Crocheted Granny Square Baby Blanket
The first of many baby posts. All babies need a cuddly blanket to have as a lovey. This is actually the second blanket I crocheted for my new baby niece. The first was a really cute owl blanket, but that was before I started this blog and I neglected to take pictures before I gave it to my sister-in-law. You’ll just have to trust me that it was adorable. This blanket is still cute, but definitely simpler and designed for utility rather than “aww” factor.
I first made a blanket like this for my son before he was born. He loves it so much that I had to make another one so there was always one clean. It is soft and cuddly and he loves to stick his fingers and toes in the gaps between stitches. Plus the loose stitches and gaps make me less worried that he’ll suffocate himself with it. Which due to the SIDS educational material they hand out, was one of my biggest fears as a new mom.
This is really more of a stitch than a pattern. It really is just a giant granny square. Once you get the pattern of stitches it works up really fast with little thought. Great for keeping hands busy while watching TV. My favorite yarn for this is Red Heart Soft, but you can’t find the color you want I have good luck with Vanna’s Baby yarn. It doesn’t feel as soft as you work, but it washes up nice. I only use acrylic for baby items. Anything that could get peed/pooped/spit up on needs to be completely machine washable and dryable.
This pattern also lends itself well to customization. You can easily change the number of colors and width of the stripes and get a different look. Also, this is my first pattern, so let me know if anything is unclear or if you find a mistake.
Granny Square Baby Blanket
Materials:
- 1.5 -2 skeins each of 4 colors of worsted weight acrylic yarn.
- For the blanket shown:
- Color A – Vanna’s Choice Baby in Goldfish (2 – 3.5 oz skeins)
- Color B – Red Heart Soft Baby Steps in White (1.5 – 5 oz skeins)
- Color C – Vanna’s Choice Baby in Sweet Pea (1.5 – 3.5 oz skeins)
- Color D – Red Heart Soft Baby Steps in Aqua (1 – 5 oz skein)
- For the blanket shown:
- I-9 (5.5 mm) Hook
- Yarn needle for weaving in ends
Gauge:
- Exact gauge is not important, just be consistent. Finished size is approximately 32 inches square.
Notes:
- Blanket is worked in rounds with right side facing at all times.
- To keep blanket square, join new colors in a different corner each round.
Abbreviations:
- dc – double crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sp(s) – space(s)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
Blanket
Round 4: Join C in any corner ch 2 space, ch 3. (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same ch 2 space. Ch 1, (3 dc in next ch 1 space, ch 1) to next corner. *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch 2 space. Ch 1, (3 dc in next ch 1 space, ch 1) to next corner. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st.
Round 5: Sl st in next 2 dc (sl st, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in first ch 2 space. Continue as in Round 4
Round 6: Repeat Round 3.
Rounds 7 & 8: Repeat Rounds 4 & 5.
Continue in this pattern for 29 rounds. This will be 3 2-row stripes of each color A, C, D, with a single row of B in between, then a final two rows of A. Do not fasten off after the last round of A. Continue to Trim.
Color Pattern: {AA,B,CC,B,DD,B,AA,B,CC,B,DD,B,AA,B,CC,B,DD,B,AA}
Trim
With A, chain 3. Dc in each dc or ch 1. For the corners, 5 dc in each ch 2 space. Join with sl st to top of beginning chain. Fasten off. Weave in all ends.
