This project was inspired by a patchwork quilt design, and I wanted to try and replicate the quilt feel with crochet Granny Squares.
This project is made using double knit yarn (I used Stylecraft Special DK) in 10 different colours. There are two different size of Granny Squares to make, two different size of half Granny Squares and some quarter Granny Squares too. I joined the pieces whilst working the final round on each motif using the join-as-you method.
Materials
| Crochet Hook: | 4mm or size needed to achieve gauge |
| Yarn: | DK weight yarn in ten colours, 295m for each of eight colours (C-J), 590m in a nineth colour (B) and 1180m of a joining colour (A). The sample uses Stylecraft Special DK (100% Acrylic) in: Cream (A) – (400g/1180m), Raspberry (B) – (200g/590m) Grey (C) – (100g/295m), Duck Egg (D) – (100g/295m), Toy (E) – (100g/295m) Grape (F) – (100g/295m) Parma Violet (G) – (100g/295m) Mushroom (H) – (100g/295m) Blush (I) – (100g/295m) Wisteria (J) – (100g/295m) You can purchase this yarn here. |
| Notions: | Scissors Needle to weave in ends |
| Finished size: | Approximately 130cm x 130cm |
| Skill Level: | Suitable for beginners |
| Gauge: | 4 rounds in pattern = 8.5cm x 8.5cm, adjust hook size as necessary Gauge is not critical for this project, but may affect yarn quantities |
Abbreviations/Crochet terminology:
UK terms are used throughout.
ss slip stitch
tr treble crochet
htc half treble crochet
dc double crochet
ch chain
beg-ch beginning chain
*to* instructions between asterisks will be repeated as specified
Stitch Guide/Conversion Guide
| UK term | UK abbreviation | US term | US Abbreviation | Description |
| Treble Crochet | tr | Double Crochet | dc | Yarn over hook. Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch (3 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull through two loops (2 loops on hook), yarn over pull through remaining two loops to leave 1 loop on the hook |
| Half Treble Crochet | htc | Half Double Crochet | hdc | Yarn over hook. Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch (3 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull through remaining three loops to leave 1 loop on the hook |
| Double Crochet | dc | Single Crochet | sc | Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch (2 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull through remaining two loops to leave 1 loop on the hook |
| Slip Stitch | ss | Slip Stitch | ss | Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch and through loop |
| Chain | ch | Chain | ch | Yarn over hook, pull through loop |
Instructions
The pattern is based on the traditional Granny Square. There are two different sizes of Granny Squares to make (small and large). The Granny Squares are rotated in the blanket so that the corners are pointing in the north, south, east and west positions. This means that there are also some Half Granny Squares (small and large) and Quarter Granny Squares to make. The diagram below show you how this works.
| Pieces to make | Number to Make |
| Large Granny square (9 rounds, make sure 9th round is not in yarn colour A – cream in the sample) | 13 |
| Small Granny Square (4 rounds) –not yarn A (cream) for the 4th round –not yarn B (raspberry) for the 4th round | Total = 84 72 12 |
| Quarter Large Granny Square (9 rounds – not ending in yarn A – cream) | 4 |
| Half Large Granny Square (9 rounds – not ending in yarn A – cream) | 8 |
| Half Small Granny Square (4 rounds – not ending in yarn B – raspberry) | 12 |
Notes on the Granny Squares
The Granny Square uses groups of treble crochet to form ‘treble clusters’. It is a really simple technique and suitable for a beginner. There are many different ways to make a Granny Square – this pattern has one chain stitch in each corner. The pattern also suggests you turn the work over after each round, and to start a new colour in a different corner each time – I find this helps to keep the square even and it also makes the work reversible. The half and quarter granny squares are also worked using these same principles.
In this project all of the pieces are joined together using the join-as-you-go method, whilst working the final round on each piece.
Small Granny Squares and the Small Half Granny Squares have a total of 5 rounds, including the join-as-you-go round, so in the first instance these need to made up to the 4th round and the 5th round will be added later when you join.
Large Granny Squares, Large Half Granny Squares, and the Quarter Granny Squares have a total of 10 rounds, including the join-as-you-go round, so in the first instance these need to made up to the 9th round and the 10th round will be added later when you join.
Small Granny Squares
You will need to make 84. Work 4 rounds of the Granny Square pattern below (you will join on the 5th round using the join-as-you method of joining – explained later). Make 72 of these so that cream (A) is not on the 4th round (as these are going to be joined using cream (A)), and make 12 of these ensuring that raspberry (B) is not on the 4th round (as these are joined using Raspberry).
Large Granny Squares
You will need to make 13 of the Large Granny Squares. Work 9 rounds of the Granny Square pattern (you will join on the 10th round using the join-as-you method of joining – explained later). Make all of these so that cream (A) is not on the 9th round, as these are going to be joined using cream (A).
Granny Square Pattern (UK terms)
The Granny Square pattern can be found here. For this project I made Granny Squares with one chain in each corner.
Half Small Granny Squares
You will need to make 12 small Half Granny Squares. Work up to the 4th round, ensuring that the final round is not yarn B (raspberry) as this will be the joining colour on round 5.
Half Large Granny Squares
You will need to make 8 large Half Granny Squares. Work up to the 9th round, ensuring that the final round is not yarn A (cream) as this will be the joining colour on round 10.
Half Granny Square Pattern
The Half Granny Square pattern can be found here.
Quarter Granny Squares
You will need to make 4 Quarter Granny Squares. You will need to make these with 9 rounds. Make sure that these do not have cream (yarn A) as the 9th round, as this will be used when joining on the 10th round.
Quarter Large Granny Square
The Quarter Granny Square pattern can be found here.
Arrangement of Pieces
Arrange your pieces as follows. You can ensure that there is a good balance of colours across your work.
Joining the Pieces
Each piece made will be joined to the adjacent pieces whilst working the final round of each piece. I saved the Small Granny Squares and the Half Small Granny Squares which have the final round worked in Raspberry (yarn B) (the red squares and triangles in the diagram above) so that these were the last pieces I joined. This meant that all of the pieces that had the final round worked in Cream (yarn A) were all joined first.
The join-as-you-go joining method is explained here.
Border
The border is a very simple, 3 round border worked all in Raspberry (yarn B).
Border Round 1:
Pull up a loop in any corner using Yarn B (Raspberry), ch1 and work a dc around the whole blanket, ensuring that each dc is evenly spaced. When you reach a corner work 3dc. On reaching back at the start, work 3dc in the corner and then ss in the ch1 you worked at the start. DO NOT fasten off.
Border Round 2:
Ch2 (counts as 1HTC), work one HTC in each stitch around the blanket, working 3HTC in each corner. One reaching the corner where you started work 3HTC and ss in the ch2 worked at the start of the round. DO NOT fasten off.
Border Round 3:
Ch3 (counts as 1tr), work 1tr in between each of the HTC stitches you worked in the previous round, working [3tr, ch1, 3tr] in each corner. When you reach the corner at the start of the round, work [3tr, ch1, 3tr] in the final corner and ss into the ch3 worked at the start. Fasten off and weave in all ends.
Enjoy your new throw!
