Birds of a Feather Blanket is a textured crochet blanket that is a free pattern here on the blog! Read on to learn about the design inspiration and all materials needed to create this crochet blanket. 

Copyright Disclosure

This pattern is for your own personal use. No unauthorized reproduction, in whole or in part (i.e. copying and pasting this pattern into your own document, altering this pattern in any way and calling it your own, etc.), or distribution of this pattern or content (i.e. sharing this pattern in its whole form on your own blog) is allowed. You can use this blog post in blog round-ups. I give permission to sell your items made from this pattern. Please credit “While They Dream” in your listings. The pattern and all photos are the property of While They Dream. You are welcome to share my patterns across all social media forms as long as you link back to my blog directly.

Inspiration

When Hailey from Made by Hailey Bailey announced that she was going to do a monthly bird club yarn I knew I wanted it, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with it. In February I decided that I wanted them to become a blanket, so I set out to design something that could use up each skein in as close to it’s entirety as I could get. I also wanted the squares to somehow represent birds. These little puff stitches grouped together have been a long standing favorite of mine (looking at the Ivy Beanie and Scarf as well as the Weeping Willow Pillow here) and now I have seen them in another new light. Feathers. And so, the Birds of a Feather Blanket came to be. 

Final Dimensions: If you are using a DK weight yarn and your squares are 5 inches (13cm) then your final blanket will be a square of 65 inches by 65 inches (169 cm x 169 cm)

Two Color Version: The two color version also uses DK weight yarn. The squares are 4.25 inches. They used less squares in their blanket than was called for in the original, but there are no rules - make as many as you'd like, in whatever size! 

Supplies Needed

• Crochet Hook used for solid version: 4.5 mm/G+ – adjust your hook size if you adjust the yarn weight. I love using Furls Hooks. They are so comfortable and I don’t get stressed hands or wrists like I once did. Use the code HOOK15 for 15% off. 
• Crochet Hook used for two color square: 3.75mm/F is used for the two color square. This helps to make the color changes less visible, as you are carrying the puff stitch color throughout. 
• Yarn: I am using DK weight 100% Superwash Merino yarn. Please feel free to use any weight of yarn and create any size you’d like to. I’ve done the math and trial and error on a 100g DK weight skein. See the details below. 
• The DK weight yarn I am using comes in a 231 yards/211m (100 g/3.5 oz) skein. I am using up 215 yards/195 m (3 oz/85 g) from each skein of Bird Club Yarn. You need 7 squares per skein for each of the 12 months. You won’t get more than 7 squares in a DK weight of the same size doing 5 rounds at 5 inches (13 cm) per round. The math per square is 31 yards/28 m (not even .5 oz/12 g) if you need to know that.
• I am also using white squares of the same weight for the squares between my months. There are 85 white squares. In DK weight you’ll need 2,635 yards/2,380 m (42.5 oz/1,020 g). I used a bare yarn from WeCrochet. You could use their bare Swish or their bare Merino Style DK. 
• If you choose to use a Fingering Weight or Worsted Weight yarn you may want to do more or less rows. Again, my squares are 5 rows in total and they measure 5 inches (13 cm)

 Stitch Abbreviations

• Ch – Chain
• DC – Double Crochet
• Slst – Slip Stitch
• PS – Puff Stitch:  YO, insert hook into specified space/stitch, YO draw up a loop. There will now be 3 loops on the hook. *YO and insert hook into that same space/stitch, YO, pull up a loop.* There will now be 5 loops on your hook. Repeat * * once more. You will now have 7 loops on your hook. YO, draw through all 7 loops. Ch 1. 

Important Notes

• Blocking: I am not blocking my squares as I go. I would recommend that you only steam block this blanket. Fully submerging this in water will likely result in it stretching out due to the weight. 
• Attaching your squares: 

1. To connect my squares together I am using a Join As You Go method that I really love. Hooked by Robin has a really great video HERE.
2. You can see how I handle my JAYG with the Puff Stitches in a Reel I have on Instagram HERE. If you are using a monthly yarn club you will not be able to attach columns together until all of you months are complete in December, but you can attach rows of squares. You could attach rows and columns right away if you’re using a totally different yarn for this project.
3. You may also choose to wait until the end and whip stitch all of the squares together (which looks exactly like my join as you go method).
4. OR, you can use an invisible seaming method. I love this tutorial: How to Join Granny Squares with an Invisible Seam by Meema Makes

• Border: I chose not to put a border on my blanket. If you would prefer one I would probably opt for a simple single crochet border. Laci added two rounds of single crochet to the Scattered Showers version of this blanket. 

 

GET THE BIRDS OF A FEATHER BLANKET PATTERN

Looking for the two-color square instructions? These are only available in the PDF version. The April 2024 update includes a massive amount of goodies. 

The pattern now includes (in addition the the original pattern):
- Updated Supplies List
- Added notes to join methods and included the helpful video links on several join methods. 
- Added a video link for how to start your puffs in a magic circle and addition join method videos.
- Coloring chart for the original version so that you can plan your own if you don't want to use the pre-made version. 
- Version 2 photos
- Additional pattern included for the two-color square (this means you now have two patterns in one). 
- Photo tutorial for the two-color square
- Colored and numbered chart for the two-color squares so that you know exactly where you can place your squares to achieve a super random layout. 
- Blank chart for you to color in your own two-color plan if you'd like to use other colors. 
- Yarn alternative lists for DK and Worsted weight if you weren't able to get a GLD Yarn Kit. 

Get the Birds of a Feather Blanket pattern from my shop and save big when you bundle 3 or more patterns. See the codes below. 

• You can find the PDF Pattern HERE
• Add this to your Ravelry Favorites: CLICK HERE
• Get the pattern on Etsy: CLICK HERE
• Get the pattern on Love Crafts: CLICK HERE 

PATTERN DISCOUNT CODES:

• SAVE10 - Purchase 3+ Patterns and get 10% off
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Trusting the Process

Are you planning your color layout or are you just blindly creating this blanket like I did? When I planned this blanket I had no idea what the end result would actually look like. I purchased each new yarn from Made by Hailey Bailey's 2022 Bird Club every month and the only thing I knew was where that color would go on the blanket, according to the chart I had created ahead of time. I had to trust the process of this "blind creating." This process got me hooked on blindly creating a blanket. Since creating that blanket I've had several other people start their own, blindly creating their own versions. I have found it gives people a bit of anxiety...giving up control of where things may go and trusting that they'll be happy at the end of it all. I think that's where the beauty lies. I think it's a direct representation of life. 

Pattern

Need to see Round 1 in action? Consider purchasing the PDF pattern, where I provide a link to a helpful video that will show you how to get this going. 

To begin: Make a Magic Circle (or chain 4, join in a circle).

Round 1: Ch 1 and then pull up your loop to the height of your first Puff Stitch. Puff Stitch 8 into your circle. Pull tight to close your Magic Circle. Slip Stitch to the top of your first Puff Stitch.

Round 2: Slip Stitch over into the space between your first set of Puff Stitches. Pull up a loop to the height you’ll want your first Puff Stitch and begin. *Make 2 Puff Stitches in this space. (DC 2, Ch 2, DC 2) into the space between your next two Puff Stitches.* Repeat 3 more times. Join with a slip stitch to the top of your first Puff Stitch.

Round 3: Slip Stitch over into the space between your first set of Puff Stitches. Pull up a loop to the height you’ll want your first Puff Stitch and begin. *Make 2 Puff Stitches in this space. DC in each stitch until you reach the corner chain space. (DC 2, Ch 2, DC 2) in your Ch 2 space. DC across until you reach your next set of Puff Stitches.* Repeat 3 more times. Join with a slip stitch to the top of your first Puff Stitch.

Rounds 4 and 5: Repeat Round 3. Fasten off after completing Round 5 (if using DK weight – or fasten off when your square is to the size you want it to be).

 

 

How to Assemble 

I did some assembling as I went, but the whip stitch looks identical to the join as you go method that I used, so I highly recommend using the whip stitch to join your squares.