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Hey there, fellow quilters! It's Liz here again, and I'm thrilled to share another free quilt pattern with you all. You know the drill—Crochet.com and its sister brands never fail to bring the goods, and today’s project is no exception. I think you're really going to love this one.
If you're impatient to get started, don't worry—I’ve got you covered. Click here to jump straight to the pattern download page. No need to scroll through the whole post if you're eager to dive in!
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But first, let me tell you about this beauty. Crochet.com recently released their latest pattern book, *Hooked on Quilting by While They Dream*, featuring five crochet patterns inspired by classic quilt designs. These patterns are perfect for both beginners and intermediate crocheters, and they’ve already caught my eye. So naturally, I decided to collaborate with them and adapt three of their patterns into fabric designs. Today, we’re focusing on one of my favorites: **Cardinals**.
This quilt starts with a delightful granny square pattern from While They Dream. She drew her inspiration from the vivid red plumage of cardinals, those striking birds known for their symbolism of love, devotion, and even messages from loved ones who have passed. It’s such a meaningful motif, and it translates beautifully into fabric form.
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The best part? Turning this design into a quilt was surprisingly straightforward. Since the original pattern used granny squares, I simply treated each square as an individual block and arranged them on a grid. Grid-style sewing is not only beginner-friendly but also a fantastic way to sharpen your basic sewing skills.
Now, the one challenge you’ll face? Aligning those seams when you sew the rows together. It sounds tricky, but trust me—it’s totally doable. Just keep an eye on those intersections, and you’ll nail it every time.
A quick note about sizing: this pattern was designed for a single size to match the original crochet blanket. But if you'd like to make it bigger, it’s super easy to scale up! For example, if you want your finished squares to measure 5†x 5†instead of 4†x 4â€, you’ll need to cut your fabric pieces slightly larger (5 ½†x 5 ½â€). And don’t forget to adjust the cutting size for half-square triangles (HSTs) accordingly. If you’re aiming for 4†x 4†HSTs, you’d usually cut 4 ⅞†x 4 ⅞†squares, but adding that extra ⅛†gives you some wiggle room. Trust me—it’s worth it!
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Here’s where things get even more exciting: I’ve come up with two alternative colorways for this quilt. Since cardinals are often associated with bold reds, I wanted to show you how versatile this design can be by exploring softer, subtler tones.
**Colorway #1:**
This version leans into warmer tones and pastels, giving the quilt a softer, dreamier vibe. Imagine swapping out the gingham background for blues instead of grays to add a touch of vibrancy.
- **Background Fabrics:** Chambray Tonal in Light Grey, Light Silver, Light Ivory
- **Branch Fabrics:** Faux Tweed in Fern, Pistachio
- **Bird Fabrics:** Faux Tweed in Chai, Carnation, Chambray Tonal in Light Barn Red, Light Black, Faux Linen in Cantaloupe, Tomato, Weathered Tonal in Terra Cotta
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**Colorway #2:**
Inspired by the majestic Blue Jay, this palette evokes the cozy, earthy tones of autumn. Playing around with the placement of blues can give your quilt a dynamic, realistic feel.
- **Background Fabrics:** Mirage Tonal in Fawn, Taupe, Cream
- **Branch Fabrics:** Faux Linen in Ochre, Bronze
- **Bird Fabrics:** Solid in Black, Admiral Blue, True Blue, Harbor, Blue Jeans, Blue Mist, Weathered Tonal in Slate
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Which colorway do you prefer? Let me know in the comments below—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
And speaking of the Cardinals quilt, you can download the free pattern right now by clicking here. Don’t forget to share your progress with us on social media—I can’t wait to see what you create!
Happy sewing, everyone,
Liz