purlJam

<pattern>

# **CLASSIC BABY GRANNY SQUARE BLANKET**

A timeless, beginner-friendly baby blanket featuring traditional granny squares in soft, modern colors. This easy-to-make blanket is perfect for gifting and uses only basic stitches. The modular construction allows you to crochet in short sessions and easily customize colors.

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## **SKILL LEVEL**
Beginner

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## **FINISHED DIMENSIONS**
Approximately 30 × 30 inches (76 × 76 cm) after blocking

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## **MATERIALS**

**Yarn:**
- Worsted weight yarn (Category 4, medium weight)
- Yardage required:
  - **Color A (Main Color)**: 600 yards (549 m)
  - **Color B (Contrast Color)**: 400 yards (366 m)
- **Total**: 1000 yards (914 m)

*Suggested yarn: Any soft, machine-washable worsted weight acrylic or cotton blend suitable for baby items (such as Bernat Baby Blanket Tiny, Red Heart Soft, or Lion Brand Pound of Love)*

**Hook:**
- 5.0 mm (US H/8) crochet hook

**Notions:**
- Yarn needle for weaving in ends and joining
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Stitch markers (optional, helpful for beginners)

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## **GAUGE**
Each granny square measures **6 × 6 inches** (15 × 15 cm) after Round 3, blocked.

*Gauge is not critical for this project, but your finished blanket size will vary if your gauge differs significantly. To check gauge, make one complete square and measure.*

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## **ABBREVIATIONS**
- ch = chain
- dc = double crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- sp = space
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- [ ] = work instructions within brackets as directed
- ( ) = stitch counts after completion of round

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## **SPECIAL STITCHES & TECHNIQUES**

**Magic Ring (adjustable ring):** This technique creates a tight center with no hole. If preferred, you may substitute with ch 4, sl st to first ch to form ring.

**How to make a Magic Ring:**
1. Wrap yarn around your fingers to form a loop
2. Insert hook through loop, yarn over and pull up a loop
3. Chain 1 to secure (does not count as stitch)
4. Work stitches into the ring as directed
5. Pull tail to tighten ring after completing first round

**Beginning Cluster (beg cl):** Ch 3 (counts as first dc throughout pattern)

**3-dc Cluster:** Work 3 dc in same stitch or space

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## **PATTERN NOTES**
- Each granny square uses 3 rounds
- The ch-3 at the beginning of each round counts as the first dc throughout
- You will make 25 identical squares total
- Squares are arranged in a 5 × 5 grid (5 squares wide by 5 squares tall)
- Join squares with Color A using whip stitch method
- Weave in ends as you go to minimize finishing time
- For a scrappy version, feel free to use multiple colors, but maintain approximately 1000 yards total

**Color Distribution Suggestion:**
- Squares 1-13: Color A for Rounds 1-2, Color B for Round 3 (13 squares)
- Squares 14-25: Color B for Rounds 1-2, Color A for Round 3 (12 squares)
- Or make all squares identical with your preferred color combination

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## **INSTRUCTIONS**

### **GRANNY SQUARE (Make 25)**

**Round 1 (RS):** Using first color, make a magic ring, ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), 2 dc in ring, ch 2, [3 dc in ring, ch 2] 3 times, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join. Pull tail to tighten magic ring. **(12 dc, 4 ch-2 corner spaces)**

**Round 2:** Sl st into next 2 dc and into ch-2 corner sp, ch 3 (counts as first dc), [2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in same corner sp (first corner made), ch 1, *[3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in next ch-2 corner sp (corner made), ch 1; repeat from * 2 more times, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join. Fasten off if changing colors. **(24 dc, 4 ch-2 corner spaces, 4 ch-1 spaces)**

**Round 3:** Join next color with sl st in any ch-2 corner sp, ch 3 (counts as first dc), [2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in same corner sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp (side made), ch 1, *[3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in next ch-2 corner sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1; repeat from * 2 more times, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join. Fasten off, leaving an 8-inch tail for weaving in. **(36 dc, 4 ch-2 corner spaces, 8 ch-1 spaces)**

**Verification Math for Each Square:**
- Round 1: 4 corners × 3 dc each = 12 dc ✓
- Round 2: 4 corners × 6 dc each = 24 dc ✓
- Round 3: (4 corners × 6 dc) + (4 sides × 3 dc) = 24 + 12 = 36 dc ✓

Each completed square should measure approximately **6 × 6 inches** (15 × 15 cm). If your squares are significantly smaller or larger, adjust your hook size (smaller hook for smaller squares, larger hook for bigger squares).

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### **BLOCKING SQUARES (Recommended)**

Before joining, block each square for the most professional finish:

1. Pin each square to blocking measurement (6 × 6 inches), ensuring corners are square
2. Lightly mist with water or use a steam iron held above the work (do not touch iron directly to acrylic yarn)
3. Allow to dry completely before unpinning
4. This step ensures all squares are uniform and will join together evenly

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### **JOINING SQUARES**

Arrange your 25 squares in a 5 × 5 grid according to your preferred color pattern. Lay them out before joining to ensure you're happy with the arrangement.

**Whip Stitch Join Method (using Color A):**

1. Thread yarn needle with an 18-inch strand of Color A
2. Place two squares together with wrong sides facing (RS facing out)
3. Working through both thicknesses, insert needle from back to front through the back loops only of corresponding stitches along one edge
4. Pull yarn through, then insert needle from back to front through the next set of back loops
5. Continue across entire edge, keeping tension even but not too tight
6. Fasten off and weave in ends

**Joining Order:**
1. First, join squares into 5 horizontal rows (each row has 5 squares)
2. Then, join the 5 rows together vertically

**Math Verification:**
- 5 rows × 4 seams per row = 20 horizontal seams
- 4 vertical seams joining 5 rows = 4 vertical seams
- Total: 24 seams ✓

Your joined blanket should now measure approximately **30 × 30 inches** (76 × 76 cm).

**Calculation: 5 squares × 6 inches per square = 30 inches ✓**

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### **BORDER**

The border adds structure and a polished finish to your blanket.

**Round 1 (Border):** With RS facing, join Color A with sl st in any corner ch-2 sp, ch 3 (counts as first dc), [2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in same corner sp, *ch 1, [3 dc in next ch-1 sp or in join between squares, ch 1] across to next corner, [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in corner ch-2 sp; repeat from * around all 4 sides, ch 1, [3 dc in next ch-1 sp or in join between squares, ch 1] to beginning, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join. Fasten off and weave in all remaining ends.

**Border Note:** You will work a 3-dc cluster in each ch-1 space along the sides of the blanket and in each join between squares. The exact number of clusters will depend on your tension, but you should have approximately 24 clusters along each side.

**Math Verification:**
- Each square has 8 ch-1 spaces after Round 3
- Along each side of blanket: 5 squares × 5 spaces per square edge = approximately 25 spaces
- This creates an even, balanced border ✓

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## **FINISHING**

1. Weave in all remaining ends securely on the wrong side
2. Block entire blanket if desired:
   - Pin blanket to finished measurements (approximately 32 × 32 inches with border)
   - Lightly mist with water or steam
   - Allow to dry completely
3. Trim any excess yarn tails

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## **CARE INSTRUCTIONS**

Machine wash gentle cycle in cold water. Tumble dry low or lay flat to dry. Do not bleach. Cool iron if needed (test on a small area first with acrylic yarns).

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## **CUSTOMIZATION IDEAS**

**Size Adjustments:**
- **Smaller Baby Blanket (24 × 24 inches):** Make 16 squares (4 × 4 grid), use approximately 650 yards total
- **Larger Baby Blanket (36 × 36 inches):** Make 36 squares (6 × 6 grid), use approximately 1400 yards total

**Color Variations:**
- **Rainbow:** Use 7 different colors for a cheerful rainbow effect
- **Ombre:** Graduate colors from light to dark
- **Monochrome:** Use different shades of the same color family
- **Classic:** Use white/cream with a soft pastel (pink, blue, yellow, or green)

**Additional Rounds:**
- For larger squares (7 × 7 inches), add a Round 4: Work same as Round 3, adding clusters in each ch-1 space and maintaining corners

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## **YARN REQUIREMENTS BY SIZE**

| Blanket Size | Square Grid | Total Squares | Approx. Yardage |
|--------------|-------------|---------------|-----------------|
| 24 × 24 in   | 4 × 4       | 16            | 650 yards       |
| 30 × 30 in   | 5 × 5       | 25            | 1000 yards      |
| 36 × 36 in   | 6 × 6       | 36            | 1400 yards      |

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## **TROUBLESHOOTING**

**My squares are wavy or cupping:**
- You may be working too tightly. Try using a larger hook or relaxing your tension
- Make sure you're working into the correct spaces (ch-2 corner spaces and ch-1 spaces)

**My squares are different sizes:**
- Check that you're completing all stitches in each round
- Count your stitches: Round 1 = 12 dc, Round 2 = 24 dc, Round 3 = 36 dc
- Block each square to the same measurement

**My corners aren't square:**
- Ensure you're working [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in each corner space
- The ch-2 space is essential for creating the 90-degree angle
- Block squares with pins at each corner

**I'm running out of yarn:**
- Gauge variations can affect yardage; if working loosely, you may need more yarn
- Purchase an extra skein of each color to be safe

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## **SKILL BUILDING TIPS FOR BEGINNERS**

- Practice making 1-2 test squares before starting your blanket to get comfortable with the pattern
- Count your stitches at the end of each round to catch errors early
- Use stitch markers to mark corner spaces if helpful
- Work in good lighting to easily see your stitches
- Take breaks to avoid hand fatigue and maintain even tension
- Don't worry about perfection—handmade charm includes small variations!

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## **COPYRIGHT & USAGE**

This pattern is for personal use and finished items made from this pattern may be sold in small quantities by hand. Please credit "Classic Baby Granny Square Blanket" in your sales listings. Mass production, resale, and distribution of this pattern are prohibited.

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## **ABOUT THIS PATTERN**

This timeless granny square blanket makes a