Persian Tiles Crochet Pattern (Free Blanket)

A Persian tiles blanket is one of the most beautiful motif projects you can make. Ornate square motifs with flower centers, joined into a throw that looks like the tiled walls of an old Persian palace. This free Persian tiles crochet pattern walks you through every step, from the first motif to the last round of the border.

This is an original Little Loop Finds design, written in US terms and completely free. The blanket is made of 20 motifs, each worked in the round, then joined with a simple whip stitch into a throw 4 motifs wide and 5 motifs tall. If you can crochet a double crochet and work in the round, you can crochet this blanket.

A quick note on scope: this post is about one specific Persian tiles blanket, a motif-joined throw with flower centers in teal, terracotta, saffron, and cream. It is not a row-by-row colorwork blanket, and the tiles are built as separate motifs, not worked in rows. If you want a row colorwork blanket instead, our mosaic crochet pattern is a good next project.

Key Takeaways

• Free original pattern: this Persian tiles crochet pattern is a Little Loop Finds original design, written in US terms, and completely free.
• A motif-joined throw: 20 ornate square motifs with flower centers, joined into a blanket, not worked in rows.
• Easy motif construction: each motif is five rounds, and the same motif is repeated 20 times, so it gets easier with every tile.
• A relaxing long project: one blanket takes about 16 hours, spread over a week or two of evening motifs.
• Three ways to use it: drape it over a sofa, fold it at the foot of a bed, or give it as a housewarming gift.

Table of Contents

• Why You Will Love These Persian Tiles
• Finished Size, Skill Level, and Time
• Materials You Need
• Abbreviations (US Terms)
• Gauge and Sizing Notes
• Part 1: The Persian Tile Motif
• Part 2: Joining the Motifs
• Part 3: The Border and Finishing
• Variations: Colors, Sizes, and Uses
• Troubleshooting Motifs That Curl or Won't Sit Square
• Care Instructions
• Frequently Asked Questions

Why You Will Love These Persian Tiles

There is something about a Persian tile that never goes out of style. Maybe it is the flower center, or the way four calm colors sit together in one square, or the way twenty small tiles become one grand blanket. A Persian tiles blanket drapes over a sofa arm or folds at the foot of a bed.

A Persian tiles blanket is also a wonderful portable project. Each motif takes about 30 minutes, and you can carry one motif and a ball of yarn in a small bag. Make a motif here and there, and before you know it you have twenty tiles ready to join.

Finished Size, Skill Level, and Time

• Finished size: about 26 inches wide and 32 inches long after the border, in worsted weight yarn. Each motif is about 6 inches square, and the blanket has 4 motifs across and 5 down.
• Skill level: Easy. You need chains, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, and treble crochet, all worked in the round.
• Time: about 16 hours per blanket: 10 hours for the 20 motifs, 3 hours for joining, and 3 hours for the border and finishing.

Materials You Need

Worsted weight yarn is the best choice here because it works up quickly, the motifs hold their shape, and the finished blanket is warm but not heavy. A smooth acrylic or cotton blend works well, because it shows clean stitch definition and washes easily. Choose four colors with strong contrast so the flower centers read clearly, and avoid fuzzy yarns, because they hide the petal edges.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• tr = treble crochet
• puff = puff stitch (yarn over, pull up a loop 3 times in the same stitch, yarn over and pull through all loops)
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• sp = space
• rep = repeat
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side

Gauge and Sizing Notes

Gauge for a Persian tiles blanket matters, because the motifs need to be square and the same size, or the joining will pull. Work one full motif in the colors below, and measure it. It should be about 6 inches square. If your motif is wider than 6 inches, go down a hook size. If it is narrower, go up a hook size.

Each motif is 5 rounds, and the blanket has 20 motifs, 4 across and 5 down. If your gauge is a little different, your motifs will be a little bigger or smaller, and the blanket will still look lovely, as long as every motif is the same size. For a smaller blanket, make 12 motifs instead of 20, for a baby blanket about 18 inches wide and 24 inches long. For a larger blanket, make 30 motifs, for a bed throw about 30 inches wide and 36 inches long.

Part 1: The Persian Tile Motif

Each motif is worked in the round, starting with a magic ring, and every round changes color. The flower center is saffron gold, the petals are terracotta, the lacy round is teal, and the square shaping rounds are cream and teal. Make all 20 motifs the same way, with the same color order, so the blanket looks calm and even.

Round 1: The Flower Center

With color C (saffron gold), make a magic ring.

• Round 1 (RS): ch 3 (counts as dc), work 15 dc into the ring, join with a sl st to the top of the ch 3. Pull the ring closed. (16 dc)

This first round is the heart of the flower, a neat circle of sixteen double crochet stitches in saffron gold. Pull the magic ring closed firmly, and weave the tail through the back of the stitches later.

Round 2: The Petals

Round 2 changes to color B (terracotta), and it builds eight petals around the gold center.

• Round 2: with color B, join with a sl st in any dc, ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in the same st, ch 2, skip 1 dc, (2 dc in the next dc, ch 2, skip 1 dc) 7 times, join with a sl st to the top of the ch 3. (8 petal groups, 8 chain 2 spaces)

After round 2, you should see eight pairs of double crochet with a chain 2 space between each pair. Count the petal groups now, because eight is the count that makes the motif square later.

Round 3: The Lace Round

Round 3 changes to color A (deep teal), and it works a lacy round of puff stitches into the chain spaces, which gives the tile its ornate, tiled look.

• Round 3: with color A, join with a sl st in any ch 2 sp, ch 2, puff in the same sp, ch 2, puff in the same sp, ch 1, (puff, ch 2, puff, ch 1) in each ch 2 sp around, join with a sl st to the top of the first puff. (16 puffs)

The puffs sit in pairs in each chain space, and the chain 1 between the pairs keeps the round open and lacy. Keep your puffs the same height by pulling each loop up to the same length.

Round 4: Squaring the Motif

Round 4 changes to color D (cream), and it turns the round flower into a square by working corners into four of the chain 1 spaces.

• Round 4: with color D, join with a sl st in any ch 1 sp, ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in the same sp, ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next ch 1 sp for the corner, ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch 1 sp, ch 1; rep from * 3 more times, join with a sl st to the top of the ch 3.

The pattern is simple: a corner of (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in every other space, and a plain group of 3 dc in the spaces between the corners. The four corners are what turn the circle into a square. Place a stitch marker in each corner chain 2 space.

Round 5: The Outer Edge

Round 5 changes back to color A (deep teal), and it finishes the motif with a neat outer edge that gives you a clean line to join on.

• Round 5: with color A, join with a sl st in any corner ch 2 sp, ch 3 (counts as dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same sp, 3 dc in each ch 1 sp around, working (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in each corner ch 2 sp, join with a sl st to the top of the ch 3. Fasten off color A, leaving a 6 inch tail for weaving in.

After round 5, the motif should measure about 6 inches square, with four clear corners and a flower center in gold and terracotta. If the motif curls up at the edges, your tension is too tight, and the next motif should be worked a little looser. Make 20 motifs the same way.

Part 2: Joining the Motifs

The joining is worked with a tapestry needle and cream yarn, using a simple whip stitch through the back loops only, which makes a nearly invisible seam on the front of the blanket. Lay the motifs out first, 4 across and 5 down, and check the layout before you sew.

Laying Out the Blanket

Lay all 20 motifs on a bed or a clean floor, right side up, in 5 rows of 4 motifs. Turn a few motifs a quarter turn if you like, so the flowers point in different directions, but keep the color order the same in every motif.

Whip Stitch Join

With color D (cream) and a tapestry needle, join the motifs in strips first, then join the strips together.

• Hold two motifs with right sides together, and whip stitch through the back loops only, one stitch in each stitch along the edge, from one corner to the next. Work loosely, so the seam does not pucker.
• Join the motifs into 5 strips of 4 motifs each, then join the strips together the same way, working from one side of the blanket to the other.

Whip stitch through the back loops only leaves a flat seam on the front. Work the seam loosely, because a tight seam pulls the motifs out of square. Our daisy granny square crochet pattern uses the same whip stitch join, and our easy granny square pattern shows the same strip method for a larger blanket.

Checking the Join

When all 20 motifs are joined, lay the blanket flat and measure it. It should be about 24 inches wide and 30 inches long before the border. If one strip is longer than the others, redo that seam. The border will hide small wobbles, but a straight join makes the border much easier to work.

Part 3: The Border and Finishing

The border is worked in rounds around all four sides of the blanket, starting from the top right corner. It hides the outer edges of the motifs.

Border

With color D (cream), join with a slip stitch in any corner, and do not turn. Work along the top edge first, then down the side, along the bottom, and up the other side.

• Round 1: ch 1, sc in each st across the top edge, working 3 sc in each corner st, sc evenly down the side edge, working 3 sc in each corner st, sc in each st across the bottom edge, working 3 sc in each corner st, sc evenly up the other side edge, working 3 sc in each corner st, join with a sl st to the first sc.
• Round 2: with color A (deep teal), ch 1, sc in each st around, working 3 sc in each corner st, join with a sl st to the first sc.
• Round 3: with color D (cream), ch 1, work a shell edge: skip 1 st, 5 dc in the next st, skip 1 st, sc in the next st, rep around, working 5 dc in each corner st, join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off.

The three rounds give the blanket a frame about 1 inch wide, with a scalloped shell edge in cream that echoes the flower centers. Our temperature blanket crochet pattern uses the same shell edge on a much larger blanket.

Finishing

Weave in every yarn end with a tapestry needle, working the tail through the back of several stitches in the same color, then trimming it close. There are many ends in a motif blanket, about four per motif. Block the blanket by laying it flat on a clean towel, misting it lightly with water, and gently shaping the corners into right angles. Let it dry flat, and do not stretch it hard, because the motifs can go rectangular.

To use it as a sofa throw, fold it in thirds and drape it over the back of the sofa, with the border showing. Our chevron crochet pattern makes a matching throw in the same size, and our crochet tapestry pattern makes a matching wall hanging in the same colors.

Variations: Colors, Sizes, and Uses

• Classic teal and cream: work the blanket in deep teal and cream only, with saffron gold centers.
• Jewel tone tiles: make the motifs in ruby, emerald, sapphire, and gold for a rich, jewel toned throw.
• Pastel tiles: make the motifs in blush pink, sage green, soft sky blue, and cream for a gentle nursery blanket.
• Single tile cushion: make two motifs the same way, and sew them together around three sides for a cushion cover, with a zip or buttons on the fourth side.
• Tile table runner: make 6 motifs in a single strip for a table runner about 6 inches wide and 36 inches long, with the same shell border.

Troubleshooting Motifs That Curl or Won't Sit Square

• My motifs curl up at the edges. Your tension is too tight, so go up a hook size for the next motif, and check that round 5 has a group of 3 dc in every chain space.
• My motifs are diamonds, not squares. Check that round 4 has exactly four corners, one in every other space, and place a stitch marker in each corner.
• My flower centers pull open. The magic ring was not closed firmly, so pull it closed hard before round 2, and weave the tail through the back of several stitches.
• My joining seams pucker. The whip stitch was worked too tightly, so pull the seam back and rejoin loosely, one stitch in each stitch along the edge.
• My blanket edges ripple after the border. Too many stitches were worked along the sides in round 1, so pull back the border and work fewer side stitches.

Care Instructions

Machine wash on a gentle cycle in cool water with a mild detergent, and lay flat to dry. If the yarn label says hand wash only, wash gently in cool water with a tiny amount of mild soap, press the water out without wringing, and lay flat on a clean towel to dry. Do not put the blanket in the dryer on high heat. Reshape the corners while it is damp, and keep it out of direct sunlight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this Persian tiles crochet pattern good for beginners?

Yes, it is a great first motif project. You need chains, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, and treble crochet, and every round ends with a stitch count. One blanket takes about 16 hours.

What yarn is best for a Persian tiles blanket?

Worsted weight yarn, because it works up quickly and the motifs hold their shape. Deep teal, terracotta, saffron gold, and cream give the classic look in the photos, but any four colors with strong contrast will read clearly as tiles.

How big is the finished blanket?

About 26 inches wide and 32 inches long after the border, in worsted weight yarn with a 5.0 mm hook. Each motif is about 6 inches square, and the blanket has 4 motifs across and 5 down.

How do I join the motifs?

With cream yarn and a tapestry needle, whip stitch through the back loops only, one stitch in each stitch along the edge. Join the motifs into 5 strips of 4, then join the strips together the same way.

How is this different from a mosaic crochet blanket?

A mosaic blanket is worked in rows with color changes, while this Persian tiles blanket is built from separate motifs that are joined together. The motif method makes the blanket portable, and it gives each tile a flower center that row colorwork cannot make.

Can I sell blankets made from this pattern?

Yes, you may sell finished blankets made from this free pattern, with credit to Little Loop Finds. Please do not sell or republish the pattern text itself.

Happy stitching, and may your little tiles bring the color of an old palace wall to whoever wraps up in them.