"Rose in Bloom" Afghan Instructions - with variants

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Nothing conveys a warm, homey atmosphere in a room than a handcrafted afghan or throw. They can be as simple as a quick, single crochet striped lap throw or as complex as a popcorn stitch blanket. The Rose in Bloom is a favorite with Victorian decor fans and evokes warm memories of Grandma’s house. This afghan is made from 70 square motifs, each with flower petals, leaves and soils. Because it is made with squares, this afghan is a very convenient project to work on anywhere. The colors of yarn create a “garden” of flowers and can be worked as white roses, American Beauty roses or yellow and pink Peace roses.

Skill

• Intermediate

Things You'll Need

• - Crochet hook G-6 (US) (4.25 mm) or size that yields the gauge which is 7 ¼ inches x 7 ¼ inches for a motif
• - Yarn Needle

• 4-ply worsted weight yarn

For White Rose variant:

• - 5 skeins Tan, Buff or Medium Brown color (A)
• - 5 skeins White, Off-White, Ecru color (B)
• - 2 skeins Medium to Dark Green color (C)
  

For American Beauty Rose variant:

• - 5 skeins Medium to Dark Brown color (A)
• - 5 skeins Deep Red color (B)
• - 2 skeins Dark Green color (C)

For Peace Rose variant:

• - 5 skeins Medium to Dark Brown color (A)
• - 5 Skeins Light to Medium Yellow (B)
• - 2 skeins Dark Green color (C)
• - 1 skein Pink or Peach color (D)

Motif: Petals
Step 1 - Make 70 motifs.
Beginning at center with B, chain 6; join with a slip stitch to form a ring.
Round 1 (Right Side): [Single crochet in ring, chain 5] 8 times – 8 chain -5 loops.

Round 2: (Single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, half double crochet, single crochet) in each ch-5 loop around – 8 petals.

Round 3: Holding petal forward, single crochet in first single crochet of Round 1, chain 4, * single crochet in next single crochet of Round 1 between petals, chain 4; repeat from * around – 8 chain-4 loops.

Round 4: (Single crochet, half double crochet, 3 double crochet , half double crochet, single crochet) in each chain-4 loop around – 8 petals.

Round 5: Holding petal forward, single crochet in first single crochet of Round 3, chain 4, * single crochet in next single crochet of Round 3 between petals, chain 4; repeat from * around – 8 ch-4 loops.

Round 6: (Single crochet, half double crochet, 5 double crochet , half double crochet, single crochet) in each chain-4 loop around; join with a slip stitch in first single crochet – 8 petals.

Fasten off.

For the Peace Rose variant attach color D to last stitch of each petal of the center two rows of petals. Create edging by working 1 slip stitch in each stitch of each petal.

Motif: Leaves and Soil
Step 1 - Explanation of leaf stitches:

• Begin 3-double crochet cluster: Ch 3; holding back last loop of each stitch on hook, work 2 double crochet in same stitch, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops on hook.
• 3-double crochet cluster: Holding back last loop of each stitch on hook, work 3 double crochet in same stitch, yarn over, pull through all 4 loops on hook.
• 3-triple crochet cluster: Holding back last loop of each stitch on hook, work 3 triple crochet in same stitch, yarn over, pull through all 4 loops on hook.
• 3-double triple crochet cluster: Holding back last loop of each stitch on hook, work 3 double triple crochet in same stitch, yarn over, pull through all 4 loops on hook.

Round 7 (Leaves)
Attach color C in third double crochet of any petal on Round 6, (Begin 3-double crochet cluster, chain 2, 3-double crochet cluster) in same double crochet; chain 3, * (3-triple cluster, chain 4, 3-double-triple cluster, chain 4, 3-triple cluster) in third double crochet of next petal for corner. Chain 3, (3-double crochet cluster, chain 2,3-double crochet cluster) in third double crochet of next petal; chain 3; repeat from * twice more; (3-triple crochet cluster, chain 4, 3-double triple cluster, chain 4, 3-double triple cluster) in third double crochet of next petal for corner; chain 3; join in top of begin 3-double crochet cluster. Fasten off.

Round 8 (Soil): Attach A to top of 3-double triple cluster of any corner, chain 3 (counts as a double crochet ), 2 double crochet in same stitch ; 3 double crochet in each of next 5 chain spaces; * (3 double crochet , chain 3, 3 double crochet ) in top of next 3-double triple cluster for corner; 3 double crochet in each of next 5 spaces; repeat from * twice more; (3 double crochet , chain 3) in same stitch as beginning chain-3; join in third chain of beginning chain-3 = 84 double crochet stitches.

Round 9: chain 3; * double crochet in each double crochet across to next corner chain-3 space, (3 double crochet, chain 3, 3 double crochet ) in corner space; repeat from * around; join in third chain of beginning chain-3 = 108 double crochet stitches. Fasten off.

Finishing, Border and Blocking
Step 1
With color A (the soil color) and working in back loop only of each double crochet and chain, sew motifs together in 10 rows of 7 motifs each. Weave in ends of yarn. If desired, dab a tiny drop of fabric glue or hot glue and allow to dry overnight to hold woven ends in place.
Step 2
For the border, attach A in double crochet preceding any corner space; chain 3, (3 double crochet, chain 3, 3 double crochet ) in corner space, double crochet in each stitch across to next corner; * (3 double crochet , chain 3, 3 double crochet ) in corner space, double crochet in each stitch across to next corner, repeat from * around, join in third chain of beginning chain-3.

Fasten off.

To block or shape the afghan, wash the finished afghan in the washing machine on the gentle cycle. Do not dry in dryer. Cut a piece of cardboard a few inches larger than the desired length and width of the finished afghan. While the afghan is damp, lay it flat on the cardboard, smooth and shape with straight sides, and pin it in place. Allow to completely dry.

Tips

• Keep finished motif squares in a plastic bags to keep them clean and lint-free while you are working on the project.

Warnings

• Do not wash afghan until any glue has been allowed to dry and set at least 12 hours.

Keywords

• Home crafts
• Crochet projects
• Sofa throws

Reference

• Ravelry: Rose in Bloom
  
• Needle Craft Supplies: Rose Crochet Afghan 
• Nexstitch Free Crochet Videos: Double Triple Stitch 
• Butler’s Bears: Caring For Your New Crochet Afghan 

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