Porch ‘n Picnic Blanket – Crochet Pom Pom Blanket Pattern

I love sitting on my front porch almost any time of the year. It is one of my favorite places to be. I sit out there and crochet while my kids run through the sprinkler. In the mornings, if I manage to wake up before my children, I try to have some quiet prayer time on the porch with a cup of coffee. Even in a rainstorm, you can find me on my porch enjoying the misty breeze and waving at my neighbors as they run into their houses.

I’m always on my porch.

And if I’m not on my porch, I’m probably laying in the grass with my kiddos, watching the clouds go by, or having a popsicle picnic.

Enter the Porch n’ Picnic Blanket. I think this summery crochet pom pom blanket is perfect to keep on your porch for cool morning meditations or hot afternoon picnics on the lawn. We all need a blanket like that, why not crochet one for yourself??

The Porch n’ Picnic Blanket is a crochet pom pom blanket pattern I designed for the August 2022 issue of Crochet Foundry magazine. Now, I’m also making it available for free, right here on the blog, for subscribers!

Don’t have time to make this now? Pin the image below for later.

Inspiration behind the pattern

The Yarn

The yarn I used for this crochet pom pom blanket pattern is called Wander acrylic yarn from Furls Crochet. This yarn was provided to me for use in the magazine. Originally I had envisioned a blanket in yellow to pink hues but was pleasantly surprised by the light blue and green yarn chosen in place of the yellows. The five colors are: Surf, Tundra, Sandbar, Dragonfruit, & Velvet.

This was the first time I used this yarn, and I really love how vivid the colors are! I also loved the texture – so soft & shiny! I envision many more projects using this yarn. & there are so many more colors to choose from as well. I did find that were was some fraying and knots in the skeins of yarn, and at times it did get annoying. I know that can be normal for yarn, but this was more than I was used to… Oh well! I did like the yarn overall. Perhaps I will do a full review of this yarn sometime.

I also used this yarn in my Striped Moss Plant Pot Cover and my Simple Mesh Mug Rugs.

Purchase this yarn here

The Hook

The hook I used to work up this pattern was a Supernova Streamline Swirl size J/6.0mm hook from Furls Crochet. This is a beautiful hook isn’t it! I think it matched the yarn perfectly! Each hook has a different consistency to its swirls, so each hook looks different than the next.

These Streamline hooks by Furls are made out of resin, and they are super-lightweight. The same is ergonomic, and this hook felt so good in my hand. I have used Furls hooks before, and I will definitely keep using them. I recommend them for sure!

Unfortunately, my toddler dropped this hook on my hardwood floors, and the tip broke off… a good thing I have more Furls hooks in my stash for backup!

*Since I designed this blanket, the Supernova Streamline Swirl hook has been discontinued. But Furls continues to release more great Streamline hooks, like these Streamline Wood Hooks, with a similar shape and feel.

Purchase A Similar Wooden Hook Here

Interested in my other blanket patterns?

• Gingerbread Mosaic Crochet Blanket
• Geometric Mosaic Blanket
• Nordic Winter Afghan
• Monstera Leaf Afghan
• Oversized Cozy Heirloom Throw
• Striped Moss Lapghan
• JJ’s Baby Blankie
• Piper’s Baby Blankie

Where to get the pattern for the Crochet Pom Pom Blanket

You can find this pattern in the August 2022 issue of the Crochet Foundry digital magazine, along with five amazing patterns from other talented crochet designers.

OR

Subscribe to my blog to access the pattern for free! You just need to log in or sign up for a Grow Account (details below). Subscribers will be able to view this pattern and any other exclusive content on the blog.

Free Pattern for the Porch ‘n Picnic Crochet Pom Pom Blanket

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner/Intermediate

Materials

• Furls Wander, medium/worsted weight #4 yarn (100% acrylic; 251 yds / 230 m per 142 g skein)
  • C1 Surf, C2 Tundra, C3 Sandbar, C4 Dragonfruit, & C5 Velvet – 5 skeins or 1,200 yards each
  • or equivalent worsted weight yarn
• Size J/6mm crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Plus a pom-pom maker. I used the largest one in this set: click here.

Gauge

16 sts by 9 rows = 4” square
Using Mesh Stitch as described above

Finished Measurements

Approximately 60 inches x 48 inches

Stitch Abbreviations (US Terminology)

• Mesh
• Puff: Puff Stitch
• CC Puff: Contrast Color Puff
• You’ll find video tutorials for the stitches in this blanket here.

Special Stitches

Mesh: Stitch pattern made using Rows 1-7. (Chain any even number. In 2nd ch from hook, sc, *ch 1, sk next ch, sc in next ch, repeat from * across, ending with sc in last ch. Ch 1, turn, sc in first sc of previous row, *ch 1, sk ch-space, sc in next sc, repeat from * across, ending with sc in last sc of previous row.)

Puff (9 loop): Yo and insert hook into next st, yo and pull up loop (3 loops on hook),[yo and insert hook into same st, yo and pull up loop] three times ending with 9 loops on hook yo and pull through all loops on hook, ch 1.

CC Puff: worked the same as a regular puff with CC, except for the last “yo and pull through all loops on hook” is done in the MC.
With CC yo and insert hook into next st, yo and pull up loop (3 loops on hook), [yo and
insert hook into same st, yo and pull up loop] three times ending with 9 loops on hook drop CC, with MC yo and pull through all loops on hook, ch 1.

Pattern Notes

When a row begins with ch 1, the ch does NOT count as a st.

When the row begins with ch 3, it counts as a dc.

In Rows 48, 96, 144, 192, work puff in alternating colors of old and new yarn color, making sure to crochet over unworked strands. For a cleaner look, use the new yarn color as the MC of that row, working all ch 1 and “yo pull through all loops” in that MC. See special stitch instructions for CC Puff.

Ready, Set… CROCHET!

Action Items:

• Work up the Porch ‘n Picnic Blanket
• Post a picture of your finished blanket in the J&O FB Group
• Head back to the blog hop page each day until October 31st, 2024 for the next installment of the blog hop

If you have any issues, questions, or tips, please post them on the J&O FB Group.

Definitely post pictures and share about the blog hop on any social media you have. When you make this blanket, be sure to tag me @juniperandoakes and use #juniperandoakes so we can see your progress!

The Fine Print

This pattern and its images are the property of Juniper and Oakes ©2024. The pattern is for your personal use only. Please do not copy/paste, distribute, or alter and claim as your own. You may sell products made by this pattern, but please credit @juniperandoakes and remember to link back to juniperandoakes.com or credit Juniper & Oakes on the craft fair tag.

You may post pictures on social media and tag @juniperandoakes and use the hashtags #juniperandoakes. If you make this pattern, please email a picture to [email protected] and I will include it in a gallery on my website. You can also post pictures on my Facebook Page, or in the Juniper + Oakes Crochet Community Facebook Group.

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Let me know if you run into a problem. I respond quickly and will help any way I can to clarify any confusion or challenging stitches.