructed yarn cakes or your scrap stash. Worked as individual hexagons with the option to join as you go, this portable project offers endless possibilities in size and color. Get the free pattern + video tutorial below or purchase the ad-free, printable PDF with stitch chartshere.
This free Grandmother's Flower Garden crochet blanket pattern is part of a collaboration with Lion Brand Yarn. This post contains affiliate links.
Got a lot of yarn scraps? Or maybe an obsession with cake yarn? Either way, this Grandmother's Flower Garden crochet hexagon blanket is a beautifully-textured way to make baby blanket, couch throw or even a bedspread. My mom designed and crocheted this stunning blanket and I'm so excited to share it with you! Read more about the pattern details below or scroll down to get straight to the free pattern.
The Inspiration for a Grandmother's Flower Garden Crochet Blanket Pattern
My mom's mother (AKA my grandma) is a prolific quilter. She's taught both my mom and me how to quilt and has equipped each lucky member of our extended family in enough cozy quilts to survive an apocalypse.
My mom had the idea to attempt a crochet blanket pattern that mimicked the construction and appearance of a vintage quilt, but was made with crochet stitches and yarn. If you've ever seen a Grandmother's Flower Garden hexagon quilt, I bet you'll agree that this crochet version captures the visual essence of that classic quilt design.
I'm so in love with my mom's yarn-version of this Grandmother's Flower Garden crochet blanket pattern. It is one of those projects that my eyes could dance over for hours. I hope these photos give you even a little bit of that same joy!
A Scrap Yarn Crochet Project Made Without Scraps
If you're someone who often uses the same weight of yarn or who saves every scrap in your stash, the Grandmother's Flower Garden crochet blanket pattern is a great way to use up those scraps. Make sure the yarns you're combining are nearly identical in gauge/weight and you'll be working through that yarn stash in no time!
If, like me, you have a zillion yarn scraps in a zillion different weights, don't worry! Cake yarn will come to your rescue!
This sample was made using just two skeins of cake yarn from Lion Brand. Do you see how many beautifully coordinated colors make and appearance in the blanket? It's amazing! Specifically, my mom chose the "Pegasus" colorway of Mandala yarn and the "Sea Breeze" colorway of Cupcake yarn. These cake yarns are identical in gauge, so once they cakes are taken apart, the colors are completely interchangeable within the pattern.
A solid white border around each crochet hexagon in Lion Brand Pound of Love gives some visual balance to the pattern and because Pound of Love comes with a whopping 1,020 yards, you'll only need one ball to complete your entire Grandmother's Flower Garden crochet blanket.
Related:33+Crochet Edgings for Blankets
But How Many Ends Are There To Weave in?
I totally choose my projects based on how much annoying finishing work there is so I'm not judging you if you're discarding this crochet hexagon blanket pattern all together because of the weave-in potential. Here's the deal though--if you crochet over the tails of the hexagon rounds as you go, you'll have just a handful of tails to weave in at the end. (Mostly from anywhere you cut the yarn in the joining process.) This is a a crochet project, not a weaving project! Yay!
How to Chose Which Cake Yarn Colors To Use
The reason we liked the Lion Brand Mandala "Pegasus" and Cupcake "Sea Breeze" colors for the sample is because they offered a nice overlap of similar shades, while also providing enough variety that the resulting blanket could look scrappy and vintage in its variety.
If you'd like a more masculine color palette, you could try combining Lion Brand Mandala Baby "Echo Caves" and "Wishing Well" as they both offer a lot of gorgeous blues, browns and greens. (Pictured below.)
And if you'd like to make a more neutral Grandmother's Flower Garden crochet blanket, Mandala "Harpy" andCupcake "Coffee Break" would make a sophisticated combo.
Other Free Crochet Patterns Using Lion Brand Mandala Yarn
We love designing free crochet patterns using Lion Brand Mandala around here. You can find all our patterns using Mandala yarn here and all the patterns that use cake yarn in general here. And watching the video tutorial on how to deconstruct yarn cakes into separate colors will be really helpful before you start your Grandmother's Flower Garden crochet blanket.
How to Join Crochet Hexagons As You Go - Video
In this hexagon blanket pattern, you have the option of joining your crochet hexagons as you make them or crocheting them together at the end. The video tutorial below will walk you through the simple technique of joining the pieces together of your Grandmother's Flower Garden "quilt." (This way of doing things means zero sewing is necessary and you'll be left with very few ends to weave in!)
More Crochet Hexagon Blanket Patterns
And lastly, once you crochet your way through this pattern, I have another crochet hexagon blanket pattern you'll love too! You can find the free Happy Hexagons Blanket here. While I designed this as a baby blanket, just like the Grandmother's Flower Garden Blanket, you can customize it to any size you wish.
One Last Tip For Visual Learners
If you're a visual learner like me, the hexagon and half hexagon stitch charts that are included in the ad-free, printable PDF will be well worth it. Often in patterns like this with different stitches each round, I find a stitch chart to be a much easier way to digest a pattern than reading all the crochet lingo in the pattern alone. You can grab the PDF with stitch chart here. And if you'd like to see a video tutorial on how to crochet the hexagon section of this pattern, please let me know in the comments below.
Okay, let's make a blanket!
Grandmother's Flower Garden Crochet Blanket
Free Pattern
Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF with stitch chartshere.
Save this pattern to Ravelry here.
Pin it for later here.
Explanation:
Whether you have fond memories of the Grandmother’s Flower Garden Quilt pattern or you simply like the vintage spirit of scrap quilts, this meditative pattern will have you “hooked!” Each hexagon is worked individually and joined as you go for a mediative, portable project that’s easy to make any size you wish. Two complimentary skeins of cake yarn offer a varied palette and create the scrappy look without having to deal with the variability that actual yarn scraps create.
Worried about weaving in all those ends? Don’t be! You’ll crochet over them as you go so you have only a few left when you finish your gorgeous blanket.
Supplies:
Hexagon Colors:
•Lion Brand Mandala (Weight: 3/light - 590 yds, 5.3 oz)
- Pegasus (#525-210) – 1 skein
• Lion Brand Cupcake (Weight: 3/light - 590 yds, 5.3 oz)
- Sea Breeze (#935-213) – 1 skein
Border Color:
• Lion Brand Pound of Love (Weight: 4/medium - 1020 yds, 16 oz)
- White (#550-100) – 1 skein
•Size H (5.0 mm) crochet hook
• Tapestry needle
Measurements:
Each hexagon measures approximately 10.25” point to point and 9.75” from flat edge to flat edge
Blanket measures approximately 50” tall by 38” wide
Gauge:
4” = approx. 7.5 rounds of hexagon center hexagon pattern
Center (colored) section of hexagon should measure approx. 7”
Abbreviations and Glossary (US Terms):
ch – chain
ch1sp – space created by 1 chain
ch2sp – space created by 2 chains
dc – double crochet
dcblo – double crochet through the back loop only
dcflo – double crochet through the front loop only
rep – repeat
RS – right side
sc – single crochet
scblo – single crochet through the back loop only
sl st – slip stitch
sp(s) – space(s)
st(s) – stitch(es)
tch – turning chain
WS – wrong side
Special Stitches:
2dcc – 2 double crochet cluster: [Yarn over, insert hook in stitch, yarn over and pull through stitch, yarn over and pull through first two loops on hook] twice. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on hook.
3dcc – 3 double crochet cluster: [Yarn over, insert hook in stitch, yarn over and pull through stitch, yarn over and pull through first two loops on hook] 3 times. Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops on hook.
4dcc – 4 double crochet cluster: [Yarn over, insert hook in stitch, yarn over and pull through stitch, yarn over and pull through first two loops on hook] 4 times. Yarn over and pull through all 5 loops on hook.
pc – popcorn stitch: Work 4 double crochets in same place. Slip last loop off hook. Reinsert hook in top of first double crochet of group, then pick up loop again from last double crochet. Pull loop on hook through first double crochet to squish stitches together and close popcorn.
Overall Pattern + Sizing Notes:
• Stitch charts in the ad-free, printable PDF can be a very helpful way to understand the "crochet lingo" of the pattern. Purchase the PDF here.
• Before beginning, separate Mandala and Cupcake yarn into balls of individual colors. See this video tutorial for more info on this technique.
• To substitute yarns, please choose yarns of all the same weight. While Mandala and Cupcake are technically a category 3 yarn and Pound of Love is technically a category 4, they’re almost identical in gauge.
• Don’t be afraid to choose alternate colors of Lion Brand Mandala, Cupcake or Mandala Baby to create a completely different color scheme. Look for two colorways that have some overlap (like a few different shades of blue), plus a variety of different colors.
• Plan to use almost all of your Mandala and Cupcake yarn. When planning color rounds, try to make as many different hexagons as possible and don’t stress too much about designing each individually. As you can see in the sample, it looks lovely if some hexagons include seven quite varied colors and others use different shades of mostly one color. The single color border color helps unify all the hexagons.
• To make a larger or smaller quilt, simply make more or fewer hexagons. Note that 1 skein of Mandala and 1 skein of Cupcake combined can create approximately 20 hexagons or 18 hexagons and 4 half hexagons (as in sample pictured).
• Once you have at least two hexagons, you can join them as you go. Alternatively, you can choose to complete all hexagons before deciding the blanket layout. Reference “Joining Hexagons” section for further instructions.
FULL HEXAGONS
Notes:
• Hexagons are worked in the round. A new color is added after Rounds 2-6.
• Crochet over yarn tails in each round to avoid weaving in at end.
• Ch 2 or ch 3 at beginning of each round always counts as a dc.
• Work ch sts between other stitches loosely.
• Reference stitch chart in printable pattern PDF or photo above in blog post for visual clarification.
Make 18.
With a Hexagon Color:
Foundation Round: Ch 5, sl st to first ch to join into a ring.
Round 1: Ch 1, 12 sc in ring, sl st to first sc to join. (12 sc)
Do not fasten off. Continue with same color.
Round 2: Ch 2, [2dcc, ch 1] in first sc, [3dcc, ch 1] in each sc, sl st to ch-2 to join. (12 clusters, 12 ch1sps)
Fasten off. Attach new color in any ch1sp.
Round 3: Ch 2, [3dcc, ch 1] in first ch1sp, [4dcc, ch 1] in each ch1sp, sl st to ch-2 to join. (12 clusters, 12 ch1sps)
Fasten off. Attach new color in any ch1sp.
Round 4: Ch 3, [3 dc, ch 1] in first ch1sp, [4 dc, ch 1] in each of next 11 ch1sps, sl st to ch-3 to join. (48 dc, 12 ch1sps)
Fasten off. Attach new color in any ch1sp.
Round 5: Ch 3, [3 dc and finish through top of ch 3 as if a pc st, ch 2, pc, ch 2] in first ch1sp, [pc, ch 2, pc, ch 2] in each ch1sp, sl st to ch-3 to join. (24 pc, 24 ch2sps)
Fasten off. Attach new color in any ch2sp.
Round 6: Ch 2, [3dcc, ch 1] in first ch2sp, [4dcc, ch 1] in each ch2sp, sl st to ch-2 to join. (24 clusters, 24 ch1sps)
Fasten off. Attach new color in any ch1sp.
Round 7: Ch 3, 2 dc in first ch1sp, ch 1, [3 dc, ch 1] in each ch1sp, sl st to ch-3 to join. (24 groups of 3 dc, 24 ch1sps)
Fasten off. Attach Border Color in any dc.
Round 8: Ch 3, dc in each of next 11 dc skipping ch1sps, [dc, ch 2, dc] in next ch1sp, *dc in each of next 12 dc, [dc, ch2, dc] in next ch1sp; rep from * 4 more times, sl st to ch-3 to join. (6 sides of 14 dc each, 6 corners of ch2sps)
Round 9: Ch 3, dcblo in each of next 12 dc, [dc, ch 2, dc] in next ch2sp, *dcblo in each of next 14 dc, [dc, ch2, dc] in next ch2sp; rep from * 4 more times, 1 dcblo in last dc, sl st to ch-3 to join. (6 sides of 16 dc each, 6 corners of ch2sps)
Round 10: Ch 3, dcblo in each of next 14 dc, [dc, ch 2, dc] in next ch2sp, *dcblo in each of next 16 dc, [dc, ch2, dc] in next ch2sp; rep from * 4 more times, 1 dcblo in each of last 2 dc, sl st to ch-3 to join. (6 sides of 18 dc each, 6 corners of ch2sps)
Fasten off.
HALF HEXAGONS
Notes:
• Rows 1, 2, and 8-10 are worked back and forth in rows. Rows 3-7 are each worked with RS facing by fastening off and reattaching yarn at beginning of previous round each time.
• When possible, crochet over yarn tails in each row to avoid weaving in at end.
• Ch 2 or ch 3 at beginning of each row always counts as a dc.
• Work ch sts between other stitches loosely.
• Reference stitch chart in printable pattern PDF or photo above for visual clarification. (Note: It’s a bit harder to crochet over all yarn tails as you go in half hexagon, but definitely crochet over tails from each round in full hexagon to avoid weaving in.)
Make 4.
With a Hexagon Color:
Foundation Round: Ch 4, sl st to first ch to join into a ring.
Row 1 (WS): Ch 1, 6 sc in ring; turn. (6 sc)
Row 2 (RS): Ch 3, [3dcc] in first sc, [ch 1, 3dcc] in each sc, also dc in last sc; do not turn. (6 clusters, 5 ch1sps, 2 dc)
Fasten off. Attach new color in top of ch-3 from beginning of Row 2.
Row 3 (RS): Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and 1 ch1sp), [4dcc, ch 1] in each ch1sp, dc in last cluster; do not turn. (5 clusters, 6 ch1sps, 2 dc)
Fasten off. Attach new color in third ch (of ch-4) from beginning of Row 3.
Row 4 (RS): Ch 3, 3 dc in first ch1sp, [ch 1, 4 dc] in each ch1sp; do not turn. (24 dc, 5 ch1sps)
Fasten off. Attach new color in top of ch-3 from beginning of Row 4.
Row 5 (RS): Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and 1 ch1sp), pc in top of ch-3 from previous round, ch 2, [pc, ch 2, pc, ch 2] in each ch1sp, [pc, ch 1, dc] in last dc; do not turn. (12 pc, 2 ch1sps, 11 ch2sps)
Fasten off. Attach new color in third ch (of ch-4) from beginning of Row 5.
Row 6 (RS): Ch 2, [2dcc, ch 1] in first ch1sp (counts as first 3dcc and first ch1sp), [4dcc, ch 1] in each ch2sp, 3dcc in last ch1sp; do not turn. (13 clusters, 12 ch1sps)
Fasten off. Attach new color in top of ch-2 from beginning of Row 6.
Row 7 (RS): Ch 3, [2 dc, ch 1] in first ch1sp, [3 dc, ch1] in each of next 10 ch1sps, 2 dc in last ch1sp, dc in top of cluster; do not turn. (36 dc, 11 ch1sps)
Fasten off. Attach Border Color in top of ch-3 from beginning of Row 7.
Row 8 (RS): Ch 3, dc in tch, dc in each of next 11 dc skipping ch1sps, *[dc, ch 2, dc] in next ch1sp, dc in each of next 12 dc; rep from * once more, also 1 additional dc in last dc; turn. (3 sides of 14 dc each, 2 corners of ch2sps)
Row 9 (WS): Ch 3, dcflo in first dc and each of next 13 dc, *[dc, ch 2, dc] in next ch2sp, dcflo in each of next 14 dc; rep from * once more, also 1 additional dc in tch; turn. (3 sides of 16 dc each, 2 corners of ch2sps)
Row 10 (RS): Ch 3, dcblo in first dc and each of next 15 dc, *[dc, ch 2, dc] in next ch2sp, dcblo in each of next 16 dc; rep from * once more, also 1 additional dcblo in tch. (3 sides of 18 dc each, 2 corners of ch2sps)
Fasten off.
JOINING HEXAGONS
Notes:
• Watch the video tutorial of this joining technique right above this pattern.
• In can be helpful to wind off a few smaller balls of Border Color to attach for joining in different places.
• All joining is done by single crocheting through the back loops only of Round/Row 10 of hexagons. (scblo)
• Always begin join by inserting hook from front to back on first hexagon.
With Border Color, attach yarn to any corner of first hexagon. Ch 1, sc in same corner.
Initial Join: Insert hook in corner of second hexagon from front to back. Yarn over and pull through loop on hook to secure hexagons together.
First Single Crochet: Insert hook in corner of first hexagon again. Yarn over as if beginning a sc and pull through hexagon corner. Insert hook in corner of second hexagon, yarn over and pull through both loops on hook to complete sc.
Continuing in Single Crochet: *Insert hook in back loop only of next dc along hexagon side. Yarn over and pull through dc. Insert hook in back loop only (from back to front) of corresponding dc on second hexagon, yarn over and pull through both loops on hook to complete sc.**
Rep from * to ** in each dc along one hexagon side to join first and second hexagon to each other.
Last Single Crochet: Insert hook in next corner of first hexagon. Yarn over and pull through hexagon corner. Insert hook in corner of second hexagon, yarn over and pull through both loops on hook to complete sc.
Completing Blanket: Keep yarn attached and repeat this process on as many hexagon sides as possible without cutting yarn. Fasten off when necessary and continue seaming hexagon sides until all pieces are joined.
BORDER
Notes:
• “Peak” refers to a hexagon corner that protrudes out from blanket edge.
• “Valley” refers to where two hexagons meet to create an indent in blanket edge.
With Border Color, attach yarn to either one of the 2 corner ch2sps of blanket with a full hexagon.
With RS facing:
Round 1 (RS): Ch 3, *dcblo in next dc, dcblo in each dc to next hexagon peak, [dc, ch 2, dc] in hexagon peak, dcblo in each dc to next hexagon valley, dc2tog over 2 ch2sps where hexagons meet; repeat from * around blanket in the same manner, sl st to ch-3 from beginning of round to join; do not turn.
Round 2 (RS): Ch 3, *dcblo in next dc, dcblo in each dc to the next hexagon peak, [dc, ch 2 dc] in hexagon peak, dcblo in each dc to next hexagon valley, dc2tog over dc2tog and next dc; repeat from * around blanket in the same manner, sl st to ch-3 from beginning of round to join.
Fasten off and weave in remaining ends.
Wrap up in a gorgeous crochet garden of Grandma’s flowers!
I love to see your finished projects! Use #MakeAndDoCrew and tag me Instagram (@MakeAndDoCrew) to show off your stitches and have a chance to be featured.
More Free Crochet Blanket Patterns
1. Good Morning Sunshine Blanket - free granny stitch baby blanket pattern
2. Tributary Blanket - very easy free baby blanket pattern using Mandala yarn
3. Be a Deer Afghan - free corner-to-corner crochet blanket pattern
4. Sedona Throw - fringed, free crochet blanket pattern
