This blanket was run as a free CAL and the parts could be found in my Facebook group. The CAL is now complete and the original pattern is still available in the group for free.

Phoenix Rising - Native American Blanket

The pattern available for sale is updated in January 2021 and includes improved charts, 100% written pattern available and all in a single PDF (UK terms and US terms)

One of my best friends keeps pestering me to make a phoenix blanket for her after she saw one I was considering doing last year. I have refused time and time again because I knew if I did it would take all my creativity and all my time for likely in excess of three months.

The idea kept niggling at me and in the end I decided that I wanted to combine the idea of a phoenix with the many native american designs that have been catching my eye recently. I’ve been researching patterns from many cultures, native american, mayan, aztec, persian and this has flavours of many of these.

The techniques I am using are really simple. The only stitches are back loop double crochet (UK terms) and front loop treble crochet for the areas where I am creating more texture. This is tapestry style, so I am carrying two colours of yarn as I move along the work. The only difficulty is in the many colour changes per row! finally the fringe is simply knotted every 4 rows to neaten it up slightly

Going from bottom to top:

Section 1 - Apache Diamonds. This is based on a stitch I love called Apache Tears. It creates a raised diamond pattern. Colours used: Empire, Parchment and Gold .

Section 2 - Stars and Thunderbirds. I love this style of representing stars, and I couldn’t choose between the two styles of thunderbird, so I did both. Colours used: Claret, Copper, Gold and Parchment.

Section 3 - Running Water. This represents the flows of waters in a river or stream. Colours used: Empire, Aspen and Parchment.

Section 4 - Fire Pits. I wanted a design that would represent the idea of a volcano or a bonfire for flames to shoot out of and the Phoenix to be born from. Colours used: Empire, Claret, Copper, Gold and Parchment.

Section 5 - Flames. I love the diamond flames that shoot up from the bonfires and into the sky. These are decreasing in size as they rise and are parallel to Section 6 - Phoenix. Colours used: Empire, Claret, Copper, Gold, Mustard, Aspen and Parchment.

Section 6 -PHOENIX. I spent so many hours browsing websites and online images for the phoenix that would fit perfectly with my imagination. I finally found this one, and with some stitchfiddle magic and some changes to some of the sections to add a little more detail, I incorporated this beauty. Colours used: Empire, Claret, Copper, Gold, Mustard, Aspen and Parchment.

Section 7 - Falling Stars. I wanted there to be an element of night skies in my work. Therefore a few little stars seemed apt. Colours used: Copper, Gold, Mustard, Aspen and Parchment.

Section 8 - Swirling Skies. I loved this pattern when I found something similar online and so I decided this would best represent the swirling clouds in the night sky. Colours used: Empire, Claret, Copper, Gold, Mustard, Aspen and Parchment.

Section 9 - Shooting Arrows. Representing purpose and direction and part of my namesake. I couldn’t not have these shooting across the top of my work.Colours used: Empire, Aspen and Parchment.

Section 10 - Bears and Wolves. I made sure to incorporate the heart line into the Bears and Wolves in the manner of Zuni symbols .Colours used: Claret, Copper, Gold and Parchment.

Section 9 - Teepees. This was the section I most regretted from a colour change point of view! So many changes .Colours used: Empire, Gold, Mustard, Aspen and Parchment.

Difficulty – Intermediate

Techniques used:

UK terms – BLDC – Back loop double crochet, FLTC – Front loop treble crochet and colour changes
US terms - BLSC – Back loop single crochet, FLDC – Front loop double crochet and colour changes

What you will need for full size blanket (based on my original colour scheme):
• Yarn: I used Stylecraft Special DK which is 100g of DK acrylic yarn – I used Stylecraft Special DK as I love the vibrancy of the colours. Colours in image left to right.

o Colour A Parchment 10 balls
o Colour B Aspen 1 – 2 balls
o Colour C Empire 2 – 3 balls
o Colour D Mustard 1 - 2 balls
o Colour E Gold 2 – 3 balls
o Colour F Copper 2 - 3 balls
o Colour G Claret 2 – 3 balls
o Colour H Black 1 ball
• 4mm - 4.5mm hook
• Tapestry needle for ends
• Scissors
• Stitch markers
I used a 4.5mm hook which with my natural tension gives my preferred level of drape. It also allows you to carry more than one colour of yarn in a row comfortably.

Gauge: 17 stitches and 14 rows = 10cm square of back loop double crochet

You will need a lot of stitch markers! Trust me on this. Stitch markers are your friend!

Dimensions

Assuming DK acrylic yarn with 4.5mm hook, this blanket is approximately 56’’x91’’ (140cm x 228cm or 4’8’’ x 7’7’’) excluding the border. Each border adds approximately 3-4inches (8-10cm) per side
Other colour palettes can be played with. A few ideas have been included for you to consider.