Pastel Tiles Blanket – a stunning modern take on the Granny Square Blanket
I absolutely loved making this Pastel Tiles Blanket. This blanket is a combination of Granny Squares and Granny Rectangles. I used Paintbox Simply DK yarn in 9 different colours – 8 pastel colours for the Granny Squares and the Granny Rectangles – and then added a contrast colour.
The Granny Square pattern that I used is the traditional Granny Square. For this project I reworked my previous rectangle pattern and designed the ‘Even Better’ Granny Rectangle pattern. The ‘Even Better’ Granny Rectangle has smaller gaps in the first round of treble clusters (something that sometimes bothered me with the original version).
The Granny Rectangle is a useful alternative to the traditional square motif. You can find my original Rectangle Granny pattern here, or use the improved version used for this blanket.
Materials
Crochet Hook: 4mm or size needed to achieve gauge
Yarn: DK weight yarn in nine colours, 276m for each of six colours and 1380m of a joining colour.
The sample uses Paintbox Simply DK in:
Banana Cream (120) – (100g/276m),
Bubblegum Pink (150) – (100g/276m),
Tea Rose (142) – (100g/276m)
Washed Teal (132) – (100g/276m)
Pistachio Green (124) – (100g/276m),
Peach Orange (154) – (100g/276m)
Champagne White (102) – (100g/276m)
Seafoam Blue (131) – (100g/276m)
Jewel (73) – (500g/1380m) – Joining Colour
Notions: Scissors, needle to sew in ends
Finished Size
Approximately 94 x 157cm
Crochet Level
Suitable for beginners
Gauge
4 rounds in Granny Square pattern = 9.5cm x 9.5cm, and the Granny Rectangle = 9.5cm x 21.5cm, 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.
tr | Treble Crochet |
dc | Double Crochet |
ss | Slip stitch |
ch | Chain |
Beg-ch | Beginning chain |
st(s) | Stitch(es) |
sp(s) | Space(s) |
Treble Cluster | 3 treble crochet stitches worked in the same stitch or space |
[…] | Repeat pattern stated number of times |
(…) | Work instructions in the the same sp/st |
*to* | Instructions between asterisks will be repeated as specified |
Stitch Guide/Conversion Guide
UK term | US term | 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 |
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 |
Notes on the Pattern
This pattern utilises both a traditional Granny Square as well as a rectangle version. 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 – the pattern that I use has two chain stitches in each corner. The pattern also suggests you turn the work over after each round – I find this helps to keep the square even and it also makes the work reversible. These same principles apply to the rectangle.
Instructions for the Pastel Tiles Blanket
You will need to make 40 Granny Squares and 32 Granny Rectangles.
The Granny Square is worked over 4 rounds, 1 round with yarn colour A, 2 rounds of yarn colour B and the 4th round with colour C (the contrast/joining colour). With the Granny Rectangle the foundation and round 1 are worked with yarn colour A, 2 rounds of yarn colour B and the 4th round with the colour C (the contrast/joining colour).
Granny Squares
You will need to make 40 Granny Squares (s1 to s40 in the chart below). The pattern for Granny Squares is here.
The colour chart is below for each square. All squares have Jewel (contrast/joining colour) for the 4th round.
Granny Rectangle
You will need to make 32 Granny Rectangles (r1 to r32 in the chart below). The pattern for the Granny Rectangles in here.
The colour chart is below for each rectangle. All rectangles have Jewel (contrast/joining colour) for the 4th round.
Arrangement of the squares and rectangles
Arrange your squares and rectangles as outlined in the diagram above.
Joining the squares and rectangles
For this blanket I used the join-as-you go joining method. This meant that as I worked a fifth round of each Granny Square and Granny Rectangle using the contrast/joining colour (Jewel) and I joined to the adjacent square using a slip stitch at corresponding points. Alternatively you can complete the fifth round in the contrast/joining colour and then crochet or sew the squares together. Details on the join-as-you-go method can be found here.
Border
The border is simply 4 rounds of Granny stitch (i.e.treble clusters) worked in the same way as the Granny Squares and the Granny Rectangles. Work 2 rounds in the joining colour (Jewel), then work a round using 4 different pastel colours (a different colour for each side), and then a final round of the joining colour (Jewel).
Continue to turn the work over after each round.
Round 1. Using Jewel-joining colour. Pull up a loop in any chain 2 corner space. Ch3 (counts as first tr), 2tr into same space, 3tr in the spaces formed between the treble clusters from the round below, work 3 trebles in the slip stitch that joined the two squares below, continue working around the blanket working in this way and work (3tr, ch2, 3tr) in each corner. When you reach the corner where you started work (3tr, ch2), ss into 3rd ch of beg-ch3, do not fasten off.
Round 2. Turn work over, ss into ch2 corner space that you just formed. Ch3 (counts as first tr), 2tr into same space, work 3tr in each space formed between the treble clusters from the round below, continue working around the blanket working (3tr, ch2, 3tr) in each corner. When you reach the corner where you started, work (3tr, ch2), ss into 3rd ch of beg-ch3. Fasten off.
Round 3. Using Banana Cream pull up a loop in the ch2 corner space at the bottom left of the blanket. Ch3 (counts as first tr), 2tr in the same space. 3tr in the spaces along the bottom side of the blanket. Work 3tr in the corner space, then ch2, but on the second chain introduce Peach Orange yarn and complete the chain with the new yarn. Continue with Peach Orange, working 3tr in the same space and then 3tr in each space along the right side of the blanket. Work (3tr, ch2) in the corner, this time introduce Bubblegum Pink when working the second chain, continue with Bubblegum Pink with 3tr in the same corner space and then 3tr in each space along to the top right corner. Work (3tr, ch2) in the corner space and introduce Tea Rose on the second chain, 3tr in the same space with Tea Rose. Continue along the final side with 3tr in each space until you reach the corner where you started, (3tr, ch2) in the corner and then ss into the beg-ch3. Fasten off.
Round 4. Using Jewel-joining colour. Pull up a loop in any chain 2 corner space. Ch3 (counts as first tr), 2tr into same space, 3tr in each space around the blanket working (3tr, ch2, 3tr) in each corner. When you reach the corner where you started the round, work (3tr, ch2), ss into 3rd ch of beg-ch3. Fasten off.
