Today I’m reviewing Fruit Garden CAL which is a stunning blanket designed by Jane Crowfoot. This particular project was released in 2020, but it remains one of the most popular among crocheters.
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A few words on crochet Fruit Garden Blanket
When designing this blanket, Jane Crowfoot took inspiration from the artworks of English artisan and embroidery designer May Morris.
The blanket combines floral squares and rectangle motifs, tied together with ornamental edging. The modular nature of the blanket makes it easy to work on. You join all the pieces together in the last stage of the work. You can also use the squares to make other projects, such as pillows!
What is a CAL?
This kind of project is released in parts over a period of time, such as a month or two. That’s because it usually is big, or incorporates many different elements.
Crocheters who joined CAL, are working simultaneously on their projects week by week – they crochet along. They also share their progress and solve problems in dedicated groups – clever!
- photo by Jane Crowfoot on janiecrow.com
Is CAL a kind of project for me?
It definitely is, if…
- you are a fan of long-term intricate crochet projects,
- you are easily bored with repeatable patterns,
- having other crocheters working alongside you will motivate you to keep going.
It’s not, if…
- you want to see the final result quickly
- your schedule does not allow for regular crocheting. Of course, you can do it in your own timeframe if you won’t be frustrated for not keeping up
- you are a total beginner, or you are not ready to spend time learning new techniques
What do I need to make this blanket?
As with any other project, you need to download the pattern (which is massive!) and buy the yarn supplies. If you are feeling creative, you can make your own color combination, but there’s another solution. There are four color schemes available as the yarn packs you can buy.
Where can I find this pattern?
This CAL is available for free on stylecraft-yarns.co.uk, where you can download all parts in PDF format. There are patterns written in UK terms and in US terms, so make sure you’re downloading the right one for you. You can also read more about the project on janiecrow.com, or purchase a yarn kit of Stylecraft Special DK from Jane’s shop.
The pattern consists of many parts, so to make things easier, Jane created a book with step-by-step instructions. You can purchase it through janiecrow.com/store. For those of you who use crafters’ social media, you can learn more about the project on ravelry.com.
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Crochet roundup
There are so many amazing projects based on this pattern, and crocheters come up with new ideas every day. These examples show how versatile this project can be. Look how many beautiful versions you can make by simply changing the colors.
Please note that all of the projects below are versions of the original free crochet pattern by Jane Crowfoot. All the relevant links are provided in the first part of the article.
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Vibrant Tones
Fruit Garden Pink & Silver by Little Paws Crochet
If you want to make pink less girly, pair it with silver. As you can see, this combination is truly spectacular. It makes the flowers pop, but at the same time tones them all down. Crocheter behind Little Paws Crochet created three or four of these blankets – all of them stunning!
- photos by Little Paws Crochet on instagram.com (top photo) and ravelry.com (bottom photo)
This project is a version of a free pattern by Jane Crowfoot. You will find all the links you need in the first part of this article.
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Fruit Garden Throw Blanket by amyynoelle
Amy’s version looks like taken out of a fairyland, thanks to all the vibrant colors she used. Pinks, blues, and greens are rich like the freshest spring flowers. We can see that the colors of each element were carefully thought through, and that’s why it creates such breathtaking palette.
- photos by amyynoelle on ravelry.com
This project is a version of a free pattern by Jane Crowfoot. You will find all the links you need in the first part of this article.
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Fruit Garden Crochet Blanket Version by maripositan
The peachy tones of Maripositan’s version are nicely balanced with a delicate blue-green hue. It looks almost as if the flowers are floating in a pond. This version shows us yet another way to combine warm and cold hues.
- photos by @maripositan on instagram.com
This project is a version of a free pattern by Jane Crowfoot. You will find all the links you need in the first part of this article.
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Gratitude Fruit Garden CAL Version by Adri Smit
Warm and cold tones go together very well, creating a nicely balanced colorway! In the photos, you can see how Adri used blue hues as a background. She incorporated reds and pinks in the flower motifs to make them pop.
- photos by adrismit on ravelry.com
This project is a version of a free pattern by Jane Crowfoot. You will find all the links you need in the first part of this article.
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Lily Secret Fruit Garden Version by lilyteolc
Stonewashed yarns are a fantastic choice for this project, because they play nicely with victorian vibe of the lacework. As you can see below, Lily is great with colors. She knows that each square will benefit from two or three hues stronger than the background.
- photos by lilyteolc on ravelry.com
This project is a version of a free pattern by Jane Crowfoot. You will find all the links you need in the first part of this article.
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Fruit Garden CAL Version by Bokkyshome
Crocheter called Bokkyshome created a true vibrant spring garden, combining blues, pinks and greens. A masterpiece like this calls for proper exposure, so put it on the wall instead of leaving it on the couch!
- photos by Bokkyshome on ravelry.com
This project is a version of a free pattern by Jane Crowfoot. You will find all the links you need in the first part of this article.
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Fruit Garden CAL Version by Sinem Büyükdağ
Rectangular piece called Acanthus took its name from ornamental leaf decoration, and it’s beautifully recreated in crochet! Sinem chose very unusual colors for their blanket, but the final effect is very eye-catching. Take a look at it below and let me know in the comments if you like it or not!
- photos by @sinembuyukdag on Instagram: top, bottom
This project is a version of a free pattern by Jane Crowfoot. You will find all the links you need in the first part of this article.
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Light and Delicate
Acanthus Wall Hanging Version by Hello Miss Maker
I’m in love with this colorway by Hello Miss Maker, because it’s subtle like spring flowers! All she chose to make from this big project was the Acanthus rectangle, and I can totally understand it.
Why? Because this lacy piece alone is so intricate and beautiful, that it will be a stunning wall decoration. Take a look at the photo and see for yourself!
- photos by hellomissmaker on ravelry.com
This project is a version of a free pattern by Jane Crowfoot. You will find all the links you need in the first part of this article.
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Fruit Garden Blanket Version by mybabyhandmade
Colorful flowers, white background, and contrasting join – that’s the recipe for a beautiful blanket. The crocheter behind mybabyhandmade created a version that is both colorful and classic. I can see it in a minimalist’s home, but also as a bedspread in a colorful bedroom.
- photos by @mybabyhandmade on Instagram: top, bottom
This project is a version of a free pattern by Jane Crowfoot. You will find all the links you need in the first part of this article.
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Cherry’s Fruit Garden CAL Version
Remember, the only limit is your imagination. Feel free to mix and match the pieces of this project however you like. Cherry decided to go for white and beige squares and arranged them like a chessboard – isn’t it fun?
- photos by chverry on ravelry.com
This project is a version of a free pattern by Jane Crowfoot. You will find all the links you need in the first part of this article.
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Light Fruit Garden CAL Version by Adri Smit
I still can’t believe Adri made not one, but TWO of these blankets… But they are so different from one another! This light cream version has original yellow border with dark blue Acanthus motifs. Light green adds to the spring-like feel of the floral blanket.
- photos by adrismit on ravelry.com
This project is a version of a free pattern by Jane Crowfoot. You will find all the links you need in the first part of this article.
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Dark Hues
Fruit Garden CAL Version by Simabaft
This elegant version by Simabaft combines dark and light colors in a balanced way. As you can see below, the white center is the perfect background for red and yellow flowers. Natural lifelike hues make this blanket look very sophisticated and it will fit any interior.
- photos by simabaft on instagram.com
This project is a version of a free pattern by Jane Crowfoot. You will find all the links you need in the first part of this article.
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Fruit Garden CAL Version by Berna Yurtsever
I have a feeling that this colorway fits just perfectly with this Victorian pattern, because it’s mysterious, sophisticated and elegant! Black background of the central square looks like a bed of water at night, with red flowers drifting on top. Berna created a true masterpiece!
- photos by @bernasshandmade on Instagram: source
This project is a version of a free pattern by Jane Crowfoot. You will find all the links you need in the first part of this article.
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Fruit Garden CAL Version by Diana Phillips
Diana decided to go for contrasts and it works amazingly well here, so take a look at the picture now! Black center doesn’t feel heavy, because it’s balanced with light border, full of soft tones. See the beauty of Diana’s version in the photos below.
This project is a version of a free pattern by Jane Crowfoot. You will find all the links you need in the first part of this article.
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Fruit Garden CAL Version by mvb2303
Crocheter behind mvb2303 chose Night and Dusk colorway, which is one of the four official colorways for this project. It means that you can buy the kit and follow the exact recipe! It’s a fantastic way for all of you, who don’t feel confident choosing the hues for such big project.
- photos by mvb2303 on ravelry.com
This project is a version of a free pattern by Jane Crowfoot. You will find all the links you need in the first part of this article.
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these are truly works of art. They are inspiring to get back into crochet which I haven’t done in years but now that I am over 65 it’s time once again.
Absolutely gorgeous! I am an intermediate crocheter and I can really appreciate the time and skill that went into these. Just lovely!
Acanthus, I absolutely 1000% love the rectangle pieces, I would do anything to learn how to organize calor like the artists in this article. People need to realized that crocheteers are artists just like those who paint with oils or acrylics. I am a painter, seamstress, but I donot have the skills of combining colors like these remarkable artists, Thanks for.
sharing their beautiful works of Art
Thank You for the beautiful comment! I agree 100% – crocheters, seamstresses, and other people making things with fiber are true artists. You may like my article called How to Choose the Best Colors for Your Project!
What you have said here completely echoes my thoughts exactly. I couldn’t have written it better myself. I choose colours that I think are good but when I use them, they don’t turn out as I thought.
Thank you for showing us all these variations of Janie Crowfoots beautiful Fruit Garden Cal. Just love the Love is Enough variation and the beautiful dark charcoals and reds and also the light cream and pastel block. Do you perhaps know if this has been developed further. It is so pretty! I would love to make all three but just cannot decide which one to start with and where to get the alternate colour charts. Are these available somewhere? Thank you. Debbie M
hi Debbie! Sorry, but I don’t know. The yarn and color info for the Love is Enough is listed in the pdf, but I don’t know about the others.
Absolutely beautiful works of art – such inspiration, I am full of admiration x
I wanted to try to make a piece of it but a downloaded pdf looks just like a broken file, what can be the reason?
hi Galia, did you download it from stylecraft-yarns.co.uk? I linked it in the first part of the article. If so, and the file is broken still, please contact them or Jane Crowfoot, as she is the author of this pattern.
You can’t believe Adri made two of them? I made 11 of them! Everyone kept asking for one! What could I say? ❤️❤️
wow, Tamara! what an achievement! Bet they are all beautiful 🙂
I would love some help from one of the amazing crochet experts here! I’m up to Part 4, Purple Aster round 8 and can’t seem to get my four stems for the leaves. Have worked on this with no trouble up until this point.
Any help would be appreciated.
Hi Moira! I’m not entirely familiar with this pattern, so maybe You should reach out to the author? 🙂 I’m sure someone in a big facebook group about crochet would be able to help out too!