purlJam

# Classic Four-Square Granny Afghan

A timeless granny square throw made from four large 11-round squares joined into a cozy 2x2 blanket. Perfect beginner project for practicing the classic granny stitch.

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## Skill Level
**Easy**

## Finished Measurements
- **Each Square:** approximately 9 inches (23 cm) square
- **Assembled Afghan (before border):** approximately 18 inches (46 cm) square
- **Assembled Afghan (with border):** approximately 20 inches (51 cm) square

> *Note: This makes a small lap/baby-sized afghan. To enlarge, increase the number of squares (e.g., 16 squares in a 4x4 layout ≈ 36 inches).*

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (Medium / #4), smooth acrylic or wool blend
  - Color A (Center): ~50 yds
  - Color B (Middle rounds): ~75 yds
  - Color C (Outer rounds): ~100 yds
  - Color D (Border + joining): ~75 yds
  - *Total: approximately 300 yds for all 4 squares + border*
- **Hook:** US H/8 (5.0 mm)
- **Notions:** Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers (optional)

> *Tip: For a scrappy look, change color every round. For a classic look, use 3–4 colors as above.*

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## Gauge
- Rounds 1–4 of granny square = approximately 4 inches (10 cm) across
- Each subsequent round adds approximately ½ inch (1.25 cm) to each side
- **Gauge is important for square-to-square consistency — check after Round 4.**

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## Abbreviations (US Terms)
- **ch** — chain
- **sl st** — slip stitch
- **sc** — single crochet
- **dc** — double crochet
- **sp(s)** — space(s)
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **rnd** — round
- **rep** — repeat

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## Pattern Notes

- All rounds are worked on the right side; do not turn.
- Each round begins with **ch 3** (counts as first dc) and ends by joining with a **sl st** to the top of the beginning ch-3.
- Each corner is a **(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc)** cluster worked into a ch-2 corner space.
- Each side gets one additional 3-dc group per round.
- Change color at the end of any round by completing the joining sl st in the new color, or carry one color throughout.

**Suggested color sequence:**
- Rnds 1–2: Color A
- Rnds 3–5: Color B
- Rnds 6–8: Color C
- Rnds 9–11: Color D

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## SQUARE PATTERN
*(Make 4 — all identical)*

**Foundation:** With Color A, ch 4; join with sl st to first ch to form a ring. *(Alternatively, make a magic ring.)*

### Round 1
Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in ring, ch 2, *3 dc in ring, ch 2; rep from * 2 more times. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.
- **Count:** 4 groups of 3 dc, 4 ch-2 corner sps. ✓ *(12 dc total)*

### Round 2
Sl st into next 2 dc and into ch-2 corner sp. Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same corner sp, *ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next corner sp; rep from * 2 more times, ch 1. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.
- **Count:** 2 groups per side, 4 corners. ✓ *(24 dc total)*

### Round 3
Sl st into next 2 dc and into ch-2 corner sp. Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same corner sp, *ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next corner sp; rep from * 2 more times, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1. Join.
- **Count:** 3 groups per side. ✓ *(36 dc total)*

### Rounds 4–11
Continue in established pattern. For each round:
1. Sl st across to first ch-2 corner sp.
2. Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same corner sp.
3. *Ch 1, work 3 dc in each ch-1 sp along the side, ch 1, then (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next corner sp; rep from * 2 more times.
4. Ch 1, work 3 dc in each remaining ch-1 sp along final side, ch 1. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.

**Stitch count per round (3-dc groups per side):**

| Round | Groups per Side | Total dc |
|-------|----------------|----------|
| 1     | 1              | 12       |
| 2     | 2              | 24       |
| 3     | 3              | 36       |
| 4     | 4              | 48       |
| 5     | 5              | 60       |
| 6     | 6              | 72       |
| 7     | 7              | 84       |
| 8     | 8              | 96       |
| 9     | 9              | 108      |
| 10    | 10             | 120      |
| 11    | 11             | 132      |

> **Math check:** Each round adds 4 groups × 3 dc = 12 dc. ✓
> Round 11: 11 groups × 3 dc × 4 sides = **132 dc**, plus 4 corner ch-2 sps. ✓

Fasten off after Round 11, leaving a 6-inch tail. Weave in all ends.

**Repeat to make 4 squares total.**

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## Blocking (Recommended)

Before joining, block each square to ensure uniform size:
1. Lightly mist with water or steam.
2. Pin each square to a flat surface at exactly **9 x 9 inches**.
3. Allow to dry completely.

Blocking is the key to all 4 squares ending up the same size.

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## Assembly — Whip Stitch Join

Arrange squares in a **2 x 2 layout**:

```
[ Square 1 ] [ Square 2 ]
[ Square 3 ] [ Square 4 ]
```

1. Place two squares with **right sides together**, edges aligned.
2. Thread tapestry needle with a long strand (~30 inches) of Color D.
3. Insert needle through the **back loops only** of both corresponding stitches along the edge.
4. Whip stitch across, inserting needle through each pair of stitches (one from each square). Pull snug but not tight.
5. Secure ends.

**Joining order:**
- Join Square 1 to Square 2 (top row).
- Join Square 3 to Square 4 (bottom row).
- Join the top row to the bottom row across the long seam.

> *Tip: At the intersection where 4 corners meet, stitch through all layers to keep the center flat.*

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## Border (Optional but Recommended)

With Color D and right side facing, join yarn with sl st to any corner ch-2 sp of the assembled afghan.

### Border Round 1
Ch 3 (counts as first dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same corner sp. Work **3 dc in each ch-1 sp** and **3 dc in each joining seam** around, working (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in each of the 4 outer corners. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.

### Border Round 2
Sl st to corner sp. Ch 1, sc in same sp, *sc evenly across to next corner, (sc, ch 2, sc) in corner sp; rep from * around. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

> *For a fancier finish, add a Round 3 of reverse single crochet (crab stitch) around.*

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## Finishing

1. Weave in all remaining ends with tapestry needle.
2. Give the finished afghan a final light blocking if desired.
3. Trim any stray ends.

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## Care Instructions
- **Acrylic:** Machine wash cold, gentle cycle; tumble dry low.
- **Wool blend:** Hand wash cold; lay flat to dry.

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**Designer's Note:** This classic 4-square layout is a perfect introduction to making granny afghans. Once you've mastered the rhythm of the granny stitch, you can scale this pattern up to any size by simply making more squares. Enjoy!