💡

Want to make this pattern your own? Sign up to email it to yourself, save the printable PDF, or resize it for any size — every new account gets a free 7-day Maker trial.

Create your free account · no credit card

Lichen Circles DK Blanket with Raised Motif Squares

A textured afghan made from joined squares featuring raised circular lichen-inspired patterns in soft DK yarn.

+ Save Pattern
🤍
Difficulty
🟡 Intermediate
Time
⏱️ 35-45 hours
Hook
🪡 E / 3.5mm
Yardage
🧶 approximately 2400 yards
Finished Size
📏 60 x 72 inches
⚠️
Always make a gauge swatch before starting!
Gauge: 20 sc x 20 rows = 4 inches in single crochet
Adjust hook size as needed to match gauge.
📋

At a Glance

The Lichen Circles DK Blanket with Raised Motif Squares is a free Intermediate-level blanket pattern using Dk weight yarn with a E / 3.5mm hook . Estimated time: 35-45 hours. Finished size: 60 x 72 inches. You'll need approximately approximately 2400 yards of yarn.

11 steps across 4 sections  ·  Free under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — you can sell finished items

🛒 Materials

DK weight yarn, main color
2000 yards (400g) in cream, off-white, or light gray
Find on Amazon
DK weight yarn, accent color
400 yards (80g) in sage green, dusty blue, or charcoal for raised motifs
Find on Amazon
Crochet hook
E / 3.5mm
Find on Amazon
Tapestry needle
For weaving in ends and seaming
Find on Amazon

📖 Abbreviations

View full dictionary →
ch — chain → sc — single crochet → dc — double crochet → hdc — half double crochet → sl st — slip stitch → st(s) — stitch(es) → rnd(s) — round(s) → rep — repeat → dec — decrease → inc — increase → yo — yarn over →

Tap any abbreviation to look it up. Start a free 7-day Maker trial for full stitch details.

📌 Before You Begin

💡

This blanket is made of 12 squares (4 wide x 3 tall) that are sewn together. Each square measures 15 inches.

💡

Work with main color for base squares and accent color for raised lichen circles.

💡

Raised motifs are created using bobble stitches and puff stitches worked on top of the finished base square.

💡

Weave in ends as you go to reduce finishing time.

💡

Seam allowance is 0.25 inches per seam.

🧶 Pattern Instructions

💡 Tip: Block each square to exactly 15 inches square before moving to raised motifs. Steam or pin to blocking board and measure carefully to ensure consistent sizing for assembly.
  1. Setup
    With main color, ch 76 to measure approximately 15 inches (at gauge of 20 sc = 4 inches, 15 inches requires 75 sts).
  2. Row 1
    Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (75 sc)
  3. Rows 2-75
    Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (75 sc) Repeat until square measures approximately 15 inches tall (75 rows at gauge). Fasten off, leaving 8-inch tail for seaming.
Row counter:
💡 Tip: The raised motifs should look like organic lichen growths on tree bark. Use stitch markers to mark all 9 circle positions before working any stitches to ensure consistent placement across all 12 squares. Vary the density and placement slightly on each square for a natural appearance.
  1. Circle 1 (Center)
    With accent color and working on top of completed square base, locate center square by counting: count 37-38 stitches from left edge and 37-38 rows from bottom edge (marks the center stitch). Ch 1, work 6 sc tightly in the center stitch to create a dense bobble. Fasten off, leaving 6-inch tail for sewing.
  2. Circles 2-5 (Inner Ring)
    Space 4 additional circles evenly around the center circle, each positioned approximately 3-4 inches away from center (count approximately 15-20 stitches left/right and 15-20 rows up/down from center). For each: Ch 1, work puff stitch as follows: Insert hook into the target stitch, yo, pull through (2 loops on hook); *yo, insert hook in same stitch, yo, pull through (all loops)* repeat 4 times total for 5 loops on hook, yo, pull through all 5 loops on hook. This creates a raised puff. Fasten off, leaving 6-inch tail.
  3. Circles 6-9 (Outer Ring)
    Space 4 smaller circles around the outer areas of the square, positioned between inner circles and approximately 6-7 inches from center (count approximately 30 stitches left/right and 30 rows up/down from center). Mark placement with stitch markers before working. Work same puff stitch as Circles 2-5. Fasten off, leaving 6-inch tail.
Row counter:
💡 Tip: Use stitch markers to keep track of which squares you've already seamed together. Pin seams before sewing to keep edges aligned.
  1. Layout
    Arrange 12 completed squares in a grid: 4 squares wide x 3 squares tall. Rotate squares so lichen patterns face upward and vary slightly for organic look.
  2. Seaming
    With tapestry needle and main color yarn, use whip stitch to join squares with 0.25-inch seam allowance. Seam all horizontal edges first (4 seams connecting 3 rows), then seam all vertical edges (2 seams connecting 4 columns). Keep seams tight and invisible from the front.
  3. Stitch Count Check
    Final blanket should measure approximately 60 inches wide (4 squares × 15 inches + 3 seams × 0.25 inches = 60.75 inches) × 72 inches tall (3 squares × 15 inches + 2 seams × 0.25 inches = 45.5 inches for joined squares; optional edging will bring to final 72 inches).
Row counter:
💡 Tip: Edging is optional but adds polish and stability. Skip this section for a simpler finish. Count your stitches as you work the first round to maintain gauge consistency.
  1. Edge Round 1
    With main color, join yarn at corner with st">sl st. Ch 1, sc evenly around entire blanket perimeter. Work 300 sc along 60-inch width (5 sts per inch at gauge) and 360 sc along 72-inch length (5 sts per inch), working 3 sc in each corner. Total: approximately 1320 sts around (300 + 360 + 300 + 360). Sl st to join.
  2. Edge Round 2
    Ch 1, sc in each st around with 3 sc in each corner. Sl st to join. Fasten off.
Row counter:

✂️ Finishing

Weave in all remaining ends using tapestry needle. Block the completed blanket to final measurements by pinning to blocking board and misting lightly with water or steam. Allow to dry completely (24 hours). If edging was worked, block again after edging is complete. Gently tug seams to ensure they are invisible from the front.

🧺 Care Instructions

Wash blanket in cool water with gentle cycle using wool-safe detergent. Do not bleach. Lay flat to dry away from direct sunlight and heat. Do not tumble dry. Store folded in a breathable cotton bag away from moths. Spot clean if needed using cool water and mild soap.

🤖 This pattern was generated by AI and may contain errors. Always test your gauge before starting.

What's wrong with this pattern?

✓ Thanks for your feedback — we'll review it shortly.

📸 Made by our community

See how real makers brought this pattern to life

📷 Sign in to share
📷

Be the first to share a photo of your finished make!

Pattern photo

Report this photo

Questions About This Pattern

Absolutely — just match the weight (Dk). You'll need about approximately 2400 yards, so make sure your substitute has enough meterage. Acrylic is budget-friendly and machine-washable; wool gives better stitch definition and drape.
This intermediate pattern assumes you're comfortable with basic stitches. You'll use ch, sc, dc, hdc and a few more (see the Abbreviations section above). If increases and decreases are new to you, a quick 10-minute tutorial on YouTube before you start will make the pattern much smoother.
Find the stitch repeat in the pattern (usually mentioned in the foundation chain section) and add or remove multiples of that number. Keep in mind: with Dk yarn, every extra inch of width across a blanket adds meaningful yardage — double the size means roughly 4× the yarn. For a baby blanket, halving the dimensions works well as a starting point.
For this pattern, gauge is "20 sc x 20 rows = 4 inches in single crochet". For decorative or non-fitted items it's less critical, but matching gauge ensures you use the right amount of yarn and get the proportions the pattern intends. If your swatch is too small (too many stitches/inch), go up a hook size. Too large — go down.
Wash blanket in cool water with gentle cycle using wool-safe detergent. Do not bleach. Lay flat to dry away from direct sunlight and heat. Do not tumble dry. Store folded in a breathable cotton bag away from moths. Spot clean if needed using cool water and mild soap. A general rule: when unsure about the yarn, hand wash in cool water with a drop of gentle detergent, squeeze (don't wring), and block flat to dry. This is safe for almost every fiber.
Each section builds on the last, so yes — follow them in order. That said, some finishing sections (like embellishments or optional edging) can be skipped if you prefer a simpler look. Read through all sections before starting so you understand how the pieces fit together and can plan your yarn usage across sections.
✨

Enjoyed this pattern?

Create your own AI-generated crochet patterns in seconds.
5 free patterns every month.

🎨

Describe what you want to make

Our AI writes a complete, mathematically correct pattern

📚

Save patterns to your library

Come back anytime — your work is always there

💝

No credit card required

Free forever · Upgrade only if you love it

Create free account I already have an account
🧶

Wait — don't leave empty handed!

Enter your email and we'll send you 3 free beginner patterns + a gentle starter guide.

No spam — just cozy crochet goodness

We'll never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

💝

Perfect! Check your inbox

Your patterns are on their way.