Crochet Granny Square Baby Blanket

Instructions

Tap a section when you finish it.

1. 1Square rounds 1 and 2Round 1 (colour A): make a magic ring; ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in ring, ch 2, *3 dc, ch 2* 3 times; join with sl st to 3rd ch and pull the ring tight (12 dc, 4 corners). Round 2 (colour B): join B in a corner space; ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same corner, ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next corner, ch 1* 3 times; join with sl st (8 clusters = 24 dc).
2. 2Square rounds 3 and 4Round 3 (colour C): join in a corner; ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same corner, ch 1, 3 dc in the ch-1 space along the side, ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1* 3 times; sl st (12 clusters = 36 dc). Round 4 (cream): in the same way work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corners, 3 dc in every ch-1 space along the sides with ch 1 between (16 clusters = 48 dc). Cut the old colour leaving 10 cm at each colour change.
3. 3Number of squares and colour planMake 42 squares in total. For variety, change the order of the three inner colours (14 squares each of A-B-C, B-C-A and C-A-B), always keeping the last round cream. Weaving in the ends of each square as soon as it is finished saves you from hundreds of ends at the end.
4. 4BlockingBefore joining, dampen the squares lightly, pin them to 11 x 11 cm on a flat surface and let dry. Squares of equal size make joining much easier and help the blanket lie flat.
5. 5JoiningLay out the squares in 6 columns x 7 rows. With cream yarn, hold two squares wrong sides together and join with sc through the outer loops of both squares, starting in the middle of a corner chain. First join the horizontal rows into long strips, then join the strips. Pull the stitch firmly at the corner crossings so no holes remain.
6. 6BorderBorder round 1 (cream): join at one corner of the blanket; along the sides work a 3-dc cluster in every ch-1 space and at each square join, with ch 1 between clusters; work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the four corners. Border round 2: work one more round the same way. Border round 3: 1 sc in every dc and every ch space, 3 sc in corner spaces; join with sl st.
7. 7FinishingWeave all ends at least 5 cm into stitches of the same colour and trim; leave no loose strands on a baby blanket. Wash the blanket and let it dry flat, shaped to size.