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When I first started dreaming up this design, the idea of a fairytale castle came to me immediately. I was inspired not by glittering ballgowns or animated musicals (of a very famous film company), but by the stories I loved as a child – tales of brave knights, fire-breathing dragons, enchanted forests, and the legendary King Arthur. I wanted to capture the magic of those timeless adventures in yarn, and a castle felt like the perfect symbol of that world.
The Once Upon a Castle blanket is a filet crochet design worked in cosy aran weight yarn, featuring a fairytale-style castle. It’s designed to spark the imagination – ideal for a child’s bedroom, a storytime corner, or anyone who holds a love for fantasy and folklore. If you’re creating it for a little dreamer, a medieval history buff, this blanket is sure to be a win.
This design was created for a special collaborative make along – a wonderful community event that I’ll tell you more about further down the post!
1. Spiral staircases were a defense feature.
Many castles had spiral staircases that wound clockwise. This gave right-handed defenders the advantage when fighting off intruders coming up the stairs, who would find it harder to swing their swords in the tight space.
2. Castles had murder holes – yes, really!
Some castles featured “murder holes” above the entrances. These weren’t as gruesome as they sound – they were used to pour boiling oil, hot sand, or even rocks onto invaders trying to breach the gate!
3. The largest castle in the world is still in use today.
Windsor Castle in England holds the title of the largest inhabited castle. It’s been a royal residence for over 900 years and is still used by the British monarchy today.
4. Castles weren’t always grey stone.
While we often picture castles as grey and weathered, many were originally painted in bright colours or decorated with banners and tapestries. They were as much about showing off power and wealth as they were about defense.
5. Some castles had their own mini villages inside.
Larger castles often had everything they needed to function independently, including bakeries, blacksmiths, chapels, stables, and even gardens or orchards. They were self-contained communities built for survival during long sieges.
If you’ve never tried filet crochet before, you’re in for a treat! Filet is a wonderfully beginner-friendly technique that uses just a few basic stitches – typically chains and doubles (US terms) – to create open and filled squares. These simple building blocks come together to form beautiful pictures, patterns, and motifs, like the castle in this design.
One of the things I love most about filet is how quickly it starts to take shape. It’s easy to follow once you get into the rhythm, and perfect for those who enjoy watching a picture slowly emerge as they crochet. It’s also quite relaxing, as there’s no colour changing or complicated stitch combinations to keep track of – just a lovely balance of open mesh and solid areas.
A quick tip if you’re new to filet: even when you skip over stitches to make the open mesh (those airy little spaces), you’ll be working into those same skipped stitches on the following row. So don’t worry – they aren’t forgotten! This makes the technique feel structured and satisfying, and ensures your design stays crisp and even.
Whether this is the next step on your crochet journey or you’re simply looking for a relaxing project, this is the perfect time to give filet crochet a try. You’re sure to fall in love with it!
What is included?
Written instructions (in US and UK terms).
Graphical version of the design.
Large print option.
If you love filet crochet, check out these patterns too! Click a photo for more information.
The Cosy Blanket Club is where blanket lovers come together to crochet, chat, and enjoy new designs at a relaxed pace. If you’re craving a cosy community alongside your stitching, you might love it there.
You may find these video tutorials handy when crocheting your Once Upon a Castle blanket:
Materials
My sample photographed above was crocheted using Stylecraft Special Aran:
Silver (main colour) – apx. 1054m/1151 yds
Graphite (border colour) – apx. 327m/357 yds
Crochet hook size – 5mm/H-8.
Stitch markers (optional).
Row counter (optional).
Some alternative yarn suggestions:
Difficulty Level
Beginner.
Gauge
A 10cm (4 inch) square requires 7 rows of 12dc.
The final blanket is apx. 111 by 127cm (44 by 50 inches) – excluding the border.
The following has been added as per the new General Product Safety Regulation update December 2024, from the EU Commission.
Safety Disclaimer for Crochet Patterns
Crocheting blankets, accessories, garments, decor, or other crochet products is a fun and rewarding craft. However, it’s essential to follow every step of the pattern carefully to ensure that the finished product is both functional and safe. Please note that, as with any handmade item, there are inherent risks when recreating these patterns. By following all instructions closely and taking appropriate safety measures, you can minimize potential hazards.
Safety with Young Children, Animals, and Adults
Always use child- and pet-safe materials when creating items for children or pets, particularly for toys, blankets, or any item likely to be chewed, pulled, or handled roughly.
Ensure the final product is properly constructed, with securely fastened joins and woven-in ends, to prevent unravelling or loose threads that could pose a choking or entanglement hazard.
For small embellishments such as buttons or beads, avoid their use on items intended for children under three years old or pets, as these can present choking hazards.
Blanket Safety for Babies
Temperature Regulation: Babies are not as effective at regulating their temperature, and overheating increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). When creating blankets for babies, consider the yarn’s warmth and breathability to ensure it is suitable for the intended environment.
Safe Sleeping Guidance: Blankets should be tucked no higher than the baby’s shoulders, and their feet should be placed at the end of the crib or bed. This minimizes the risk of the baby’s face becoming covered by loose bedding.
For further advice, refer to the safe sleeping guidelines provided by The Lullaby Trust.
Handling Tools Safely
When working with sharp tools such as scissors, sewing needles, or crochet hooks, handle them carefully and keep them out of reach of children and pets.
Accidental cuts or injuries can occur if tools are not used properly. Always store tools safely when not in use, ensuring they are secured in a suitable storage container or area.
Important Note
By purchasing and using this pattern, you acknowledge that you are responsible for the construction, use, and safety of the completed item. I am not liable for any accidents, injuries, or damages caused by the finished product or the tools used during its creation. This includes, but is not limited to, blankets, accessories, garments, decor items, or other crochet creations, whether for children, adults, or animals.
Elimee Designs EU/NI Representative
Ciara Doyle, C15 Y5F9, Ireland
Elimee Designs (Designer)
N. Griffiths, 435, LE10 0NF, England.
©2025 Elimee Designs. All rights reserved.
You may sell the items that you crochet by following this pattern on a small scale provided that you credit Elimee Designs as the designer. Mass production is not permitted. This pattern or any of its parts may not be altered, reproduced, distributed, sold, made into a video tutorial, or translated without written permission from Elimee Designs. Copies can be made for personal use only.
Please note that all written patterns from Elimee Designs are non-refundable.
If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the Christmas Pudding pattern please feel free to contact us via [email protected] or our Elimee Designs Crochet Pattern group on Facebook.
Please use the hashtag #onceuponacastleblanket or #elimeedesigns, or tag me (@elimee_designs on Instagram or @elimeedesigns on Facebook) so that I can see your finished blanket too, and show it some much deserved love!
A MASSIVE thank you to Tamara, Bernie, Vanessa, Kristen, Pam, and Cindy, for helping me to perfect this pattern!
If you’d like to be notified when our next pattern goes into testing simply sign up below, or click HERE to learn more about becoming a crochet pattern tester.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little glimpse into the inspiration behind Once Upon a Castle. Designing this blanket took me right back to childhood dreams of enchanted kingdoms and brave adventures — and I can’t wait to see how it comes to life in your hands.
Whether you’re here for the patterns, the community, or just a little crochet magic — you are so welcome.
Let the adventure begin! 🏰✨
