Free Crochet Pattern | Utopia Box Stitch Blanket

Hello my lovelies 💛 I’m so excited to share my latest free pattern, created in collaboration with Utopia Crafts – and this one was a joy to make. If you’ve been following along for a while, you’ll know how much I adore a mindful, rhythmic project… and this Box Stitch Blanket is exactly that. A beautifully calming make that lets you truly relax into your stitches while watching the pattern gently unfold.

Pin it for Later:

Colourful crochet block stitch blanket draped over a couch with a book and a cup of tea on a side table.

For this design, I used the brand new Utopia Crafts DK Ombre Multicolour Double Knitting Yarn (100% Acrylic; 100g, approx. 300m / 330yd), and honestly I’m quite in love. There are currently eight pretty ombré shades to choose from, each flowing seamlessly from one colour into the next all featuring long colour changes.

The shade I chose was 007, and I was instantly drawn to its rich, earthy tones that reminded me of pheasant colouring, those warm, natural hues that feel both cosy and a little bit luxurious. Watching the colours shift as I crocheted was such a treat, and it really brought the stitches to life.

A hand holds a colourful ball of yarn labeled 'Perfect DK Ombre' by Utopia Crafts, surrounded by additional yarn balls in various colours and a wooden slice.

One of the lovely things about this yarn is that it’s certified to OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, meaning it’s been independently tested and confirmed to be free from harmful substances. It’s also entirely vegan, with no animal-derived fibres, making it a thoughtful choice for environmentally conscious makers.

I used 5 balls in total with a 4mm (US size G/6) hook, and the finished blanket measures approximately 100cm [39.3in] x 103cm [40.5in] – it’s the perfect lapghan size for snuggling up on the sofa. Another bonus is that it’s machine washable, making it wonderfully practical for everyday use and easy to care for, perfect for well-loved blankets that are made to be used and enjoyed.

❤️ SAVE THE UTOPIA BOX STITCH BLANKET ON RAVELRY ❤️

A folded, colourful crocheted blanket featuring a pattern of vibrant squares in pink, blue, yellow, green, purple, and brown, placed on a light grey surface.

The beauty of this pattern is its versatility. It could work well with both ombré and solid yarns, though the ombre definately allows the colour changes to take centre stage. Whether you love bold, flowing transitions or prefer a more classic single shade, this design can adapt perfectly to suit your style.

It’s unique in that you work in three different directions to build the design. It keeps things interesting while still maintaining that lovely repetitive rhythm that makes it such a mindful project. Great for when you want to binge watch that latest TV show!

Close-up of a colourful crocheted blanket featuring a checkerboard pattern in vibrant shades of pink, green, blue, and yellow, draped over a light-coloured sofa.

It’s also easy to customise, so you can make it larger or smaller depending on your needs – perfect for anything from a baby blanket to a full throw for your favourite chair. So if you’re looking for a relaxing project that combines mindful stitches, colour, and a touch of creativity, this one is definitely for you 💛

🧶 The free pattern is available now from the Utopia Crafts website.

Go to free pattern

A colourful crocheted blanket featuring a vibrant pattern of pink, purple, yellow, and blue yarn. The image also includes a close up of the Utopia Perfect DK Ombre Yarn used to create the colourful blanket.

Don’t forget to tag me and @utopiacrafts when you share your Box Stitch Blankets – I can’t wait to see your creations! 🤍

You may wish to make sure you are signed up to blog (below) and / or my mailing list to get a reminder when new blog posts, discounts or new pattern releases are available.

If you like the Utopia Box Stitch Blanket, you may also like these other free patterns…

A plush, crocheted beige pumpkin in front of decorative pillows on a textured blanket.

NEUTRAL PUMPKIN

A light gray crocheted shawl draped around a mannequin, fastened with a wooden pin. The background is a lush green hedge.

CEDAR HOLLOW SHAWL

Until next time folks! Happy hooking and keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

Please note that some of the links in my blog are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase via these links at no extra cost to you. This helps to cover the running cost of the website – thank you for your support.

23Jan2026

Free Crochet Pattern | Cedar Hollow Shawl

Posted in Crochet, Free Patterns by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Hello my lovelies 💛

I’m so excited to share my latest free pattern, created in collaboration with Utopia Crafts, that’s perfect for those crisp mornings, cosy evenings, and everything in between — the Cedar Hollow Shawl.

Pin it for Later:

A stylish crocheted shawl draped elegantly on a mannequin, featuring a layered design with a button closure, displayed against a green background. Text on the image promotes a free crochet pattern for the 'Cedar Hollow Shawl' by Utopia Crafts.

There’s something incredibly peaceful about a project that flows under your hook. The Cedar Hollow Shawl is just that – designed with simplicity and versatility in mind. It’s ideal if you want:

✨ A cosy wrap to wear over jeans and a tee
✨ A shawl to snuggle into with a cuppa
✨ A slow-stitch project that feels meditative and easy on the soul

The pattern has been thoughtfully designed so that you can enjoy the process, not just the finished piece – perfect for relaxing evenings with your favourite playlist or podcast.

A person viewed from behind, wearing a gray triangular crocheted shawl with a tassel, standing against a backdrop of lush green foliage.

For this project, I used Utopia Crafts Perfect Aran Ombre crafted from 100% acrylic and which comes as an extra-large 300g ball offering approximately 600 metres (656 yards). What’s nice about this yarn is that it’s certified to the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, which means that this yarn has been independently tested to ensure it’s free from harmful substances. It’s also 100% vegan – completely free from animal-derived materials, making it a great choice for eco-conscious crafters.

I used a whole ball of the Perfect Aran Ombre with a 6mm (US size H/8) hook and it makes a really reasonably large and cosy triangular shawl. The only other thing that you might want to consider using is some stitch markers to help mark the start and finish of each row.

❤️ SAVE ON RAVELRY ❤️

A light gray crocheted shawl displayed on a mannequin, featuring a triangular shape and tassels on the ends. To the right, a yarn skein labeled 'Perfect Aran Ombre' in a darker gray color is shown, alongside a close-up of the yarn's texture.

As the yarn is an Aran weight yarn, this pattern works up super quickly and with only simple stitches its perfect for beginners, while more seasoned crocheters can appreciate the opportunity to relax with a project that doesn’t require intense concentration.

There are loads of beautiful shades of Perfect Aran Ombre so you could lots of different variations of this shawl – I can’t wait to see what you come up with. Make it in a neutral for everyday wear, or choose pops of colour for a bold statement. I finished off my shawl with some big chunky tassels but if tassels aren’t your thing it also looks great without.

A woman smiling while wearing the crocheted Cedar Hollow shawl and a beanie, standing in a forest with autumn foliage. — © 2026 Utopia Crafts Ltd.

🧶 The free pattern is available now from the Utopia Crafts website.

Go to free pattern

Don’t forget to tag me and @utopiacrafts when you share your Cedar Hollow Shawls — I can’t wait to see your creations! 🤍

Until next time folks! Happy hooking and keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

20Jul2023

New Crochet Pattern Release | Festival Fade Shawl

Posted in Crochet, Crochet Accessories, Designing, From the Stash, Independent Design, Pattern Release, Sale / Special Offer, Stitches, Tah-Dah by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

I’m really excited to share with you a brand new pattern release today, this design has a bit of a history about it, so bear with me as I introduce to you the Festival Fade Shawl.

Image of the colourful asymmetric crochet Festival Fade Shawl made from Hook and Cwtch hand dyed yarn.

The Festival Fade shawl is a unique asymmetric triangular shawl which means that each side of the ‘triangle’ is a different length giving the finished piece a unique look.

Asymmetrical shawls seem to be increasing popular and I wanted to have a go at creating an unusual eye-catching shape.

Image of the crocheted Festival Fade shawl laid out on a wooden floor.

The shawl came into creation partly due to a conversation I had with the lovely Jess from Hook and Cwtch who I happened to be sitting next to when attending a Crochet Sanctuary weekend in April.

There had been chat, amongst our crochet friends, about attending the Carry on Crafting Festival in July. I hadn’t agreed that I was going, but by the end of the weekend I’d not only checked the dates with my husband for childcare, I’d been offered a lift to get there, and on the Monday I’d booked an Airbnb room and bought my ticket! Sometimes these things happen fast!

What also happened fast was the conversation that continued with Jess…As we both got over excited about going to the Festival (as she’d already booked) we started talking about crochet projects. This then developed into an idea of doing a collaboration between myself, Jess and Amanda from Mrs G Makes (who was also at the Sanctuary that weekend, and who had already booked the Festival).

Image of the colourful asymmetric crochet Festival Fade Shawl wrapped around the neck of a white mannikin against a back drop of ivy.

We wondered about creating an exclusive Carry on Crafting Kit for all the yarny friends we knew that were going to the festival so we could all work on the same project whilst we were there. The kit would include beautiful hand-dyed yarn by Jess, a brand new pattern designed by me and some wonderful goodies from Amanda – and yes I know I’m so lucky to have these wonderful creatives in my life!

We put forward the suggestion to our friends and a resounding YES, DO IT, came back so we started planning and the idea for the pattern and it’s kit was born.

In my last post about my visit to Carry on Crafting I did mention the kit and share a few photos but to recap Jess had outdone herself with her gorgeous colourways and Amanda created an exclusive tote bag, a caravan themed yarn cosy (which perfectly holds the 100g / 800m cake of yarn you are working with), and ultra cute caravan stitch marker.

Hookers on Tour Festival Fade collab kit; a tote bag, a yarn cosy, to create a crochet shawl in 100g skein of varigated blues and greens and five 20g sparkle minis ranging from blues to pinks.

Jess’s stunning colour palette was made up of 100g (400m) of Retro Camper which was such a pretty mix of pastel pinks and peaches. The 4ply (fingering weight) yarn was a blend of 85% Superwash Extrafine Merino (19.5 micro) and 15% Nylon Yarn.

Then there were five gorgeous sparkly minis (Cadillac Pink, Perfect Pin Up, Vintage Tea Party, Mellow Mint and Cute Camper) which were a blend of 75% Superwash Extrafine Merino (19.5 micro) 15% Nylon Yarn and 10% Silver Stellina Yarn. I so do love a bit of sparkle! To make my shawl I used a 3mm hook (closest US size D/3).

Close up of the Festival Fade hand dyed yarn; 6 different colours are shown on a desk top along side a crochet hook and a Dear Ewe mug with a yarn ball pattern on it.

I wanted to create a pretty yet easy shaped shawl where the the yarn would do the talking and Jess had mentioned, as we were chatting, that she liked an asymmetric shape. Added to that triangle I included a wee bit of texture with a mini puff stitch, because I think it’s nice to have a bit of something to run your fingers over.

I used only three other simple stitches which makes it a perfect shawl for beginners once you get used to the pattern repeats. It’s also easy enough to make bigger if you want to by just using the same increase to enlarge.

❤️ SAVE FESTIVAL FADE SHAWL ON RAVELRY ❤️

Image of the asymmetric crochet Festival Fade Shawl, in a different colourway, wrapped around the neck of a white mannikin against a back drop of a woodland.

We had a blast at Carry on Crafting , and it was so wonderful to work on the same project all at the same time – I finished my second version in the new colour way Jess made for me. It had the same mini’s but a different 100g / 800m base and I love how it turned out with the varigated blues and cream to begin with!

And I thought I’d share a photo of one my mum made, she used 2 x 100g of solid colours (so no minis) and she chose not to add the fade but when the textured portion of the pattern started she colour blocked her shades instead. I wouldn’t have necessarily considered using the colours in this way but I love how hers turned out, and I think it’s nice to see other options that different people have used.

Image of the asymmetric crochet Festival Fade Shawl colour blocked in purple and grey wrapped around the neck of a white mannikin against a back drop of a woodland.

The Festival Fade crochet shawl in now available for purchase from usual pattern platforms.

Pin for Later:

If you were looking to purchase the same yarn as I used Jess has the recipe for the original colours (not my blue version) and is taking pre-orders that would be available at the end of August. Pre-orders open from tomorrow – just drop her a message over at her Etsy shop.

If you loved the yarn cosy or the caravan stitch marker then Mrs G has similar available – take a look at what she has in her Etsy shop.

I can’t wait to see your versions of your Festival Fade Shawls. I hope you’ll share your photos with me on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) or as a project on Ravelry – I love to see what you make!

Until next time folks! Happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

Subscribe to the blog:

Please note that some of the links in my blog are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase via these links, but the price you pay is not affected. You can read more about my affiliate links here.