Would you like to learn how to crochet a granny square blanket?
Well, follow along with my free pattern and photo tutorial below to find out how you can make this pretty, brightly coloured baby blanket!
This crochet baby blanket was such fun to work up!
I found the pretty pastel shades very soothing and calming to work with.
And I always enjoy crocheting granny squares… I find the process of making them very relaxing, meditative even.
I chose to give this blanket the pretty Scottish name of Paisley. This name, meaning ‘church’, is hugely popular in Scotland and it’s related to the intricate paisley-print Indian fabric that’s also produced in Scotland.
OTHER CROCHET BABY ITEMS
If you’re making the Paisley baby blanket for a new arrival you might like to check out my other posts for the Bluebell Baby Bonnet and Freya the Frilly Romper
These free patterns on the blog are quick and easy to work up, and they would make wonderful gifts also.
YARN USED
I chose to work with Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran, a worsted weight yarn that is lovely and cosy yet lightweight at the same time.
This yarn will make the transition from summer to winter, and vice-versa, with no problem whatsoever.
Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran is a great choice for a baby blanket as it’s soft and snuggly and machine washes very well.
I decided to use very soft, muted colours but if you would like to change the colourway to something more bolder then this will not be a problem… Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran has an extensive colour range so there are many shades to choose from that will suit all tastes!
Ready to learn how to crochet this gorgeous granny square blanket? Let’s get to it then!
CROCHET GRANNY SQUARE BLANKET: A FREE PATTERN
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LEVEL
Easy (see details of project levels at the Craft Yarn Council).
MATERIALS
- Yarn: #4, worsted / aran / 10 ply. I used 7 skeins of Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran, 3.5oz / 201 yds (184m / 100g) in the following colours:
1 Skein of each colour:
Colour A: Banana Cream (220)
Colour B: Duck Egg Blue (235)
Colour C:Pale Lilac (245)
2 Skeins of the following colour:
Colour D: Candyfloss Pink (249)
Colour E: Champagne White (202)
- Crochet Hook: H (5mm)
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
GAUGE / TENSION
1 granny square measures 6 ½ inches (16.5cm)
FINISHED SIZE
31.5″ x 31.5″ (80cm x 80cm)
PATTERN NOTES
- US crochet terms used throughout.
- Granny square blanket is worked in rounds.
STITCHES AND ABBREVIATIONS (US CROCHET TERMS)
beg – beginning
ch(s) – chain(s)
dc – double crochet: Yarn over (yo), insert hook into stitch, yo, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Yo, pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). Yo, pull through remaining 2 loops. 1 double crochet completed.
fasten off – To fasten off securely, work one chain, then cut the yarn leaving a 5 – 6” tail. Pull the tail through the loop that is on your hook. Tighten gently.
sl st – slip stitch: Insert hook into stitch, yarn over (yo), pull up a loop, you will have 2 loops on your hook. Pull the first loop through the second loop. 1 slip stitch completed
sp – space
st(s) – stitch(es)
SPECIAL STITCHES
EXdc– Extended double crochet: Yarn over (yo), insert hook into st or sp, pull up a loop, 3 loops on hook, yo, pull through 1 loop (3 loops remain on hook), yo, pull through 2 loops (2 loops remain on hook), yo, pull through both loops. I EXdc made.
EXdctog – Extended double crochet together (photos below): Yarn over (yo), insert hook into st or sp, yo, pull up a loop, 3 loops on hook, yo, pull through 1 loop ( 3 loops left on hook), yo, pull through 2 loops (2 loops left on hook). Yo, insert hook into next st or sp, yo, pull up a loop, 4 loops on hook, yo, pull through 1 loop (4 loops left on hook), yo, pull through 2 loops (3 loops left on hook), yo, pull through all 3 loops. 1EXdctog made.
picot stitch – ch3 in ch1 sp, sl st into same st (at base of ch3).
shell stitch – 6dc in ch1 sp.
PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS
For the Paisley baby blanket you will need to crochet 20 squares of the Sunburst Granny Square (click on the link to be taken to the step-by-step photo tutorial).
Make the following Sunburst granny squares:
Square A: 4 squares
Round 1 – colour A
Round 2 – colour D
Round 3 – colour B
Round 4 – colour E
Round 5 – colour D
Square B: 4 squares
Round 1 – colour A
Round 2 – colour B
Round 3 – colour D
Round 4 – colour E
Round 5 – colour B
Square C: 4 squares
Round 1 – colour A
Round 2 – colour C
Round 3 – colour D
Round 4 – colour E
Round 5 – colour C
Square D: 4 squares
Round 1 – colour A
Round 2 – colour D
Round 3 – colour C
Round 4 – colour E
Round 5 – colour D
ARRANGEMENT OF CROCHET GRANNY SQUARE BLANKET
Below is a diagram showing you how I decided to arrange my granny squares:
This is just a guide… feel free to arrange the squares to your liking!
JOINING CROCHET GRANNY SQUARES
For this crochet pattern, I used my favourite way of joining granny squares…the flat slip stitch seam.
Join the squares using your preferred method of joining or visit my tutorial for the flat slip stitch seam for detailed step-by-step photos of the process.
GRANNY SQUARE BORDER
You will now finish your blanket off with a border consisting of 5 simple rounds.
Round 1. With colour D, attach your yarn to any ch2 corner space at the edge of your blanket:
Ch3 (counts as your first st), 2dc in same ch2 sp, ch1.
Work (3dc, ch1) in between each group of 3dc from the previous round until you get to the next ch2 corner sp at the flat slip stitch seam (or whichever seam you have opted to do):
When you arrive at the first seam of your blanket, work 1EXdc in the ch2 corner space:
You will now work 1EXdctog over the next two ch2 corner sp, as follows:
Working 1EXdc over both ch2 corner spaces at the seam ensures that your baby blanket will lay flat.
Now work 1EXdc, ch1 in the same ch2 corner space:
As you work around your blanket, you will work this sequence of stitches at each blanket seam.
Continue working (3dc, ch1) in between each group of 3dc from the previous round.
In the 4 corners of the blanket, work (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in the ch2 corner spaces:
When you get back around to the beginning of the round, work (3dc, ch2) in the first ch2 corner space. Sl st to the top of the beginning ch3 to join.
Cut yarn, fasten off and weave in ends.
Round 2. With colour E, attach your yarn to any ch2 corner space.
Repeat round 1.
Note: When you arrive at the seams with the 1EXdctog stitch, you will work 3dc in the ch1 spaces as normal:
Cut yarn, fasten off and weave in ends.
Round 3. With colour B, attach your yarn to any ch2 corner space.
Repeat round 2.
Cut yarn, fasten off and weave in ends.
Round 4. With colour E, attach your yarn to any ch2 corner space.
Repeat round 2.
Cut yarn, fasten off and weave in ends.
Round 5. In the final round, you will work a Shell and Picot border.
Note that instead of working around the ch1 or ch2 spaces, you will be working your stitches through both loops of the chain spaces.
With colour E attach your yarn through both loops of any ch in the ch2 corner space (it doesn’t matter which of the two chains you pick to begin the round):
Ch3 (counts as your first stitch), 2dc in same ch2 sp, ch1:
Sl st in next ch1 sp (remember to go through both loops of the ch1 sp):
You will now work a picot stitch:
Ch3:
Sl st back in to the same ch1 sp:
You have just made your first picot stitch.
Next up you will work a shell stitch.
Work 6dc in the next ch1 sp:
You have just made your first shell stitch.
Continue alternating a picot stitch with a shell stitch until you arrive at the corners of your blanket, work (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in the ch2 corner spaces.
When you reach the beginning of the round, work (3dc, ch2) in the first ch2 space of the round. Sl st or make an invisible join to the top of the beginning ch3 to join.
And that’s it! Your crochet granny square blanket is all completed now 😍
I hope you found the tutorial helpful… leave me a comment below!
Remember to pin this pattern to your board for later if you can’t make it now 😊
And as always, I would really like to see your photos of the Paisley baby blanket (work-in-progress or finished items) – you can tag me on Instagram using @maisieandruth.
Happy crocheting!
