Few things are more tranquil than watching the cherry blossom petals floating on a mild breeze in late spring. That image was the first thing I thought of when I saw Julie Yeager’s lovely In Treble Square, and inspiration for the rest of the Cherry Blossom Blanket flowed from there. Designed in 2015 to celebrate the birth of my youngest niece, the original blanket evokes the delicate pink blossoms that are a highly anticipated marker of springtime in the DC area, where I was living at the time; whether you use the same soft color scheme or change things up for a bolder look, I hope you get years of enjoyment from your blanket.

Finished size is approximately 50” by 60”, after light blocking and including the edging ruffle. Size may vary depending on the weight of yarn used and your gauge. You could also add more squares to make it bedspread sized.

Please note that this is a collaborative pattern - it is for the Cherry Branch Squares, full blanket assembly, and edging. To complete the blanket you must also have Julie Yeager’s In Treble Afghan Square pattern. UPDATE: Your purchase of this pattern now includes a code for $2.00 off the In Treble Square pattern.

Note also that the original In Treble Square calls for worsted weight yarn; this blanket was designed for DK weight, with adjusted hook size as explained in the pattern. Use whichever yarn weight you prefer, but be consistent throughout. If you use worsted, your yardage requirements may differ from what is listed here.

This pattern includes both written instructions and charts for each component.

Yarn
In the original blanket, I used a DK weight acrylic yarn in the following amounts and colors:

3.5 skeins (928 yds) of Storybook Lullaby (Stitch Studio by Nicole) in Powder Pink as the Main Color (MC).

5.5 skeins (1,478 yds) of Storybook Lullaby (Stitch Studio by Nicole) in Koala Gray, as the Primary Background Color (PBC).

2.25 skeins (597 yds) of Storybook Lullaby (Stitch Studio by Nicole) in Sheep White, as the Secondary Background Color (SBC).

Approximately 100 yards of dark brown DK for the tree branches.

Note on yarn:
Any DK weight yarn can be used - in fact I wouldn’t recommend the same brand I used since the skeins were full of breaks and knots. Alternately, a light worsted or worsted weight could be used, provided you adjust your hook size accordingly; see the note on Gauge.

Hook
5 mm (H) hook - see yarn note. If using worsted, I recommend a 6 mm (J) hook.

Gauge
The gauge isn’t so important as finding a balance in your yarn weight, hook size, and tension to obtain a fabric with a pleasant drape - not too stiff, nor so loose that the blanket provides no warmth. Both the Cherry Blossom Squares and the Cherry Branch Squares in the original blanket were 10 1/2” x 10 1/2” (pre-blocking).

Notions
~ Tapestry needle to weave in the ends
~ Tape measure
~ Blocking surface and pins
~ Stitch markers as needed
~ White sewing thread (or whatever color to match your Secondary Background Color) and an average sized sewing needle. Note that the thread is to attach the appliqué blossoms; alternately you can use the same yarn as the blossoms to do this.

Stitches Used
ch - chain stitch
sc - single crochet
hdc - half-double crochet
dc - double crochet
tr - treble crochet
dtc - double-treble crochet
sl st - slip stitch
Surface Crochet
YO - yarn over

General Notes:

• Please read through entire pattern before getting started.
• Note that the the pattern charts and layout diagrams are at the end of the written pattern instructions.
• I welcome any feedback or suggestions about this pattern, and will do my best to update the pattern as needed and make any updates immediately available (free to those who have already purchased the pattern, of course!).

Enjoy!!!