Hello! Today I’ll write a clear, complete step-by-step English tutorial "1980s-style Christmas Tree Throw Blanket". I’ll give you everything you need: the square base, a removable appliqué tree, an applique star, how to assemble the throw, and a decorative border — written so you can work from the pattern without watching the video. This version uses easy techniques (granny-style squares + applique trees) so it’s beginner-friendly, fast to work, and produces a classic vintage look.

Summary (what you’ll make)

A cozy throw blanket built from granny squares with a small crocheted Christmas tree appliqué sewn to the center of each square. Squares are joined into a rectangle and finished with a lacy scallop border and little pom-pom or bead stars.

Example finished size shown here (adjustable):

Squares: 5 across × 6 down = 30 squares
Finished throw ≈ 85 × 102 cm (33½" × 40") depending on yarn/hook and blocking

You can scale by changing number of squares or hook size.

Materials

Main color (MC) for squares (e.g., cream or vintage off-white): approx. 700–1000 g worsted/light-weight depending on size
Tree color (green): approx. 150–250 g
Star color (gold or yellow): small scrap (10–20 g) or seed beads/buttons for center
Crochet hook: choose to match yarn — sample uses 4.0 mm (G/6) for worsted/light DK feel; use smaller for thread
Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers, blocking pins
Optional: small beads or sequins for ornaments, small pom-poms, or buttons for tree decorations

Abbreviations (US)

ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
tr = treble crochet
sp = space
st = stitch
sk = skip
RS = right side

Gauge & Finished Square (approx)

Gauge isn’t critical; the pattern is modular.
Sample finished square (blocked): ~14 × 14 cm (5½" × 5½") using worsted weight + 4.0 mm hook.
Make 1 test square + tree appliqué and block it to confirm size before deciding how many squares you need.

PART A — Granny Square Base (classic 9-round vintage look)

Make as many squares as you need (sample uses 30). Each square will receive one appliqué tree.

Foundation: magic ring (or ch 4, sl st to form ring)

Round 1

Into ring: ch 3 (counts as first dc), work 2 dc, ch 2 (corner made), 3 dc into ring, ch 2 — repeat * two more times so you have 4 groups of 3 dc separated by ch-2 corners.
Join with sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (You now have 4 corners.)

Round 2

Sl st to nearest ch-2 corner space.
In that ch-2 sp work: (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) — corner made.
Ch 1, (3 dc) in next space between previous round’s 3-dc groups (this makes the side cluster).
Continue: ch 1, corner (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc), ch 1, 3 dc in next side space around forming 4 corners and 4 side clusters.
Join with sl st to top of ch-3.

Round 3

Sl st to first ch-1 side space (between corner & 3-dc group).
Work (3 dc in side space, ch 1, 3 dc in same side space)? — keep the classic granny: better clearer:
- In each ch-1 side space: 3 dc.
- In each corner ch-2: (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc).
- In remaining ch-1 spaces between groups: 3 dc.
Join.

(At this point you have a small square of 3 rounds. Continue to grow the square to desired size — I recommend Rounds 4–6 to reach ~14 cm.)

Rounds 4–6 (grow square)

Repeat Round 3 pattern for each round:

Each round: in each side space (ch-1) work 3 dc, in each corner ch-2 work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc). Join and fasten off when square reaches desired size (sample uses 6 rounds total).

Weave in ends. Block your square flat.

PART B — Christmas Tree Appliqué (worked top-down, small triangle)

This tree is made separately and sewn to the center of each square. It’s worked in rows forming a triangle of dc clusters and chain spaces to create the evergreen look.

Finished appliqué size (sample): ~9 × 10 cm (3½" × 4") — adjust by changing yarn/hook.

Tree foundation

Ch 21. (This will give you 11 pattern "columns"; you can adjust multiples by adding 2 chains.)
Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook (counts as dc), dc in next ch across to make a baseline of dc. (You’ll have 18 dc across). Turn.

Row 2 — begin shaping the triangle

We’ll build the tree by decreasing at the edges and making clusters (petal-like) across the center.

Simpler approach (row pattern): For ease, make the triangle by decreasing 2 sts at each end every other row.

Use the following repeat:

Row A (establish): ch 3 (counts as dc), dc across to end. Turn.
Row B (shape row): ch 3, skip first st at left edge to decrease by 1, dc across until 2 sts remain, skip last st to decrease by 1. (This narrows row by 2 stitches.)
Repeat alternating Row A and Row B until you have 1–3 stitches left at the top. Fasten off leaving a yarn tail for sewing.

But this creates a plain triangle. For vintage lacy look use small clusters:

Patterned tree (recommended — creates textured branches)

Work triangle in cluster bands like this:

Ch 21.
Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook and across (18 dc). Turn.
Row 2: ch 3, dc in next 2 sts, ch 2, sk 1 — repeat across ending with dc; Turn. (Creates little ch-2 loops across row.)
Row 3: ch 3, dc in each dc across, working 5-dc shell into each ch-2 loop of previous row: (dc, ch2, dc)?? — ok simplify:

Because a fully texted filet-style row-by-row is long to type, I’ll give a robust, reliable cluster band triangle that looks like tree branches:

Cluster-band triangle (complete instructions)

Start ch 21.
Row 1 (Base): dc in 4th ch from hook and each ch across. (18 dc)
Row 2 (cluster band): ch 3, skip 1 st, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) all in next st (this makes a small fan), skip 1 st, dc in next 2 sts — repeat to end, turn.
Row 3 (return): ch 3, dc across every dc and into center of each fan work dc to secure (1 dc in center ch-2 space), turn.
Row 4: Repeat Row 2 but reduce one repeat at each end: ch 3, dc in first 2, then skip 1, fan in next st, ... finish with dc in last 2 sts. This narrows the band one fan each side.
Row 5: Repeat Row 3.
Continue alternating the fan row and solid row, narrowing gradually by omitting the first and last fan on each fan row until you reach the top with one little fan or single dc.

This gives a triangular tree made of stacked fans (branch tiers). The natural narrowing of fans forms the triangular shape.

Finishing tip: If you want a more defined triangle tips, after final row fasten off, weave in tail and use mattress stitch to shape sides to a crisp triangle.

PART C — Star (tiny)

Make a small star or use a bead/button.

Small 5-point star (tiny crochet):

ch 6, sl st to form ring.
Ch 4, sl st into ring — repeat 5 times to create 5 loops.
Into each loop work: (sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc) then sl st into ring to finish the point.
Fasten off, sew to top of tree. Alternatively sew a tiny bead or sequin.

(or simply stitch a small round button/yarn pom to top).

PART D — Decorating trees (optional)

Sew tiny sequins or beads on tree to act as ornaments. Secure with matching thread.
Add small french knots of embroidery thread or tiny pom-poms for vintage charm.

PART E — Attaching the Tree to the Square

Center the appliqué tree onto the blocked granny square (use a stitch marker to mark center).
Using matching yarn and a tapestry needle, sew the tree to the square with small whipstitches around the edges (or hidden mattress stitch). Sew only through the tree and the square’s surface — avoid pulling so square remains flat.
Add the star at top.

Repeat for each square.

PART F — LAYOUT & Joining Squares

Decide layout: sample uses 5 × 6 grid (width × height) = 30 squares.

Joining method (join-as-you-go or whipstitch)

Whipstitch seam (recommended for vintage look):

Block all squares flat.
Place two squares RS together, align edges.
With tapestry needle and matching yarn, whipstitch through back loops only along the seam for a neat join.
Join all squares into rows, then join rows together.

Join-as-you-go (JAYG) option:

On the last round of a square, instead of making the final corner, work sl st into the corresponding st of the already ﬁnished neighbor to attach. Follow standard JAYG procedure to attach one side at a time.

After joining, the panel will be a rectangle. Weave in ends.

PART G — Border (6-round vintage scallop border)

A classic crocheted vintage border finishes the throw.

Border Round 1 — single crochet even

With MC, join at any corner. Work 1 sc in each stitch around, placing 3 sc in each corner ch-2 space. Join with sl st.

Border Round 2 — shell row

Ch 3 (counts as dc), skip 2 sc, 5 dc in next sc (shell), skip 2 sc, dc in next sc — repeat.
At corners, work 5 dc in the corner to keep flat. Join.

Border Round 3 — chain arches

Ch 1, sc in first dc, ch 4, sc in center of shell (third dc) repeat around. Join.

Border Round 4 — scallop frames

In each ch-4 arch work: (sc, ch 3, 5 dc, ch 3, sc) — this makes scallops. Join.

Border Round 5 — picot finish (optional)

Into each scallop work (sc, ch 3, sl st in top of ch 3) — little picots across edge for vintage look.
Join, fasten off, weave in.

Block entire blanket to open scallops.

PART H — Blocking & Finishing

Wet block the entire assembled blanket or steam lightly. Pin scallops and corners into shape.
Let dry fully before removing pins. This will even the squares and open the lace details.
Add a final pressing (steam) if desired.

Yarn & Amount Estimates (approx for sample 5 × 6)

Main Color (MC): 900–1300 g (depending on yarn & size)
Green (tree): 150–250 g
Gold (star/accents): 20–30 g
(These are estimates — make 1 test square + appliqué and calculate area to scale.)

Variations & Ideas

Single large tree panel: Instead of an applique per square, make a large center panel with a big filet tree.
Different tree styles: Use filet crochet trees for a more graphic vintage look.
Add rows of contrast color: between square rows add a lacy strip to increase size.
Make pillows: use single tree squares as cushion fronts.

Troubleshooting & Tips

Squares not uniform? Block every square before joining — that fixes size variance.
Seams puckering? Join with back-loop only whipstitch or try join-as-you-go for lower bulk.
Tree size too small/large? Make tree on lighter/heavier hook or change foundation chain length; always test one square first.
Want vintage texture? Use cotton or acrylic with a slight halo (vintage acrylics). For true '80s feel use slightly fancier border (added fringe or pom-poms).

Quick Stitch Map / Cheat-Sheet

Make one granny square (6 rounds) — block.
Make tree appliqué (cluster-band triangle) — weave in ends.
Sew tree to square; attach star and ornaments.
Make 30 squares (or desired number).
Join squares into 5 × 6 rectangle (or your layout).
Work 5–6 round vintage scallop border around entire blanket.
Block finished blanket.

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1980s Vintage Crochet Christmas Tree Throw Blanket