Welcome back to the studio, dear crafters! Today’s pattern captures the intriguing, dimensional beauty of the motif showcased in the video. I’ve named this design the Shadow Bloom Square because its center features a deep, layered texture that looks like a flower beginning to unfurl, framed by delicate, open lacework. This square is truly unique: it offers wonderful depth, a beautiful balance between solid texture and airy lace, and is perfect for joining into lightweight afghans, elegant shawls, or stylish summer tops.
🎯 Project Specifications
| Skill Level | Advanced Intermediate (Requires comfort with textured clusters and lace counting) |
| Finished Size | Approximately 7 x 7 inches (18 x 18 cm) after blocking (using recommended materials) |
| Construction | Worked in the round from the center out |
| Stitches Used | Popcorn/Puff Stitch, Double Crochet, Treble Crochet, Pico |
| Project Ideas | Summer Blankets, Shawls, Cushions, Garments |
🧶 Materials Required
To highlight both the texture of the “bloom” and the lightness of the lace, a mid-weight yarn with good stitch definition is recommended.
- Yarn: DK (Light Weight / Size 3) or Sport Weight (Size 2) yarn. A cotton or cotton/acrylic blend is ideal for structure and drape.
- Color A (Center/Bloom): Approx. 20 yards (for the first 4 textured rounds)
- Color B (Border/Lace): Approx. 15 yards (for the final 4 squaring rounds)
- Hook: Size G/6 (4.0 mm) or H/8 (5.0 mm), depending on your yarn choice and desired drape.
- Notions: Yarn needle for weaving ends, scissors, stitch markers (to mark corners).
📝 Key Stitch Abbreviations (US Terms)
This pattern relies on the Popcorn Stitch to create the central floral dimension.
- Ch: Chain
- Sl St: Slip Stitch
- Sc: Single Crochet
- Dc: Double Crochet
- Tr: Treble Crochet (Yarn over twice)
- St(s): Stitch(es)
- Sp: Space
- Popcorn St (Pc St): Work 5 Dc into the same St. Drop the loop from your hook. Insert hook into the top of the first Dc of the 5-Dc group, grab the dropped loop, and pull it through. Ch 1 to secure.
- Pico: Ch 3, Sl St into the first Ch.
🌸 The Shadow Bloom Square Pattern
This motif is worked in 8 rounds, transitioning from a dense circle to a delicate square.
Bloom Center (Color A)
Start: Using Color A.
Make a Magic Ring (or Ch 4, Sl St to first Ch to form a ring).
Round 1: Initial Petals
Ch 1 (does not count as a St). Work 8 Sc into the ring. Join with a Sl St to the first Sc. (8 Sc)
Gently pull the tail to tighten the center.
Round 2: Popcorn Base
Ch 3 (counts as 1 Dc). Work 4 Dc into the same St, drop the loop, join to the top of the Ch 3 to complete the first Pc St.
Ch 2, 1 Pc St in the next Sc.
Repeat from * to * 6 more times. Ch 2, join with a Sl St to the top of the first Pc St. (8 Pc Sts, 8 Ch-2 Sps)
Round 3: Layered Petal Frame
Sl St into the first Ch-2 Sp.
Ch 3 (counts as 1 Dc). Work (3 Dc, Ch 1, 4 Dc) into the same Ch-2 Sp (First Group).
Sk Pc St. Work (4 Dc, Ch 1, 4 Dc) into the next Ch-2 Sp.
Repeat from * to * 6 more times. Join with a Sl St to the top of the beginning Ch 3. (64 Dc, 8 Ch-1 Sps)
Round 4: Bloom Completion & Trellis
Ch 1 (does not count as a St). 1 Sc in the first 4 Dc.
Ch 3. Sk 2 Dc. In the Ch-1 Sp, work (1 Tr, Ch 1, 1 Tr). Ch 3. Sk 2 Dc. 1 Sc in the next 4 Dc.
Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Join with a Sl St to the first Sc. (8 Sc groups, 16 Tr, 16 Ch-3 Sps)
Fasten off Color A.
This row completes the dense, floral center and introduces the trellis chain for squaring.
Squaring and Lace Border (Color B)
Round 5: First Squaring Row
Join Color B with a Sl St into the 2nd Sc of any 4-Sc group.
Ch 3 (counts as 1 Dc). 1 Dc in the next Sc.
- Side: [1 Dc in the next Ch-3 Sp. 1 Dc in the Tr. 1 Dc in the Ch-1 Sp. 1 Dc in the Tr. 1 Dc in the Ch-3 Sp.]
- Corner: Sk 1 Sc. In the next Sc, work (2 Tr, Ch 3, 2 Tr) (Corner made). Sk 1 Sc.
- Side: [1 Dc in the next Ch-3 Sp. 1 Dc in the Tr. 1 Dc in the Ch-1 Sp. 1 Dc in the Tr. 1 Dc in the Ch-3 Sp.]
- Middle: 1 Dc in the next Sc, 1 Dc in the next Sc.*Repeat from * to * 3 more times. Join with a Sl St to the top of the beginning Ch 3. (4 Corners, 68 Sts total)
Round 6: Lace Arches
Ch 1 (does not count as a St). 1 Sc in the first Dc.
1 Sc in each Dc across the side until the corner Ch-3 Sp.
In the corner Ch-3 Sp, work (1 Sc, Ch 4, 1 Sc) (Corner made).
Side Motif: [Ch 3, Sk 2 Sts, 1 Sc in the next St] 3 times. Ch 3, Sk 2 Sts, 1 Sc in the next 2 Sts.
Repeat from * to * 3 more times for the remaining sides, ensuring the lace motif repeats fit evenly across the side section. Join with a Sl St to the first Sc.
Round 7: Scalloped Edging
Sl St into the next St, Sl St into the first Ch-3 Sp.
Ch 1 (does not count as a St). 1 Sc in the same Ch-3 Sp.
- Side: [Ch 5, 1 Sc in the next Ch-3 Sp] Repeat across the side until the corner Ch-4 Sp.
- Corner: In the corner Ch-4 Sp, work (Shell, Pico, Shell).
- Side: 1 Sc in the next Ch-3 Sp. [Ch 5, 1 Sc in the next Ch-3 Sp] Repeat across the side.*Repeat from * to * 3 more times. Join with a Sl St to the first Sc.
Round 8: Final Pico Trim
Sl St into the next 2 Chs of the Ch-5 Sp.
Ch 1 (does not count as a St). 1 Sc in the same Sp.
- Side: [Ch 3, Pico, Ch 3, 1 Sc in the center of the next Ch-5 Sp] Repeat across the side until the corner.
- Corner: Sl St to the center Pico of the corner (from previous round). Work (Shell, Pico, Shell) into that Pico.
- Side: 1 Sc in the center of the next Ch-5 Sp. [Ch 3, Pico, Ch 3, 1 Sc in the center of the next Ch-5 Sp] Repeat across the side.*Join with a Sl St to the first Sc.Fasten off Color B.
💡 Pro-Tips for Dimension
- Popcorn Volume: When making the Popcorn Stitches, use a slightly looser tension on the 5 Dc group to ensure the stitch really pops forward and gives the flower its signature 3D look.
- Lace Tension: For the delicate lace border in Rounds 6-8, keep your tension relaxed. Tight chains will cause the square to pucker and fold inward.
- Counting the Sides: After Round 5, take a moment to count the stitches on your sides (not including the corner chains). Consistency is crucial for the final lace scallop to line up perfectly.
Video Tutorial:
🛁 Finishing and Care
- Weaving Ends: Weave in all yarn tails carefully using a tapestry needle on the wrong side of the work. Due to the openness of the lace, take extra care to hide the tails securely within the dense Popcorn center or the DC sections of the frame.
- Blocking (Essential): Blocking is non-negotiable for this square, as it will transform the slightly ruffled edge into a perfect, crisp square and define the intricate lace points.
- Method: Wet block or steam block the motif. Pin the square firmly to a blocking mat, ensuring all four corners are stretched into a 90-degree angle. Stretch the scalloped edges slightly to open up the lace details.
- Drying: Allow the square to dry completely before unpinning.
Enjoy the striking geometric elegance of your new Shadow Bloom Square project!
