This navy and ivory flower bedspread looks like it came from a boutique hotel. Every deep navy square has a ring of twelve puffy ivory popcorn petals, and thin ivory lines join the squares into a crisp grid with a neat rope edge. It looks great on a white bed with matching pillows.
The best part is that it is quick. You use chunky yarn and a big hook, so each square takes only about 15 to 20 minutes, and you join the squares as you go, so there is no sewing at the end. Make one test square first, then repeat it.
What you need
- Yarn: bulky (5) or super bulky (6) chunky yarn in 2 colors: deep navy and ivory. Soft acrylic, wool blend or cotton blend all work.
- Hook: 6 mm (US J-10). Go up or down a size if your square is not about 20 cm.
- Tools: tapestry needle, scissors and stitch markers.
- How much yarn? One square uses about 40 g (about 28 g navy and 12 g ivory). For a throw of 48 squares, plan on about 1.5 kg navy and 0.7 kg ivory. For a full bedspread of 80 squares, plan on about 2.6 kg navy and 1.1 kg ivory. Add about 100 g ivory for the border. Weigh your first square to get a better number.
Size and abbreviations
- ch chain
- sl st slip stitch
- sc single crochet
- dc double crochet
- sp space
- st(s) stitch(es)
- magic ring adjustable starting loop
- popcorn 5 dc in the same st, drop the loop, put the hook in the first dc, pick up the dropped loop and pull it through
Square size: about 20 cm (8 in) across.
Throw like the photo: 48 squares, 6 across and 8 down, about 120 x 160 cm.
Full bedspread: 80 squares, 8 across and 10 down, about 160 x 200 cm.
Pillow covers: 8 more squares for two covers.
How to crochet the flower square
Work every round with the right side facing you. The ch 3 at the start of a round counts as 1 dc. Join each round with a sl st to the top of the first stitch. Change color at the end of the round: fasten off and join the new color.
- Round 1 (navy): Make a magic ring. Ch 1, 12 sc in the ring. Join. [12 sc]
- Round 2 (navy): Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around. Join. [24 sc]
- Round 3 (ivory, popcorn petals): Join ivory in any st. Ch 3, 4 dc in the same st, drop the loop, put the hook in the top of the ch 3, pick up the loop and pull it through (first popcorn). *Ch 1, skip 1 st, popcorn in the next st. Repeat from * around, ending with ch 1, skip the last st, and join to the top of the first popcorn. [12 popcorns]
- Round 4 (navy): Join navy in any ch-1 sp. Ch 1, sc in the same sp. *Sc in the top of the next popcorn, sc in the next ch-1 sp. Repeat from * around, ending with sc in the last popcorn. Join. [24 sc]
- Round 5 (navy, corners): Join navy in any st. Ch 3, dc in the same st, ch 2, 2 dc in the same st (first corner). *Dc in each of the next 5 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the next st. Repeat from * 2 more times, dc in each of the last 5 sts. Join. [36 dc, 4 corner sps]
- Round 6 (navy): Join navy in any corner sp. Ch 3, dc in the same sp, ch 2, 2 dc in the same sp. *Dc in each of the next 9 dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the next corner sp. Repeat from * 2 more times, dc in each of the last 9 dc. Join. [52 dc, 4 corner sps]
- Round 7 (ivory, edge): Join ivory in any corner sp. Ch 1, 3 sc in the same sp. *Sc in each of the next 13 dc, 3 sc in the next corner sp. Repeat from * 2 more times, sc in each of the last 13 dc. Join, fasten off and weave in the ends. [64 sc, 15 sc per side counting the middle sc of each corner]
Tip: keep the popcorns loose and push them to the front. If your ring of petals curls up, go up one hook size for Round 3 only.
Join as you go
- Make the first square in full. Make the next square up to Round 6.
- On Round 7, work the sides that touch no other square as written. When you reach a side that touches a finished square, hold the two squares with wrong sides together.
- Work each sc through the back loop of the matching st of both squares along the whole side (15 sts). This makes the thin ivory join line you see in the photo.
- Where corners meet, work 1 sc through the corner st of every square that touches that point.
- Join the squares into rows first (6 or 8 squares), then join the rows to each other.
Border
- Round 1: Join ivory at any outer corner. Ch 1, sc evenly around, with 3 sc in each outer corner and 1 sc in each join. Join.
- Round 2: Ch 1, work reverse sc (crab stitch) in each st around for a neat rope edge. Join, fasten off and weave in the ends.
Matching pillow covers (make 2)
- Make 4 squares for each pillow front and join them 2 x 2. The panel is about 40 x 40 cm.
- Work 1 round of ivory sc around the outer edge.
- Cut a back from ivory or navy fabric, place the front and back wrong sides together, sew around three sides, insert a 40 x 40 cm (16 in) pillow form and close the last side.
How to make it faster
- Use chunky yarn. Fewer, bigger stitches make a square in 15 to 20 minutes. The 80 squares take about 22 to 27 hours.
- Join as you go. No sewing, no extra border rounds on the seams and no counting twice.
- Work in batches. Make Rounds 1 and 2 of 10 squares, then Round 3 of all 10, and so on. You change color less often and the rhythm gets quicker.
- Skip blocking. Chunky squares usually lie flat. If one curls, press it once with steam.
- Make the throw first. 48 squares cover the foot of a bed like in the photo and take about 2 weeks. Add more rows later if you want a full bedspread.
Frequently asked questions
What skill level do I need?
Easy. If you can make a magic ring, a single crochet, a double crochet and a popcorn stitch, you can do it. Make one practice square first.
How long does it take?
Each square takes about 15 to 20 minutes. A throw of 48 squares takes about 14 hours and a full bedspread of 80 squares takes about 22 to 27 hours, plus the border. At 10 hours a week, plan on 2 to 3 weeks.
Can I use thinner yarn?
Yes, but it takes longer. Use worsted yarn with a 4.5 mm hook and add 1 or 2 plain navy rounds so the square still reaches about 20 cm. Chunky yarn gives the thick, puffy look in the photo.
How do I wash it?
Hand wash or use a gentle cycle in cool water, then dry flat. Wash it alone the first time, in case the navy dye runs.
